Messages

Just wanted to toss this up here in case the person in question has a forums account or eventually finds this post. To the Mabel who was dressed in the 80's style dance outfit, this is the Dipper who posed with you for photos after the main gathering took place. Are you planning on posting those pictures online someplace? I'd love to get copies of them for myself, since I have very few pictures of myself in costume. Thanks!

Sign me up for Dipper, since there just aren't enough yet to stage a convincing clone fight. I also plan on bringing a backpack full of props, including a few of the ones already on the list.

I'm going to be attending as Nick from L4D2. On a side note, since this is my first gathering, about how early do participants usually start showing up?

Hello, I have a few questions regarding the props for a costume I shall be wearing at the convention. I am going to be dressed as one of the survivors from the game Left 4 Dead 2. I've already made a prop cricket bat out of cardboard and a PVC pipe, but would also like to make a machine gun and/or pistol for some variety.

http://images.wikia.com/left4dead/images/c/c7/Smgw_2.png
http://images.wikia.com/left4dead/images/8/8c/Deaglew_2.png

The guns in question are a silenced machine gun and a magnum. Both will be made by hand from craft foam and cardboard and will have orange safety tips attached to them. I am concerned that they might be considered too realistic for the con since I am skilled enough to make them look almost exactly like the pictures. Also, in regards to the silenced machine gun, one of the details are zip-ties used to attach a flashlight to the barrel. I know Fanime uses zip-ties to show props are peace-bonded, but are they a special color to differentiate them from normal ones? I can always omit the ones off my prop so not to have them interfere with the bonding zip-tie.

The next few questions deal with carrying these props. In your prop rules section you said that "attendees are expected to carry their props carefully & in neutral positions" and that "sword-like and gun-like props should be holstered or otherwise secured". I've already made a harness that utilizes magnets to attach the cricket bat and machine gun securely to my back, however, I'd like to know if I have the option to carry them in my hands as well. Could I hold the cricket bat in one of my hands so it is rests against my shoulder in a neutral position as I walk around, or would this be an issue since it is not secured? The same question goes for the prop machine gun if it is deemed convention safe. Could I carry it in my hands as I walk around if it remains 45 degrees or lower to the floor? The pistol will be in a holster with an open bottom so the safety tip is visible and will remain there except for potential photos, if it is not bonded to the holster.

My last question involves a prop containing a liquid, since I don't think this has been addressed yet.

http://images.wikia.com/left4dead/images/f/f3/Bilebomb-bggrey.jpg

I have made a prop that looks like this item, created from a plastic bottle and cardboard. The liquid is water that has been dyed green with acrylic paint and sealed inside the bottle using a cork generously covered in wax and then hot glued to the cover, meaning it cannot be opened unless it were destroyed. Would such an item even be allowed, despite how it has been secured?

I'm sorry about the number of questions, but I want to be sure that these props are con safe before I get there.