/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

why are you starting an Akon thread when we have like 3-4 cons before that?

>Sci Fi Expo
>Ushi Con
>All con
>Anime Matsuri

>>6585244

Because of Mini A-kon. I wondered how many people went. It's a general Texas thread too. So post away about those cons if you want.

My plans for A-Kon are going to be regular Aranea (Homestuck), Natalia (Tales of the Abyss), and the Christmas Stalker (Killing Floor).

If we get new good guests, then I'll be excited. The list is very 'meh' so far, except for Rachel Caine for me. I used to be such a big fan of her books a few years ago.

How did the mini A-kon go? I wanted to go, but was busy this weekend.
I'll be dressed as fem!Castiel one day and wearing lolita on another. Guests are pretty meh this year, and I'm not a fan of the band that will be there.

Kinda pumped for San Japan even though it's a while off. Awkward Zombie and Hot Diggedy Demon are both going so I'm looking forward to that.

>>6585667
It was fun, but not that much to do.


I went as Rise and my friend went as Chie from P4, it was our first time cosplaying so definitely a new experience.

>>6585667

It was my first time going and I had fun, though I would like to see more panels. And... more panels that aren't outside.

I enjoyed the cosplay contest though, it seemed more of a real contest than Micro A-kon. I won first place with Viking!Norway from Hetalia.

>>6586144

Realized I should post a pic. Here's the cosplay. I didn't get any personal photographs of it, so this is the best one I've received thus far. Taken during the contest by a library staff member.

Oh god, I'm no where near done with my cosplay for this, I lost all ambition right in the middle of it. I need someone following me around kicking my ass into working on it. Anyone else working feverishly on something?

>>6586524

I have yet to start, but I hope to buy materials soon so I don't end up making my cosplay last minute.

Good luck, at least we're still several months away!

>>6586524
Do the the work now

Ill be doing Asuna from SAO, my roommate and I doing Rin and Len from Vocaloid, aaaand Im not sure. Maybe my boo and I will do Pokemon gijinka. Will there be any other SAO cosplayers there?

>>6586926
I hope not since SAO is shit but I know how terrible people's taste is so I'm sure there will be a sea of SAO.

Not going to Akon (I wish) but checking out Anime Overload and returning to San Japan.

>>6587483

There was only one SAO cosplayer at Mini A-kon and it was fairly decent. Not shit-tier. It's popular, but not an easy cosplay like MLP or Homestuck.

I just don't think it'll be HUGE, regardless of how good/bad people think it is, based on the complexity of the costumes.

>>6587483
>at least its not Homestuck
oops

never done any real cosplay before but I happen to have my old pikachu ears and tail. Would it be pretty acceptable to [almost] pull a jnig and throw on some yellow and heels and call it done?

>>6589763
I'm not into cosplay but I'd really like to do something like that. As in wearing something character-themed for a day at a con but there's no way it wouldn't be seen as a shitty closet cosplay. Feels bad.

>>6589792
I know that feel, knowing my luck I'd end up on cgl

>>6589763
Just do it. You are there to have fun, right? Oh no, you got posted to /cgl/... Oh wait there is zero reason to give any shits

>>6590115

I am excited about the new hotel.

Suuuuuper stoked for A-Kon just because of the new hotel and the fact that by the time it rolls around, I won't have been to a con in 9 months.

Our group has recently started collecting materials for our xxxHOLIC group we're making for it. Exciiiiiiiite.

>>6590760
>xxxHOLIC
I expect many pics. You better have a Watanuki.

>>6591703
We SHOULD have a Watanuki, but our Yuuko is the one responsible for making his costume. So it will depend upon if she finishes Yuuko in time haha.

>>6593462
Well poo, no one ever has a Watanuki, and I've seen several Holic groups now. Hopefully she can finish in time, good luck to you guys.

Anyone else bummed about moving to a new hotel? I've been going to A-Kon since it was the Adam's Mark, and it's nice being able to plan your cosplays around that hotel (like knowing where the stairs are, how to get to A from B without hitting escalators, where people will still be awake and doing things at at 1:00am). I'm definitely glad for the expansion of space, but man...dem feels 8|

>>6595060

The only thing I'm a little concerned about is transit to and from. I don't mind driving in, but I don't want to pay too much to park, and I want to make sure there will be space. Though I really want to be able to take the train.

