DW Symphonic Spectacular - Birmingham 26.05.15

Finally getting around to doing this blog post, sorry it's taken so long.
As usual I got a bus to Manchester then a megabus to Birmingham, a little late because of traffic but I got the earliest bus anyways. Birmingham was even worse than google maps shown it to be and I ended up just reading a book to pass the time. The train station was not like one I'd ever seen, was hard to find the toilets or anything.

The event itself, I befriended a person and helped them get there before meeting with a friend there. It was simple enough to get there with help from google maps beforehand.
Merchandise was very pricey but it is the bbc and doctor who after all. Queueing was awful, parents with children kept trying to push in, their wasn't a clear queue, just alot mixed up and I was behind a group when a family decided to go right next to us so inbetween two queues and tried to push infront of me, even hearing at one point the mother telling the child to slide in. I pushed them out the way to be served first however, completely rude and uncalled for. I bought a Peter Capaldi attack eyebrows tour shirt for £25 and wristband for £5. Then we noticed how was another merchandise area upstairs unused, pft. So the hard part next was finding the seats, as I wasn't next to my friend, decided to risk it and see if anyone would ask to move us since last time I was in birmingham, people sat anywhere. Eventually had to move and was on a row all by myself. However after the break, friend sat with me and suddenly was a few more people around who most likely moved closer due to the height of the place and to see better. Either alot cancelled or someone didn't think to start from the low to the top for the higher cheaper seats.

Peter Davidson was hosting this event and his comic timing was amazing, especially with the conductor; Ben Foster. I have to admit when it started, it felt too fast. It got straight into it. I believe it would of made it better to play the actual doctor who theme at the start, however I think having that at the end did work also as it summed it all up, but it just felt a little odd, maybe could of been done twice? Also Murray Gold was in audience, right in the centre, conviently a spotlight showing on him when mentioned.

List of songs (some in order):  A good man, Listen, Time heist, Robin Hood, Mummy on orient express. Then the companions which shown Rose, Martha, Donna and Amy. The ninth doctor theme aswell as going into showing the tenth doctor. We then had song of freedom, the daleks which included as typical in the doctor who proms the daleks taking over the arena. The pandorica suite which focuses on soundtracks in the two finales, christmas carol, this is galifrey, impossible girl, death in heaven suite (Misssyyyy!!), vale decem and the Doctor Who theme (where we got to see the conductor in the fifth doctor's coat.)

 Pandorica Suite

In general most if not all of my ultimate favourites was played at this. The females vocals was just stunning and I was so glad she was there, I was hoping for this and I got everything I wanted and more. It's so hard to pick a favourite between them but I have to admit I was so happy to hear the eleventh doctor theme playing. Most my favourite soundtracks come from his era. I have to admit I had a better viewing experience after the break, I thought it started far too quickly to get into and I was already a little out of my comfort zone being on my own on the row and how Birmingham was for me so far.

I had enough time to catch the megabus after the event which for some reason a stagecoach came. I wouldn't of minded if they did the usual state what time their bus was for and maybe even which direction they was going but they did neither and they had the most horrible attitude. Very sarcastic when I asked on behalf of alot of others there, well excuse me then, maybe customer service isn't stagecoaches best point.

In the end I loved the event, I just wish they did one in Manchester so I would of enjoyed it 100%. Great viewing experience even for the cheaper seats. After all I wanted to focus more on the music anyways as a big lover of soundtracks and of course Doctor who. I took some photos but I had a camera phone (did see someone with a camera which pretty sure it said only camera phones allowed and he was with a family, not really fair. Must of snuck it in.) and videos which will be uploaded onto this when available and some will be able to be seen on facebook.

