Build your own lightsaber or master ‘Star Wars’ special effects with these $20 online courses

As a long-time Star Wars fan, you’ve likely celebrated countless May the Fourths with all of the binge-watching, merchandise buying, and arguing over conspiracy theories possible.

This year, take a step further into your favorite universe: Udemy offers several Star Wars-themed online courses to give hardcore fans a hands-on way to commemorate their favorite franchise. You can learn to build your own lightsaber, use Adobe to create realistic special effects, or play the Star Wars main theme on the harmonica. 

SEE ALSO: Save $10 on LucasFilm-approved lightsabers at ThinkGeek with code

The skills will be a step up from wowing a child with how fast you can build an X-Wing out of Legos, but patience you must have, young padawan.

We’ve highlighted two of our favorite courses below, but you can check out all of the Star Wars learning here.

Lightsabers are one of the most recognizable weapons in all of film history. If buying one online is just too easy, then learn to make your own at home. An hour with Udemy’s Build a Lightsaber course can get you a super realistic replica of Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, made from parts gathered and put together by you. 

The process is none other than that used by the special effects team who built the original lightsaber prop in A New Hope. It’s basically a rite of passage for any extreme original trilogy fan. (Sound effects aren’t included, so you’ll have to make those, but we’re sure you’ve perfected them by now.)

There are endless courses and IRL training sessions on lightsaber combat (lightsaber dueling is actually an official sport in France). But what’s the point of learning how to use the most badass weapon of all time if it doesn’t look realistic? This Star Wars video editing course puts you into the action by walking you through the editing process used to create professional lightsaber effects and force lightning effects into videos. Using Adobe After Effects, you’ll learn how to finesse masks, color, and frame-by-frame visuals to create a realistic lightsaber battle — even if the only backdrop you have is your driveway.

If you’re already a video producer with a subscription to the Adobe Suite, this is a unique skill to add to your belt for future projects — and imagine how many people will pay you to make them look like a Jedi master.