Bovine13
New Member
The time has come at last! All the time, money, sleepless nights, effort, and random outbursts of frustration and excitement are about to pay off. You have worked day and night to get it done and standing before you is the fruits of all your labor. You have what only a few before you have accomplished, a full blown wearable Predator costume. Now, before you bail off into that "costume" there are a few tips, pointers, and suggestions from your fellow Hunters that may help in your hunt and keep you from doing damage to the suit, the people around you, and mainly yourself.
There a basically 5 key points to remember while attending a large public function. Movement/Navigation, Crowd Control, Suit Maintenance, Breaks, and the "Support Team". The first 4 points are hard to handle by yourself while suited up. This is where the 5th point the "Support Team" comes into play.
Movement and Navigation:
As far as costume contests and conventions go, the general atmosphere is the same. A large group of people jammed into a space usually too small for the numbers. And you stand in all the glory of a Predator on the hunt. But, unlike the Predator himself you are mostly blind, mostly deaf, and the majority of your senses are a bit off do to the fact your in a costume from head to toe. Thus making it a bit more difficult to move about and navigate through the crowded space.
- If possible get a floorplan of the convention hall/building you will be attenting and get a general idea of the layout and key locations. Bathrooms, firstaid, water/consetions, etc.
- Have a general plan of attack for the days events that you would like to attend. Autographs, meet and greet, etc.
- Plan your path. The masks and bios kind if give you the tunnel vision effect. Its hard to see the whole picture in front of you.
- If you want to do some character acting (crouching, swinging your arms, blade swipes, etc) make sure you have about an 8-10 foot circle of clear space. The last thing you want to do is hit someone or
fall down. Remember, you have sharp pointy things on your suit and they can hurt someone.
- The greater the number of hunters at the event will further make moving more dificult.
Crowd Control:
Everybody loves the Predator. Young, old, male, female, Star Wars or Star Trek fan, they wanna a picture with the Predator. You will be surprised how fast a crowd of people, all jocking for position to take a
picture "next", can get out of hand quick. Trying to keep the mob at bay will reduce the chance of injury to you or others and keep suit damage to a minimum.
- Its easier to take pictures once you have gotten to good area to do so. Stopping in the middle of a crowded isle is not the best place. Let the bumping and knocking around begin.
- If your on the move to a certain place and are just trying to get there, dont be afraid to tell picture seekers "We are heading to the blah blah blah spot. We will be happy to take pictures there). Most are cool
with it and they usually follow.
- During the picture session you have to try and give yourself some room. Keep the crowd back a few feet. The crowd will always creep towards you while the pictures are being taken.
Suit Maintenance:
Not always but, its possible you may have a suit malfunction. You may be the baddest Hunter in the universe but, how cool do you look with your armor hanging off or your Pred ass exposed.
- Before the event, put together a repair kit. Remember its just a quick repair to get you through so, you dont need the major building materials. Just the quick stuff.
- Repair Kit~ Super glue, zip ties (a few different sizes), scissors, twine or string, safety pins, some rags, electrical tape, and extra batteries (if needed). You can fix most anything with these few materials.
- The idea is to fix it fast and get back to the funstuff, Hunting!
- Make the kit big enough to support more than one suit. That way you can help out the other guy/girl if she has an issue.
Breaks:
One of the most important things to remember is to take some breaks here and there. These suits can take a lot out of you if your not used to it. If you have never done it, dont push yourself too far. If you feel
like your getting tired or thirsty, exit stage left and take lil break.
- Take with you some break goodies. Bottled water, power bars, just some items/snacks to get you through the day.
- If you can, find a spot away from all the action. It gives you a chance to rest and recharge without all the crazyness. And, while you have the mask and other suit items off, you can place them where they wont
get damaged or stolen.
The Support Team:
These people are your gaurdian angles and hunt backup. They can see, hear, and do everything you cant. If its possible, take a buddy or two along with you to help you out. These guys and gals will make
everything above you have just read, a thousand times easier.
- Bring along a backpack or bag. You can put the repair kit, water, break goodies, whatever in there and have your hands free to back up those creeping crowds mentioned before.
- Get with your team before hand and go over the details of the day. Let them know what to look for, where you would like to go, etc.
- If your expecting a large hunting party try and get a few more support members. One person can take care of 2-3 Predators fairly easy. Dont wanna run him/her ragged the whole day.
- Have the support team as informed and prepared as they can be. The day will go a lot easier if you prepare for the worst but, only expierience the best.
- You could probobly handle all the issues above by yourself but, its always easier and more fun with someone watching your back.
Things to keep in mind while suited up. Your not going to be able to see or hear all that great. Your depth perception and sense of touch are diminished. Your gonna sweat, be a bit uncomfortable, get bumped
and knocked around, have any and all comments made, be thirsty, probobly stumble or trip, mess up the suit a bit, and various other things. But, when it gets to the point, and it will, where your like "screw it,
im done", remember all the hard work, time, and effort you put forth to get to this day and you will be able to go a bit longer. You are there, you are suited up, and for a short time as it may be you are
the Predator. Enjoy it!
