Imperatrix
New Member
I've been snooping here for years. Whenever I lack inspiration, there are a few of you I always take a look at for a kick in the motivation, proof-positive that we ladies can BRING IT when it comes to costumes and props!
Hi! I have boobs and I make...
- Thread starter AbbyDarkStar
- Start date
mdb
Sr Member
FB sharing, just as a reminder of what was on the last page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michaela-de-Bruce/152637694808851
Also as admin I can't see half of my page
But there are a lot of other costumers under "likes" there so hopefully it'll help boost their signal too
Should be seeing some of you at D*C Marvel and D*C shoots for sure as Catwoman and Blakwidow.
I don't have many photos to share because I just don't have enough photos I like of me. I'm very unphotogenic.
My health is making it hard enough to do the long haul trip to the US for D*C but my self confidence in how I look is actually making me want to just not go.
And to be honest most of that self doubt has come about because of feedback on forums about my looks. NZ is very small so I am unwilling to point out where this happened but it was all local.
So yes, in regards to an earlier discussion in this thread pressure to look a certain way does shadow the bliss I get from costuming. I've been in the industry and even worked for a model agency getting people work. I know how it works when money is involved, would just like that malarky to not extend into my fun times
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michaela-de-Bruce/152637694808851
Also as admin I can't see half of my page
But there are a lot of other costumers under "likes" there so hopefully it'll help boost their signal too Should be seeing some of you at D*C
Marvel and D*C shoots for sure as Catwoman and Blakwidow.I don't have many photos to share because I just don't have enough photos I like of me. I'm very unphotogenic.
My health is making it hard enough to do the long haul trip to the US for D*C but my self confidence in how I look is actually making me want to just not go.
And to be honest most of that self doubt has come about because of feedback on forums about my looks. NZ is very small so I am unwilling to point out where this happened but it was all local.
So yes, in regards to an earlier discussion in this thread pressure to look a certain way does shadow the bliss I get from costuming. I've been in the industry and even worked for a model agency getting people work. I know how it works when money is involved, would just like that malarky to not extend into my fun times
CelticRuins
Sr Member
FB sharing, just as a reminder of what was on the last page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michaela-de-Bruce/152637694808851
Also as admin I can't see half of my page
Should be seeing some of you at D*C
I don't have many photos to share because I just don't have enough photos I like of me. I'm very unphotogenic.
My health is making it hard enough to do the long haul trip to the US for D*C but my self confidence in how I look is actually making me want to just not go.
And to be honest most of that self doubt has come about because of feedback on forums about my looks. NZ is very small so I am unwilling to point out where this happened but it was all local.
So yes, in regards to an earlier discussion in this thread pressure to look a certain way does shadow the bliss I get from costuming. I've been in the industry and even worked for a model agency getting people work. I know how it works when money is involved, would just like that malarky to not extend into my fun times
Someone was trolling you about the way you look?
Were these people in the 5th grade, perhaps?
I hate people for the most part. Ugh. But I know how you feel. I've had some nasty comments before. All the way from "Hey, look that chick is SO fat." to "You look like a dude."
Well thanks, I'm going to look like a fat dude and WORK THIS COSTUME. :darnkids
EHyde
Member
Should be seeing some of you at D*C
I hope I get a chance to see you! I've admired your work for a long time. I don't have a costume for the Marvel photoshoot but my husband does, so I'll probably tag along.
I'll post my facebook info here if anyone wants to friend me, but I haven't posted much costuming stuff there lately so you'll probably just be subjected to numerous status updates about my cats :rolleyes
https://www.facebook.com/ellen.hyde
Gizka
New Member
I don't have many photos to share because I just don't have enough photos I like of me. I'm very unphotogenic.
My health is making it hard enough to do the long haul trip to the US for D*C but my self confidence in how I look is actually making me want to just not go.
And to be honest most of that self doubt has come about because of feedback on forums about my looks. NZ is very small so I am unwilling to point out where this happened but it was all local.
