Photo Shoots, Should we have one

I posted this to one of the other topics, but no reply. But, we should have this going so it can be ready for the Con.

Should we try and get a room for a photoshoot, where we can take "semi-professional" pictures of our costumes?

I can bring some lights with tempreture correct lighting, and some sheets for backgrounds. Its not a problem.

The only problem is: Do we do it, and when?

And is there gong to be a Masquerade?

That sounds pretty cool, but... I haven't the faintest clue on going about making it a reality. :\

How much space/setup would be needed? Would it be possible to use/borrow a convention room sometime between panels, or a hotel room?

Good question. Set up time would be around half an hour at least. Mainly to get the lighting right. And tape down the power cords. (Safety first.) Getting the background up is almost negligible. We can tape up, or put the backdrop on poles an prop them up. I'm hoping to get better lighting soon. But, if not, what I have is perfectly fine. Just need to get new bulbs..

And the best option would be to ask the Con Committee about this, and see if they can get us a room at the convention center. Or, ask if we can ask the convention center ourselves. Or if we can get space in the halls.

Scheduelling, will be a bity tricky.

But, a hotel room can be used, if the beds can be moved. WHich I don't think they can. But...

But right now, I put this up to find out how many would be interested, so we have some leverage to work with.

I'm interested, totally.

A hotel room probably wouldn't be the best of ideas, mostly since some of the people who go to BotCon aren't on here and therefore won't know about the shoot, and therefore, when we tell them about it, might not want to move to the the hotel just for a picture. Also, some of us are big, bulky and we don't move around all that easily. We'd have to find a large suite or something just to accommodate us all.

I'd try and request a room at the Convention Center itself, or possibly request the Security to map out an expanse of hallway that we can use for a couple hours.

I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem requesting a room at the con, but we might have to pay fir it, since we're "renting" out the room.

We might want to consider having a meet-up in the lobby. Last year, the hotel was connected to the convention center and the hotel lobby was quite spacious. Unfortunately, I don't think the convention center is connected to any hotel. However, convention centers are usually multiple levels and not much goes on on the bottom level so we might be able to meet up there.

Or, if any of ya'll who actually LIVE out there, ya'll might want to scout around for a cool place to have a photoshoot. I mean, obviously it's cool to have people stop you at the con and ask for your picture but a separate photoshoot where we can take pics without people wandering through the viewfinder and with a cooler background than convention center crowds would be cool too.

A separate photoshoot would be absolutely wonderful, really; that was we can get one huge TF group picture to say where they are. I know Lauren lives out in that general area, and I'm going up there this weekend as well; I can try an see if I can sneak away from my duties this weekend to see what the convention center is like.

I would request, though, that we don't go too far away from the convention center, so people don't have to walk very far to get the pictures they want.

I've been to the Pasadena con center before... though when I think about it, that information is going to be useless since I remember very little about the floorplan. (I was in the dealer's room for a good half hour and that was about it.)

But no, there aren't any hotels connected to the building.

Uh, yeah, I can't walk far in my costume. *snerk* Prolly won't even put it on till we get where we're going. XP

But yeah, scouting out the area would be brilliant

LOL, I understand that. I know Jazz will be easy to walk in (thank Primus), but I still will not be willing to walk very far just for a picture.

Also, once we get our information squard away, we could print out fliers or whatnot and hang them/give them out all over the Con to alert people when the Photoshoot is; that way all the people with costumes will know when/where it is so they don't miss out.

I'm going to try and talk with some of the TF Lolitas I've chatted with on Cosplay.Com I know one is going.

And maybe, we should consider like a three pronged photoshoot.

One with background and lights.

One in the parking garage,

And one outside on the sun...

And I think, if there is no masquerade, we should make it after the con... Like an hour or two before closing. No one wants to miss any of the stars panels.

And I am hoping to audiition for the voice acting thing if they offer it again.

And maybe, we should do our own masquerade?

And this is the kind of thread I like, where good ideas get together and whittle down into one great idea.

I like that idea; three separate photoshoots for people who can't make the other two, probably scheduled out in three different time settings for people who want to go to the panels/those who want to take pictures but can't make some of them.

I like that idea as well; to make it right at the end or after everything is over so that everyone who wants to be there can attend. As fo making our own stage show; that sounds like fun, but we'd have to publicize it a little to get some other people ho aren't just us freaks that are here discussing it. xD

We would need a way to get it out to all BotCon attendees as a possible suggestion so if any one else wants to participate, they can.

I like that idea; three separate photoshoots for people who can't make the other two, probably scheduled out in three different time settings for people who want to go to the panels/those who want to take pictures but can't make some of them.

I like that idea as well; to make it right at the end or after everything is over so that everyone who wants to be there can attend. As for making our own stage show; that sounds like fun, but we'd have to publicize it a little to get some other people ho aren't just us freaks that are here discussing it. xD

We would need a way to get it out to all BotCon attendees as a possible suggestion so if any one else wants to participate, they can.

First, I like the idea of different times. Not what I really had in mind, except doing a background shoot one time, then a few hours later, in the open air, and then later in the parking garage... (Not in that order...) But, maybe spreading it out over Friday and Saturday...?

