Mein Gott! Is Ellie resurrecting this page from the dead?
Well...I had never forgotten about my own little corner of the tinterwebs. In fact, if you have read my more recent posts I can still confirm that I have been pretty busy lately. With me working many hours these days and spending much of my free time with my boyfriend naturally the time for cosplaying has been a little cut, both productively and blogger-wise. I still do my best to update my Facebook Page but even then I still wish I have more time into these things.
Without further ado, I am still yet to write about my Fate cosplay.
When I was still in school, I have came across an anime called Nanoha Strikers. It was back before I knew the Nanoha franchise also covered days when Nanoha and Fate were younger. As much as I loved the series it wasn't until last year I have watched the earlier seasons and felt there was a little void in my life that was finally filled.
I had some black and white fabric that was lying around, as well as some red PVC so I had decided to give Fate a try. I made a basic black leotard with a zipper in the back that happens to have been where the red straps were sewn into. The bows, leggings and gloves were made of black Spandex and the skirt had a nice Cotton twill feel to it. It was only a bit of scrap material so it was shorter than I would have liked but made it work with some gathering. The front part is attached to some elastic to make it easy to slip off when taking the costume off.
Day 1 of work
The cape is what makes this usually cold cosplay more cosy and this revealing one much less intimidating to wear. It has a nice sheen to it and it is lined with some lovely Maroon coloured Polyester fabric with interfacing inside the collar.
The belt buckles and yellow triangles were some left over Worbla that was painted silver. Perhaps surprisingly the most stressful part of the cosplay was waiting for the wig as I have never been blond before. When it arrived it was a very pleasant surprise and have plans to cosplay some other of our yellow-haired friends now I have the confidence to pull of that colour!
Fate is far from my more comfortable costumes as the red straps are very constrictive and I normally have to unzip the back a little so I can breathe. She is also among the very few where I get to wear heels. Placing the extensions to the wig can be a challenge within itself but the cape makes this costume somewhat nice to wear.
Fate was worn at J-con 2015, Namsoc Halloween night 2015, LAGC Winter 2016 and Alcon 2016. I wish to wear this as I am usually ill or tired when I am in this for some reason. In fact, on the day of Fate's debut I was up until 4am, had 2 hours before the con to sleep and had to rush home for an evening shift at work. Never again!
I hope everyone is having a great day with movies and chocolate! Today I have decided to give my beloved sewing machine a break and enjoy my day day in front of the TV and take it easy.
I have decided that it is time to start putting my work up more often. What better way to start than to show off my most recent work?
'Lets cosplay!' is pretty much an idea derived from the 'Lets plays' that has stormed Youtube but instead of gaming I will give you a run through of my favorite costumes every once in a while.
I have attended Em-Con a few weeks ago in my hometown. Em-con is a annual convention in Nottingham that focuses of Sci-fi and fantasy as opposed to anime. There you can meet various actors from popular series such as Red Dwarf and Game of Thrones. There were also many dealers and artists around. It was a fantastic family event, with tiny Cybermen and little Jedis.
I was expecting it to be a crowded event so I opted for a costume of a character that is well loved, easy to wear and practical to move in when I need to retreat to a quieter place. Rock Lee was planned for Kitacon 2015 but because I was making fast progress with him I thought I'd budge him up ahead.
The weekend was a cold one and it was a chilled out event so we didnt have time to do a 'serious' photoshoot so much of the photos taken were us just messing about.
Several years ago I have brought the legwarmers on Ebay. I didn't have any plans to make the costume at the time but being a Rock Lee fan I had brought them for myself for a little joke and a nod to one of my favorite characters. I became more confident with wearing shorter wigs some time later so there we go!
The bodysuit was just a roll of blue Spandex that I was given for free a year ago. I have decided to make use of it by throwing it in 2 dye baths to achieve the colour. The first bath was by using Jacquards iDye (recommended by my good friend FishyFins) in green and another bath using Dark green Dylon dye. Jacquard's was by far effective but the Dylon gave it a slightly 'greener' hue. I have used my (Knight of Zero) Suzaku costume to help pattern the costume out and a simple green zipper rolls down the back. The collar has been replaced since being worn to Em-con.
The Chunin jacket was by far the most difficult part of the costume. I have adapted the beginning of it from a fleece jacket pattern my friend Katie have copied for me a few years back from Hinata. Though technically relatively simple, measurements were of prime importance getting the proportions right. The fabric was dyed white cotton using Dark Green Dylon fabric paint (same time as the bath for the bodysuit) and wadding was placed around the shoulders, collar and bottom hem. The red spiral was some leftover red PVC from Hikaru and appliqued onto the back.
