Programming staffers need to put a buffer time in between panels. It can be as short as 5 minutes for small panel rooms, or as much as 15 or 30 minutes for huge panel rooms. This also gives time for attendees to go to another part of the con to attend another panel. Also, if there are tech issues (for example, computer won't connect to projector), this gives staff a chance to get it fixed without cutting into the panel time.

If it's easiest for a con to make a schedule and not include the transition time, that's fine. If you have panels on the hour, it looks strange to have tiny spaces for just a five minute break. Just be sure to tell panelists they will need to finish before the actual end time, whatever time the con feels appropriate. They will need to adjust their presentation as needed. This should also be printed in the schedule so that attendees are aware of it as well.

Ticket the masquerade and other big draw events
Chances are the space you are holding your main events will have fewer seats than your number of attendees. Not all attendees will attend the masquerade or other big events, but it is very likely that you will have more butts than seats available. Also, people will line up early for these events. They don't necessarily want the best seats; they want to make sure they actually get a seat. Also in most function spaces, maintaining a queue with hundreds of people makes cat herding look easy.

An easy solution to this is to give out tickets or tokens ahead of time to those who want to attend. However, if you are going to use this method, make sure you put this information in as many places as possible. Even if you did it the year before, not everyone attends every year. Put it on your web site as an announcement before the con. Put it in your program guide and if you miss the printing deadline for this, put it on the printed schedules you give out. Put up a sign at registration so people can see it while they get their badges.

Have more adult oriented programming - but not that kind
Even though anime conventions seem to be dominated by teenagers, there is plenty of adult oriented programming at conventions. However these usually mean it will be something with hentai, lots of cursing, or both. These are definitely popular panels and a mainstay at conventions. And they should definitely be there.

However, there are other types of adult programming. Think more thought provoking, not just discussing which characters are most awesome or cutest. Perhaps some panels that the parents of attendees can attend where they can learn about what their children are watching. Look into inviting local Japanese or Asian history professors to talk about what Japan was really like during the time of Rurouni Kenshin or Inuyasha.

Provide your host hotel with more business by creating 21+ events with cash bar services. This can be just a lounge area or there can be music and dancing, comedy, or even something like speed dating. (However, beware that adding alcohol to just one event at your convention may significantly increase your event insurance fees.)

Defy the notion that adult programming is only sex and swearing. Give your older attendees something new and interesting to do, instead of bored because they don't want to go to panels aimed at fangirls.

Set up areas for photos and lounging
Nearly every convention has problems with crowding at some point. Function areas can have bottlenecks areas, a line can take up traffic space, people want to take pictures of cosplayers, and friends want to chat. For those last two, conventions can help out by provided space so it's not done in the middle of the hallways.

An area for photos can help with two things. First, it can be a place for cosplayers who want to have their picture taken to just stand around and pose and people who want to take pictures know to go there to find cosplayers. Also, in the weeks leading up to a con, attendees will plan times and places for cosplay groups from certain shows to gather. These are really fun ways to meet other fans and cosplayers with like interests, but they can also attract dozens of attendees. Although these gatherings are often done by attendees and not convention staff, make sure your attendees are aware if there are places they should be doing this or places they shouldn't be doing this.

It's not just cosplay groups who want to meet up, but old and new friends need places to chill, sit, and chat. Identify areas of the convention where this works, like a lobby, or where it doesn't, like a busy hallway. If the con is at a hotel, make sure off-limits areas, such as lounges where they serve food, are well marked. However, negotiate with the hotel to see if attendees can use the areas to hang out anyways so there aren't crowding issues. If there is a specific area in the convention that can create bottlenecks, like a narrow hallway, make sure there are signs that indicate that this is a no stopping, no picture taking area so that traffic doesn't get tied up.

Thank attendees via the web site
It's disappointing to go on a web site a few days after the con is over and the first thing on the page is a last minute announcement that was posted the night before the con started. It's even more disappointing when it's been weeks and there is still nothing new posted.

Attendees spend lots of time and money going to a con. They need to take time away from work or school, plan hotels and transportation, save money for food and the dealers room, and make their costumes. If they had a good time, they also want to attend next year. This is your chance thank your fans for coming, and to provide dates and location of next year's con so that attendees can plan to come back.

You're tired. Your staff is tired. You all just had one of the busiest weekends of your life, and there's still loose ends to tie up after the event is over. However, it looks unprofessional when two months after your con the most recent information still says "Schedule updates!"

Take 30 minutes at some point before the con and make something ahead of time. Simply thank your attendees for coming, thank your guests for coming, mention next year's dates and location, and provide a method for attendee feedback (feedback@ is a good email address to use for this purpose). Work with your webmaster to get this in place before the con so that it goes to the web site with a push of a button.]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1458 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1458 Katsucon with fellow AnimeCons.com staffer, Doug.

Katsucon is one of the longest running conventions in the country, first starting in 1995. Since 2010 it has been at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, right outside Washington, D.C.

Location
National Harbor is an amazing area. It's a very new development in the D.C. area, next to the Potomac River. It feels like the combination of a upscale small city's downtown area and an outdoor shopping mall. There are several hotels along with lots of shops and restaurants. However, most of the restaurants and shops are on the upscale and expensive side. If you've ever been to the Prudential Center in Boston, it's very similar except it's outside instead of inside (and there isn't the benefit of an inexpensive food court). There are inexpensive food options, namely a Subway and Baja Fresh, but most places were sit down restaurants where even salads and sandwiches would cost you more than $12. My favorite part was easily the Peeps store.