Huddersfield Majikkon 2015

Huddersfield Majikkon. It's fair to say I was extremely looking forward to this event because I loved it last year. Sadly more bad luck struck this year as my father fell ill from a bug going around at work, passing it onto my brother and some onto me. The day came and I was unsure what would happen, if I was to take the bus and if I should go in cosplay also if I would feel more worse. Alas he did take us in the end so I could go in cosplay. Everything was going swell, wasn't rushed and got everything done. Then soon as got out of the car for the event, the beard for my Aku Aku mask fell of and we couldn't go inside early like last year so was left queueing in the freezing windy cold! Brrrrrr!  I put the mask in my bag only to discover the eyebrow fell of later aswell. Waiting outside, a queue did sort of form eventually  and we had the most annoying people infront of us. One male had so much room infront of himself yet kept backing up into my brother who was more ill. Rude much? (I did keep moving on the spot but made sure it was in the side ways direction not in anyones way to bug them.) So that started the day of badly and some girl in his friend group I think kept walking into everyone and nearly crushing my bag when I was trying to sort something out. But you do get some ignorant people at times anywhere you go. It was so freezing queueing but this is what gotta do for other conventions and it made sure we was right near the front.



I met up with various friends throughout the day which consisted of Jodie, Shaunie, Michelle and Tim. Who also brought some of their friends along and mainly stayed with Shaunie and Tim throughout the day but met with the others whenever saw them.

I met up with my friend Jellie Bee first and enjoyed spending some time speaking to her which I normally can't do cause the hustle and bustle and wanting to get out of people's way. But I managed to do two lengthy conversations throughout the day with her. (Doctor who *whispers*) But yes I got two sticker packs of her; zelda and game control stickers, pikachu badge and a studio ghibli zodiac poster. I also bought some more badges from another stall and I would of bought more before I told myself not to, since I'm a serious badge collector.. But I do nothing with them! I also bought a beautiful flower crown from a lolita stall.

(Jellie Bee)

The sumo wrestling idea was brilliant and hilarious, got Tim and Josh fighting on camera and will hopefully be making a funny video of that at some point to put here. I didn't get to go the maid cafe but apparantly we couldn't take photos anyways... So nothing much missed there. I sadly forgot all about the gaming room and noticed they had tekken tournaments which I regretted. When finally remembered, it was far too crowded to get into to.

It wouldn't be a convention without my wig and something going wrong. Which although I spent a good hour facepainting my face, a bald spot at the top shown on the pictures and my wig kept falling to the side. I had never had this problem on test runs so fair to say I was disapointed but luckily I know the clone stamp on photoshop and have been using it to correct errors on my photos. I also had to use it for cosplayers at times cause of the wind. So it's a handy tool to have. Fair to say I was gutted that my prop started to fall apart cause it was literally something I was very much proud of cause I'm not good at making things. But these things happen and everyone was lovely about it and still made me feel good. Which enabled me to turn it into a joke in the end.

I didn't expect the amount of photographers to ask me for a photo, last year it was mainly the photography volunteers, didn't see many of them this year around except for the morning sadly. But wow. I also had a professional photoshoot with forecast and A shot in the dark (which I won along with a harley quinn cushion and on the day got a charmanda one too yay!) Other photographers I met on the day were food and cosplay (which I love his photos so I felt really happy about that) and Starwind photography (who I also knew!) also Tim Brockley (who attends meets and who I know from previous conventions). As you can imagine, I was pleased photographers I knew about were coming to me and made me feel a little better about being there in cosplay. I also had a few people take photos who was volunteers and convention goers like me. (Will upload some of the photos of me as I recieve them.)

Funnily enough the most photos I got was of my friend who was Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul and the fact I got a photoshoot with another person next week cosplaying the same, amuses me. But also frightens me to make sure to get the photos even better. Which will be a challenge considering one of my photos I took is my favourite to date. Did some meme shots with Sherlock (who I met in the first year of the convention) and some more new people who came with my friends. Regret not getting more pictures inside but my flash wasn't working inside the convention like I got it for.

