Kote Gra'tua: Mandalorian Weapons Expert

This is MandoArt's first US commission. It began last year, and was only completed today - due to several limiting factors. Kote Gra'tua began life as a concept art created on the MandoMaker at http://www.mandalorianmercs.com/. This concept was then further developed by the customer and myself over the months.

What we have here is the complete set of plates made from poster board, fiberglass and polyester putty, with a few random parts thrown in for good measure. Each MandoArts armour is made from scratch without using a mold, so every creation is unique.

More of MandoArts armors can be seen at http://redroyalguard.deviantart.com/ and the step-by-step guides can be found at http://www.mandalorianmercs.com/. Just look for Ge'tal Gra'tua's posts.

Movie Carnival 09 report

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.

Armata Vir

Presenting Armata Vir, Mandalorian Crusader. He made his debut - to the astonishment of the crowd - during Movie Carnival 2009 which is still being held at Sunway Pyramid in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Mandalorian Crusaders hail from 10,000 years before the advent of Darth Vader, during a time when the Mandalorians have power over the Galaxy.

This costume was modified from an existing set of armour, which was not accepted by the company that commissioned it. They wanted me to modify the armour to look like a different artwork that they had picked up during a trip to Korea, which showed the concept art for the character. (I was just given low-res screen caps). Anyhow, I agreed to the modifications on the condition that they complete their payment for the suit. It had been months and the payment did not materialize. Naturally, the commission was taken as scrapped and I decided to do something with the suit of armour... the result: Armata Vir.

It was after this incident that I applied tighter conditions for company orders:

> I do not accept any form of PO/LO. Just cash. Lump sum. No more 50% up front.

> I will not start until the payment is cleared. You miss your dateline, it's your fault.

> I will not do any free alterations or repairs on the prop/armour if the reference given was inadequate.

I don't intend to be mean, but sometimes I think that people are given an inch and take a mile. It's unprofessional and unethical. Not to mention inhumane... a large commercial entity stepping on one individual. Well, all that is behind me now. I don't give a shab what that company thinks, but sources report that they did not have the budget to come up with the proper costume, and tried to squeeze me for it...

So now, I am left with Armata Vir, probably the world's first completed ancient Mandalorian Crusader costume.