The course itself is very theory based, I'll write a little bit more about it in a brief update to my life thread (for those interested), but I've been doing a lot of writing recently. :)

Here's a picture of me and my "twin sister".

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/3518/cspj.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

The Duchess

And in normalcy:
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...38489054_n.jpg

Whoa Elvira!

Me in my new mini!

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/9224/um4q.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Not bad for a 70 year old "broad" Lol"


The Duchess

That's cool! Book looks 3D in the pic. Where did you get the book from?

You may want to consider moisturizer.

::big grin::

You really need to stop making fun of me. I know I had that dry patch on my thumb this day, but why does everyone always bring it up?

Just looking out for your health. Eczema kills.

Here is a picture of myself and my "twin" brother.

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/1009/gsvw.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Martha Lou

Myself with Lloyd a few days ago. ::cool::

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...33636120_n.jpg

Right on! He looks pretty happy to have met you ::big grin::

My latest cosplay. You know you've reached a new nerdy low when the only pics you have of yourself are cosplay pics. ::sad::

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps16c7297d.jpg

Great Pic, Moth!

Here is me dressed as my former forum character - The Duchess::cool::


Martha Lou

Cool look for you. How did cosplay go? How many people joined, was it in a forest, did everyone stay in character, was it Thrones only, did you all act-out/play a new story, how long did it last?

You really don't understand cosplay, do you? ::smile::

::big grin:: I haven't been to a cosplay yet. But I've seen them on youtube. Why I'm I asking the wrong questions?

Cosplayers don't go out in fields and role-play like it's some SCA meeting or something. They go to conventions - comicons, steampunk cons, sci fi cons, etc., to display their creations.

What's presented here is a character shot, posed and produced by a professional photographer or talented amatuer. It's meant to showcase the artistry of the cosplayer's skill, and their success at creating a character.

It's not LARPing.

While neverending is right, cosplay is different from LARP (Live Action Role Play), I really appreciate your interest in my photo, Sculpt. ::wink:: The main goal of cosplaying is to recreate the outfit of a character. The character can be from film, television, anime, video games, literature, etc. and the cosplayer can choose either to copy the character's outfit as accurately as possible or interpret the character according to the cosplayer's preference.

For this particular cosplay, I've chosen to do the latter. I decided to merge two different characters from different fandoms, namely Merida from the Disney movie "Brave" and Katniss Everdeen from the "Hunger Games" series. Since both Merida and Katniss are archers, I thought it would be fun to try to create a look that pays homage to them both. For example, my hair is red like Merida's, but styled in the braid Katniss wore in the movie. The dress was a mass-produced item that I heavily altered and is blue like Katniss's Reaping dress, but medieval in style, like Merida might wear. The ruana I am wearing I designed as a sort of compromise between Merida's cloak and Katniss's hunting cowl and is fastened with a Mockingjay pin. The arrows were also handmade by me, along with the belt. The bow was purchased online, although I finished it myself and added the leather grip.

Like neverending mentioned, some cosplayers pay professional photographers to take pictures of them in their costumes. Since I'm on a budget, my Dad took this picture of me in our local park.

Anyway, I'm glad I could introduce you to the world of cosplay in all its geeky glory. ::big grin:: I'm currently working on a femme Loki cosplay, so I'll try to post some pics when it's finished.

Your dad did a great job on the photograph, and your costume is cool!

Thanks, Lee! And hey, it seems as though we have the first same name. ::cool::

LOVE THIS.

I also love the Brave/Hunger Games mashup concept; really unique! The costume is great!

Thanks, ChronoGrl! I'm so glad you like it. ::big grin::

Thanks to both of you! I'm was unfamiliar with the difference between cosplay and LARP. I see an aweful lot goes into the costume. That bow looks like it's about as tall as you are. Have you tried shooting any of your homemade arrows, or are they unshootable props?

"It only hurts when I'm LARPing"

It can definitely get out of hand

Me and urgeok at Monster Mania two years ago

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...Me-n-Dave2.jpg

Yes, the bow does function! :) I bought it off eBay from a guy who makes them by hand. I originally wanted to try to make the bow myself, but I don't have the specific wood-working tools that are necessary for that level of craftsmanship.

I'm somewhat short (only 5 ft), but I believe the bow is 58" inches long and it has a 40 lb pull. Although I often cosplay archer characters, I myself am not trained in the sport and I don't really have the strength to pull back the string all the way to the correct position and fire the bow as it should be fired.

The arrows I made do work. I actually test fired them with one of my other smaller/lighter longbows before I put the heads on. But due to safety reasons, the arrowheads are made from craft foam, so they can't pierce anyone or anything.

And yeah, cosplaying does take a lot of work, even though most people (like myself) consider themselves amateurs and hobbyists at the most. There are, however, some "professional" cosplayers who've been able to market themselves and make money off their work, but that's whole other story. ::wink::

there's that new movie about a bunch of fantasy role players who accidently summon up a demon - looks funny as hell

HF - I love that pic of you guys!

Khaleesi - If the bow is functioning, does that mean that it's not allowed in a convention? Just curious - I thought that all props had to be non-functioning for safety purposes. Also - Is that all your natural hair??

No ! natural functioning hair is also not allowed at conventions!!

I haven't taken the bow to any cons yet, but I'm pretty sure it would be allowed if it's unstrung. I have, however, taken the bow to Renaissance Faires a bunch of times and it was allowed. Then again, Ren Faires tend to be a little lax by allowing attendees to carry bows, axes and swords, as long they aren't waved around and the blades are piece-tied.

And no, that isn't my natural hair color, but it isn't a wig, either. I'm a blond, but I've been dying my hair red for years now, so it might as well be my natural color. ::wink::

Yeah, I totally want to see that film. Have any of you ever seen the film Darkon (2006)? It's a really interesting documentary of a LARP community.

Yeah I seen that and an other LARP Doc. Pretty interesting - the people in it seemed kinda mean too..lol

That is a sweet Vestron Video shirt!

I was in the Dominican shooting a wedding a couple of years ago ..

got into a volleyball game against a couple of big US military guys and was blocking them and hitting past them and they were getting pissed ..

one of them points at my shirt (the Vestron shirt) and says - no wonder - he's a pro player ..

1) what the hell is a pro volleyball player?
2) that's the Vestron logo - not a volleyball :D

I knew that was your real hair, but I would have guessed it was your natural color too. Very natural and beautiful.

That's funny. It does look like a volleyball, but the word video is kind of a big clue. Actually there are professional volleyball players. In the US, the beach volleyball players can make a good living. Misty May of Gold Metal fame has made over 2 million in prise money. Some select male players have probably made more. Outside the US, there are professional v-ball leagues in in Europe, Brazil, SK and China. US players will sometimes go to be professionals there.