So yes, in regards to an earlier discussion in this thread pressure to look a certain way does shadow the bliss I get from costuming. I've been in the industry and even worked for a model agency getting people work. I know how it works when money is involved, would just like that malarky to not extend into my fun times
Things like this infuriate me. Especially in the geek community where so many of us have been made fun of for merely liking "geeky" things. We, of all people, should be more accepting of each other. I don't understand why anyone feels they have the right to judge someone's looks just because a person doesn't meet Hollywood's standard of "beautiful". Especially when we know that much of Hollywood's "beauty" is faked by makeup, lighting, and photoshop.
And though we should know better, I have seen so many instances of hurt feelings in the costuming community because someone was excluded for not being pretty enough, for weighing too much, for not having big enough boobs. I have had friends reduced to tears by hurtful comments on forums or even in person at cons. I myself have cried over someone's cruel words. I really want to smack the people who say and do such cruel things, tell them to grow up, and look at themselves in the mirror before daring to judge others.
Bizarro Lois
Sr Member
You know what? I think I will. That would be a good one for Halloween or a con where I'm only going for the day and don't have anywhere to change into street clothes. So who wants to meet up at Baltimore Comicon for an Archer group photo?
mdb
Sr Member
I should probably clarify that statement
I just do not get good photos without a lot of work. My features are definitely the sort that look better in person than photos So I get tense which makes getting a good photo even more difficult due to facial tension. I'm a an actress rather than a model in the same way I am a performer who sings rather than a musician. As for crappy comments, yeah. If I knew it was just me I'd have slunk off in a corner a long time ago! The only thing keeping me going and pushing through is that it does happen to so many. It's not easy but "stubborn" usually wins out!
And yeah, being called a dude? It's kind of the second "insult" after "fat" that gets thrown. And it usually perplexes me. Never quite sure why it is an insult and what prompted the remark.
CelticRuins
Sr Member
mdb, from a bystander you're pretty and you're UBER damn talented. Your fellow girl costumers shall embrace you, and I know alot of guys on this board will feel the same !
No worries here! You need not have to feel like you're the only one and that goes for any girl. It sucks to feel alone and beaten down. THIS IS A BULLY FREE ZONE! *shakes old-fart cane at idiots*
GET OFF MY COSTUMING LAWN, YA TURDS!:darnkids
!No worries here! You need not have to feel like you're the only one and that goes for any girl. It sucks to feel alone and beaten down. THIS IS A BULLY FREE ZONE! *shakes old-fart cane at idiots*
GET OFF MY COSTUMING LAWN, YA TURDS!:darnkids
AVA
Member
Oh, goodness, yes. I think there are more crossplaying girls in the anime community than there are total guys who cosplay! (Though lately, there have been a lot more men getting into anime costuming, so maybe it's balancing out.)
I'm actually most active in the anime community; that's where I first really got into cosplaying (ten years ago), and now one of my jobs is working for a company that runs anime conventions. When they asked me to take the job, my one demand was that I be allowed to wear costumes while working at cons instead of the standard staff outfit.
I didn't post any photos with my earlier post, so here are a few:
As Zelgadiss Graywords:
As Lucrezia Noin:
As Marguerite Blakeney:
As a Chinese terra cotta warrior:
(I'm the one in the middle, if you couldn't tell.)
Lora
New Member
AVA, your costumes are amazing!
I don't really get the whole 'you look like a dude' thing as an insult. I mean, I get the social context of it, but it's just silly.
I once had a lady tell me I made for a pretty guy after a play, where I was dressed as a man and had drawn a fake beard on my face. And it was a really bad fake beard, mind you. Not realistic in any way. It was a wierd compliment to get, but she meant well. She also told me she hadn't recognized she at all during the little play and would have thought I was just another guy if she hadn't seen me afterwards in my normal clothes, but with the fake beard still there. (I hadn't bothered washing it off).
It's nice to know I can convincingly play both a guy and a gal
I don't really get the whole 'you look like a dude' thing as an insult. I mean, I get the social context of it, but it's just silly.
I once had a lady tell me I made for a pretty guy after a play, where I was dressed as a man and had drawn a fake beard on my face. And it was a really bad fake beard, mind you. Not realistic in any way. It was a wierd compliment to get, but she meant well. She also told me she hadn't recognized she at all during the little play and would have thought I was just another guy if she hadn't seen me afterwards in my normal clothes, but with the fake beard still there. (I hadn't bothered washing it off).