Venue
Katsucon is held in the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, which opened in 2008. The Gaylord is hands down the most beautiful convention venue I have ever been to. If you're a cosplayer, this is a dream hotel for photography. The photographers have figured this out too, because I have never seen so many cameras at a convention. Everywhere you looked, people were carrying huge lenses, stabilizers, and reflectors.

The hotel has a huge open atrium, where three of the walls are the inside guest rooms with balconies that look down on the three main levels. The fourth wall is a huge glass window, looking out on the harbor. The main floor consists of the front desk and a dimly lit lounge area. Above that is a gleaming white open area with a few trees and a white gazebo. The gazebo is an amazing backdrop for pictures, especially because of the huge glass wall far behind it. The bottom floor is like a little indoor village with a couple small buildings with shops, a sundry shop, and a few restaurants. There are also tons of plants and trees, stonework, and a beautiful fountain. From that level, you can go outside and walk all the way down to the water, and the beautiful decor continues with gorgeous landscaping.

The convention center is connected to the hotel on all three of the main floors, allowing lots of ways for people to get from one to the other, eliminating bottle necks. The con was laid out nicely with most panels on the third floor, main events and remaining panel rooms on the second floor, and large rooms such as registration, dealers room, artist alley, and video games on the bottom floor. The hallways were huge and I rarely ran into problems of crowding, only during the time between when panels let out.

Even though the weather was unseasonably warm and people were able to go outside, the hotel is a perfect location for a winter con. If the weather were typical northeast bitterness, con goers can stay inside and the open areas and details keep you from feeling trapped indoors.

Programming
The convention schedule was released less than a week before the con, which was a little disappointing. The way the schedule is listed online is very helpful, and accessing it on a mobile app was also helpful, especially because it had real-time updates with schedule changes.

It wasn't just the late release of the programming schedule that was disappointing. Panels running late into the night is typical of a con, but the types of panels they had late at night were odd. Usually you see 18+ programming at those hours, but they had panels such as "Nintendo: Entertaining Since 1889" and "Analyzing Anime 101" which were both at 2am. Also, panels started as early as 7am on Saturday and Sunday. I find it hard to believe that many attendees would want to get up that early to attend any type of programming.

The schedule was printed on a huge pocket program that could be easily folded and placed in a purse or a pocket. The map on it was very helpful and easy to read and you could figure out where everything was. However, the schedule was listed by room then time, which is not a good layout for a schedule at all. People want to see what panels are running at a certain time first. A grid isn't completely necessary, but panels should be listed by time first, room second. Also, the policy of needing a wristband to see 18+ programming would have been good information to list on the pocket program, not just buried in the programming guide.

The programming itself was pretty standard. There was a good amount of panel rooms for the size of the convention. The program guide didn't list who the panelists were for all the panels, only if it was included within the description. I think it's important for guides to list who the panelists are so attendees can know that a panelist they like is holding a panel, and conversely avoid those by panelists they don't like.

The video game room was a good size for the convention, although maybe a little on the small side. It had the usual console games set up on tables, which were widely spread out. They easily could have added at least 50% more TVs and consoles, but the availability of the equipment might not have been there. I was very excited to see several Japanese music import games, which I love. At first I was disappointed to see that you had to pay for them, but it was only fifty cents for a play. Also, that helps with people hoarding the machine and not allowing others a turn. The games also require maintenance and are not easy or cheap to fix if something happens to them. I would love to see these arcade games at more conventions.

I was disappointed by a lack of other games, like table top, board games, and CCGs. These have become very popular at conventions, and there was definitely space for it in the video games room. The video games room ran 24 hours, but it also shared space with the rave, which sounds odd. I wasn't at the rave, but I can imagine the sound from that would overpower the video games.

Main Events
One of the big events this year at Katsucon was the US preliminaries for the World Cosplay Summit. Because it was held separately and on the same night as the masquerade, I was afraid that the masquerade would suffer in skit quality. That was not the case. The masquerade did have its usual share of bad skits, however once it got to the journeyman division and then the master division, they picked up in quality. The highlight was the Ocarina of Time skit that won Best in Show, which did a summary of the game in about three minutes. The half time show was a wonderful samurai sword technique demonstration from Samurai Dan and his assistant, who is also his wife. Their amazing technique was mixed in with classic husband and wife humor. They would be a great guest to have at any anime con.

The major downside of the masquerade was the delay in starting it, which from my impression came down to seating. The schedule listed seating beginning at 4:45pm and the masquerade starting at 5pm. Even if seating started at 4:45pm, there was no way everyone would be seated by 5pm. Seating started at 5pm and it took forever, and the masquerade didn't start until 5:45pm.

The masquerade did end on time, which helped because there were less skits than usual, no doubt because of the World Cosplay Summit. Seating for that did begin on time, however the event itself was delayed and it started about 30 minutes late. It was definitely worth the wait. Although there were a few mediocre presentations, the competition was the best I had ever seen at an anime convention. I think any of the top ten could have walked away with Best in Show honors at either a World Con or Costume Con. The top three were incredible, the best skits I've ever seen at an anime con. The winners, Coconut Bubble Sex Cosplay, performed a skit from Princess Tutu, complete with an amazing hidden mirror effect (much more effective from an audience perspective than on the video) and one of the entrants dancing en pointe as Princess Kraehe. I was blown away by their entry and their win was well deserved, although second and third place were strong competitors as well.

Dealers' Room and Artists' Alley
The dealers' room had the usual convention merchandise, and I found myself in a weird funk not wanting the buy anything. The only thing I bought was the newest release by FUNimation, Princess Jellyfish, which was available for purchase before it was available in stores. The room was laid out in four aisles and was often crowded with people.

