Welcome to the den of the Celtic Yautja

Hi, my name is Lance and welcome to my webpage! I'm often asked what the term "Celtic Yautja" means, so I'll start with a brief explanation of the phrase: YAUTJA is a term used to describe the (ficticous) race of alien hunters known commonly as "predators" (because of their hunting tactics and stealth). Yautja is also a name used to describe the predator species. The CELTIC predator (or Celtic Yautja) is a predator variant character that was first introduced to predator fans by the movie AvP (Aliens versus Predator).

This website has been created as a tribute to my passion for toy collecting/movie prop replica collecting & my costume collection. Costuming is a fun hobby, and I have gotten many hours of enjoyment out of appearing at events in costume...delighting children, meeting fans of sci-fi movies, and thrilling passersby, who react to the costumes as if they were real...once you slip on the suit,...you enter another world,...a world were you are a celebtity just for a short while...it's a magical feeling.

Please check out my other costumes that celebrate my Star Wars fandom, and don't forget to have a look at my BATMAN costume, just for a laugh!

I hope you enjoy your visit to Celtic Yautja's den.

Click on the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

What motivates a full grown man to wear a costume to a sci-fi convention? That's a question I have asked myself many, many times. I'll try to answer this very question now... A few short years ago my wife and I brought a 3-leveled manor than we saw for sale, and immediately loved. I was already an avid toy collector and when I saw the lower level of our soon to be home I began to plan my new hobby room.

I have a habit of attending the local sci-fi convention every year, with the intention of buying toys and collectibles for my toy collection. On this occasion I took my video camera with me to tape my children as we attended the event. I have at home here a 3 minute segment that forever changed my attitude to costuming, Star Wars and suchlike. My kids spotted two Imperial stormtroopers as we walked through the event. The costumes were sublime. Exact in every detail. The armour they wore shone, and the guys in the suits were polite, well spoken and very impressive to look at. My children met these two troopers, and I videotaped the meeting on my handycam.

My children gasped as they shook the hands of the troops, and as we left the convention they chatted excitedly about their brief encounter with the "stormtroopers from Star Wars". Little did I know, but the troopers in question were local guys and I made contact with them afterwards (Chris and Kirin have been good friends ever since!) I had reviewed the videotape that I took that day many, many times before I took the plunge and purchased a set of armour for myself.

I'm married, with four children and am an owner-operator of an extremely busy and successful business. Do I understand the daily hardships of everyday life? You betchya! Am I acquainted with the workings of raising a large family? Yes, definitely yes! Sport has never interested me - grown men chasing a ball around a field seems more childish to me than prop collecting and costuming. I've never been impressed by flash cars (I grew up with a family owned business that specialised in repairing European cars); i.e., mechanics, grease monkeys - or whatever you call the guys who waste lifetimes underneath cars. My uncle's remarks regarding cars were more often negative than positive. Movies, however, have always inspired me.

When I was a young boy my late Uncle Kerry would take me to the movies from time to time. He would buy me an ice cream, popcorn and suchlike, and I would enjoy the film whilst being totally appreciative of Kerry's regard for me. I guess what I am trying to convey to you here is this: movies, and movie characters inspire me, excite me, and fill me with precious memories that I cherish. I've seen a lot of corny, horrible looking costumes, believe me! My intention is to portray the costumed character as accurately as possible. In poise, manner and overall look. For me, the ability to bring a "memory of a lifetime" to a child is more important to me than the remarks of those who "don't get it" (and never will!)

My kids love me, and think I'm Batman - as a parent that's a very, very good thing, and a great tool as I go forward in raising my kids. Some of the finest, kindest, most well balanced people I have ever met are members of the 501st. For your treasured friendship, I thank you.