The wig and forhead protector were also Ebayed. The wig had a ponytail that was cut off and tidied. The forehead protector plate was salvaged from a very cheap one and put onto a strip on polycotton. The eyebrows were coated with eyeliner.
Revisions are underway. I plan to make some new shoes for Kitacon!
Anyone who knows me well will know that I love entering masquerades!
Being backstage can be very daunting but don't let
it put you off from doing a good show!
At any anime convention you will expect a stage event where cosplayers volunteer to show off their work on stage. Depending on the event some masquerades are competitive where others tend to just be just a little fun. There is alot to them so here is a little guide to help you make the most of them.
A common misconception is that masquerades are only for the best cosplayers. This is, in fact, not true at all. While some cosplayers go to show off their best efforts, entrants often join in for the thrill of it or to simply work on their confidence.
Please not that this guide is aimed for the UK convention scene and many events may have different variations to what may be expected. On YouTube it seems that some countries use the word 'Masquerade' to what we Brits call 'Skits' or the 'Omake'. To avoid any confusion,please read the guidelines for your chosen event.
Pre-registration
Not only they are popular to watch, but they are popular to enter. Naturally there may be a limited number of slots to allow the event to not drag too long (think of the entrants near the back and those behind the mics).
At a certain time before the event there may be a application form you may fill in. Nothing drastic, they just want to know a few details such as your name, character and sometimes even your choice of music. Entrants would often enter their best costume they bring to the con. It would be an absolute waste to wear a PE uniform on stage while you plan to wear this amazing ball gown on the floor. Get a group together if you wish.
Changes and special requirements
If you decide to opt out for any reason or have a new costume planned at any point then please e-mail or inform the event organisers as soon as possible. If you have any special requirements such as wanting to be near friends in the que, health issues or wearing a costume with limited visibility/mobility then it will be a good idea to let them know these things and they will do their best to help you out, such as getting a helper to guide you on-stage if you are unable to see properly.
The atmosphere
Masquerades are often performed on stage in front of a large number of attendees.Being a staple event, expect the majority of the con to be rooting for you! You would often get lined up in a certain order so the person calling your name to get called onto the stage will know exactly who will be on the stage next and you too will be aware of when to be strutting your stuff.
Before the masquerade you will be asked to attend a briefing. They allow the organisers to register who has turned up. You will be given the opportunity to ask any questions at this point aswell and to make changes (I will advise you to email the organisers for anything major). Use this opportunity to soak up the atmosplhere and try to visualise what poses would look great on stage.
The set up varies depending on the event itself; MCM Expos and Alcon have the main stage, Kitacon is well remembered from its glorious catwalk, FushiCon (videotaped below) had the box and AmeCon relays across several rooms. You will always be informed by the set-up by the organisers so be sure to listen to it during the briefing.
Lets make the most of it!
Arriving on-time
On the day you arrive make you read the schedule carefully as there will be what is known as what will be along the lines of 'masquerade preparation'. You MUST make sure you arrive before the designated time. You may be disqualified from the event if you fail to attend. Some event might make exceptions only for those who have entered events in the past but it would help alot if you attend. You are not expected to have you conbags or conbadges at this point so make sure you allow a friend to take care of your stuff for you. It should be just you and your costumes.
At this point there will be a register roll and your names will be called out. This just makes sure that everyone who should be there are present and cross off the non-attendees. You will be given instructions on how and where to pose and be given the opportunity to ask questions. Your names will be called out again to get in line for the que so the names of the participants will be parallel to the names listed when they get called out when you are ready to go onstage!
It is highly recommended that you are dressed ready for the event at this point too bar some quick make-up touches. Is this a judged event?
Remember not all masquerades are judged while sometimes are combined with the contest. Some people have a competitive streak while some just like being on stage. Check with the convention to see if they are the same event or if they are separate. You can even take part in both if you wish!
Staying in character
This is important if you are going to be serious about this. It is generally acceptable to enter just for fun but many of the best photos tend to show personality. If you are dressed up as Guy-sensei, show off some awesome kicks, if you are Princess Tutu and ballet trained, do some lovely ballet poses (or do some good research to get the stances right but please do not go en-pointe if you have not been trained properly!). They do not all have to be signature poses but doing the right poses, walk, expressions and stuff are all signs that you are well connected to the character.