Alternatively, artists' alley was very open, with lots of room to walk around. There were many talented artists in many different art styles. Strangely, the con set up backdrops in this room for cosplayers to take pictures in front of. Although the space was there to do it, I found it a strange place for this because cameras are often discouraged in this area because many artists don't like attendees taking pictures of their work.

Overall
I had a fantastic time at this convention. Although I found myself scratching my head at times with some of the things the con did (they way the schedule was listed, the masquerade delay), those issues were small enough to not affect my experience. I already plan on attending next year, and I am extremely excited to do so.]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1453 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1453 Do I need to wear a costume to the convention?
Not at all. You can definitely enjoy a convention without dressing up.

What do I do if I want to take a picture of a cosplayer?
Simply ask if you can take their picture. Almost always they will say yes - cosplayers love to have their picture taken because it shows that people like their costume. However, please be respectful if they say no. They may be in a rush to meet someone, go to a panel or judging, or something else. Also, don't ask if someone is eating. Chances are they may not have their whole costume on and they want to take a break and relax for a few minutes.

When you take the picture, take a second to make sure that you aren't blocking the flow of traffic. Also make sure that you aren't in front of a big window or anything that might cause glare and ruin your picture. After you take the picture it's nice to thank the cosplayer.

I want to wear my Star Trek/My Little Pony/Batman/Avatar/Doctor Who/Harry Potter/Original Character costume to an anime con, is that okay?
I'm of the mindset that you can wear whatever you want to an anime convention, including costumes of Western origin. When you think about it, we're all just nerds in costume, so what's the big deal if you want to wear something that's not Japanese? Don't worry if some people make a big deal about it. Wear whatever you want.

However, most anime convention costume contests require that your character be of Japanese origin, so be sure to check the rules before entering.

How do I make a costume?
See the article So you want to be a Cosplayer? to learn all about that.

I can't make a costume to save my life! Is it okay if I buy one online?
Absolutely. Not everyone has the time to sew a costume, or their skills may not be good enough yet to make what they want. It is not a bad thing at all to buy your costume online. Again, don't worry if people make a big deal about it. Cosplaying is about having fun.

However, do not say you made the costume when you actually bought it, and whatever you do, don't enter it in any craftsmanship judging. That is cheating.

Can I buy a costume in the dealers room?
Maybe. It depends on the convention and what dealers they have. You have a better chance of finding costumes at a larger convention than a smaller one though. Check the dealers room listing for the specific convention you're attending to see if there are any costume vendors.

Should I bring things like a needle and thread with me?
That and more. Every cosplayer should pack a "Cosplay Repair Kit" whenever they are going to a con. See the article What to Pack in a Cosplay Repair Kit for a list of suggestions.

I don't have a hotel room. How can I change in and out of my costume, and what do I do with it when I'm not wearing it?
That depends on a few things. If you have a car at the convention, you can store your costume in there when you're not using it. Also, if you have a friend with a hotel room, ask (before the con) if you can use it to change and store your costume when you're not wearing it. If neither of those options are available, I recommend wearing a simple costume that can easily be worn all day without needing to change, or doesn't take up a lot of room so you can put it in bag when you're done.

What is a masquerade? What is a hall costume contest?
A masquerade is a convention's costume contest that involves going on stage, showing off your costume, and in most cases doing a short performance. Entries are judged on craftsmanship and performance. Before going on stage, either earlier in the day or the previous day, you have the option of having your costume judged for craftsmanship. There the judges will look at your costume up close and you tell them how you made your costumes. Performance judges will watch your skit as you perform and judge on what they see.

Hall costume contests are judged on craftsmanship only. These are usually done on Friday and/or Saturday during a convention. There is no onstage performance, but sometimes you have the option of walking in a fashion show during the masquerade. Winners are usually announced after the skits at the masquerade have performed.

If I wear a costume to the convention, am I automatically in the contests?
No, you have to sign up for them (see next question). Some conventions have ribbons that staff members give out to costumes they like, but that is different from entering contests and are just for fun.

How do I enter the costume contest?
Even if you only have a slight interest in entering, check out the rules for the contest online as soon as you can to see what they are. The rules vary from convention to convention, so make sure you read them thoroughly. Take note of any starting dates and deadlines for signups. Big conventions can fill up quickly, but often smaller conventions still take entries at the convention.

What is Cosplay Chess? Dating Game? Court Case?
Cosplay Chess, Cosplay Dating Game, and Cosplay Court Case are various types of cosplay events that anime conventions have. These feature cosplayers acting in character and interacting with characters of different series.

Cosplay Chess is a form of human cosplay, where the characters are formed into two teams, which are controlled by two players, usually two more characters. When a piece takes another piece out, the others move aside and they "battle" on stage. It's very entertaining to see all the different characters from many different series interact with one another.

Cosplay Dating Game is based on the game show The Dating Game. The contestant must choose between three bachelors or bachelorettes, however there is a curtain between them, so they don't know who they will be picking. They ask questions to the contestants, and then pick the one they like best. There is often an 18+ game done as well, which features yaoi and yuri pairings.

Cosplay Court Case puts a character on trial for a crime. There is a judge, prosecutor, lawyer, and witnesses - all cosplayers, usually from different series.]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1454 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1454 Every cosplayer should pack a "Cosplay Repair Kit" when going to a con. Don't depend on your hotel roommates or friends to have what you may need. You can also be a hero to your not-as-prepared friends by having these things on hand. If you're flying, be sure this is in your checked baggage, not your carry on. Some of these things might not be okay to bring in a carry on bag.

