Looking for Circus Stars!
Nov. 29th, 2009 09:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladyofthethreadI’ve been meaning to post about this for months and I guess now is a good time since I think everyone’s done with cons for the year. I talked with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
neoangelwink about this idea at AnimeNext and she has mentioned it to some interested in the series although I’m just getting around to recruiting people now. ^_^;
Anyway, I’m looking for people interested in doing a Kaleido Star masquerade group with me for 2011. I’d like to do this at Costume Con which is going to be in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ that year (April 29-May 2, 2011). I want to make Layla’s Cinderella ballgown for then and if I can find people for a group, I’d like to do a rags to ballgown transformation for the presentation. This is going to be a pretty ambitious project which is why I'm starting to look for people so far in advance.
The number of people is flexible. At minimum, I’d need a fairy godmother and Cinderella in rags (I think it’s more feasible to switch two Cinderellas than to try to make the rags fit over the huge ballgown.) We can go up to 6 with the 3 fairy godmothers, 2 Cinderellas, and the prince. 7 if we figure out a way to work in Sarah since she sings in the show but it’s never mentioned exactly what character she’s supposed to be. It would work most easily if everyone is in or close to NYC so we can get together to plan, buy fabric, etc. but we can try to work something out if someone farther away wants to participate.
From left to right, Sora, Mia, and Anna as the fairy godmothers (not sure why the sketch labels them as arrows) I thinkneoangelwink was interested in doing Sora for this.
In addition to the anime designs above, there’s an embellished version of Mia’s costume from a DVD cover. If the group wants to go more elaborate, we can use this to extrapolate fancy versions for Sora and Anna, too.
Layla in Cinderella’s rags (The white shirt draped over it in the first pic isn’t really part of the costume.)
Layla in Cinderella’s ballgown. I think it’s way too huge to realistically fit under a rags version even though that seems to be how it works in the anime. :-P This is probably going to take me at least several months.
Yuri as the prince
And Sarah’s Cinderella costume is probably familiar since I already made it myself a couple of years ago.
My thoughts on doing this at Costume Con vs. an anime con…
Pros:
Nearby. I don’t always have someone to drive me for cons farther away so this makes it easier to transport the costume.
Audience appreciates good craftsmanship. While it has the potential to also do well at an anime con, I think this idea would fly better at Costume Con audience-wise. It’s going to be mainly about the costumes and sadly, I don’t think anime con audiences appreciate good craftsmanship as much. (Like I remember sitting in the audience at the AB masquerade this year and even though the room was still pretty full when the AMV winners were being shown, people started leaving as soon as they announced the hall contest fashion show. :-/) Plus, the Cinderella story is going to be familiar so the audience doesn’t really need to know anything about anime or Kaleido Star to get it.
Performances are fine but not expected. I know that I’m not very good at performing and at Costume Con, they don’t expect skits. Many do walk-on style presentations, probably because the time limits are generally 60 seconds per entry or 90 seconds for large groups. It is possible to do a little performance if you want though; one of the entries that tied for Best in Show in the Historical Masquerade this year was a girl who made a historic ballet costume and danced for her presentation. Since I’ve never done a real skit before, I expect we’ll just be doing a glorified walk-on unless someone in the group wants to help plan something more elaborate.
Being in a show with lots of awesome costumes. It’s a tough contest and there’s lots of amazing stuff entered since some of the attendees have been costuming for decades. This year’s SF&F masquerade actually had a 3-way tie for Best in Show Workmanship!
Cons:
Expensive. Not that much of an issue for me since I already bought a badge but might be for others interested in doing this… Costume Con memberships are more expensive than anime cons and other than one being given away as a masquerade prize at some anime cons, I don’t think there’s any way to get a free badge. I bought mine at $65 after this year’s CC but the rate seems to be at $70 now and goes up $5 every 6 months. But the hotel is only $109/night (cheaper than what I’ve paid at any anime con so far) so it might balance out.
Small attendance. Attendance is in the hundreds rather than the thousands so only a limited number would see this.
Green room judging. Workmanship judging for the SF&F masquerade is kind of rushed since it takes place in the green room while waiting for the show to start. :-/ Personally, I much prefer the less rushed craftsmanship judging that’s usually done at anime cons.
Other things to keep in mind
1) I’d like the group to coordinate in terms of material and embellishment choices. I’d particularly like the fairy god mothers to work out their patterns together since the costumes are basically the same other than the hats and trim. And I’d like the whole group to be on the sparkly side since these are supposed to be circus costumes. Like the stuff I did with sequins on my Sarah costume.
