I apologise that I have been unable to update anything lately. Stupid Ellie! Life has been super hectic since my last post with all these interviews, studies, costume work and I am even about to settle into a new full-time job!
All cosplay veterans have been there; we start a new costume early and what happens? Life gets in the way! No matter how early you start you may have setbacks that makes this time of year super stressful, especially if you have less that 2 weeks to go! You may have a lot of stuff to do left but you have worked to long and too hard not to try to get the costume finished!
You may be able to tell that I am in this exact same situation. I have a lot of painting, gluing, biasing and thermoforming left to do. What can we all do int his situation?
Consider what exactly needs doing and make a list
Sometimes, this could make a difference between a doable or far-fetched project. Your stress levels may lower just as you cross things off the list. I might be just some minor details such as painting little details or making a full garment. What may help is consider realistic deadlines and stick to them!
Think about whether or not if it is really a realistic goal
This may be the hardest decision you would make at this point. It might be sad to leave your costumes to one side but the rush might end up ruining your costume. If you are confident enough to proceed there are ways to get everything sorted. If things go go wrong what can be done about it?
Think about your schedule
What days can you work on your costume? Do you have any important events you can not cancel? Try to do bitesized chunks between your activities to lesson the load the next day. TRY NOT TO PULL A SICKIE! Use them only for when you really do need them as in my opinion cosplay is no excuse to interfere with your work life. Alternatively, it may be a good idea to get the week before the con off if possible.
Make sure you eat and sleep properly too! You will not be able to work your best if you don't feel your best.
Have sewing parties Your friends might be in the same boat too so if it is the case try to band together. This can reduce the stress and you all can help eachover out, as well as giving tips to speed some processes. You can also arrange to come together in town to go shopping together for supplies and toiletries to get a precon buzz! The fresh air will do you a lot of good!
Have a dedicated workspace
If you can, keep most of your work in a corner. That way you can ensure you keep everything together to hopefully save having your stuff going missing. Cleaning up will be easier at the end.
Start packing about a week before the con
If you need to wait a little before advancing onto the next stage then packing may be a really good idea. For starters, you can make sure you can take everything you need, secondly if anything is missing you have time to buy whatever it is, thirdly you are less likely for forget anything and most of all you have mostly 1 thing out of the way so less pressure for you!
I finally managed to finish part of my Sora Naegino cosplay this week but it was not without sqealing as I kept thinking that I would glue my hand to my head or something.
All of us have gone though this multiple times; the annoying numb sensation because you have a thick layer of Superglue on your hand! It is not very practical at all!! It keeps flaking and you could barely feel a thing. It is not a clever idea to bite it all off as it could cause more trouble than before.
The quick solution? NAIL POLISH REMOVER!
That is right! By using an Acetone based nail polish remover you can soften the glue. The Acetone creates a reaction to the cyanoacrylate by softening it,
Be sure to soak you skin in soapy water as it would help loosen it a little quicker. Then simpy apply the nail polish remover after lightly drying your hands. Acetone degrades the polymer and gets rid of the icky feeling.
Acetone dehydrates your skin so be sure to treat your hands to some moisturizer at the end. You may want to wash yor hands too as it smells icky!
Whatever you do do not use cotton be it be buds or whatever. Cotton contains cellulose that would fizzle and burn in reaction to the Cryanoacrylate.
When you are making a cosplay it is important to know what you are doing. Although when you look at costumes it may appear to be a few meters of fabric driven through a machine but in reality watching what you do can make a difference.
While it may be tempting to make costumes completely by memory it wont always be the most reliable of things. It is not until you spend ages looking at the many images and stills that you realise that there are these added details that are easy to overlook.
Concept art Official illustrations, character sheets, models and storyboard all fall into concept art. Character sheets are the most basic of references you will use if they are available. Although some of them will only provide a front view, many will also show a back view and a side view.
They are designed to give the animators a clear view of the designs of the characters, providing clear details of parts of the costumes that may be overlooked or often covered..
Screenshots
These are stills of the character from the source itself, whether it is CGI from a game or a fight scene in an anime. Although some details may be missing at times they are particularly useful for textures.
By using the PrtSc button and using any video programme or website on your computer you can make your own stills.
It is also a good idea to go onto Google and make some collages on Paint or Photoshop. Get as many angles as possible
Figurines
They offer a full view of the character design, just like a 3D model. You can buy these online, at geeky shops and at conventions. They have more uses that to be just kept on your shelf!
Fanart
Although not always reliable as some people like to add their own flair into the design, some fanart may help and would even give you inspiration for photoshoots.
Sketch em up!
You may even want to make some concept sketches for yourself if it helps. Some parts of the costume might be difficult to capture so doing your own may help them make sense to you.
Other cosplayers
You would not believe how often I do this. This works well for deciding on the textures, materials, colours...ect. This is your chance to observe what you think works well and how some things could be improved. Some cosplay websites allow the cosplayer to describe the costume in detail so dont be afraid to read up how people do things. If you need to feel free to make a post on a forum to ask for help. Cosplayisland.com, WorldCosplay, CureCos, Deviantart and Tumblr are among my favorite places for my own research!