Mess around backstage and make friends
The other entrants will be just as nervous backstage so it is a good time to mingle with other cosplayers and share the joy to help yourself (and others) to calm down. Do Darlek impressions with the electric fans, laugh, joke around and make a mustache using your hair/wig. It may make a massive difference for the good to the girl on the brink of tears (or even nausea). It is a good time to get to know others, which helps distract you from the anxiety.
Even veterans get nervous
Sometimes you will be nervous but there will be times where you are more excited. Sometimes it could be a mix of both so don't let nerves put you off from future events.
Walk with confidence!
This is perhaps the most important thing! You would not slump when you get photographed on the con floor so why should you when you get shot my dozens, if not hundreds of photographers at once? Keep your back straight, strut, keep your chin up! You'll look fabulous so don't let bad posture ruin a good photography opportunity! If you are nervous, fake confidence! The rest of the convention will be behind you cheering and you will get a lot of respect for your guts.
POSING!!!!
To avoid looking like a dork, be sure to plan ahead and have some idea how to pose. This is especially important if you are in a group but if you are going solo you can improvise. This is the opportunity to show that you know the character and doing this properly can get you some extra brownie points from the fans.
Due to the lighting of the room chances are you will look more washed out than usual. To avoid looking like a ghost be sure to tone up your make-up to further promote your finer features. Use plenty of foundation, keep natural looking tones for your eye-shadow and add some warmth to your cheeks too! Food! Glorious food!
Be sure to do this at all times during the con but it is especially important in the masq! With the briefing, wait for the event to start, wait to get up on stage and watching the other entrants it may take a few hours and you will be hungry/dying for a beer by the end of it. The lighting here will be more intense than in the halls so to minimise poor skin showing and the risk of passing out be sure to have a light meal before the event.
Be sure to have a light meal before the briefing. I like to take my time while getting dressed and drinking tea to help calm me down. It will be handy to have a light snack in your room at this case but be sure to eat before getting into costume. It helps to take your time to apply make-up and getting the wig right so it helps stretching the time it takes to get ready. If you don't take care of yourself it will show!
Take your time
Not everyone has fast cameras and some people will be using their smartphones so it is a good idea not to rush if you want the crowd to fully appreciate your work. My favourite way around this is to keep on moving while having poses in between movements. Make a performance out of it, freeze for 5 seconds, show your grace and repeat. The photographers will be grateful for it, the videographers will have some nice footage and you will be happier with the results.
Avoid speaking/shouting unless you are Goku shouting 'KAMEHAMEHA!!!!!!!'
This is more of my opinion than anything. You are unlikely to be given a microphone so your voice will be washed out by the background noise and music. Masquerades are an opportunity to show off your costume and is often seen more as a visual art. You may want to enter the omake instead if you plan to have any dialogue.
OK serious business is done! Time for a happier post where I dont have to be serious. My brain is fried XD
2014 is near it's end! Coming soon will be a new year of cosplay fun! Although Kitacon is not until simmer, there will be a gruelling battle for places on the 1st January! I will be there the minute they open! I will also be attending Em-con, the NAMSOC regional social and maybe Midlands Expo if I am up to it.
I have some ideas for 2015 already but with months before the con and a number of local events coming up they are subject to change. I will defiantly be rewaring Hikaru and I have made a start on a number of projects already.
The first costume I have made a start on for next year is Rock Lee from Naruto Shippuuden. I was in 2 minds at first but I have some blue lycra to use up so I dyed it in green dye for the bodysuit.It was one of those stove dyes but I didnt have one big enough so I threw boiling water into a bucket and it still worked pretty well. I still have some finishing up for it and the wig is already styled. I will be using the flak jacket for Forth Shinobi War Hinata too, who is also well on her way. I also intend to make her Last movie attire. Her wig arrived last week and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
I also have plans to cosplay Ladybug to go with a friend and zentais are really cheap so I can get her done quickly, and Amy from Suisei no Gargantia, who should be appropiate for the summer heat. I wanna do some more thermoforming so Mushra from Mushrambo is pretty tempting. The anime is a childhood favourite so im looking forward to this one.
I have no idea when, but I would love to being Sailor Jupiter out too. She was on a temporary hiatus due to the gloves being missing but thanks to a good tidy in my room I found them!
I have Justin (Grandia), Rider (Fate/Stay night), a Ranma Saotome remake and bunny-girl Mikuru (Haruhi) half completed in my sewing box so I wonder if I should bring any of these out from the dead?
Mein Gott! Is Ellie resurrecting this page from the dead?