2) We would most likely be competing in the Journeyman division. Costume Cons are considered international level competitions vs. anime cons which are considered regional. So, although they use similar divisions to some anime cons, the rules do not require you to count awards from anime cons towards divisions. I had talked to both masquerade directors this year and they suggested Journeyman for me even though I have a lot of craftsmanship awards from anime cons and a fashion design certificate from Parsons. If someone in the group is a professional though, that would push us up to Master level. Also if someone has competed before at Costume Con or Worldcon and is at Master level already.
3) Awards are handled somewhat differently than many anime cons with no Best in Show that counts both craftsmanship and performance. Instead, there are separate awards for Best in Show Workmanship and Best in Show Presentation although it is possible for one group to win both. Division awards are similarly split and judges will give out additional awards for things that impress them in some way.
4) I spent a lot of my school years in super competitive places like Stuyvesant High School and NYU’s business school (double majored and graduated with honors even though I hated it) so it has kind of carried over to my hobbies. I tend to be rather competitive about my craftsmanship but not against other people. To me, it’s never about beating anyone but meeting what high expectations I have for myself. While I won’t hold others to the high standards I have for myself, group members might possibly have to deal with me worrying excessively about some small detail on my costume. ^_^;;;
5)I'd like us to aim to have the costumes done 1-2 months before the con in case something ends up taking longer than expected and so that we'll have time to plan the presentation. Last minute sewing and freaking out because you haven't planned your presentation yet isn't much fun. ^_^;;;
6)If you have to drop out of the group for some reason, please let me know ASAP. There are a lot of things that take priority over cosplay so I’d be very understanding if something comes up. It would actually irritate me much more if there is a lack of communication and I’m left to wonder what’s going on.
So, if anyone has been through this whole post and is still up for the challenge, please comment! :-D
EDIT: Oops. ^_^; Forgot to mention that I’d also like the group to wear these costumes together at an anime con sometime for pics and wandering the halls. And in case I gave anyone the wrong impression, I would like this group to put in a good effort and aim for some kind of worksmanship award but I would not expect a Best of Show at all because the level of competition is so high.
neoangelwink about this idea at AnimeNext and she has mentioned it to some interested in the series although I’m just getting around to recruiting people now. ^_^; Anyway, I’m looking for people interested in doing a Kaleido Star masquerade group with me for 2011. I’d like to do this at Costume Con which is going to be in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ that year (April 29-May 2, 2011). I want to make Layla’s Cinderella ballgown for then and if I can find people for a group, I’d like to do a rags to ballgown transformation for the presentation. This is going to be a pretty ambitious project which is why I'm starting to look for people so far in advance.
The number of people is flexible. At minimum, I’d need a fairy godmother and Cinderella in rags (I think it’s more feasible to switch two Cinderellas than to try to make the rags fit over the huge ballgown.) We can go up to 6 with the 3 fairy godmothers, 2 Cinderellas, and the prince. 7 if we figure out a way to work in Sarah since she sings in the show but it’s never mentioned exactly what character she’s supposed to be. It would work most easily if everyone is in or close to NYC so we can get together to plan, buy fabric, etc. but we can try to work something out if someone farther away wants to participate.
From left to right, Sora, Mia, and Anna as the fairy godmothers (not sure why the sketch labels them as arrows) I think
neoangelwink was interested in doing Sora for this.In addition to the anime designs above, there’s an embellished version of Mia’s costume from a DVD cover. If the group wants to go more elaborate, we can use this to extrapolate fancy versions for Sora and Anna, too.
Layla in Cinderella’s rags (The white shirt draped over it in the first pic isn’t really part of the costume.)
Layla in Cinderella’s ballgown. I think it’s way too huge to realistically fit under a rags version even though that seems to be how it works in the anime. :-P This is probably going to take me at least several months.
Yuri as the prince
And Sarah’s Cinderella costume is probably familiar since I already made it myself a couple of years ago.
My thoughts on doing this at Costume Con vs. an anime con…
Pros:
Nearby. I don’t always have someone to drive me for cons farther away so this makes it easier to transport the costume.
Audience appreciates good craftsmanship. While it has the potential to also do well at an anime con, I think this idea would fly better at Costume Con audience-wise. It’s going to be mainly about the costumes and sadly, I don’t think anime con audiences appreciate good craftsmanship as much. (Like I remember sitting in the audience at the AB masquerade this year and even though the room was still pretty full when the AMV winners were being shown, people started leaving as soon as they announced the hall contest fashion show. :-/) Plus, the Cinderella story is going to be familiar so the audience doesn’t really need to know anything about anime or Kaleido Star to get it.
