![]() If you're like me, you have to plan for everything in advance. I am always worried that something will go wrong. To help compensate this fear at conventions I always bring a con survival kit. This has helped me and my friends at multiple conventions (and shoots!). Sometimes it's hard to know what to bring, but after a couple of years, here is what I always make sure I have on hand: Safety pins- These are great for quick fixes and attaching one thing to another. If something falls off your cosplay, a safety pin is usually the quickest and easiest fix for a cosplay. Sewing needle and thread- Some things can't be fixed with a safety pin, so needles and thread are always packed. There are some places that when a seam rips, you don't want to safety pin. Having a needle on hand can allow you to sew up seams quickly or reattach buttons. For thread, I always bring a white spool, black spool, and other colors that are predominate in the costumes I'm bringing. Glue- I usually bring super glue and hot glue. Both are good since the strength and uses vary (plus sometimes you don't want super glue on your hands). I always pack at least three glue sticks for the gun since this is usually my most used fix. Super glue is nice when the hot glue has already failed and you need something better. Scissors- I usually bring thread scissors and regular scissors. The thread scissors are perfect for the sewing needle, and the regular scissors are great for everything else. There are also non-cosplay reasons for scissors, which make them great in general. Garment tape- This is a newer addition, but some cosplays need a little extra reinforcement to stay up. This double sided tape is meant for your body, so I would recommend it over double sided tape. Water and snacks- Staying hydrated and fed is very important. I like to have these on me especially since I forget to eat. Taking care of yourself is important, so always make sure you have what you need. There's some items that I bring that are situational such as umbrellas, sunscreen, and sealant. Always be aware of where you're going and pack items accordingly. Your con kit might not help in every situation, but it will help out in most. Originally posted on Nerd Fest's blog
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Presenting panels can be a fun way to enhance your con experience. There are thousands of different topics you can present on, it doesn't even have to be cosplay focused! The process can seem indtimdating, but keeping organized will help you be prepared. 1: Keep Track of Deadlines Make sure you know when panels are due. If you don't keep track, the submission period will sneak up on you, and leave you behind. Some smaller conventions have more of a rolling deadline, but the sooner you apply, the more likely you are to get your time slot. 2: Creating the Structure Some conventions might require you to have your panel ready to go when submitting. Others might not ask too much. Before submitting, I would recommend creating the basics of your panel. Think of who will be presenting, what information you are going to cover, and what materials you might need provided (speakers, projectors, etc). Most conventions will ask for at least this information when filling out the application. I would recommend creating an outline for the presentation so you know what are the topics you are discussing, and how long it is going to go for. 3: Putting the Panel Together Now that you have the outline, you're going to figure out how you want to display the information. Visuals are required for a good panel, but that doesn't mean you have to do a PowerPoint. There are live demos, edited videos, props, pictures, etc. You might find that you want to include a couple of different visual aids, but make sure you can still present in your time frame. You might want to rehearse what you want to say (based on your outline) while making sure the visuals work. Try presenting in front of a couple of friends for feedback so your panel can be the best it can be. 4. Advertising
Since you're putting in so much time and effort, you'll want people to come. There will be people interested who are wandering in, but getting the buzz out ahead of time can help increase your attendance. If you have a Facebook page (business or personal) you can create an event and share it in relevant groups. This can help get the word out to those who are interested before the convention starts. You can also use this event to put in teasers and get people excited about what you are presenting. 5. Go for It! On convention day triple check that you have everything you need. Go through your visual aids to make sure you aren't missing anything. If you can, Arrive to the room early to set up. They give time between panels, so if the presenter is not finished, don't interrupt their panel. Once everything is set up, interact with people in the room. Ask them how their con is going or why they chose your panel. Once it's time to start, take a deep breath, and go! You're panel is going to be amazing! Originally posted on Nerd Fest's blog Out of state cons are a lot of fun, but they take a lot of prep work. Between figuring out how to get there, what cosplays you can actually pack, and what's in the area, there is a lot to figure out. Even though it might seem overwhelming to plan an out of state convention, I would highly recommend going to one. You get to meet new and inspire others. Plan way in advance: Not only is it cheaper, but having a game plan early on helps. Buy your convention ticket as early as possible. They are usually cheaper, and help motivate you to actually plan. Stay at the hotel the con is at: This is easier because there is a lot less moving around. If you're not familiar with the area, it might be harder to find something close by. If you do decide to stay somewhere else, factor in how much it's going to cost to get to the hotel each day. I had some friends who had to uber to Katsucon, which made it more expensive to leave and come back throughout the day. If you can find another hotel in walking distance, that would be ideal. Also remember to check in early if possible to save you time. I was able to check in at the airport with an app, so when I got there, I didn't have to wait in the long line to get my hotel keys. How are you going to get there: There are a couple of factors to consider whether you want to fly or drive: how close is it, and what cosplays you plan on bringing. Some bigger cosplays and props might be harder or more expensive to ship out to the convention. If this is a concern of yours, figure out how much it would cost to drive there as opposed to flying. If it will take more than one day to drive, factor that in to your costs as well. If a convention is far away, it might be best to fly just to save yourself some time. Getting to the hotel: Sometimes your hotel does not provide shuttle service to the airport. There are a few options such as renting a car, taking a shuttle, or using a ride share app. If you only plan on going to the hotel and not driving around much, I would avoid using a rental car. If you do get a rental car, be sure to budget for parking if the hotel charges! To decide between a shuttle or ride share, figure out how many people and how much luggage everyone has. Sometimes it is impossible to fit everything in an uber or lyft, so you will have to take a shuttle. Be sure to look in to group rates. Sometimes the group rate is cheaper than a rideshare, plus you'll have a lot more room. Be sure to get lots of pictures! You worked hard on your cosplays and getting to this convention, revel in the moment!
Ask people who have been before: I talked to some local cosplayers who went to Katsucon while planning my trip. They can let you know what is in the area, and give you tips about the best time to go to places around. I got one recommendation to go to CVS day 1 because things sell out super quickly. Arrive a day early, leave a day late: You don't want to miss out on your con experience because you're flying in the day of! Schedule your flight to arrive the day before and leave the day after it's done (or late that night). This will allow for you to get more out of your experience, plus you won't feel rushed to get places. Picking cosplays: The main thing to consider is how breakable is the piece. If it is easily breakable and cannot fit in your carry on, I would recommend bringing something else. We all have seen airline employees throw our bags around. You don't want something broken because of a careless employee. Another factor is size. Anything too big can be mailed, but it can be pricey. Be sure to check with the hotel if you plan on mailing anything to make sure they can receive it for you. I hope these tips help you out this con season! If there are any tips I forgot, be sure to tell me yours in the comments! Originally posted on Nerd Fest's blog |
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Gamora: Get Geekish Blake: Yuki Cat Captures Nui: Ham Sandwich What's this?These post are different cosplay advice topics that I think people would find useful. Categories vary, so they can help beginners as well as veterans. Archives
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