 (Ken Kaneki, Tokyo Ghoul)

 (Harley & Sherlock, Batman and Sherlock BBC)

Finally, I am really gutted I was not my usual hyper self for the day, but I guess it made me more tame with everyone. I loved the new layout for the main convention room but I found the stage area to be too loud, I personally thought it might of just been me because I was ill but found out some stall holders were leaving cause the noise to calm their head and also some stall holders had their hands on their ears. Maybe it could be quieter next year like the previous year? Or maybe move the stage to another room. I don't know, maybe bad idea but the noise kept me from staying in that hall for too long and spent much time outside. I will be hoping to attend next year cause it's one of my favourite conventions especially for cosplaying. I definately think it's a conventions you can go to with lots of friend's and manage to see them all, unlike other conventions. Everyone works so hard to put this convention together *takes hat of to them* and I hope their convention continues to grow.

 (Goku, Dragon ball Z)

  (Chi chi (with Gohan cut out prop), Dragon ball Z)

Coco Bandicoot - In Progress

So for 2015 conventions, I thought for a long time on what I wanted to do and because I wanted to focus on going to conventions than cosplays and also try and make something for once, I finally came back to a thought in the past of doing a character from Crash Bandicoot. Now ones mind will most definately go to Crash as the obvious which I did but I thought how about Coco too. So after gathering supplies, I actually started making my first cosplay prop and I thought I would make a blog post of it.

Supplies for Aku Aku Mask:
Paint (Tescos) £1 each; Brown and red
Thick cardboard (I generously got from my father's work)
White and colored cardboard (Can be bought from tescos, poundworld etc)
Mixed packet of feathers (any fabric, stationary store)
Black Marker

I had to do this prop, it was iconic for me as a child so it had to be included rather than her laptop. I also thought it would keep the character recognizable or at least the game. I started with the base which was harder than I thought and even when I did measurements it looked odd, finally worked in the end. I then painted it brown at least five coats to get it the color I wanted.  After that I moved onto the eyebrows on cardboard to give a 3D event and the eyes. The nose was tricky since I wanted it a certain way but I couldn't with the cardboard I had. I did eventually settle on the next best thing which I think worked. The mouth was tiring work since it was tricky to cut it out with the thick cardboard I had and because it was already the color I wanted it, I had to be extra careful not to ruin the cardboard.

Here is what it looks like currently, I need to retouch it at parts from fingerprints and marks on the back but otherwise I hope it stays as close to this as possible for the hard parts and will add feathers closer to time. Considering this was all made by me I was and am still chuffed and I hope fellow cosplayers and the public will enjoy it when I wear it to many of the conventions I have planned for next year.

This will be my Coco wig (I thought I would try out my new glasses since I saw all this outside my room when got home from work) which I am to make the Ribbon and ears now that I know what it looks like and the size. Got my shirt and under orange top. Waiting on dungarees and now just need to buy some facepaint and purple converse.

More to come soon, watch this space!

London Time Of Angels Starfury Convention 10.10.14 - 12.10.14

NOTES: Whilst the convention was till the 12th, I returned home on the 13th and had alot to do, as to why this is a late post. Also Sadly due to not being allowed to film in the talks or having much friends with me, I haven't got a blog video but I do have photos to show and I will add my photoshoots when I get the digital prints of them.

 Starfury epically getting my name wrong as does everyone

For the starfury tickets, theirs two ticket options; the regular which is £60; where you get some free autographs and can attend everything except the meet and greet but not got piority and then the golden ticket (which I got) £160; where you get to attend the meet and greet, first in autographs, photoshoots and seating aswell. The event was at the Heathrow Radisson Blue Ewardian hotel which featured guests; Arthur Darvill, Keeley Hawes, Catrin Stewart, Neve McIntosh, Dan Starkey, Jemma Redgrave, Calvin Dean, Barnaby Edwards,Tony Lee and John Schwab.