There a basically 5 key points to remember while attending a large public function. Movement/Navigation, Crowd Control, Suit Maintenance, Breaks, and the "Support Team". The first 4 points are hard to handle by yourself while suited up. This is where the 5th point the "Support Team" comes into play.
Movement and Navigation:
As far as costume contests and conventions go, the general atmosphere is the same. A large group of people jammed into a space usually too small for the numbers. And you stand in all the glory of a Predator on the hunt. But, unlike the Predator himself you are mostly blind, mostly deaf, and the majority of your senses are a bit off do to the fact your in a costume from head to toe. Thus making it a bit more difficult to move about and navigate through the crowded space.
- If possible get a floorplan of the convention hall/building you will be attenting and get a general idea of the layout and key locations. Bathrooms, firstaid, water/consetions, etc.
- Have a general plan of attack for the days events that you would like to attend. Autographs, meet and greet, etc.
- Plan your path. The masks and bios kind if give you the tunnel vision effect. Its hard to see the whole picture in front of you.
- If you want to do some character acting (crouching, swinging your arms, blade swipes, etc) make sure you have about an 8-10 foot circle of clear space. The last thing you want to do is hit someone or
fall down. Remember, you have sharp pointy things on your suit and they can hurt someone.
- The greater the number of hunters at the event will further make moving more dificult.
Crowd Control:
Everybody loves the Predator. Young, old, male, female, Star Wars or Star Trek fan, they wanna a picture with the Predator. You will be surprised how fast a crowd of people, all jocking for position to take a
picture "next", can get out of hand quick. Trying to keep the mob at bay will reduce the chance of injury to you or others and keep suit damage to a minimum.
- Its easier to take pictures once you have gotten to good area to do so. Stopping in the middle of a crowded isle is not the best place. Let the bumping and knocking around begin.
- If your on the move to a certain place and are just trying to get there, dont be afraid to tell picture seekers "We are heading to the blah blah blah spot. We will be happy to take pictures there). Most are cool
with it and they usually follow.
- During the picture session you have to try and give yourself some room. Keep the crowd back a few feet. The crowd will always creep towards you while the pictures are being taken.
Suit Maintenance:
Not always but, its possible you may have a suit malfunction. You may be the baddest Hunter in the universe but, how cool do you look with your armor hanging off or your Pred ass exposed.
- Before the event, put together a repair kit. Remember its just a quick repair to get you through so, you dont need the major building materials. Just the quick stuff.
- Repair Kit~ Super glue, zip ties (a few different sizes), scissors, twine or string, safety pins, some rags, electrical tape, and extra batteries (if needed). You can fix most anything with these few materials.
- The idea is to fix it fast and get back to the funstuff, Hunting!
- Make the kit big enough to support more than one suit. That way you can help out the other guy/girl if she has an issue.
Breaks:
One of the most important things to remember is to take some breaks here and there. These suits can take a lot out of you if your not used to it. If you have never done it, dont push yourself too far. If you feel
like your getting tired or thirsty, exit stage left and take lil break.
- Take with you some break goodies. Bottled water, power bars, just some items/snacks to get you through the day.
- If you can, find a spot away from all the action. It gives you a chance to rest and recharge without all the crazyness. And, while you have the mask and other suit items off, you can place them where they wont
get damaged or stolen.
The Support Team:
These people are your gaurdian angles and hunt backup. They can see, hear, and do everything you cant. If its possible, take a buddy or two along with you to help you out. These guys and gals will make
everything above you have just read, a thousand times easier.
- Bring along a backpack or bag. You can put the repair kit, water, break goodies, whatever in there and have your hands free to back up those creeping crowds mentioned before.
- Get with your team before hand and go over the details of the day. Let them know what to look for, where you would like to go, etc.
- If your expecting a large hunting party try and get a few more support members. One person can take care of 2-3 Predators fairly easy. Dont wanna run him/her ragged the whole day.
- Have the support team as informed and prepared as they can be. The day will go a lot easier if you prepare for the worst but, only expierience the best.
- You could probobly handle all the issues above by yourself but, its always easier and more fun with someone watching your back.
Things to keep in mind while suited up. Your not going to be able to see or hear all that great. Your depth perception and sense of touch are diminished. Your gonna sweat, be a bit uncomfortable, get bumped
and knocked around, have any and all comments made, be thirsty, probobly stumble or trip, mess up the suit a bit, and various other things. But, when it gets to the point, and it will, where your like "screw it,
im done", remember all the hard work, time, and effort you put forth to get to this day and you will be able to go a bit longer. You are there, you are suited up, and for a short time as it may be you are
the Predator. Enjoy it!
Bravo, Scott! I have to agree wholeheartedly as I have worn my first suit out
