Oh man, this was my first Dragon*Con since 1997 and, DAYUM, has it gotten big since then! I almost felt like a newbie again, and I definitely relate to the above posts. Main things I learned:
- Handler: YES! I was solo for a little while because my friends and I went to different shoots on Friday, and of course that's when the wardrobe malfunctions began. When another friend showed up during the Skyrim shoot I was so, so happy to see him. I'd already designated him as squire for the con, and he was a lifesaver. It is so much easier to do a repair when there's someone there to hold your stuff, hand you things, help you keep that part in place while you duct tape the crap out of the inside of it, and tell people that no, you're not posing right now. I got a little pissed off when I had to take off a piece of my armor to replace a metal ring that somehow gave way, and there was a photographer still trying to take photos of me after I told him no. I literally had to hide in an alcove until I got the repair finished. My friend was also handy in blocking people from crashing into my pauldrons (for my safety and theirs - nobody needs a dragon claw in their eye).
- Start sooner than you think you need to. I was still working on some last-minute things on Wednesday night and there are some things I didn't do because I was just out of time. I thought I had planned it well, but I am starting now on next year's costumes.
- I would probably see more of the parade if I marched in it. So very crowded.
- Book room even if friends won't freaking commit. We ended up at the Omni this year because everyone hemmed and hawed until November. The service at the Omni was great, but it's just too far from the energy of the con and walking 4 blocks in armor sucks. I also passed up booking the Sheraton when they opened that block before the con this year for 2015 because they weren't sure. Next year, I'm getting the freakin' room even if I end up in it alone. I have booked the Omni again as a safety net but will keep plugging away at the host hotels.
- Bring lighting. I don't know about everyone else's room, but ours was dark. It was also one of the atrium ones that looks at CNN instead of the outside, so there wasn't even any natural light. Tough to do makeup. I have folks on the thrift store prowl for one of those lighted mirror thingies.
- Check out on Tuesday. There's more happening on Monday than I thought, and that was a way better time to be in the vendor hall.
So, what am I doing for 2015? We want to do a Mass Effect group costume, so I have chosen Aria T'loak. She's perfect for gals like me who suffer from Chronic B*%ch Face. I'm not as good at sewing as I am at building, but I have a helper for that. I'm going to start by building weapons. Can't wait! I have some other ideas I'm kicking around, but I haven't settled on anything yet. Will post once I narrow it down.
There's a meetup? Well, since I'm new here I feel a little weird saying I want to come but I definitely enjoy meeting other artists.