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  This is the best thing to bring in your repair kit, as it can fix a lot of things and it can do it fast. You might make a lot of new friends if they find out you have one of these with you at the con.
• Scissors
  A definite must need, in case you find unclipped threads or need to do a last minute wig trim. You definitely don't want to be without a pair.
• Safety pins
  These can be used in a pinch to keep costume pieces in place that otherwise won't. Keep some in your bag or pinned inside your sleeve for problems that develop on the con floor.
• Fabric glue
  There are different types of fabric glue, so pay attention to what you pack. For quick fixes, use a quick drying glue, but the hold may not be as strong as a glue that can take several hours to dry.
• Fabric tape
  An alternative to fabric glue. Good in quick and simple fixes, but don't rely on it to be super strong.
• Fashion tape
  This is different than fabric tape, and is a must need if you are wearing a revealing costume. Use this to keep your costume in place on your body.
• Velcro
  If you need something removable, use Velcro instead of glue or tape. Be sure to give it time to adhere to the fabric before using it. You can buy it in strips and small circles and squares.
• Needle and thread
  If you have the time to make a more secure fix than fabric glue and fabric tape, use the needle and thread to make repairs. Pack colors that are in your costumes, as well as basic black and white.
• Hooks and eyes, sew on snaps
  Similarly to needle and thread, if you have time to make a more secure fix, use these notions instead of Velcro.
• Wrinkle releaser
  Ironing is best, but if you need to get a wrinkle out quickly, use this. Just follow the directions on the bottle.
• Stain remover
  Stains unfortunately happen. These likely won't get the whole stain out, but they might help enough to make it wearable. Follow the directions on the bottle.
• Hairspray
  Keep a travel sized bottle of aerosol hairspray in case your wig needs some last minute styling. It can also help with static cling.
• Extra wig cap and hair pins
  In addition to the ones you pack with your wig or wig supplies, keep extras in your repair kit in case you or a friend forget them.

9) Convince Your Friends to Join You
Conventions, by their nature, are social events. You will enjoy the convention more if you have someone to enjoy it with. Also, hotels, gas, and parking can get expensive, so it helps to have a few friends who can split the cost with you. ...but in order to make sure you don't get stuck with the bill, make sure they know you won't give them a hotel key until they pay their share of the bill up front.

8) Set a Budget for the Convention
After you know how many friends can join you and how much you'll be paying for the hotel, you should have a fairly good idea of how much it will cost you to attend the convention. Set a budget for things like registration, food, travel, and how much you can spend on any sweet deals in the dealers' room. You may even want to make a list of specific volumes of manga you are looking to get. Plan ahead and you won't find yourself stranded.

7) Pre-Register
Pre-registration goes hand-in-hand with the budget. For most conventions, the earlier you register, the less expensive it is to attend. However, not only do you save money, but you can save time as well because pre-registration lines almost always move faster than at-con registration. If a convention is nearing its attendance cap, pre-registration also guarantees your admission.

6) Make a Packing List
We've all gone on trips and realized too late that we've forgotten something at home. This can easily be avoided by making a detailed packing list for things like clothes, toiletries, phone, chargers, and snacks. If your list says "toothpaste" and you refer to the list as you're packing, you will be sure not to forget to pack it. If you cosplay, you may want to make lists for each of your costumes with all the parts listed out so that you'll never forget to bring things like your costume's gloves, shoes, or belt.

5) Never Line Up for the Dealers' Room
People have been known to wait in line for hours just to get into the dealers' room as soon as it's open. There's no reason for this. Go to some panels or events instead while you wait until the initial line clears out. Often, in less than an hour after the dealers' room is scheduled to open, you will be able to walk in without any wait at all and there will still be plenty of merchandise waiting for your wallet.

4) Actually Read the Program Guide
Everyone will get a copy of the convention's program guide when they pick up their badge, but far too many people don't actually read it until they get home. By then, it's far too late to realize a guest was in your favorite show or there was a panel on a topic you enjoy. After you get the program guide, look through it and let that show you what to do at the convention.

3) Highlight the Events You Want to Attend on the Schedule
When you get your program guide, you'll also be given a schedule of events that is hopefully fairly up-to-date. Take your first opportunity to sit down with a highlighter and select what panels and events you want to see. Next time you want to see what's next, you'll be able to see what you wanted to do next at a glance instead of having to re-examine the schedule every time.
Better still, if the convention uses the Guidebook app and you have a smartphone, you can reference that and mark all the events you want to attend in there. You won't have to carry around a dead tree all weekend and can just refer to your phone.

2) Follow the Convention on Twitter for the Latest Updates
Almost every convention out there has a Twitter account and many of them will post updates to Twitter at the convention. Follow the convention on Twitter so you'll know about any last-minute changes. Even if you don't post to Twitter yourself, it's still worth it to get an account to follow the updates. If the con uses the Guidebook app, schedule updates can be made there as well.

1) Print ALL your Confirmations and Directions
Imagine arriving at the convention only to discover that they have no record of your pre-registration, the hotel has lost your reservation, or your masquerade confirmation is missing. Print everything as proof that you've registered, reserved, and confirmed everything. It may be missing from their system, but having a printed receipt with you is undeniable proof that you're supposed to be there.

If you follow these tips, you'll be better prepared to have a great convention experience! As a bonus, here's one more tip for you...

Use AnimeCons to Track Your Conventions
When you've decided to attend a convention, you can add it to your Personal Convention Log on AnimeCons to keep track of where you've been and where you're going. After the convention is over, you can rate any conventions you've attended and an average rating of attendees will be displayed on the convention's information page for all to see.

Patrick Delahanty is the creator of AnimeCons.com and has attended over 100 fan conventions. His parents still don't get it.]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1452 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1452 World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), Forrest J Ackerman wore the first "futuristicostume" and the is history. The term cosplay came about when a Japanese reporter saw costumes being worn at Worldcon 1984. There has been a convention devoted to just costuming, Costume-Con, that has been running since 1983.

