Chad Vader is a fan film series by Blame Society Productions that has gained popularity on the Internet, particularly through viewings on YouTube. It was originally created for Channel 101, where it was “cancelled” after two episodes, but the creators have continued to make episodes and publish them through other video hosting websites. The first episode has been viewed over five million times on YouTube. A portion of the episode IV video was aired on Good Morning America on October 12, 2006. As of May 11, 2007, there are eight episodes, each between five and six minutes long, written and directed by Matt Sloan and Aaron Yonda. This completes the first season of Chad Vader and a second season is promised.
Chad Vader has been translated into at least 5 languages, including Portuguese, Spanish, French, Chinese, Hebrew and Lingua Franca Nova. The series also has a DVD, which contains all 8 of the first season episodes, it has also spawned a line of other merchandise.
Story
The storyline centers around Chad Vader, a parody of Darth Vader, who works (at first) as a day-shift manager at a supermarket named Empire Market. The story presents Chad’s clash with customers and other employees while incorporating dialogue and concepts from Star Wars. Chad shows his hate towards Clint, the night-shift manager who fights for the day shift manager position. Not all of Chad’s relationships are hateful, however. Chad’s infatuation with co-worker Clarissa helps him get by.
Main Characters
Chad Vader (Aaron Yonda) - The main character and former day shift manager of Empire Market. He was moved to the night shift after a dispute with Clint. Chad ultimately quit Empire Markets because he felt he was lame. Chad tries to find a new job, but with no success, and eventually defeats Clint to earn back the Day Manager position. It is implied in episode 2 and in an interview with Aaron Yonda that Chad Vader is Darth Vader’s brother.
Clint (Matt Sloan) - Chad’s rival, the former night shift manager. He became Day Manager after a dispute with Chad. He eventually took Chad’s girlfriend Clarissa on a date. After losing in a battle against Chad, Clint quits his job.
Randy (Brad Knight) - Chad and Clint’s boss as the general manager of Empire Market. Dislikes it when Chad treats him like an emperor.
Clarissa (Christina LaVicka) - A cashier at Empire Market who went on a date with Chad, but later left him for Clint. She ultimately asked Chad if he wanted to go on another date after Clint had quit his job. Chad said he had to check his schedule.
Jeremy (Paul Guse) - An Empire Market employee who idolizes Chad and wears the top piece of a darth vader helmet; Vader usually refers to him as Commander Wickstrom. Jeremy eventually transfers to the Night Shift with Chad, until Chad went back to being a Day Manager. In the last episode he is shown to have the power of The Force when he pulls a broom to his hand.
Weird Jimmy (Craig Johnson) - An insane night shift employee. He used to be the day shift manager, but has become unstable since moving to the night shift and losing his position as manager. This was revealed during a conversation with Chad outside the store. He consults his friend “Mop” before he does anything and quote, “believes in elves”.
Minor Characters
Ben (Mike McCafferty) - A Jedi ghost who stopped Chad from committing suicide and helps him get his life back on track. He claims his death was caused by driving drunk over a gas station pump (and exploding). His appearance is sudden, but disappearing requires additional effort.
Hal (Aaron Yonda) - An odd man who searches for strange things for his “voodoo ritual.” He is one of the main characters in one of Blame Society Productions other series, Fun Rangers.
Tony (Asa Derks) - An employee in Empire Market who doesn’t like Chad very much. He can be seen in the first two episodes.
Lloyd (Rob Matsushita) - An employee in Empire Market who often makes fun of Chad about his relationship with Clarissa.
Tammy (Kealynn Kees) - An employee in Empire Market who refuses Chad’s proposal for her to work an extra shift in Episode 1.
Lionel (William Bolz) - A weird employee in Empire Market who always says that customers “save a lot”. In one of the episodes he asks Chad if anything is faster than the speed of light.
Star Wars Nerd (Steve Agee) - A Star Wars maniac which Chad sees when he’s about to commit suicide.
Mayor (Mayor Dave Cieslewicz) - The mayor of Madison. Chad tries working for him but it didn’t work out.
Bartender (Drew Foerster) - The bartender who serves Chad in Episode 5.
Awards
Matt Sloan and Aaron Yonda were awarded the George Lucas Selects award for The Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards 2007, presented at Star Wars Celebration IV, for their work on Chad Vader. George Lucas personally selected the short movie as the best fan movie of the year. Annual competition is hosted by AtomFilms.
Chad Vader appeared on the cover of Isthmus Magazine, January 25, 2007.
Clips from episodes 1 and 4 appeared on the October 11 2006 episode of ABC’s Good Morning America.