>>6595109
Well I mean, I'm not sure if it's just because you can't do it so far in advance (which I doubt) but it looks like the whole hotel is already booked up for May 31-Jun 2. Which would suck, cause with the Sheraton we at least had overflow hotels.
>transit
No kidding! We JUST had the train line extended up to Denton so we can take it all the way down to Pearl Street and now they move the con. Sucks :(

>>6595060
hell no, the Sheraton was ugly and dated. It was crowded and hot. The Anatole is gorgeous, has a huge courtyard and is closer to my home. I've been waiting for them to move for years.

>>6595197
Yeah, but is the ticket price increase and REALLY expensive rooms worth it...?

>>6595215
I'll answer that, fuck no. The rooms at the anatole are $185 a NIGHT, at the lowest. Fucking hell.

Texasfags, anyone going to the clusterfuck that is All-Con in March? I've got some extra cash and time off for Spring Break while it's happening, so I guess I'm going with some friends in Texas. Which means I get the joy of making 4 Star Driver maid outfits, because we're gonna enter the maid competition.
If you're going, I'll be pretty plastered the entire time. I'm going mostly for the pinata frenzies. Finally, a con with pinatas.

>>6595137

Yeah. I'm out in Irving, so we're getting trains and such, it's just slow. Come on, work on the orange line!

I drive past the Hilton on my way downtown but I don't see Dart signs near it, though the parking lot is big. But with how many people attend... even if people carpool...

I looked it up on Google and looks like the nearest station is Market Center. Looked up walking directions from the station to the hotel and it's about a mile, which isn't too far of a walk, but not something I want to do every day and into the night.

I think it's silly to rent a hotel room when I live in the area, but now I'm worried about parking.

>>6585232
I'm pretty excited since I'll be (hopefully) coming from Florida to visit a friend and we'll be going together.
My plans aren't set in stone, but thinking about Damara Megido, Fionna, and either a kigurumi or lolita outfit on Sunday. (On a tight budget and this whole trip is pretty pricey so..)

>>6595361

Have you booked your airfare yet? If not, I'd suggest SW. 2 free checked bags so you'll have plenty of room for cosplay items and the airport they use is the one closet to the hotel.

Also, their flight crews are awesome.

>>6595407

*closest, not closet derp

>>6595284
Former Irving resident here, Orange Line won't be done until 2014 now. Hilton parking gets packed past overflow during weekends, so your best bet is carpooling, Live in Ft. Worth now so driving for day 0 while staying the weekend with local bros. Will be going as Press for first time, too.

>>6595438

I have a train station near me so that's not a huge concern thankfully, but I guess I'll start planning carpool now to avoid a time crunch. I have friends within Dallas city limits, but nothing within true walking distance.

I'm still kinda new to the DFW area, so how is the Market Hall station? Sketchy? Safe?

I am really happy about the bigger size, but the lack of public transit is very vexing.

I'm headed to mizuumi con in march, anyone got experience with that? what should i expect, is it worth cosplaying for etc..

>>6595215
I haven't paid for either of those things in 3 years. I volunteer for my badge and I stay at home. How much are tickets this year then, how much did they increase by?

THE FUCKING GUEST LIST.
They don't even qualify as guests, it's just a bunch of people who write fanfic and other irrelevant shit.

>>6595702
I go every year, it's a simple little con. It feels a bit like a school carnival, but in a very good way (cosplay+moonbouce? Yes please.).

It's worth it to cosplay but pick something cool, because every year it's always ridiculously hot and the majority of the con is split between buildings so you will be outside walking alot.

>>6595197
Poor Anatole.
I still wonder how they got that hotel.
Too nice for a convention, they should have gotten the staples center or something. Hotels have never been a good choice, waaaay to much going on.

>tfw look up Ushicon
>Down the fucking street from where I live.
>Thought I'd have to wait half of a year for A-kon to see anything cosplay related.
>Don't know whether to be excited or wary due to lack of ever hearing about it.

Is Ushicon worth the 10 minute walk to check out? Anybody ever been there before to give a mate some information?

>>6596684
>Ushicon
Eh, was really small looking on youtube. The dealers room looks like a small artist alley. I'd save the money and either go for A-kon or A-fest.