And have everyone get together to discuss this on Thursday?


Second...

I am on two TRANSFORMER fan groups, and there is a posting on Cosplay.Com, and I can just tell a few people on there too.

Plus, we should also get to the websites like Alspark, and TRANSFORMERS news...

And, we should be a bit formal with it. You know, no skits over 5 minutes Don't want to bog ourselves down with someone wanting to do a 30 minute monologue of the history of Starscream or something...

I like that; we'll have to pass the idea by others to see if sonyone really likes it.

Yes, there should be some set rules for the thing. I suggest also passing this by the BotCon staff, to potentially get n actual Masquerade going one of these years.

I made that forum on Cosplay.com, btw, so I know what you're talkin' bout.

One thing I should stress, something that the emcees at SacCon do, is they do little skits between performances. Now, this wouldn't be a bad thing, except they take more time than the people who are doing the actual presenting. (Plus the emcees performances meander and just take up waaayyyy too much time...)

So: Here is my list of basic rules, based on the rules from the International Costumers Guilde. ANd a few I made up

--No skit over 5 minutes. Exception being a 1 minute delay at the begining and end for bringing in props and getting people into position, and getting junk off for the next performance. (This is for singles, and groups.)
-- Walk ons only will have three minutes. May request more time if have a small presentation.
-- If you wish special music, please request ahead of time, or have it ready. We will try and get a sound system set up, but may have to rely on only CDplayers only.
-- No lude or rude skits.
--No flash photography during skits. Flash Photography will be allowed for walk ons. And there will be a 2 minute photo ops for skits where they may recreate certain portions of their presentation.
--NO pyrotechnics. Meaning no sparklers or fireworks, or ground up model rocket motor engines for effect. Fog machines may be used if you bring it.


Anything anyone else wants to suggest? Oh, and who would like to head up the thing? I may not be able to. But I will gladly back up anyone who wishes.

I can actually help out with this one since I've been in a couple masqs, first things first when we have all our ducks sorted for the photshoots and the masq idea then we'll need to shoot Botcon an email, and probably do it under the auspices of Transcostumers since that sounds rather professional. Anime cons are pretty groovy about helping out with arranging this stuff, especially if they're a bit short on panels and such and I would hope that Botcon wouldn't be much different.

As for those Masq rules Efecss, they're pretty good, but I would suggest cutting down the walk on time to 2 minutes. Unless its a HUGE stage. In a non Transformers costume walkons average about 30 seconds, It took an additional 15 seconds this last masq I was in because I had to go up steps in Arcee, so 2 minutes should be plenty, though really I wouldn't be too much of a stickler if someone took 3 minutes but they actually transformed or couldn't move very fast. And including set up times is brilliant btw.

For a masq though, who would be the judges? And there was a big problem at Ikkicon concerning awards this year as a lot of the contestants felt that the spread of them was not even (and I was mad because the craftsmanship award was apparently only based on wigs so all I could hope for was a judge's award). Maybe A novice and a not so novice craftsmenship, judges, best skit, best group, and best in show?

Since we're on the topic, anyone else kind of want to host a panel on Transcostuming? I got a lot of people asking questions at all of the cons I've worn Arcee to so I think that there is probably an audience for it.

You know, I was thinking that exact same thing. But how would we go about doing it?

I mean, I think there are plenty of us who know more than enough about it now that we could talk about our experiences and take questions and stuff. Could we call it a workshop? Would someone have to get a presentation together, or would we just have a casual discussion? How long would it be, and who would be talking?

If we're actually going to do this, then we'd better start getting ready very soon, and send a note to the guys in charge of the con asap.

As for the rest about the masquerade, you all have fantastic ideas.

And Velocity, I agree with your concerns about the awards. But in addition to the categories you mentioned, how about a "best floor costume" award for people who are too shy to enter the contest or didn't make it? (I wish SDCC had one of those... I'm terribly stage fright.) Of course, entry into that category would be completely voluntary. I wouldn't mind judging the masqerade (and not entering my costume) if no one else did... but what if we could somehow get one of the industry people to be a judge too, huh?

But speaking of awards, we gotta figure out what to present to winners. A certificate or something? I donno what winners usually get... so yeah. If we want to make either of these things a reality, we should seriously get cracking!

Okay, Velocity, I say that we do get our ducks in a row, and then you can put together a preposal for the convention.

Now, I put three minutes, and usual ICG rules are roughly 1 min 30 sec to 2min 30 sec. I just put three as around number, since most songs go for just over 3 minutes...

And judges, there are a couple of people I can suggest. Like Raksha, Dah-Veed Kolodny-Ngay, and maybe one of the voice actors? And as for awards. Maybe get a few cheap figureines to give out, and see if we can get a grand prize from one of the dealers? Probably not, but still... And maybe BotCon will give a few extra toy giveaways for use to use as grand prizes?

Now, for categories: (All in novice, pro and children.)