After seeing cosplayers at in the halls, on stage, and online, maybe you want to be a part of all the fun. But the big question is, where do you begin? The world of costuming and cosplay can seem overwhelming and daunting, but the best place to start is at the beginning.

Who Should I Be?
The first question you want to ask is, who do I want to cosplay? The best characters to cosplay are the ones that you love. Think about your favorite series and video games. Once you have a few characters picked out, look at the designs of their clothing. Since you are just starting out, find something that is simple, maybe even something that can be made with clothes you can find in your closet or buy at a store.

Buying vs. Making Yourself
If you don't plan on entering your costume in any craftsmanship competitions, there's absolutely nothing wrong with buying your costume from an eBay seller, a commissioner, having a friend or family member make it, or using all store bought items if they work for the costume. It doesn't make you any less of a cosplayer. Don't let anyone tell you any differently. However, there is a sense of pride that comes with making your costume yourself and telling others how you created it. If you're entering it in a craftsmanship competition, you will definitely need to make it, or have the person who made it for you with you during your judging (and if the costume wins a craftsmanship award, it is theirs, not yours).

Breaking It Down
After you have picked out a costume that you want to make, break down all the components. Make a list of the different parts: tops, bottoms, accessories, shoes, hair, props, etc. Look at each part individually and see how you can construct it. Can you modify an existing sewing pattern, or do you have to create one? Can you buy things in the store to be used as is, or change them? What types of fabrics would work best? How are you going to get the pieces on and off? How will they stay on?

Learning to Sew
It is definitely possible to cosplay without sewing at all. However, if you want to be able to cosplay any character and make the costume yourself, you will need to learn.

First, find out if any of your friends or family members know how to sew and would be willing to teach you. If that does not work out, see if there are any classes in the area, either at schools or craft stores. You can also see if there are any costuming, crafting, or sewing groups in the area that provide lessons as well. Search online for tutorials, both written and on YouTube. See if your local library has any books on sewing to help you learn.

Start out with things other than costumes to get a feel for how the sewing machine works. Try making a pillow out of inexpensive fabric or an old T-shirt. Find a book on simple sewing projects or sewing patterns marked "easy" for more practice.

Armor, Props, Accessories, and "Non-Sewing" Components
For many costumes, it's more than just sewing. Completing the look may involve using things other than fabric, such as plastic, foam, paint, tools, beads, wood, and much more. Just like sewing, these techniques are learned from others or learning on your own. There are tons of tutorials out there making all sorts of non-fabric creations.

For some people, creating these parts of the costume are easier and more enjoyable than using a sewing machine. If you find that you really like making props and armor, and your friend prefers to sew (or vice versa) offer your skills for theirs in exchange. If they need a cool sword to complete their costume, ask if in exchange they can make a jacket that you would otherwise be stuck on.

Get Help From Your Friends
Do you have friends who cosplay? They are your first source of information and help. Tell them you want to get into cosplay, and they will likely be very excited and eager to get you involved. Ask them how they got started and if they have advice for beginners. See if they have suggestions for characters they think you could be. Find out if they have any upcoming cosplay plans and see if there are any characters they may need to complete a group. They likely won't offer to make an entire costume for you, but if you ask for help they might be able to provide it. If they do help you make a costume, make sure to thank them and don't just sit around and tell them what they're doing wrong. Help out by cutting pattern pieces, painting props, ironing hems, sanding wood - whatever you are able to do with little or no instruction. This can be a great learning experience, so ask if they can show you how to fit the sleeves or sew the hem. At the con, buy them lunch or a drink as a thank you.

Practice, Practice, Practice
Look at the first costumes or sewing projects of any cosplayer and you will quickly see that everyone starts at the beginning. Being able to make impressive costumes comes from learning along the way, trial and error, and lots of patience and practice. There may be a point one day when you can create a new costume in just a few days. But if you're just starting out, give yourself several weeks to give yourself lots of time to learn along the way.]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1419 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1419 Finding Wig Sellers

A Google search of "wig sellers" will bring up tons of companies, however these vendors sell mostly natural colors and styles. If that's what you need for your costume that's great, but a lot of anime and video game characters have crazy colors and styles. Also, these wigs can be very expensive. Sometimes these are referred to as "fashion wig" sellers.

You also want to avoid wigs that you can find very cheap around Halloween. Unless you want a wig that looks awful and photographs even worse, you will want to make sure you pay enough to get a good product. You should expect to spend $25-$35 for short wig, $30-$40 for medium wig, $40+ for long wig. If your character doesn't have a unique style, stay away from buying character specific wigs. You can usually find a generic style that works perfectly, while the character specific wig is more expensive.

A great place to start is in costuming communities to find brands that people recommend. Costumes definitely know how to spend as little as possible and still get a great product. If you're cosplaying from a certain source, see if there is a specific community for it so you can search more easily.

Finding the Right Color and Style

A great way to find the right wig is t go onto cosplay website and search to see if anyone else has already done the costume you are doing. Take a look to see what others have used for wigs, and if there is one you really like take a look in the costume description and see if they identify the wig. If not, send them a message and ask what wig they used. You can also look in costuming forums and communities to see if others have asked what wig works best for a certain character.

Usually a seller will only have one or two colors pictures on a specific style's page. The other colors that it is available in will be listed by name and/or number, so you will need to look at their color swatches to see what those colors are. Many wig websites have galleries where their customers send in pictures of them wearing the wigs they have purchased. This is a great way to see how the wig looks in action, not just in a studio. It's also a great way to see how a certain color looks if it's only visible as a color swatch.

