
The Mandalorian Mercs Jebat Squad is finally getting the exposure it needs. Over the course of Movie Carnival 09, we have been approached by students, magazines and cable tv people. There were a lot of people out there who were wondering what we were doing there? There was a lot of explaining to do, but most of them who asked were already aware of Star Wars, so, that made it easier.
A group of students from The One Academy came to my house to film me "preparing" for Movie Carnival, and also took some shots on location. This was for their assignment, and I was promised a copy of the documentary when they have completed it.
I was also approached by a representative of Utusan Karya, a media group that wanted to launch a new magazine entitled "Infiniti". This magazine will feature weird science and "x-files" stuff, and they also wanted to feature some sci-fi. They found out about me from my "Resurrection III: Rise of the Mandalorians" exhibition, held earlier this year. I have also been invited to the launching of the magazine on June 13 at the MySciFiFan Outpost in Cineleasure Damansara, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
For this purpose, they have asked that I bring all of my Mandalorian armour (some of which to be worn by models) as a sci-fi fan exhibit. I figured that this will be a good chance to promote the Mandalorian Mercs to the Malay-speaking public. An article on the Mandalorian Mercs will also be out in the July issue of "Infiniti". I have also been promised articles to be featured in "Remix" and "Kosmo", two local publications that have a rather wide coverage. Remix is a teen magazine, and it will be good for the Mercs to be featured here.
During Movie Carnival, I was also interviewed by cable tv stations Astro Wah Lai Toi and Astro Awani, and I will try to procure the recordings for promotional purposes.
I was also approached by a few people who are interested in making their own Mandalorian armour and joining the Mandalorian Mercs. Some of these people even adopted the name "Gra'tua" as their family name, and some had even started to make their own armour. There was a couple of students (Ni'Sya's college mates) who wanted to establish a costume club in their college, and wants to make the Mercs a major part of this club.
Movie Carnival 09 had been the single most significant tool in recruiting new Mercs members thus far. The Jebat Squad is looking for more opportunities to expand the membership and to promote costuming as a beneficial activity to all.