Is everyone having fun at AmeChibi? Sadly it will be finishing for the year at the end of today but it has already been announced Amecon would be returning next year on the 29-31 July at the Warwick Arts Centre! Is everyone excited!
Today we will be going back in time a little bit and discuss one of my slightly earlier creations. Although it is defiantly far from one of my favorites it was still one of my greatest learning curves and has taught me alot of what I know about costume making today!
The base of the costume was made from Duchess Satin. Personally I am not a fan of dress satin as it is cheap and creases easily where Duchess Satin has this lovely sheen that doesnt show off every wrinkle. The top took like 4 attenpts before I got it right. In the end I have used an old T-shirt to draw on a rough patten and made a mock up. Thankfully the fabric was super cheap (£2 per metre hell yeah!!!).
The collar and apron were also made of Duchess Satin. The details on the apron were painted using Dylon fabric paint and were painted free hand. I have used hemming tape for the bias tape.
The pendant was sculpted by hand using fimo clay. I began by making the wings for it and done the feathers by hand. I made the body separate and glued them together before painting them in red and gold. The brooches were also fimo clay. The wings on the back were a pair of costume shop wings that were plucked off and reshaped using the same base. I have used wood glue to attach them and they finished so beautifully,
The shoulder poofs were hexagon-shaped bits of fabric that were shaped into pouches and have lots of tulle to poof them out. They both have elastic attached to them right across my back to slip the wings through, functioning as a harness for them as well as parts of the costume.
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!
I apologise for the lack of activity as life has been pretty hectic lately. It was a jumble of volunteering, costume making, attending Em-con and stuff. Hopefully pretty soon things will settle when I get a job and I can post more again.
Warning: This is written way past midnight so forgive me if any of this sounds like gibberish.
While I have been on-topic a common question that cosplayers ever ask themselves is: is it ever okay to put 'cosplay' on my CV?
What is the purpose of a CV (the UK equivalent to an American resume) is to give an employer an insight to who you are as a worker. This will include you personal details, work history and education and is often a first step for employers to determine your suitability for the role.
We are talking serious business here but at the same time you want to show that you do more in your life than watch Jeremy Kyle and drinking cheap ciders on street corners. As a cosplayer that may be the unlikely case but for someone to just know you on paper they may be unaware that your life is far more exciting that that.
On the flip side, many outsiders are very unaware of the nerdy side to this. Not aware of the many hours you have spent behind the sewing machine getting the seams right or the hours of emboldening they might only see cosplay as a childish and unprofessional hobby. The media shows mixed and sometimes even distorted views on the hobby so watch out!
There is no definite right or wrong answer to this, and the decision varies from person to person. However if you do decide to proceed with it you may want to consider the following:
Be smart! What exactly are you applying for?
Consider how it fits into the job description. If you are going for a seamstress job, theatrical costume designer or a haberdashery/fabric shop then YES!!! However, if you are going for something more serious and reputable like Law or Science then that might be another case.
How would you word it?
One common idea concerning this is that you should avoid using the word 'cosplay' and use something more universally understood such as 'sewing', 'dressmaking' and 'theatrical costume design'. 'Cosplay', to someone who is unaware of the hobby, might sound ludicrous or even a fetish scene so it could be off putting to some potential employers considering that the term is not widely used and understood.
Would you feel comfortable explaining it?
You might be asked to elaborate on that hobby at an interview at some point. While I like to tell my none anime-fan friends that it is simply 'the recreation of attire sourced from fiction', the way I would word it elsewhere may vary depending on how comfortable I am with that person. I often say that 'I do a lot of sewing so I am familiar with different types of fabrics and textures' at an interview for shops that sell soft furnishings or clothing.
Cosplay involves the following:
Careful planning and initiative; ability to plan ahead, budgeting, research and working interdependently.
The drive to meet deadlines, priorotisation, concentration and working under pressure.
Problem solving and creativity.
Ability to use various tools and materials.
Ambition, challenges and confidence.
Willingness and confidence to be around people, especially strangers.
Mathematics.
Actually many jobs will require most, if not all, of the above skills!
With caution cosplay can show that one can be a promising and determined employee. Cosplayers come from all walks of life, many are students and many work too. I'd strongly advise that playing around the terminology and thinking about how you can make sewing sound as if it is in a professional light.
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.
All cosplay veterans have been there; we start a new costume early and what happens? Life gets in the way! No matter how early you start you may have setbacks that makes this time of year super stressful, especially if you have less that 2 weeks to go! You may have a lot of stuff to do left but you have worked to long and too hard not to try to get the costume finished!
Your friends might be in the same boat too so if it is the case try to band together. This can reduce the stress and you all can help eachover out, as well as giving tips to speed some processes. You can also arrange to come together in town to go shopping together for supplies and toiletries to get a precon buzz! The fresh air will do you a lot of good!