My travel I booked included the Megabus, national express and the Heathrow bus. I took the megabus from 4:40Am for just £2 to London and got there for 9:20. 10 minutes earlier than was due and considering the bus broke down for a few minutes - working fast to fix it, it was great news. It was also very comfortable to sleep in, even with people next to you. I had then 3 hours and 40 minutes to spare before my next bus on the national express to Heathrow which was yet again on time and met other convention goers at the airport before it started to rain when we decided to get the free bus. It then went all weird and was hard to get a bus but we managed to get on one none the less as alot kept driving right past us. On the way home it was more difficult due to rain and traffic, my bus was delayed for 30 minutes and thus I got a different one to London and then the megabus was delayed with setting of due to the amount of people and then took 6 hours getting home. For the price it was reasonable but I may learn to take the Megabus there but if I'm going back during the day maybe to swap for a train next time.

Soon as got to London, I had time to go Westminster. It was amazing to see and was full of different cultures and just was excellent for photography. My inner doctor who fan was screaming at seeing these locations aswell and I hope to visit the cardiff area to do the same next year.

The Radisson Blu Edwardian is where this event was held, very adequate and was easy to get around. Only down side is their wasn't enough food places around the area and I ended up having fries every day at Mcdonalds (which was much cheaper than where I live!). The corridors where amazing, they reminded me of the shining more than anything and then someone made me think of the hotel corridors from the god complex. Checking out was all fine, but then soon as I went to get rent on Wednesday I saw they have taken some more money so it's pending. Hoping it is to be sorted tomorrow but be aware of this if using this hotel. It wasn't the first problem with the hotel as I had problems booking with them not understanding why my name didn't have a z even though they seemed to finally get it, I never got the confirmation and had to re-ring the hotel and they told me they ignored me and still put it. Someone else I knew said they got through it without issues but then they never got a confirmation, so yes, just be careful and don't be afraid of ringing them to make sure everything is okay, I had to do this alot.

The meet and greet for gold ticket holders was great, the only down side was that some guests got more time than others as people with the guests would put their hand on their shoulder when to move along. We got more time with some than others, the shortest being neve and the longest time being with Calvin. Our table was fun as we had games and sweets on the table which some of the guests joined in with which was very funny. We also had Dan (strax) and Neve (Vastra) do their voices and joke around when they had to swap with each other to sit at our table.

My first photoshoots on Saturday were in the early morning with Jemma (who was a bit late - London traffic most likely), Neve (who was a last minute decision to have a photo with) and Keeley. All where lovely and pleasant when I stepped to them, Jemma tried to engage a conversation with me alot thus we looked awkward on the photo (quite funny though), I look surprisingly not creepy as Neve hugged me and Keeley I just look shit tired. Sunday I had one photoshoot left with Arthur, sadly cause I refused to move from the front line to go get another with Keeley I kept with the previous tired one. My one with Arthur came out great, it looks like a relaxed, casual photo. I ended up not buying a digital copy of my photo with Jemma yet but maybe in the future.

Because I was a gold ticket holder, I got to sit close to the front for the Q&A talks. Sadly on the Saturday I chose to spend all day in there pretty much there was this really tall guy and it was hard to get any decent ones of Neve and Dan. Their Q&A was amazing though, one question that stood out was a audience member asking; "What is the weirdest question you have been asked?" And after sometime Neve thought of one, which was. "What kitchen utensil would you be?" Thus everyone laughing and Dan saying in Strax's voice a aggressive siff. However in the audience someone shouted a potato peeler which was brilliant!

Jemma's Q&A was very relaxed and she seemed humble by everything, I loved how she swore but in a way that was endearing if that made sense, as people told her the anniversary was shown in 96 countries and she replied "holy fuck". Just amazing.

Keeley's Q&A had the organiser asking her questions on the first night so the limit of crazy questions didn't really stand out, however I saw the last few minutes on the second day before Arthur where someone asked her "if she woke up as a man, what would she do." She had a very suggestive look and grin on her face and replied. "I think you all know." Just brilliant.