-Best AUTOBOT
-BEST DECEPTICON
-BEST redition from a specific series.
- Children's award (If any)
- Best use of Budget Materials (I actually won this award with Raven for Lady Valkyrie at ConJose a few years ago.)
- Best presentation.
-Best group
-Craftmanship
---Best costume during the convention. (Basically an audience award from people durring friday and Saturday.)

Now,the first three would be for not only looking like a specific character, but acting like them too, if possible. (I just might remake Wreck-Gar from the movie.)

I think this best covers it.

Now, a panel. Instead of having a regular panel with q&a, We can each get up on the dais and tell how we made our costumes, and then have a Q&A afterwards. And we would get about 5 to 10 minutes a piece...

Kay, so I do a lot of work in the Pasadena area though in particular at a mall called One Colorado. It's only a few blocks away from the convention center and it's part of Old Town which is pretty cool. The buildings that make up the mall are the old factories in the area that have been converted. Anyway the reason I mention this is that I might be able to get permission to have a semi-formal gathering there, if the whole gathering on con grounds thing doesn't work out, and there is a center courtyard with a huge movie screen and if we choose to do this I might be able to get the 1986 movie shown on it. It's just an idea and we probably won't be able to anything that requires us to take over a specific area(the whole mall will have to remain open to the public) but it might be cool to get together there and have a little party. If you guys are interested I'll see about finding some pictures to show you.

Sounds very interesting...

After being part of the Masquerade 101 panel at Comic Con last year, I understand how they work; they basically pass out a piece of paper with basic Masquerade rules on it, and then they begin talking in-depth about the different rules. After then, they proceed to take questions on different aspects about the Masquerade and its rules.

We could do something similar to that, in the aspect that we would pass out a paper/small packet of information on different costume-building techniques, then proceed to talk about them; those of us who have experience in those particular fields will do the majority of the speaking. For example; Pilot and 13oo13oo could do the speaking about the parts on vinyl and foam, Screamers and I could do fiberglass and foam, and I could also do Wonderflex/friendly plastic speaking.

We could also put out costume-makers as well, for those human or "human-version" costumes.

After all of the speaking is done on the different ways, we then take questions from the audience about anything that we might have missed.

I wouldn't really call it a "workshop", but we should definitely bring in pieces of costumes/props to show the audience and have them pass around the pieces. We could to both a powerpoint presentation, which before-during-after pictures of the different aspects of the different styles of making costumes. I believe a workshop itself would be too difficult/expensive; also, since the only thing we'll be able to really do is vinyl, as Fiberglass has to be done in a controlled environment (not to mention it's dangerous) and Wonderflex could easily burn when it's hot and ready-to-mold.

We want to help out people and encourage them to make costumes, not scare them away.

I was talking to Geoff (13001300, for those who don't know) about the panel idea, and I think I agree with him in that perhaps we shouldn't jump in head first just yet. I think we should seriously get working on a costume party/masquerade (I don't think there will be enough people to have a masquerade, per se... I think it should just be a slightly formal gathering), and work on getting a panel some other year when we've got more clout.

But on that note, we seriously need to contact Botcon people like, honestly, before the week is over, if we want them to have time to even consider us. (Especially considering how disorganized they seem to be.)

I would most definitely suggest that the panel be held off, at least for a while, and we work on one thing at a time.

As for the Masquerade, everything seems to be nailed by you guys already.

The prizes seem good; Comic Con gives out cash prizes, plaques and trophies for things like "best young entry", "craftsmanship", and there's even a separate "workshop prize" that's given to the person with the best ingenuity and intuition with their costume.

The Workshop judging actually takes place separate from the actual judges, where someone who is building their costume takes pictures of their costumes while they're building them, then putting the thing together in a binder or notebook of some sort like a story and then submits it. I believe they get a large cash prize for their winnings.

Anyway, I believe contacting the BotCon people ASAP is what needs to be done, so they can set us up a room.

If we have to pay to rent it out, though, what would be the key for that? Are we all going to pitch in money for it or something?

Well, I have the number for the Hasbro TF Fanclub number. They are the people who host BotCon, not Hasbro directly. So if ya'll want that number, lemme know. They're actually based out of Dallas so if you want the physical address, I'll dig that up too.

Here is my one reservation about doing the official convention avenue: They rent out the part of the convention center and judging by last years times, they only rent out set blocks of time like say from 9--5 And all the rooms were filled. They had the dealers room and downstairs were a couple of panel rooms. Aside from that, the convention center was being shared with some kind of truck thing. Don't know what exactly but the main show room was filled with semi-trucks and the like. (Oh the giggling when we saw the big Peterbilt semi)

So if they do only rent out part of the convention center or maybe only for set blocks of time then the chances of us getting them to set aside the room this late in the game is pretty low.

I might recommend setting up something a little less official. Or looking into possible other avenues outside of BotCon Sanctioned venues.

As much as I'd love to be the front runner of the masquerade there's no way I'll have the time leading up to Botcon to actually set it all up and be liason and whatnot.

I think Pilot probably is right on holding off on the panel too. It probably would be better to wait until we have an awesome rep.

13oo13oo, I love the idea of the old factories and I'm sure enough of us are driving to con that we can all carpool over there since I doubt we could all hobble over there in costume. ^^0