The Fun Continues

Anime Matsuri 2013 Pt. 2

(Source: Anime Matsuri)

On to Saturday!

Saturday

Craziest day out of ANY convention weekend. Lots of people everywhere, things to do, panels to see, and stuff to shop for. For me, it was a big day because I was entering my Rapidash cosplay into the AM Cosplay Contest later that evening. However, panic ensued when a friend of mine took my badge instead of her own. Luckily, another friend let me borrow his badge, so I can gain entrance into the hotel and make it on time to my pre-judging appointment. He sacrificed a panel that he really wanted to go to for me to have a chance to compete. ;w; To this day, I really appreciate what he did for me.

(Source: Platinum Angel Cosplay and Photography)

My day was spent on my Rapidash cosplay, pretty much. Did my craftsmanship pre-judging first thing in the morning. The judges, especially Catherine Jones, had a fun time analyzing my costume. XD They were all up in it, looking very closely at the tiny details. Why were they doing this? I had told them my costume was, completely, sewn by hand. Just needle and thread. No machine. Everything you see in the photo above, taken by Ger Tysk, was all done by hand. After the judging was complete and I got my original badge back, I just wandered around the con, for the most part. Had somewhat of a late lunch, but I was able to eat it and make it to my photo shoot with Ger.

I had a great time working with Ger. She's traveling across the country going to conventions while working on her book, Breaking All the Rules: Cosplay and the Art of Self-Expression. Through Southern Cospitality, it allowed me to get the chance to work with an amazing photographer such as herself. She's also a cosplayer at heart, and her costumes are great. Very sweet person and very passionate about photography. So passionate that I started talking photography stuff with her. =P

Immediately, I headed straight for the dressing room next to the Main Events hall to make the call time. Had I not, I'd have been cut from the contest. Snuck my friend, Alethea, in with me as my "helper." She had so much fun seeing the many contestants and their awesome costumes. This is the worst part of it all, having to wait for hours backstage while things are being set up on the main stage. As with every convention, everything starts late. With AM, it's about the technical aspect, like getting the sound system to work, livestream, and such. Not only that the SyFy network was there to film the entire contest for a show, airing in the summer. No pressure, right?

Eventually, it got to be my turn on stage. I didn't practice any poses or anything, and I was nervous, being the first time I'm actually competing for something. What else to do than to improvise? XD 

(Source:Youtube)

Afterwards, I was interviewed by Becky Young to talk about my character a little bit. Boy, did I let my mind go. I had no idea what I was talking about! LOL

Went to go have a seat near the back of the hall but ound Alethea by the wall close to the exit, so I stood with her, instead, and watched the rest of the cosplayers strut their stuff and perform their skits from there. Great job to all! (For the other cosplay videos from the contest, just follow the link and search up "ACParadise.") Found Alethea by the wall close to the exit and stood with her. Halftime show consisted of Waveya, a Korean dance team, doing a few dances while in cosplay. Alethea and I were dancing T-ara's Roly-Poly with them in the back while sitting down.

Wait time is over, and the judges came back with the results. First, they did the People's Choice Award, with their live voting system, and the Bioshock team won. So many talented cosplayers won various awards, including me. ^^ I got the Judge's Award from Catherine for my Rapidash, since she was so amazed at the work I put in to it. My very first cosplay award EVER! Thank you so much, Catherine! =D

So that was it for my Saturday. Nothing but cosplay contest stuff. XD Sunday will be pretty short but still eventful. Why, you ask? I'm covering the World Cosplay Summit next! Stay tuned!