>>6596684
I went to ushicon back before it died and came back as a weird throwback to 90's era anime conventions. From everything I've heard since it moved to RR it is very small and very lacking in programming. They encourage you to run shit out of your hotel room. Basically it's the con for all the nearly 30 or 30+ neck beards who get pissed that anime convention culture has changed over the last 10 years and they are trying to relive "the golden age"

>>6595527

>>6595438 here. As a lifelong resident of the Metroplex, I can tell you the Market Hall station is one of the safer stations for going to and fro on DART. If the con was still at the Sheraton, I'd be telling people to drive everywhere no matter what since the Downtown stations are crawling with aggressive vagrants and are also magnets for fights and assault.

How long have you been in the area and how do you like Irving?

Going to finally start my Slade's Apprentice version of Terra tomorrow after my paycheck. Lord help me, also I'm hoping good things for the Hilton. Sheraton was very crowded but I did like the fact that there is a food court inside.

http://www.a-kon.com/?p=2364

All of my why.

>>6596664
the Anatole was literally the only place in Dallas large enough for A-kon. The American Airlines center doesn't have lodging and neither does the Dallas convention center. Nowhere else has enough space for all the panels, events, guests, etc...

>>6597107
Unless you're being deliberately obtuse, there are hotels all around the American Airlines Center since it's the anchor for the development (Victory Park).

The Dallas Convention Center also has a hotel attached called the Omni Dallas Hotel that opened in 2011. Whether the convention made the effort to work with the City of Dallas to book either venue is a different matter and it sounds to me that they're wanting to avoid that for as long as they can.

Saying the Anatole is the only venue large enough for A-Kon is a significant understatement.

>>6596799

I moved here from Alabama in August and I generally like Irving, even if I am on Belt Line (it's all I can afford and it's 5-10 minutes from my work).

I have a GPS so I'm comfortable driving around downtown, but if Market Hall is pretty safe, I have a friend in South Irving so I may see if we want to ride the train together. Walking a mile really won't be THAT bad if it saves on parking (since I imagine that is going to be scarce and may cost) and I've had to do similar treks when I've been in Boston for cons and conferences. I'm going to check the walking route to make sure it's actually a way that has sidewalks and I'm not jaywalking across a busy street. It's also going to depend on the schedule since I don't want to miss the last train (though I always say I'll stay for late night panels and then wuss out because I'm so used to going to bed early to get up for work).

Are you in any of the local anime clubs on Meetup by any chance? Or do you do FUNimation at the movies (or did, they're renegotiating the contract atm).

>>6597107

I understand people wanting to stay AT the con hotel since it's easy, and I really enjoyed the one time I went to a con and actually was AT the con hotel. But every other con I go to, I stay somewhere cheaper or if it's local, just commute. Yeah, it's a hassle, but if you're not wearing more than one cosplay a day or need to go back and forth to your room, they could have had the con at a convention center and people could just stay where ever.

>>6596999

Agreed about the food, though I plan on picnic-ing for at least one meal a day to save cash (and be healthier).

>>6597544
>>6596799 here

I used to live all over Irving before moving to Fort Worth in 2006, so it's my hometown and miss it since my dad and stepbrother live there and don't get to see them very often because I'm working all the time.

I'm not involved with Funimation outside of interaction with their PR staff and general banter with some of their higher level execs, some former colleagues in press before they "moved up". I'm just a lowly news hound that got lucky.

As for anime clubs I don't really participate on Meetup or any local anime clubs, simply because every time I'd go to a meet, I'd get hassled since I'd hand out business cards with my site printed on them, which led to awkward questions about me hiring or wondering if I was looking for people to write about anime and manga, when all I wanted to do was find more local friends into anime and manga.

What led you to move from Alabama to Irving? I'm assuming you're working for a large company with corp. offices around where you live?

Quick question: Is it better to pre-reg your badge for AKon or just buy at the con? I hear the badge lines are horrible no matter what, but was curious..

>>6595407
I haven't yet, thanks!

>>6596684
>Ushicon

Tiiiiiiiiiiiiny. If cosplay is your thing then go to Mizuumi-con or San Japan. There is Anime Overload but you pay too much for too little.

>>6595702
>mizuumi

College con. Keeps growing each year. Hope they fix the @#)$@# AC this year!

>>6596638
exist trace about the only thing announced. so many cries on why they don't get guests we care about. FUCK mangina.

>>6598326
Pro-tip: show up thursday, reg on-site.

>>6597456
The Omni isn't nearly large enough to accomodate all the guests. It's not just about panels/floor space. It's also about being able to house as many guests as possible at the event location.

The AA Center is huge, yes, but it doesn't have any hotels attached to it. Also, it was apparently really expensive for the con to rent/hire it out.