Performances are fine but not expected. I know that I’m not very good at performing and at Costume Con, they don’t expect skits. Many do walk-on style presentations, probably because the time limits are generally 60 seconds per entry or 90 seconds for large groups. It is possible to do a little performance if you want though; one of the entries that tied for Best in Show in the Historical Masquerade this year was a girl who made a historic ballet costume and danced for her presentation. Since I’ve never done a real skit before, I expect we’ll just be doing a glorified walk-on unless someone in the group wants to help plan something more elaborate.
Being in a show with lots of awesome costumes. It’s a tough contest and there’s lots of amazing stuff entered since some of the attendees have been costuming for decades. This year’s SF&F masquerade actually had a 3-way tie for Best in Show Workmanship!
Cons:
Expensive. Not that much of an issue for me since I already bought a badge but might be for others interested in doing this… Costume Con memberships are more expensive than anime cons and other than one being given away as a masquerade prize at some anime cons, I don’t think there’s any way to get a free badge. I bought mine at $65 after this year’s CC but the rate seems to be at $70 now and goes up $5 every 6 months. But the hotel is only $109/night (cheaper than what I’ve paid at any anime con so far) so it might balance out.
Small attendance. Attendance is in the hundreds rather than the thousands so only a limited number would see this.
Green room judging. Workmanship judging for the SF&F masquerade is kind of rushed since it takes place in the green room while waiting for the show to start. :-/ Personally, I much prefer the less rushed craftsmanship judging that’s usually done at anime cons.
Other things to keep in mind
1) I’d like the group to coordinate in terms of material and embellishment choices. I’d particularly like the fairy god mothers to work out their patterns together since the costumes are basically the same other than the hats and trim. And I’d like the whole group to be on the sparkly side since these are supposed to be circus costumes. Like the stuff I did with sequins on my Sarah costume.
2) We would most likely be competing in the Journeyman division. Costume Cons are considered international level competitions vs. anime cons which are considered regional. So, although they use similar divisions to some anime cons, the rules do not require you to count awards from anime cons towards divisions. I had talked to both masquerade directors this year and they suggested Journeyman for me even though I have a lot of craftsmanship awards from anime cons and a fashion design certificate from Parsons. If someone in the group is a professional though, that would push us up to Master level. Also if someone has competed before at Costume Con or Worldcon and is at Master level already.
3) Awards are handled somewhat differently than many anime cons with no Best in Show that counts both craftsmanship and performance. Instead, there are separate awards for Best in Show Workmanship and Best in Show Presentation although it is possible for one group to win both. Division awards are similarly split and judges will give out additional awards for things that impress them in some way.
4) I spent a lot of my school years in super competitive places like Stuyvesant High School and NYU’s business school (double majored and graduated with honors even though I hated it) so it has kind of carried over to my hobbies. I tend to be rather competitive about my craftsmanship but not against other people. To me, it’s never about beating anyone but meeting what high expectations I have for myself. While I won’t hold others to the high standards I have for myself, group members might possibly have to deal with me worrying excessively about some small detail on my costume. ^_^;;;
5)I'd like us to aim to have the costumes done 1-2 months before the con in case something ends up taking longer than expected and so that we'll have time to plan the presentation. Last minute sewing and freaking out because you haven't planned your presentation yet isn't much fun. ^_^;;;
6)If you have to drop out of the group for some reason, please let me know ASAP. There are a lot of things that take priority over cosplay so I’d be very understanding if something comes up. It would actually irritate me much more if there is a lack of communication and I’m left to wonder what’s going on.
So, if anyone has been through this whole post and is still up for the challenge, please comment! :-D
EDIT: Oops. ^_^; Forgot to mention that I’d also like the group to wear these costumes together at an anime con sometime for pics and wandering the halls. And in case I gave anyone the wrong impression, I would like this group to put in a good effort and aim for some kind of worksmanship award but I would not expect a Best of Show at all because the level of competition is so high.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-11-30 03:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 05:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 10:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-02 04:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-30 03:53 am (UTC)Kaleido Star is pretty but forgettable. Time consuming? Yes if youre embellishing heavily. Skillful and novel construction techniques that must be researched and/or invented just for this project? Not really. I don't see a challenge here and neither will the judges.
In my mind from a presentation perspective if you're going to do anime at costumecon you go all the way and do something huge and gravity defying that lights up and has cool massive props and or mecha involved. Something that actually screams old school anime to people and doesnt try to blend in and slip under the radar. In short, go big or go home.
It almost sounds like you're trying to appologize or downplay the fact that your reference source is from an anime by using the Cindarella theme. If anime is strictly not allowed or completely unrelatable and frowned on by the audience then maybe choose something else that they will approve of like Vampires from Ann Rice or Elves from Lord of the Rings or whatever...
