Big news today on the Unemployed Stormtrooper front for all of you faithful fans!

Today, Tom Jalana, creative mastermind behind the Unemployed Stormtrooper series announced on his Facebook page today that the next installment of Unemployed Stormtrooper will be released to YouTube on 11.11.11.

Film industry insiders said that this announcement came as a “complete surprise” as very little information was circulating around the internet, on Twitter feeds and in the news.

At 3pm CST today, Tom Jalana updated his Facebook profile to the new timeline preference and posted the incredible picture (above – click on image for a bigger view). Granted, the only individuals able to currently see his updated profile are those with Facebook Developers access – so it’s not quite certain if this information was meant to be public knowledge or if it was to be released during the Facebook/Apple announcement on October 4th.

Either way, the information is out there now and we have the screengrab of Tom Jalana’s Facebook page to prove it.

The integration of the QR codes showcases things to come with the new Facebook platform, and it’s believed that Tom Jalana and Flying-J Studios is the company to integrate the codes into their timeline so prominently.

We’d like to hear from our readers – what do you think we can look forward to with Unemployed Stormtrooper: Beginnings on 11.11.11? Let us know!

Things over the past several years haven’t gotten any better. Myself, along with several millions of other troopers are still unemployed. And while this may be the damnedest recession we have ever seen this side of a double-sun, one positive thing has happened… our original Unemployed Stormtrooper video (above) is approaching 350,000 views.

While this may not seem like a large number the fact that in today’s age, we can draw attention to the plight of stormtroopers across the galaxy – no matter how small the number – is impressive, impressive indeed.

And while the Paypal button on the left hasn’t drummed up any funds for the filming of a third film (you can see the sequel here), we are asking all of you Star Wars fans to really help spread the crap out of the video above because if I can get it to One Million Views, my friends over at Sochacki Communications have agreed to film Unemployed Stormtrooper III for FREE.

A million views may sound like a lot, but between everyone’s social media out there (Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Google+), I bet we can get there before Christmas.

So – Star Wars fans out there, what say you? (start with those sharing buttons below)

Sure, those droids were right under our nose and we didn’t realize it, but there is no Jedi mind trick out there that is going to have us believing this is Fred Flintstone.

I suggest everyone print this page out and flood into your local Halloween City store with a picture of this website ad and go pick this costume up today – because if memory serves me correctly, this typically sells for $149.99. Save yourself 66% and stick it to them! Then, after you’ve saved the money, throw a donation TK-822′s way by clicking on the PayPal Donate button to the left.

All donations will go to filming our next sequel, Unemployed Stormtrooper III.

To all the fans of Unemployed Stormtrooper – I just wanted to let you all know that I picked up a part time job last weekend working on the set of the short film “Pitchman” from Flying-J Studios.

I was hired on as security during the filming of the movie. While it was only a 48-hour gig (that was the length of the film competition (see 48 Hour Film Project), the pay was great and I met a lot of industry people on set, namely, Ed Sochacki, owner of the marketing firm, Sochacki Communications. After telling Mr. Sochacki about my experiences in film (it doesn’t get any bigger than Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, right!?!), he seemed willing to discuss the possibilities of filming another sequel.

If that doesn’t pan out, I’ll at least have a nice little on-camera interview to share with everyone here!

In the meantime, I’ll continue to look for work, but I encourage you all to check out the film “Pitchman” and share it with your friends on Facebook. Maybe the additional exposure of the film from all of you will be the tipping point, helping me get that next job!

Here’s some behind-the-scenes images I took with my helmet cam! Enjoy!

While the road ahead will present numerous challenges, my training as an Imperial Stormtrooper will help me overtake my opponents – whether it’s through political under-the-table dealings, or brute Imperial force. Make no doubt about it, we will be victorious.

To all of the supporters out there, and especially my fellow troops, please feel free to show your support for my campaign my updating your Facebook profile picture with this image. The greater our number, the stronger we become.