A-kon is a business and it's owners aren't stupid enough not to check all their options before making a decision.

>>6599428
As I stated before, the con is most likely trying to avoid dealing with the City of Dallas for either venue since a percentage of the rental fees have to go directly to the city's coffers and are taxed at a different rate compared to dealing with a privately-owned venue.

Whether the venue can also accommodate all of the attendees in terms of housing is a non-issue and has more to do with a desire for convenience, just look at conventions such as AX or SDCC which take up entire hotel districts, yet the convention is held in a completely different venue and people have no problem with the arrangement.

A con the size of A-Kon either needs to get away from the idea that everything needs to be contained within the main housing venue, otherwise it's always going to face future problems with growth, no matter the venue they choose.

>>6599428
>it's owners aren't stupid enough not to check all their options before making a decision.

you sure about that?
a-kon has a history of making really fucking stupid decisions.

>>6599746
I have a feeling >>6599428 is being generous when talking about A-Kon's capacity for proper decision making. Choosing the Anatole has to rank up there with their storied legacy of stupid decisions concerning venues.

Hell, if A-Kon really explored their options as claimed, they would have looked into the Gaylord Texan, which a venue designed for a con like A-Kon that likes to keep everything contained into a single venue.

>>6599814
Would the hotel you mentioned be able to house all the attendees?

>>6598201

Interesting. It's very convoluted why I moved but my absolute dream job is to work at FUNimation, and they won't hire out of state. No other graphic design jobs seemed to want to hire out of state either, so I took the first job offered to me. I work at a corporate business that leases copiers. Not exciting, but it pays the bills, it got me out here in time to start grad school next year.

And I do have a friend who works at FUNimation so my changes are a lot better now that I'm here in DFW. I know it's nerdy and cliche to want to work for them, but I always say that if I got that job, I could die the next day and have no regrets.

That's too bad about Meetup. I'm in the local yaoi club (haha, I know, there is one) and Mid Cities Anime. That's kinda weird about the business card thing though. Maybe it seemed too professional to them?

>>6598326

Always pre-register. It's cheaper, and with a large con like A-kon offering Thursday night pick up, yeah you may wait 2 hours, but it's not 2 hours AT the con. It's also good security. Say for some weird reason they had to put a cap on attendance. If you already have your badge, you're good.

Also, as much as I know at some cons you CAN get in quicker if you don't pre-reg, I was actually in attendance at Anime Boston 2008 aka Line Con. The pre-reg line was like 2 hours. The at the door line was 8+ hours. I will ALWAYS pre-reg at a large con out of fear that there is some horrible computer error that turns it into Line Con.

>>6599971

>>6598201 here

I know a lot of people that want to work for Funimation locally so your story sounds familiar.

I know someone that got hired with a similar story to yours (landed a position and moved back from Boston, incidentally), so it's a matter of time before a position opens up.

I've seen the Yaoi club listing on the local Meetup listings, automatic reaction is always NOPE.gif, though I would be interested in attending an anime club meeting one day without the awkwardness.

Is your goal production or voice acting? I'm guessing by the mention of graphic design that you're looking for a production position at the company? They've been doing well recently, so they might be looking for more graphic designers soon.

>>6599833
Have you ever seen the Gaylord? It's ridiculously huge. I think it has more rooms than the anatole. I think you don't really get the importance of convention space though. It really doesn't matter if the con can negotiate a giant room block if there isn't enough room for anyone to enjoy the event on the con floor. They already have had an overflow hotel for years at the sheraton, they're just so big that there is probably no way they can be contained to one hotel anymore.

>>6599971
Not the same anon as before but you shouldn't feel bad about wanting to work there. I want to work for them too but at this point I think I've gone too far down a digital design path to be useful to them.

I hope you aren't going to grad school for design, thats a huge waste of time and money.

>>6600027

My goal would be to be a graphic artist. I have a BFA in Graphic Design. Thankfully I'm pretty 'in the loop" thanks to my friend who is in that department so I just continue to pray that if and when something opens up, my portfolio is the one that stands out. I applied this last summer when they did have an opening but they don't hire out of state.

>>6600080

Yes I am and I had a full ride to undergrad, so my college savings are paying for 90% of my grad school. It's not a waste of time if I want to become an art director. Having an MFA is a key step to becoming an art director. It will also help to have a masters when I have my midlife crisis and retreat to academia for a PhD in art history / media studies.