I want to say yes to this, I really do, just for making the costumes themselves for regular con wear because I like the series, it's pretty and girley and usually recognizable to anime fans, and I know most outfits are comparatively easy to wander the halls in, but unfortunately I can't commit to anything right now.
My financing of cosplays is always uncertain since I never seem to have steady work, and also travelling that far even though I really want to see costumecon is probably not going to be a sure thing for me even if I try to plan for it.
I wish you the best of luck with this project, and I hope you can find some more reliable local people to work with.^^
no subject
Date: 2009-11-30 06:20 am (UTC)That's really not how it works at Costume Con. The problem is that CC is a catch-all for costumers of all kinds. The people in the audience may be old-school sci-fi costumers. Or they could be rennies. Or furries. Or puppetteers. Or professional opera costumers. The point of it being Cinderella makes it easier for all these people to relate to it and understand what's going on. It's not that anime is frowned on, but making it understandable to all these groups will mean that a larger portion of the audience, in general, will "get it" and enjoy the presentation. It would be the same problem with a costume from "Willow" because it's not iconic, or a costume from a book because we never see them, or a costume that's self-designed about a futuristic world; everyone tries to stuff the story into a 60-second presentation so that the audience doesn't go "neat costumes . . . what was that?"
no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 06:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-30 04:56 pm (UTC)There are all sorts of costumes in the masquerades at CC. Yes, some are huge and fancy and sparkly. Many are not. Also, they don't hate anime.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 04:35 am (UTC)I also know her skill level is above the costumes in Kaleido star and she's trying to cover as many bases as she can. It just wouldn't sit well with me to hold back because of what the audience would get.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 07:05 am (UTC)Also, I do not feel like I am holding back. I would not consider the Cinderella ballgown an easy costume o_O and there is lots of potential for embellishment work like applique and beading. Even though I often get my costumes judged for craftsmanship, I refuse to make something just because I think it will do well in a contest; I have to love the source material. I am not interested in mecha or building huge props. But I do love Kaleido Star, like doing embellishment work, want to make the Cinderella ballgown, and want to show it off at Costume Con whether I’m able to find a group or not. Of the things I want to cosplay, I feel it is the most elaborate and the thing I would most want to show at Costume Con.
(And as a side note, historic costumes get their own masquerade on Sunday so they are not in the Saturday masquerade which includes everything else.)
*sigh* Now, can we please drop the issue because the point of my post was supposed to be to recruit people for a Kaleido Star group, not debate whether anime cosplay is good for Costume Con. -_-
no subject
Date: 2009-11-30 02:47 pm (UTC)(I'd be up for doing Anna's Fairy Godmother outfit, Anna is so funny hehe).
no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 05:53 am (UTC)I'm a little concerned because of the distance though since you're in PA while the others interested are in NY. Well, I guess we'll see what happens and if we can figure something out. ^_^;
no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 05:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-30 04:11 pm (UTC)I have Sora's fairy god mother planned if for what ever reason Carrie can't do it. It's alittle far in the future to plan for but just to keep in mind I guess.
And my craftsmanship is only second to yours! at AB 08 I got second to your Sarah Cinderella costume. I'm still bitter!! j/k!
XD
no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 05:43 am (UTC)Okay, I'll keep you in mind in case. :-) It is pretty far in advance but I wanted to give lots of notice since it's going to be a big project. There might be some planning over the next few months but I don't think we'll actually get to buying fabics and working on stuff until late spring or summer.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-30 09:12 pm (UTC)I know you're supposing since you have never actually been to a Costume Con, but as
Several of the award winning costumes from this past costume con for example were from anime/manga/japanese culture sources: http://www.costume-con.com/cc27/winners.html
Furthermore the Sci-Fi Fantasy masquerade director herself has been a Cosplay masquerade director in the past.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-30 09:14 pm (UTC)Good Luck with your idea L.O.T.
Are you coming to CC28? If not, we'll miss you :( but see you in NJ!! :D
no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 05:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 07:32 am (UTC)Again, see you in NJ, if not sooner. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 03:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 05:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-01 12:22 pm (UTC)The only potential issue is personal, in that the husband and I are trying to get pregnant, so depending on the stage we're at it may not be appropriate for me to participate.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-02 04:19 am (UTC)Okay, I'll keep that in mind. The con is still pretty far away and a lot can happen between now and then so we'll see how things are for you when it's closer. I'll probably be making a community in a week or two for some initial planning. I don't expect us to actually get to buying fabric or working on stuff until late spring or summer though.