Over the years, the video has gone viral with just shy of 300,000 views. In one day, we had over 14,000 views thanks to a link from Der Speigel, the German On-line magazine. Hundreds of you posted responses to my video on YouTube over the years asking me to make a sequel, but I had gotten engaged, married, purchased a house with my wife and we had our first child last June. Things the past few years have been so busy, that I had to put TK-822′s adventures on hold.

But finally this past February, I promised myself I’d make the time to film a sequel. What I didn’t realize was how close to home TK-822′s story would hit.

On March 1st, I lost my job as Vice President of a marketing/design firm that had been around since 1977. We had great creative, client services and clients, but the economy took its toll on some of our Fortune 500 clients and, as they stopped their spending,  the owner needed to make a difficult decision and lay me off. I had been with the company since 2000 and was just shy of my 10-year anniversary. Needless to say, with a newborn, a morgtage, car payments, an on-going lawsuit against the previous owners of the house, and a host of other expenses, the news was the worst one could ask for.

Suddenly, TK-822′s story took on a much greater meaning to me.

Millions of Americans have lost their job over the past 22 months and companies still aren’t comfortable hiring people these days. The health care reform bill floating around in Congress has done nothing to give them the confidence to start employing people, and the taxes across the board are on the way up. As I hadn’t needed a resumé in over a decade, I decided to use TK-822 as an experiment, and I put together his resumé as practice for writing my own. I even went so far as to set this blog site up for his character so that he could stay in touch with people and let everyone know when the next video was coming. After all, I figured with nobody hiring, I’d have plenty of time on my hands now, right?

So this takes us to TK-822′s post about possibly working at a restaurant downtown as a bus boy. I’ve known the owner of Mart Anthony’s since I took my first job in Chicago at Ambrosi back in 1996. Over that time, I’ve become a regular there and Marty is like an uncle now. Filming a sequel to Unemployed Stormtrooper at his restaurant wasn’t going to be a problem. As a matter of fact, we had just finished production on a small test video for the restaurant that is featured on one of my best friends’ start-up company, www.FindmeChicago.com – a site dedicated to promoting small businesses in and around the Chicagoland area.

This past Wednesday, I was at the restaurant with my friend to review a second version of the video we needed to make (the featured bartender in the video quit). All of my video equipment was with me (the same equipment I use for making Unemployed Stormtrooper) in the off-chance something new needed to be filmed.

We sat, reviewed film edits, talked with the regulars and had a great time like we always do. At 10:15pm, we decided to wrap things up and take a walk down the block to see the owner of the bar/restaurant Clutch, to talk about possibly featuring his establishment on FindmeChicago.com. We were there for no more than 45 minutes. I told Reggie that I needed to get home to the wife and daughter before it was too late in the evening. So, we finished our drinks and walked back to our cars.

My friend got in his and I continued to walk down the block toward my car. Fortunately for me, my friend followed me up the block to see me off safely when suddenly, he rolls down the window to ask me if I needed a ride.

I reacted with a laugh as I thought he was joking because I was literally only about 100 feet away from it – or so I thought.

“Where’s your car?” he asked.

“It’s right here.” As I pointed to a four-door Nissan Altima.

The problem is, I drove my family car down, which was a 2009 Silver Nissan Rogue.

My daughter, this past February with her favorite plush bear.

That’s right – the family car with my daughter’s child seat, stroller, favorite stuffed animal, a few toys, Baby Einstein music CD’s, an orange Denver blanket my wife and I purchased while visiting dear friends in Colorado, and, all. my. video. equipment.

Equipment that was all purchased when I was employed. Equipment that had video from my daughter’s first birthday party still on the memory chips in the bag. Equipment that was to be used to help hundreds of small businesses in Chicago get noticed on the web. And, equipment that was to be used to film the next sequel to Unemployed Stormtrooper.

So now, all the paperwork (insurance forms, police reports, a list of lost items) is in the processes of being filled out. It will still be at least 24 days before the insurance company classifies it as stolen and then, probably another two weeks before a check gets issued for replacing the stolen items. Maybe a month-and-a-half total. Only two days into it, my daughter has noticed her stuffed animal has gone missing.

Fuck you. Thieves. Kick a man while he’s already down why don’t you.

