Hello there! I've been a constant Fanime convention-goer for about 5 years now, and I'm more than happy to come back again this year. Commonly, I don't create my own cosplays. My sister, a large cosplay enthusiast, will usually assimilate me into her cosplay groups, and that's how I commonly go about things.
However, this year I intended to go forth with an idea that to me seemed both unique and relatively fun: Papers Please!
Granted, construction wasn't construction because I didn't really need to make anything. However, I have an East German officer's coat in my closet, and thought I would pay a gracious homage to a video game that is really quite fun, as well as being surprisingly well received by the gaming community!
I thought I would take it a step farther though. I'm a very big fan of the "play" component to cosplay, and thought it might be fun to set up a folding table somewhere and "grant entry" to fellow Fanime-goers, establishing a security checkpoint, so to speak. The general idea (so as to not disrupt people getting around, enjoying the convention) would be to have it be something out-of-the-way, so only people who wanted the experience of passing through an Arstokzian checkpoint would receive it. I would be more than happy to provide a folding table, my own sign designation for the border checkpoint, and printed "temporary visas" of which I would stamp and hand out to the participants, granting them "approval" or "rejection" (this would not in any way mean anything, simply cosmetic).
While I think this would be a fun way to portray everyone's favorite border-checkpoint simulator, I didn't want to come and set up tables and stamp temp visas if it will hinder the convention in any way. To any staff members: would this "play" component to my Papers Please cosplay be allowed, and if so, where would you prefer I set up my "checkpoint" (I'd imagine having it outside would be best, but please notify me if this is not the case).
This would be the first major Cosplay-esque thing I've done by myself, and if it doesn't seem very major, then you can understand how little experience I have with this on my own.
I've seen some great cosplay ideas while going through the forums, and I wish everyone a happy Fanime-to-come!
Side Note: There's another question I have for staff regarding this cosplay, but I think I'll get the actual "CAN I DO THIS" question out there first.
As someone who loved this game, I'd love to see this happen :)
as a great idea this sounds, it would cause a lot of confusion and traffic problems!
There has been like some rulings stating no signs allowed in the convention because it would either disrupt the flow of traffic or promoting one's self for services.. I don't know but fanime has a complete set of rules to keep everything at peace!
As for the folding table, i think this wasn't allowed unless its part of a cosplay prop you made so you may have to deal with con ops!
I remember someone told me that con ops was not allowed to cosplay (not sure why but wasn't sure if this is true)
really am sorry to break the news to you but there are some rules you can bend abit...or if your lucky, con-ops will looked the other way >_>!
I would suggest getting a very small (laptop sized) desk with wheels. So long as it is mobile con ops will likely have less of an issue with it. And Hachimitsu-ink is correct, they do not allow signs. However, if you just have the stamps and papers on the desk people will probably come up to you regardless to see what you are doing. Then you can just pass out the stamped "temporary visa" but without actually regulating any kind of flow of traffic. If you get really ambitions I could see building a game based panel around this idea actually. (probably some kind of trivia game)
Solid gents. Thanks for the information. I'll keep these things in mind!
I suppose I'll simply go as a person instead of an entire set-piece, as I can completely understand why and where the staff are coming from, or at least I think I do!
Regardless, thought I'd ask, and I'm glad I got some responses! :D
I hope to see one of you guys at the convention!
As a fellow lover of this game and I am totally down to help out with this in any way I can. Let me know if you need any cosplay or prop items made I can make fake Artoszka passports and whatnot. I could even make an exact copy replica of the rulebook. No cost I'll just make it and bring it for you guys at the con ^___^... well I probably will want a pic with you guys. But yeah, let me know if that'd be helpful! :D
(dat 2 month response)
Quote from: mikasa-san on February 16, 2014, 11:34:58 AM
As a fellow lover of this game and I am totally down to help out with this in any way I can. Let me know if you need any cosplay or prop items made I can make fake Artoszka passports and whatnot. I could even make an exact copy replica of the rulebook. No cost I'll just make it and bring it for you guys at the con ^___^... well I probably will want a pic with you guys. But yeah, let me know if that'd be helpful! :D
That would be awesome! I would think that would be fantastic! I'm just going to go as the guard, I've decided I won't be doing any paper stamping, so-to-speak, but I will be wandering about Fanime very professional looking! Shoot me a PM with a time/spot to meet up, and I'll gladly come as everybody's favorite Arstotzkian border guard! :D
If you bring a rulebook, you'll get an Arstotkzian stamp of official diplomacy and a passport that I'll handcraft (granted I've never been too good at handcrafting, but I'll see what I can do). You can even keep the rulebook if you'd like. Just the fact that someone loves Papers Please that much shows true support to the Arstotzkian way of life.
Long live Arstotzkia!
I'm a little sad that the Arstokzan checkpoint isn't going to be a thing anymore, but I hope I get to run into you! Is there a specific day you'll be wearing this cosplay, or will you be doing it all weekend?
Glory to Arstotzka.