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.

Japan Day 25.08.14

 Japan Society North West's "Japan Day" is held in the Midlands hotel (right opposite manchester central where Manchester comic con is), it is free entry and  featured displays and demonstrations of Japanese crafts and activities including Ikebana, Ningyo (Japanese dolls), embroidery, Koto and Shamisen playing, Taiko drumming, the lovely “Awa Odori” dance, Shodo (the art of Japanese calligraphy) and also, for the first time at Japan Day, two authentic performances of the art of Tea Ceremony. For something more active they had martial arts displays from a number of different groups, and people could also have the chance to dress up in a kimono with their kimono-dressers. And, for the first time in Manchester, they had a cosplay competition. They also had a large number of stalls featuring the amazing variety of Japanese-culture societies in north west England.

 (Awa Odori dance)

(Kimono dressing)

Here's a recording of the Awa Odori dance she did (one out of two).

We managed to get inside from the early hours of it opening for this event as we always like to.Their wasn't many stalls but the entertainment was good,  that it didn't really matter. I particularly liked the awa odori dance and the finishing act Taiko drumming which they were all so enthusiastic. It took us some time to find the third room; trafford suite and when we got there it was way too crowded around the stage to see the martial acts properly so we never really ventured into it. The Japanese food room smelled so delicious, the aroma filling the room was simply mouth watering and hearing the Japanese greetings made it even more awesome.

 (Japanese food stalls)

(Taiko drumming)

The hotel was stunning and very big, easy to get around eventually aswell. Which I made sure to check afterwards what the star rating for it was a 4 star. Very fitting. Plus the fact it was opposite Manchester central had us all pulling some gags about being late/too early for MCM.

 Sadly every photographer/camera person was having a issue with the camera because of the lighting in the hotel. And the fact my camera is slow didn't help, by the end it did sort itself out and get a few cosplay photos but this is the reason why not much. We missed the cosplay competition as we took a wrong turn, ended up slightly lost then went for food but oh well! My favourite artist was there which I ended up buying alot of her as usual and got some things from afflecks in Manchester

 (Jellie Bee stall)

 (Studio Ghibli and playstation merch from Jellie Bee)

(Afflecks patches and badges)

Really awesome vibe, met up with many of my friends and it was a really great experience as you had japanese terms thrown at you at stalls and food stalls. It's not back till 2016 but I reccomend to everyone for a day out to enjoy Japanese culture. Now for some cosplay photography I took on the day!

 (Shaunie, my companion for the day)

 (Kiki, Kiki's Delivery Service)

 (Furries!)

 (Princess Hatsune Miku, Vocaloid)

 (Totoro, My Neighbor Totoro)

 Midland Hotel was well served by public transport (St Peters Square tram stop is two minutes walk away, Oxford Road railway station 10 minutes, and there are frequent buses running past or near to the hotel). There are also several large car parks nearby as well as a range of small ones.I got there by 83 (which had several other buses stop in the same place) which stops near piccadilly gardens and then it's a few minutes walk straight down to the place.