I’ve read each and every one of the comments people have left for TK-822 over the years about how bad they feel for him – whether they were intended to be serious or not. It’s only now that I never realized how much the two of us suddenly have in common.

For those of you feeling sympathetic, all I’d like are two simple things:
First, pay attention to tow trucks. In Chicago, it’s an everyday occurrence to see a car towed, but not all tow-jobs are LEGAL. In my case, someone with a tow truck hitched the car and drove it off to a chop shop. If you can think of it, be a good neighbor and write down the plate number of the tow truck and the make and model of the car taken if it looks suspicious. It may provide the police with a lead they otherwise wouldn’t have.
Second, bookmark FindmeChicago.com’s website and “like” them on Facebook. Tell your friends to do the same. The site is all about helping small businesses get found – which is extremely important with the economy being as shitty as it is. Everyone can use help one way or the other.

Feel free to share this story on Facebook too, by clicking on the button below the story.

I know TK-822 will be back – I just don’t know how soon. But for those of you who are fans, hang in there and may the Force be with you!

So, speak up and give us some ideas!

Seeing that it’s been a few years since I’ve had a serious job offer, I decided to look into this by placing a call to Frank Campo, the manager of Mart Anthony’s Italian Restaurant and Steakhouse, to see what the position paid and how many days a week I could work. Mr. Campo explained that the restaurant is located in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood and they have a host of regular customers that come their once or twice a week, and, because of its proximity to the United Center, the restaurant is a great place to meet before and after Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks games.

Mr. Campo had asked what my qualifications were to be a server, and I explained that while I’ve never worked as a server, I had serviced the entire Galaxy, serving and protecting the likes of  humans, Jawas, Sandpeople, Wookies, Bothans, Trandoshans, and Rodians. I also mentioned that I had a number of fans pulling for me and were following me in my job hunt.

Mr. Campo wasn’t entirely sure if I’d be the right fit for their establishment, but I told him I’m sure I’d fit in. I’d certainly be interested in hear what everyone else thinks – if you think I’d be a good fit for the job, or, if you’ve ever eaten there, I’d like to know what your experience was and what I can do to be prepared for my upcoming interview. Frank told me that there’s a good video for me to watch that gives a good description of the restaurant. It was produced by the folks at FindmeChicago - a company that focuses on promoting small businesses. You can check out the video below, and then post a comment and let me know what you think I should do – either on the Youtube video for the restaurant or on my blog. Or, just call them at (312) 421-3477 and tell them, “Hire the Stormtrooper.” I’m sure it will help me get the job.

I’ll be looking forward to hearing from everyone. In the meantime, may the Force (Light or Dark) be with you.

My in-person interview is scheduled for Friday, July 3rd, with the shop manager Dawayne, so keep your fingers crossed for me. And, if anyone can throw a few nice words over to Dawayne on my behalf to make sure it all goes well and I get hired, send him an e-mail at dawayne@cycles-n-sports.com.

I did mention to him that my documentary film crew may be tagging along on my first day, so I’ll be sure to post that v-blog when it’s all said and done, so please stay tuned!

The 9th hole at Oak Hills Country Club provided the backdrop for my video that will hopefully help me land a job sometime soon.

It’s not often that you have the  opportunity to create a viral video that can help you land a job. Fortunately for me, this morning, I received a vision via the Force, from my old boss Darth Vader.

In the vision, Lord Vader told me that he knew that he had made some mistakes that led to the destruction of the Death Star – not once, but twice. He also was very supportive in his message, telling me that I should construct this here website so that I can use it as a vehicle to help me get a job. Additionally, Lord Vader thought that it would be a good idea if I put my information out there on the World Wide Web. Which I’ve done.

So, this morning, armed only with a tri-pod and my trusty Samsung HD camera, I went down to the local golf course to film my message to the masses. Oak Hills Country Club has a great little 9-hole course, and the approach to the final hole is just beautiful – so I thought that would make a great backdrop for my video.

You can see the results of my work here.

Hopefully, this will help me land a job. In the meantime, download my resumé and circulate it among business owners. I’m willing to work for just about anyone these days!

Until next time… may the Force be with you.