It's nice to know I can convincingly play both a guy and a gal
DoubleD
Sr Member
I should probably clarify that statement
As for crappy comments, yeah. If I knew it was just me I'd have slunk off in a corner a long time ago! The only thing keeping me going and pushing through is that it does happen to so many. It's not easy but "stubborn" usually wins out!
And yeah, being called a dude? It's kind of the second "insult" after "fat" that gets thrown. And it usually perplexes me. Never quite sure why it is an insult and what prompted the remark.
For what it's worth, I think you, and your costumes, look fantastic!
CelticRuins
Sr Member
faille
Active Member
Awesome!!! For the dolphin puppet, I suggest the Oceana Puppet from
krittersinthemailbox.com. I went on an insane google search looking for the exact puppet when I was thinking about putting a Pam together.
Their site looks completely old school, but I ordered from them last year and got my stuff no problem. Shipping for me was only like $5.
Dolphin Puppets
Here is another site that shows what it looks like. For some reason the puppet picture wasn't actually loading on the other site. Aurora Dolphin puppet
Guri
Sr Member
What works for me is focusing on characters in movies/tv series that I love.
Watching them is great, but when you start studying the costumes, spending time with the creation of them and walking around in them it brings a whole new level of enjoyment.
The costumes that have flopped for me are when I made something because maybe I looked a bit like the character and it was popular enough to be recognized... but I didn't love the character or the story or the costume so it wasn't as fun to work on or walk around in.
Once you find something you want to do, here are three principles I focus on when replicating:
Shape: the template/pattern should be made in something very cheap until you are satisfied. Sometimes I borrow from other patterns already there, sometimes I construct them myself, but it is the foundation of everything else.
Texture: the material you're using should match how the original piece flows/feels/holds up... Even if it isn't to start with, can can it be manipulated to simulate it: matte, pitted, shiny, flowing, ridged etc. Also, consider what you choose for the final principle:
Color: matching the original color and weathering of the costume (if there is any) is the final consideration. Dying, painting, bleaching, staining etc.
There are plenty of tutorials out there to draw from too, if starting from scratch is a bit daunting. Even if the tutorial isn't for the costume you want to make, you can still learn the technique and adjust it for yourself. I have a few you can look at if you want - in my signature link.
AVA
Member
Thank you! *^_^*AVA, your costumes are amazing!
Yeah, me either. Who goes up to men and says, "You're as pretty as a girl!" as an insult?I don't really get the whole 'you look like a dude' thing as an insult. I mean, I get the social context of it, but it's just silly.
I once had a lady tell me I made for a pretty guy after a play, where I was dressed as a man and had drawn a fake beard on my face. And it was a really bad fake beard, mind you. Not realistic in any way. It was a wierd compliment to get, but she meant well. She also told me she hadn't recognized she at all during the little play and would have thought I was just another guy if she hadn't seen me afterwards in my normal clothes, but with the fake beard still there. (I hadn't bothered washing it off).
It's nice to know I can convincingly play both a guy and a gal
I have to work hard to look like a guy -- and I'm apparently pretty convincing, because I've had girls come up and flirt and ask me out while I'm in costume. It lasts until I say something in response, at which point they usually shriek or back away saying, "I'm sorry; I thought you were a guy!" Kind of hilarious.
The above advice from Guri is good! Mine is more philosophical: Don't ever NOT attempt a costume because you think it's beyond your skill level. Your first attempt won't be perfect, but in the process of making it, you'll learn how to do it better, and your skills will improve. Plus, if it's a costume you love and really want to make, you'll be motivated to stick with it and see it come together!
When I started cosplaying, I didn't know ANYTHING about sewing; I barely passed home-ec class and had no real-life interest in any kind of crafting. My first cosplay was literally held together with safety pins and duct tape, and it wasn't until my third costume that I borrowed a sewing machine to play with. But I loved costumes, so I kept trying new things even though I wasn't really good at it, and through trial-and-error I learned new techniques. Now I'm a Masters-level competitor -- and I actually know how to thread the sewing machine and stuff! It's still amazing to me!
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