Arthur's Q&A, where to start, it was hilarious. He told of the tale of his mother getting a cardboard cut out of him for his grandmother as a Christmas present him, himself finding it funny but his grandmother finding it 'beautiful'. Other moments at the Q&A involve funny imitations of Moffat and another moment was a audience member asking the same question she asked Keeley about if he woke up as a female, yet again was a slience and a knowing look and then he said. "Have to wait and see if it happens but I suspect alot of mirror time.". Only wish we could have filmed it as he seemed to not have a problem with it and said for people to cut a scene if people were filming - thus wasn't one of the guests who didn't want them.

Gold ticket holders got to see all the guests first for autographs, resulting in me dragging my feet around the room with a pile of dvds and my prints I got right before it with a exclusive poster. I got my doctor who series 7, sarah jane adventures series 1 and ashes to ashes dvd signed along with my Arthur and Keeley photo print signed and a limited edition photo print of Arthur for a friend. I should also mention that everyone was lovely but out of everyone Phill Ford made a conversation starter, simply looking at my dvd and saying it had been a long time, thus me telling him how much I love his work as he did one of my favourite SJA episodes; day of the clown. He seemed glad by my comment too which made me happy. Also on the second day I got to talk to Keeley a bit more.

I happened to be outside for reasons to see the guests leaving (by pure chance, I promise) and John Schwab came over and gave me a hug whilst I was secretly filming people getting in the car haha, lovely chap!

 It was a new experience and I'm glad I went to this convention for reasons such as traveling on my own, doing different things, coping and pretty much was my first time going on my own to a convention. This was also the first convention out of my area where I went mainly for the guests since it's a very private vibe to the event and also the experience. I had quite a few critics with that comment when I said it and they responded it's not just about the guests, but some forget they go that convention all the time. Then yes that suits them. But here in my area I go conventions for the same reason they do, for people, cosplay, fun ect but cause I was on my own, out of my comfort zone. The guests are what appealed to me to attend, I'm not going to lie. What lies in the future of doing Starfury events I do not know. I'd love to go again sometime in the future with a friend however and maybe they will do more at the Birmingham hotel again which would be easier to go to.

Anyone going to this convention, make sure you have a close friend or are prepared to be let down. Even if the headline guests are confirmed and looking good, they could always cancel too. Be prepared. I say book the hotel first, then wait till closer to time to buy the tickets as then you should lose out on alot less as hotel rooms go really quick and you don't want to be far away from the event as needed. People there who already have groups are more or less going to pick them over you. The guests are lovely and their is plenty of things to do without needing a friend group there such as the talks.

Starfury: The time of angels - A convention for fans of Dr Who video
  

Cosplay & Photography Meet 27.09.14

Not done a blog post for some time, sorry guys and this ones slightly late.

 Fellow cosplayer sneak photo

 Oh look it's me! Photography be UK street photography

Went to a photography and Cosplay meet on 27th September by the amazing Pixie Cakeface , helped by Eevee Cosplay. All the cosplayers where lovely, some competitive photographers but overall a great day!

 (L, Death Note)

(L and Misa, Death Note)

 (Fionna, Adventure Time)

 (Clara, Doctor Who)

 (Black Widow, Captain America)

(Hawkeye, Captain America)

(Sasuke, Attack on Titan, Misa, L, Fionna)

 (Ahri and Janna, League of Legends)

 (Katarina, League of Legends)

The story behind the policeman being in some of these shots is that; a stranger on passing pulled out a knife on Bane. I think I have a idea who as he went past a swarm of us getting a photo of Black Widow. So he rung the police, they took chase after the man and caught him and the policeman wanted a photo with all the cosplayers so here it is. Plus one of the photos by another photographer may end up in the newspaper, who knows.

For more pictures visit: KB.Byron
Going to be uploading some cosplay building and prep for next year aswell as my last convention most likely of this year.