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Mine was a huge monologue I wrote that I had copied and pasted into a script I am writing but it's really choppy doesn't make much sense plus is for something I'm planning to perform at Fanime someday and wouldn't want to spoil it if anyone were to go see it.

Hi there! From what I've seen in the past years, the biggest/most popular cosplay groups have their meetups on Saturdays, sometimes Sundays. Expect a lot of popular meetup overlaps on Saturdays especially. Disney usually has two meetups, for main and extended which are usually on different days, so you could most likely attend both SU and Disney gatherings~ As for the others, it's mostly first come, first serve for time slots. Saturday is the most popular day, also the day the most people usually attend, so it will fill up first. When it gets closer to the convention date and the threads start appearing for your said interested meetups, check out when they plan to request a time slot! You can always ask for them to move it, though this request isn't always guaranteed. The past two years I think there has been a meetup for all the other cosplays you mentioned, but could be one right after the other some days (I know this problem all too well and it forces me to choose between cosplays since I can't change that fast out of most of mine). When in doubt, always ask! Some other people might be in the same boat and want the specific gathering at a later/earlier time or even on a different day. About a month or so before Fanime, there will be a pinned thread from one of the admins that will list the current gathering times/dates/places as they are received through applications. But always make sure to check the day before and day of gatherings. Several times I've had the location or time change on me without any big announcement, so be sure to check the info desk's master list just in case! Mainly I would say just be prepared if you can't go to one or more gatherings for your cosplays, and always come a little early! (Last year, I missed all of my gatherings due to being just a few minutes late, having times change on me, and just how long it took to walk there from the fairmont TwT don't be like me!)

As far as panels, there is usually at least one SU panel and a WTNV panel. If you are interested in a panel for your other fandoms, do check out the thread I posted about panel requests in the panels group and see if anyone is interested in hosting one, or even if you would be interested in hosting one yourself! I feel like a lot of opportunities are missed at conventions because people aren't sure what everyone else is interested in, that's why I put up that thread~ Basically just keep an eye on the threads here as it gets closer to fanime. A lot of stuff won't come up until around February I've noticed. Good luck and have a great Fanime 2017!!!

Thanks for the reply! Last year, I actually was supposed to cohost the Steven Universe panel but had to cancel (without notice since I had also lost access to technology). I am thinking about hosting a panel, although am not sure which. Also, if everything goes as planned I will be in the WTNV panel this year, which should be great!
As for the gatherings, I will be sure to watch out for the dates! Worst comes to worst I won't be able to do my Homestuck cosplay. Will have to plan for the Disney and SU meetups for sure! Again, thanks for responding, have a great rest of your day!

Hi guys!
So, this year I am planning to go to as many meetups and panels as I can since 2015 (my first year) I completely missed out and last year I wasn't able to attend. I just wanna know if there's typically set dates for certain panels and/or if there's actually is a meetup for specific cosplays I do. Here is my list of cosplays I am considering for Fanime.
-Steven Universe (What date is the SU meetup normally?)
-WALL-E (Is there a set date for the Disney meetup(s))
-Hiram McDaniels (Is there a Welcome to Night Vale meetup? If so, when?)
-Caliborn (I know Homestuck is always Sunday, which is a huge conflicting pattern if there's another group on Sundays)
-Crona (Soul Eater?)
-Box Ghost (Is there a Classic Nickelodeon meetup or a Danny Phantom one or something related to ghosts? If I need to I will host a ghost meetup because I want to do this at a Meetup for the hilarity)
-Ticci Toby (Is there a CreepyPasta meetup?)

Let me know if you know anything about any of these and dates for them. Thanks!

Is there going to be another gathering for 2017? I'm planning to do my WALL-E cosplay this year and just would like to know as I wasn't able to attend Fanime last year.

Just sent a message regarding this.

I rarely see things from Welcome to Night Vale, but then again not many people sell that.
With artists, I tend to look for original prints based on extremely nerdy and trashy fandoms, such as Homestuck, Undertale, Hetalia, etc.
As for vendors, I love when I find vendors that sell DVDs of animes and TV shows that are hard to near impossible to find.
Personally, those are my interests for artists and vendors.