ACParadise has an amazing database where members can identify wigs they have by brand, style, color, and character. Other users can do a search based on brand, series/character, or cosplayer to see how a specific wig looks.

Ordering your Wig

The last thing you want is your wig to not arrive in time for the convention. Start researching the wig you need early, even if you're not 100% sure that you will be making the costume. As soon as you know the costume will definitely be made and you have the money, order your wig. When you order your wig, be sure to check for any sales, promotional codes, or deals for free shipping to help you save money. Even if you don't need to order a wig right now, sign up for e-mail newsletters and follow the company on Facebook or Twitter. That way you can find out when they have sales and new products.

We recommend ordering your wig at least four weeks before the con. This may seem like too much time, but you want to leave time to replace it if needed. You could receive the wrong wig, or it could be completely wrong for the costume. Also, if it's out of stock it will take awhile to get it to you. You should give yourself even more time, at least six weeks, if ordering from overseas. Between processing, shipping, customs, and other things, it can take that long just to get the wig to you from somewhere like Hong Kong.

Sellers We Recommend

These are the sellers we recommend and often use ourselves.

Our Favorite Seller
Arda Wigs - Awesome products, awesome customer service. They keep adding new colors and new styles to fit the needs of cosplayers. They travel to a lot, so look for them in the dealers room at your next con!

Cosplay Specific Sellers
Amphigory - A long time wig seller, they have a great variety of wigs and colors. Make sure to give them plenty of time to ship.
Epic Cosplay - Great quality wigs with lots of great styles in tons of different colors.

Fashion Wig Sellers
International Wig - A huge catalog of wigs from dozens and dozens of brands. They have great prices, but it does take some time to ship. Free US shipping over $100 and they have great sales.
Wigs-US - Good variety of styles and colors. If the wig is in stock they ship super fast.
Karen's Wigs - Amazing customer service and fantastic products.

eBay Sellers
Cosplay Wig - Lots of character specific wigs and tons of colors and styles. They often have free shipping.
Wig Fashion - Great prices for a great product. They also often have free shipping.]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1098 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1098 Do I need to buy a ticket to get in? You will need to buy a badge, which grants you admission to the conventions. To get a badge you need to register for the convention, by either pre-registering before the event or when you arrive at the event. Badge prices range from free to over $100, but usually are between $30-$60 for the entire weekend, less if you only plan to attend one day. Be sure to check the convention's web site for pricing.

What does pre-registering mean? Pre-registering means you register for a badge in advance for the convention, instead of at the door. There are many benefits to this. First, the badge is usually cheaper. Second, when you arrive to get your badge it's usually faster than getting your badge at the door. Third, if there is an attendance cap, this will guarantee that you will be able to attend and you don't have to worry about the event selling out. Definitely pre-register if you can. Check the convention's web site on how to pre-register for their con.

Where do I get my badge? You get your badge at registration, which is where all attendees must go before they are able to go into the convention. Check the convention's web site beforehand to see where registration will be. There will likely be signs when you arrive to the location, pointing you in the right direction, or you can ask a staff member where to go.

Do I have to go to registration each day? Do I need a different badge or ticket for each day? No, you only need to go to registration on your first day. You do not need a different badge or ticket for each day. Just make sure you don't lose your badge. If you do, chances are you'll have to buy a new one.

What time does it start? What time is _________ event? Where is the schedule? Starting times for conventions can vary, so be sure to check the convention's web site for that information. Most conventions put up a preliminary schedule at least a week before the convention starts, so people can get an idea of when the many events are. Schedules often change, sometimes at the last minute, so be sure to find the most updated schedule each day of the convention. (Check the info desk for updates.)

How much money should I bring? It depends on what con your going to, it's location, and how far away it is from you. The things you absolutely need money for are a badge, transportation, food, and lodging (unless you are commuting from home). Check out our How-To Guide for Making a Budget for a Convention for more information.

How old do I have to be to attend? Unless otherwise stated by the con, it is open to all ages. If you are under 18, be sure to check the convention's rules about whether you can attend on your own or if you may need some kind of parental signature. If you are under the age of 13, you will likely need a parent with you. There is also programming that may be 18+ or 21+, which you will need a valid ID to get in.

How old do I have to be to get a hotel room? Either 18 or 21, it depends on the hotel. You will also need a credit card to make the reservation. If you don't have one, call the hotel directly and see about putting down a cash deposit instead. For more information about hotels, see our How-To Guide for Booking a Hotel Room for an Anime Convention.

I'll be arriving before check-in and/or leaving after check-out and I don't have a car to put my stuff in - what do I do? The hotel will have a bag check area near the front desk. Keep in mind there are likely many people doing this, so don't be surprised to find a long line or if it takes awhile to find your stuff. Remember to tip the hotel staff for this, around $1 per bag is the standard tip.

What is the best day to attend? If you can only attend one day, make it Saturday. Typically, Saturday have the longest hours and the big events. However, Saturday tends to be the most crowded day.

Do I have to cosplay? No, you can wear whatever you want, as long as it meets convention and common decency laws.

What is a masquerade? A masquerade is a costume contest, and it's usually the biggest event at a convention. Participants will showcase their costumes on stage, either in a walk on or some type of skit or performance. They are judged based on things like craftsmanship, on-stage presentation, and performance. Rules for masquerades vary greatly from con to con and even year to year, so if you want to compete, be sure to check out the rules beforehand.