I won't be in some shoddy program either. 1 year design theory, 1 year business applications and practice, 1 year pedagogy. Fairly useful given the way the course is structured and the fact that an MFA is the terminal degree for the field.

Akon thread?

You guys ready to party hard?

>>6600248
please no

>>6600227
>Having an MFA is a key step to becoming an art director.

LOL no it's not. Are you being serious? Maybe you should actually work in the industry a few years before you buy that load of bull shit. If you seriously want to teach at the university level then yes, an MFA will get you there but if what you want is a job as an art director you need to get a design job and work for a few years. A masters won't teach you what you need to know to be a good art director. When they hire an art director (or even a creative director) they are not looking for someone with a higher level of design ability, they are looking for someone that can work the deadlines and manage people. They are looking for someone who has a smooth tongue with clients.

>>6600360

>>600027 here and I have to agree with you on this.

I've known plenty of creative/art directors that talked their way into decent jobs without an MFA and simply got one through their BFA and portfolio.

Is it easy to do? Hell no, it's not, but it's better than drowning in debt for a Masters that hardly pays for itself these days.

>>6600548
Quite honestly you don't need a BFA either, it's just usually the act of getting one that give you a portfolio worth anything. In the creative field all you need is a portfolio that is good, if your portfolio is good and they like your work they will care jack shit about your degree or lack there of. I've been in this industry for 6 years now and I don't think I've ever worked with someone that had a MFA. Most of the time if you decide you want to teach you go back to get it.

Lets talk about how the normal cost for a nightly rate at the hotel is approximately $110, but the "con rate" is near double that.

Anyone else going to Sci fi Expo next week?

And got dayum, I am not even thinking as far ahead as a-kon right now. Too many cons between now and then.

>>6600548
and >>6600562

I am not going to be drowning in debt. I spent $0 on undergrad and have a full college savings account that is going to pay for grad school 90%. I'm not looking to become an art director right away, and know I can't because I need long-term experience.

But this is an MFA program designed specifically to go beyond pedagogy and prepare students FOR that art director/creative director position and give them an edge in that market. It's designed for working professionals. I'm the anomaly in the group because I'm starting just a year out of college, but I want to get it done while I have time and less obligations.

It is always going to come down to experience and design ability, but I don't get why you are so Masters-phobic. It's going to allow me to teach if I wish, or if I work within the industry, to give me a competitive edge. Maybe right now a Master's isn't always a requirement, but how many people are studying graphic design right now? It's a huge field. This is a way for me to boost my chances and show my commitment.

I also know plenty of art director/creative director positions DO want you to have a Master's. It has always been the recommendation of my professors in undergrad and my father, who is a user experience designer, to pursue a Master's if I eventually want a high level position within the industry. It's also a personal choice; having a Masters is a personal goal of mine.

We can agree to disagree on this since it's obvious our opinions differ greatly.

>>6601779
Just don't be pissed off when you have a masters and can't get a good position because you have no work experience. They want experience in the industry, not 8 years of education.

I'm also really curious where these positions that require masters degrees are because I sure have never seen them.

>>6586524
I know that feel. Trying to sew a STABO harness.

>>6601852

When did I ever imply I'd be pissed off about that situation? I know full well that an MFA isn't my golden ticket to a job. But it IS my golden ticket to teaching or a possible academic career beyond graphic design.

It's also not like I don't have work experience. I'm currently freelance, but I have worked graphic design jobs in the past.

It's not unusual for designers to get an MFA later in their career. The difference is I'm doing it now a year out of college while I have the time and money. If that was a problem, I wouldn't have been accepted to my school, nor would I have been encouraged to do that in undergrad.

>>6602591
>not pissed off you probably won't get a job
>claim one of the reasons you're getting a MFA is to be an art director

ok bro

>>6601875
I swear we need a motivation/power hour thread or something. I managed to work on my stuff for 2 hours today, but it was just a drop in the bucket for how far I have to go. I hate procrastination.

>>6598355
>>6599971
Thanks for the tips, I think I will pre-reg, but am definitely going to try and make it Thurs night instead of Fri morning.

>>6603211

Try making a specific list of tasks maybe? That's what I do, whether it's cosplay or life. This way you can check off things and feel accomplished, and it helps you lay out what you really need to do that day.

You'll be glad you get your tickets Thursday. Lets you breeze in the next morning (or come in later if there aren't any panels you want that early).