The concept is there imo, it needs a good pitch to higher up the latter, needs to have relevence (if a game is released within the year, in example), and needs probably a lot of help of man power to get off the ground. If you can toss it all together, by all means I would go see it.

Well, I mean I know Sister Location is coming out soon which means there will be over a million more FNAF things said to release within the next year after that, and knowing Scott that means released early a week after Sister Location, so I don't think I have a problem with there being no relevance anytime soon. Soon after I posted the topic I actually did a lot more thinking about it and I think it would really only need one set (and a simple-ish one at that) and I'm working out a general list of characters and that looks like the biggest the cast would be is 15 people, though it will probably be more like 10. I do agree that it will take a lot to get it going and actually work it out with the Fanime staff itself, and if I get enough support on this I am definitely going to have to majorly work out hype and everything. Who knows, I may have to make a hype channel on Youtube. I will for sure need more than myself to work everything else out so it can't just be a one man job, so I hope I can sort everything out in time.

First, before I say anything else, I don't know exactly where to put this topic since it is something out of the ordinary, so if it gets moved somewhere I will be fine with that.

  Now with that said, on with business. I occasionally write fandom musicals just for fun but never really expect to perform them. However, I have been writing a Five Night's at Freddy's Musical. (Yes, I know, FNAF is already overdone everywhere, but hear me out.) I have been getting pretty far in planning and stuff for it and think it would be one that would be manageable performing. Really, because the animatronics may have speaking or possibly singing parts, they wouldn't be able to have giant furry suits so mostly the cast would have simpler cosplays and costumes for it. It most likely will not be ready this upcoming Fanime, but if I'm lucky I could possibly get script and music done a few months before the next one in 2018 and be able to have a small cast ready and performing and possibly be able to see it performed. However, if I wanted to do this and go through all the effort to get it organized with Fanime staff and everything like that, I need to know one thing...
  Who would actually be willing to go see this? Who would be willing to act and sing in this? Is this something anyone is going to be looking forward to in two years?
  My reason for asking this is because FNAF is already becoming overrated and somewhat hated, but I know there will be people out there still wanting to see this. But will there be enough? Will I be able to get the cast I need? Will all the effort I put into trying to produce the musical at Fanime worth it? I can't see into the future, so I need your guy's opinions. If you want to see this, feel free to reply to this topic. Feel free to message me. Heck, if you want to help act in it or possibly help me write a script, just let me know! Any and all help and encouragement is greatly appreciated. For now though, I'm going to continue writing this for fun until I know this is something that will be enjoyed greatly.

Hey, is anyone planning on going to Kin-Yoobi Con this year? It's a smaller con in Newark (near Fremont, about thirty minutes away from San Jose) but because it's smaller you get to see almost all the cosplays and they have lots of events to enjoy! Plus, they have free food! Who doesn't like free food? If you've got August 7th free to come over to a small con in a small town, I hope to see you there! I will be in either my Caliborn (Homestuck), Crona (Soul Eater), or Steven (Steven Universe) cosplay! (Oh also, they have cosplay and karaoke contests!) Just go find the website if you're interested. Its $12 pre reg and if I remember right $15 at the door.

OK, so it always amazes me what tutorials I can find online! Here is a tutorial for a rough design of a mouth mechanism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6pCzY-N-HE

It's not super refined but looks pretty functional. Which is the important part.

(old fogey moment) "back in my day" (when I first started cosplaying) you couldn't find super strait forward tutorials like this. Or they were deviantart tutorials with pictures that were confusing and write ups that were crazy long, difficult to follow, and often less helpful then the pictures. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to all the cosplayers who put time and effort into making those tutorial. It was making the best of the technology we had at the time. But "kids these days don't know how good they got it". lol.

Heh, thanks for the video link! I think that's gonna really help a lot!