Can I have a weapon as part of my costume? Depends. Conventions have rules and regulations for weapons, usually determined by laws at the local, state, and federal level, as well as the facility's rules. Generally, these include things such as, but not limited to, no live steel, no projectiles, no water guns, and no wooden practice swords. Chances are you will have to make a prop or buy something that's totally con-safe. Check out our podcast episodes from AnimeCons TV for more information about con safe weapons.]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1456 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1456 Naka-Kon 2012 has announced death/trance metal band Blood Stain Child will be performing at the convention. Naka-Kon is scheduled for this February in Overland Park, Kansas.]]> BLOOD STAIN CHILD will perform at the Overland Park Convention Center in February as Naka-Kon 2012's musical guest of honor.

Formerly known as Vision Quest, the band changed its name to BLOOD STAIN CHILD one year after its formation. The band's members include vocalist Sophia, guitarist G.S.R., drummer Gami, bassist/vocalist Ryo, synthesizer/programmer Aki, and guitarist/construction leader Ryu.

More Naka-Kon 2012 guests will be announced as the convention nears. For more information about BLOOD STAIN CHILD and other guests, please visit http://naka-kon.com/guests.

About Naka-Kon

Naka-Kon Anime Convention is organized and operated by approximately 100 unpaid staff members, many of whom are students and most of whom live in the greater Kansas City area. Naka-Kon was first held in 2005 at the University of Kansas Memorial Union in Lawrence, Kan. In 2011, nearly 5,000 attendees gathered at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. for a three-day, paid convention. Naka-Kon 2012 will be held at the Overland Park Convention Center Feb. 10 - 12. Traditional features include industry guests, panels, game shows, contests, showings, and vendor and video game rooms. For more information, visit http://naka-kon.com.]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1451 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1451 Naka-Kon in Overland Park, Kansas has announced Aleathia Burns, Chris Cason, and Steve Blum as guests. The convention will be held February 10 through 12.]]> Naka-Kon has announced yet another three guests for 2012.

First up, as a cosplay guest, we have expert craftswoman Aleathia Burns.

Voice actor and industry expert, Chris Cason, known for his role as Gluttony in Fullmetal Alchemist will be joining us as well.

Finally, our last voice actor for this year is the ever popular Steve Blum, known for voicing Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop.

More Naka-Kon 2012 guests will be announced as the convention nears. For more information about these guests, please visit http://naka-kon.com/guests.

About Naka-Kon

Naka-Kon Anime Convention is organized and operated by approximately 100 unpaid staff members, many of whom are students and most of whom live in the greater Kansas City area. Naka-Kon was first held in 2005 at the University of Kansas Memorial Union in Lawrence, Kan. In 2011, nearly 5,000 attendees gathered at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. for a three-day, paid convention. Naka-Kon 2012 will be held at the Overland Park Convention Center Feb. 10 - 12. Traditional features include industry guests, panels, game shows, contests, showings, and vendor and video game rooms. For more information, visit http://naka-kon.com.]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1450 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1450 Cosplacon in Jefferson City, Missouri has announced Greg Wicker, Jeanne Beck, and Paul Hoefener as guests. The convention is scheduled for June 2013.]]> Cosplacon is happy to announce Greg Wicker (or "Greggo" as he's fondly known)to are first year at Cosplacon.He has been producing and hosting game shows at anime conventions since 1999, when he premiered Anime Match Game at Project A-Kon in Dallas. Since then, Greggo has done anime-themed versions of several classic game shows, created a few games of his own, and even had an original project that very nearly turned into an actual television show on Anime Network. These days Greggo is concentrating on perfecting his craft and making game shows available for conventions everywhere, bringing his rapier wit and friendly personality with him wherever he goes. You can see some of Greggo's past game show efforts on hisYouTube page. We also have a number of Guest on are web page. Japanese Instructor Jeanne Beck who spent three years teaching English at two high schools in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture and Japan. Video game artist Paul Hoefener He works as a contract artist both 2d and 3d and is also active full-time concept artist, 3d modeler, and graphic designer. We hope you check us out if your in the Mid Missouri area in 2013. Cosplacon.com]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1449 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1449 Naka-Kon has announced guests Amelie Belcher, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Wendee Lee, Take One Productions, Nina Matsumoto, and Quinton Flynn. The convention will take place in February in Overland Park, Kansas.]]> Naka-Kon has announced its first three guests for 2012.

Returning this year will be the much loved Naka-Kon regular, artist Amelie Belcher.

Joining this year will be voice actress Colleen Clinkenbeard, known for her lead role in One Piece, as the voice of Monkey D. Luffy!

Also in the voice actress category, Naka-Kon is proud to announce that Wendee Lee, the voice of Faye Valentine in Cowboy Bebop will be in attendance!

More Naka-Kon 2012 guests will be announced as the convention nears. For more information about these guests, please visit http://naka-kon.com/guests.

Overland Park, Kans. - Naka-Kon has announced three more guests for 2012.

First off, we have another return Guest. Last year, they came as panelists, but they were so popular, we brought them back as official Guests. It's the comedy improvisation group Take One Productions.

Next, we have our second artist, a first time Naka Kon Guest, Nina Matsumoto known for her work with The Simpsons and her original manga Yokaiden.

Lastly, our third voice actor is none other than Quinton Flynn, known for voicing Axel in Kingdom Hearts II and Reno in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children... and dozens of other characters you've probably heard of.

More Naka-Kon 2012 guests will be announced as the convention nears. For more information about these guests, please visit http://naka-kon.com/guests.

###]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1448 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1448 Kawaii Kon has announced voice actor guests Ryo Horikawa, Christopher Sabat, and Kenichi Miya. The convention will be held this March in Honolulu, Hawaii.]]> Kawaii Kon, Hawaii's premier anime convention and conference is proud to announce three new guests to the 2012 lineup.

