Messages

I'll be there as Mio in her school uniform.

Well, I do have a few on the ballroom dance section (as well as a write up):
http://scarlet-rhapsody.com/traveling/fanime2009/07.htm

Even as press, they still denied reservation. I attempted to make a reservation on Saturday morning just as everything was about to be set up (half an hour to opening). I would appreciate clearer communication regarding reservations and other procedures.

Unfortunately, I live in the Los Angeles area, therefore, I cannot make the meetings (as much as I'd like to attend and give me insight. I love Fanime.)

Awesome videos! I really appreciate the high quality and the angle that you took them from!

Keep up the great work!

I would like a clarification.

Were there reservations this year or were there no reservations this year?

It's my theory that they just show up at the San Jose Convention Center every weekend if there's an event going on just to rouse attention. Next week, protesting men in funny fez hats! (because fez hats are made by the devil! *le gasp*) Guys like these will take any event that have many people congregating and they'll do whatever. I've been attending the Rose Parade in Pasadena and it's the same group, same signs, etc.

No surprise that they'll be back again next year. *shrug*

Yet, I'm more concerned about having a great time at Fanime (maid cafe can has reservations this time?) in 2010 than anything else.

More like post-con blah-ness on my part. However, coming home to a family BBQ helps the monotony of real life. Then again, I did have a picnic to attend to the very next Saturday.

Ah well, Anime Expo is up next. Until then, it's summer school study time - grad school style! (aka lots of work ahead!)

Fanime Side Story
http://scarlet-rhapsody.com/traveling/fanime2009/index.htm

Podcast coming soon. Keep checking the site! ^.~

Enjoy!

Email me (v @ scarlet-rhapsody.com) if you have any of the following:

Thursday: Haruhi (Host Club)
Friday: Ranka Lee (Macross Frontier), Princess Mars (Sailor Moon)
Saturday: Karen Kasumi (X/1999), Persian (Gijinka Pokemon)
Sunday: Nadeshiko (Card Captor Sakura), Chane (Baccano!)
Monday: Elle Woods (Legally Blonde)

Thanks!

My photos / event review is still a work in progress, but I have video of the "Circus" demonstration up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50ohG2YmSLM&feature=channel_page

Thanks for posting the information!

Far East Movement
Pizzicato Five

Share your videos!

I'm still in the process of uploading, but enjoy what we have by far:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F1D885157D46CAF5

Feel free to friend / subscribe! ^^

I wouldn't mind having paid admission for the ballroom dance. Anime Central does the same thing, but the money goes to charity. I believe the cost was a $10 admission into the dance. Usually those willing to pay are those willing to dress up nice and dance appropriately. The conga line did get annoying fast and claustrophobic.

As far as the food goes, we just ate at Johnny Rocket's right across the street!

More emphasis on the coat / bag check. I think I read something on cosplay.com about a girl loosing her glasses during the dance. I also had a friend loose her badge.

I wish I could have gone to the dance workshops, but there was so much going on. I'll make a point to check it out. Although I know the steps, it would be great to have a refresher course. Too bad there's not many social dances like Peers or Gaskells down in freakin' Los Angeles. No pun intended.

Goldenpants YT link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KADmz0X3iyA

Apologies if I couldn't stick around to pick up the audience certificate. As Jared's proxy, I had to be out of there by a certain time.

Congrats to all the winners!

I've been to Anime Central's, Sakura Con's, and Anime Expo's ballroom dances, and I must say, that Fanime is the best out of all the anime convention ballroom dances. Unlike high school proms and formals, this has a much more romantic feel to the type of music being played. You dress up pretty to dance pretty, not to dry hump to hip hop.

I'm glad they moved the event to the Fairmont. I really liked the venue this time around. I also liked the fact that water was finally being offered. Last year, we weren't allowed to have water (iirc).

I liked how dress code is enforced and encouraged. At Anime Expo, you can dress like a $3 hooker and still pass.

While I loved this dance, there is room for improvement. I would like to reinstate to lower the volume. When "Ageha Cho" went on, my ears almost popped off. Some of the music wasn't danceable at all and some song choices just made me want to groan. Can we PLEASE kill zombie Macarena? I'll take Rick Astley over that! (Never Gonna Give You Up / Together Forever = easily swingable) The swing and mambo tunes were great choices!

I was surprised this event went until 11PM. I'm used to anime con formal dances going only for two hours. I didn't mind. This event was a great way to end the night!

For the record, I was cosplaying as Chane LaForet from Baccano! Black dress / short hair, if anyone can remember that visual in a dimly lit room.

Thank you for improving this event and taking it to new heights. Loved the demo!

Can we also have a coat check in / bag check? Anime Expo's ballroom dance did that in 2005 (iirc). The staff would need to have a few volunteers for this. It would assure that personal belongings (coats and bags) would be safe and not be moved around.

We're planning on wearing our Pokemon stuff on Saturday around 4PM and on. Just giving you an idea of the time we would prefer.

[Don't be afraid to speak up]

I'd also advise cosplayers should they feel uncomfortable around a photographer, be sure to get their name / badge name / physical description of them. I know a few instances where a few acquaintances who have been in similar situations. It is just best to report them to a staff member like B Sapphire or the press department (if they have a visible press badge). Don't be afraid to speak up, because chances are, the creepy photographers are probably giving off the wrong vibe to other cosplayers. 

I consider Traveling Valentine to be more on the (fun) reporting side of the press. Though I do not consider myself as a cosplay photographer, I still take photos of cosplayers (in addition to those-creepy-but cute-doll shots,  attendee-dealer's room interaction shots, restaurant shots - gotta know what's around, staff-hard-at-work shots, and other fun this and that), and I'll always ask them politely if they want their picture taken.

Here's our site:

Scarlet Rhapsody press team (aka Traveling Valentine)
http://scarlet-rhapsody.com/

And a few others that have been accredited photographers / reporters:

Consplayers
http://www.consplayers.com/

Con Pix (Old Man Mike)
http://www.conpix.net/

Team Misaki (Bart Boy & Friends)
http://www.teammisaki.org/

Mr. Postman
http://www.cobrora.com/

Spooky Electric
http://epii.info/anime/

If you're a photographer looking to get business cards, check out vistaprint.com. You can get a decent bundle for very cheap.

G-Force: If you're cosplaying as AVGN, I know someone who would be willing to cosplay as Nostalgia Critic and challenge you to a duel to the death! XD

I've been particular to the Fear Street series by R. L. Stine. Too bad most of them are out of print. I still have my Fear Street Saga spin off books!