Well, keep in mind that I count most costume accessories such as helmets, jewelry, etc as props since the design and crafting process uses the same kind of techniques.
With that said, I have made several things with the basis as clay with some other touches, such as troll horns, hair accessories for a friend's cosplay, my cookie cat prop since clay with certain texture techniques makes it seem like an actual ice cream sandwich, and others. But I also have made other things without or with little use of clay. For example, my cat finger (puppet :P), my belly button gem, Steven's shield (yes, I know, lots of Steven stuff, it's my biggest prop cosplay). Let's not mention my awful attempt at making my Karkat sickle, which, although I have a picture I refuse to attatch it, was my first ever prop made, and although it had an awesome paintjob for just a white and black object was literally a flimsy peice of cardboard that my bf at the time bent accidentally when I said "this is DEFINATELY the best prop ever" and he jokingly went to smack it bending it. But enough about that. I had made a Death Note with an amazing cover which the Homestucks on Fanime 2015's Saturday used to enact several character deaths resulting in the best Hussie doesn't die joke. I made a box decored with several inside jokes on it for when I cosplayed as Gamzee and literally, I sh*t you not, walked around the con and whenever asked why I was wearing a box replied "I'm a box troll" (not one of my higher moments). I made a wand for my Calliope/Caliborn cosplay and a pin (also out of clay) which I ran out of time to add the support system to before the con which resulted in the tragic shattering of it when falling on the ground moments before the costume contest. I have made many props that never got to be premired. I think my greatest achievement in propping history had to be my Crona sword because although the blade and the handle were two seperate parts they held together perfectly and it had a great design considering it was like my third prop.

When I say semi-joined think of a trefoil shape (you might have to google that) so when you look at the bottom cross section it would look like the outline of a flower or clover. Then as you go up the form from the base of the neck the separate necks will pull farther and farther apart until they are their own separate stocks with heads on them.

Mouths that you can puppet are simple concept but tricky in execution. Basically you need to make the upper and the lower jaws either as separate forms only attached by a hinge system or very lightly attached in a way that still allows for lower jaw movement. If they are separate forms you hide the gap with overhang from the upper form. The hinge can be something as simple as a door hinge and can be hidden by covering the inside of the mouth in a black or red material. Then use a wire or string that runs from the bottom of the hinge to the top part of the hinge but is tied in a way that only allows the mouth to open to a natural open position for talking. Then when you pull the string it should pull the lower jaw up to the top jaw closing the mouth. This means that when the heads aren't talking you will have to be pulling the string for that head(s) to keep the mouth closed. The real tricky part is running the strings so that they aren't seen and can be easily accessed to puppet the heads. And doing so in a way that looks natural. The best I could figure is running the string down inside the neck of each dragon, then through the neck of your suit, down your back to your pants, then have a false pocket in your pants and a band around your leg that holds the strings at a potion lower then where your hand falls in your pocket, then back up to your hand. The problem with this is that you will always have to have one hand in your pants pocket. The strings might also have different slack in them when your standing vs when your sitting.
A second way of doing it would be to use a mechanism that puts spring tension in the jaw to keep the mouth closed and then rigging it so that instead of pulling the lower jaw up to close the mouth you pull the lower jaw down to open the mouth. It has the pay off of allowing you to puppet the heads in a more natural way. You could run the strings into the front inside of your suit instead of all the way to your pants and only pull the strings when you need one of them to talk. But balancing spring tension and where to anchor the strings could be even more tricky.

You can find high density foam at joanns, some EVA foam at craft stores and Walmart. Not sure about the armature wire maybe craft store or hobby shop, maybe hardware store. But none of those supplies are difficult to find if you look around.

Thanks, I really appreciate the help. If when it all starts getting put together I get somehow stuck somewhere, I'll send you a PM, but only if I really need it. Again, I appreciate it a lot, you have no idea.

Hi.

Try the following tag:

Code Select Expand

[img][/img]

The image URL goes in between the tags. There's also an icon to insert images in the toolbar above the text area where you write your post. It's under the Bold icon, first icon on the second row.

K, thanks! I'll try that when I'm on my computer and not mobile and let you know if it doesnt work.

Just a quick question: I'm trying to add some pictures into my current cosplays list (right below this) and can't figure out how to attach them. Also I don't know how to attatch them to one of these posts either. Help?