Ryo Horikawa - Japanese Voice Actor
Ryo Horikawa is a Japanese voice actor from Osaka, Japan, most famous for his roles as Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z), Andromeda Shun (Saint Seiya), Heiji Hattori (Detective Conan), and Reinhard (Legend of the Galatic Heroes). He is also known for his video game role as Captain Falcon (Super Smash Bros. series). Ryo has been doing voice work since 1984, when he debuted as the protagonist of the 1984 anime Yume Senshi Wingman.

Christopher Sabat - Voice Actor/ADR Director/Line Producer
Christopher Sabat is an American voice actor, ADR Director, and Line Producer, from Washington D.C., most famous for his voice work in Dragon Ball as several main characters such as Vegeta and Piccolo. Other roles includes Ayame Sohma in Fruits Basket, Kiuchiyo in Samurai 7, Alex Louis Armstrong in Fullmetal Alchemist, Kazuma Kuwabara in Yu Yu Hakusho, Giroro in Sgt. Frog, and Roronoa Zoro in One Piece. Chris is also the founder and director at the OkraTron 5000 audio production facility in Dallas, Texas.

Kenichi Miya - Japanese Voice Actor
Kenichi Miya is a Japanese voice actor most noted for his roles as Dragan (Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's) and Entre ([C] - Control). He has also done voice work for Detective CONAN and Magic Kaito. In addition to his anime roles, Miya-san has also voiced characters in several video games, including Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 6 (PSP) and Xenoblade (Wii). Kenichi has also performed on stage and in voice dramas.

About Kawaii Kon: Kawaii Kon is dedicated to creating a broader awareness of, and appreciation for Japanese animation by celebrating the richness of this artform. Through cooperation with the community, Kawaii Kon hopes to facilitate growth of the anime, manga and related industries in Hawaii and beyond. In addition to providing a central event for fans and enthusiasts, Kawaii Kon seeks to become a vehicle for sharing and disseminating industry information. Kawaii Kon also provides the community and related industries the opportunity to network and conduct business.

Kawaii Kon will be held at the Hawaii Convention Center from March 16th to 18th, 2012. For more information please visit: www.kawaii-kon.org]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1447 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1447 Setsucon has announced voice actor Kyle Hebert as a guest at their convention. The convention will take place January 28th and 29th in State College, Pennsylvania.]]> Setsucon will be hosting Kyle Hebert as a guest at the Penn Stater Conference Center. Kyle Hebert is a voice actor famous for narrating the popular animated series Dragon Ball Z. He has also voiced for Naruto, Street Fighter, Bleach, Fullmetal Alchemist, and One Piece. Kyle Hebert has been a guest at Setsucon previously and we are looking forward to his return.

To see Kyle Hebert or experience the dance, the panels, or the vendors at Setsucon, badges can be ordered online at www.setsucon.com or bought the day of the convention. We look forward to seeing you there!

ABOUT SETSUCON: Setsucon is a two-day anime convention. Located at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, PA, Setsucon is just a short bus ride from the University Park Campus (main campus) of Pennsylvania State University. Setsucon 2012 will be held January 28-29, 2012. Setsucon is hosted by the Penn State Anime Organization (PSAO).
For more information about Setsucon, please visit www.setsucon.com

ABOUT THE PENN STATE ANIME ORGANIZATION: Since September 2001, the PSAO has been bringing anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture to the University Park campus. Working to provide both weekly screenings and a social environment for Penn State's anime/manga fan base, the PSAO is continually broadening its horizons. PSAO meetings serve multiple functions, including free weekly anime screenings. The PSAO also arranges trips to conventions, have club social events, facilitate DDR events on campus, and much, much more.

For more information about the PSAO, please visit www.clubs.psu.edu/psao.

Setsucon 2012
January 28-29, 2012
The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
215 Innovation Boulevard
State College, PA 16803 US
Pre-registration (postmarked by December 13, 2011): $18 Saturday, $12 Sunday, $25 both days
At-Door Registration: $20 Saturday, $15 Sunday, $30 both days]]> http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1446 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST http://animecons.com/news/article.shtml/1446 Kawaii Kon has announced artist Yoshitaka Amano will be a guest at their 2012 convention this March in Honolulu, Hawaii.]]> Kawaii Kon, Hawaii's premier anime convention and conference is proud to announce a new guest to the Kawaii Kon 2012 lineup.

Yoshitaka Amano - International Artist
Yoshitaka Amano is a world-renowned artist and illustrator, known for his contributions to works including Vampire Hunter D, as well as the Final Fantasy series. He began freelancing in 1982 after leaving the anime studio Tatsunoko Production, and went on to win the Japanese Seiun Award for Best Artist of the Year for four years straight, from 1983 to 1986. Beginning in 1987, he began working as a character designer and visual concept designer for the Final Fantasy game series, while simultaneously working as an illustrator on series including Vampire Hunter D, Sandman: The Dream Hunters, and Guin Saga. Mr. Amano has held solo exhibitions in locations including Tokyo, Paris, New York City, Brussels, Los Angeles, Cologne, and Hong Kong.

About Kawaii Kon: Kawaii Kon is dedicated to creating a broader awareness of, and appreciation for Japanese animation by celebrating the richness of this artform. Through cooperation with the community, Kawaii Kon hopes to facilitate growth of the anime, manga and related industries in Hawaii and beyond. In addition to providing a central event for fans and enthusiasts, Kawaii Kon seeks to become a vehicle for sharing and disseminating industry information. Kawaii Kon also provides the community and related industries the opportunity to network and conduct business.

Kawaii Kon will be held at the Hawaii Convention Center from March 16th to 18th, 2012. For more information please visit: www.kawaii-kon.org]]> Get more news and complete convention listings at AnimeCons http://animecons.com/ http://animecons.com/