I would fall under the category of "just pretty damn creative". I think the way I would probably approach this is with high density foam and/or EVA foam and armature wire. The foam is going to be an ultra light option and believe me that is really going to make a difference. It will also be durable because it will just absorb any abuse it might take. putting armature wire in it will make it posable and can be used to give it more structure. You might even consider building it off of a bike helmet to help you wear it securely. But at the same time I would be really cautious with that because if you accidentally hit a door way or something and it makes your head jerk you might really hurt yourself (Fanime recommends/requires having a handler present for any costume that impedes mobility). I would suggest making it so that all of the neck stocks actually semi-join at the base. So they technically become a single opening that you fit over your head but they would still be semicircles to imply the shape of the separate necks. I hope that helps or even makes sense. lol.

When you say "moving mouths" do you just mean statically posable? or do you actually want to try to puppet them while you are in the costume?

To respond to both of these, the second one first, by moving mouths I mean trying to figure out a way to puppeteer them. Like I said, it's only preferred, just because I am most likely doing a panel in this. I know how to make the one on my head move, I would just need to figure out the others. But this is only if I figure out a way, not mandatory.
As for the main reply, thank you, this actually helps a lot. Just a question though, where do you buy the foam and armature? I'm sure when I get them I can figure out how to work it all out. Also, what do you mean by semi joined at the base?

I narrate my life at even the most inappropriate moments. *realizes this might sound strange out of context* *actually means at bad times, not actual inappropriate moments* *is an awkward asexual* *is not interested in that booty* *makes sexual comments all the times anyways* *realizes is basically talking to self now* *contemplates actually posting this* hnµ∑£™œ®uj™π04rbn OJMCFGNVFNHJ FNkldvfsdl.nsdl. vsmsdjl;ohngnv *starts flipping out on keyboard in confused anger* *accidentally posts in all the commotion*

http://callowcuttlefish.tumblr.com/post/125857313108/hiram-mcdaniels-completely-normal-and-human-frank
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/353391901988752873/
http://littletde.deviantart.com/art/Hiram-McDaniels-for-Mayor-391574182
http://expression.deviantart.com/art/Hiram-McDaniels-470244857
https://www.behance.net/gallery/16090337/Hiram-McDaniels-for-Night-Vale-Mayor
Some links that will lead you to my Hiram headcanon pics. All art and photos belong to the artists and photographers, I take no credit in the creation of any of these pictures.

Hiram McDaniels is a Literal Five Headed Dragon!
...and for a while I have been planning out a cosplay for him. Now, I know what attire I will wear, I know what I want the heads to do...
Question is, how do I make 5 dragon mascot head with preferably moving mouths and each their own expression?
I have found some good mascot head tutorials, and most of them are at my level of cosplay expertise (which is saying a lot since I'm only decent with making costumes themselves but great with props, which this falls under fairly well) and I can make quickly seeing as how I am quick with prop designing and construction. The only thing I am really worried about: If I make 5 large mascot heads all approx. the same size, how will I put them all their heads together (unintentional pun), how will I be able to make it look as if the heads are coming out of the suit naturally, and most importantly, how do I make them strong enough to not fall everywhere but light enough to carry basically on my head, neck, and shoulders?
I should note that I am 5'1", and when it comes to my strength, well... https://youtu.be/c2CNsQpp-38
Okay, you caught me, I was overexagerating there. But still, if the heads altogether are moderately lightweight and I were to practice walking around with them on beforehand (I'll figure out the door situateon later) I'm sure I will be able to handle it.
But back to the aforementioned topic, I do need tips, advice, or ideas on how to make this. So whether you make mascot heads, are good at props, make fur suits or are just pretty damn creative, any help whatsoever is highly appreciated. I look forward to seeing different responses. Thanks in advance for any and all help given.
Also, if you do not have the slightest clue of who Hiram McDaniels is, I'm adding a reply to this with pictures of my headcanon for him and also some brave and clever enough to come up with their own cosplay so you can get some kind of gist. Thanks!