Anime Overdose 2005 Hey, AOD had a dramatic increase in attendance this year – probably in part due to the PLC appearances. Lots of costumes, lots of friends. A few problems that we’ll look into later.

We had a great time, though. Friday we showed up almost on time (my standards); picked up our passes (very smooth – both the pre-reg and press lines were pretty non-existant); I congratulate the staff.

Actually, let’s hit that point for a minute – the staff did a great job, and I don’t always say that. In fact, if you know me, I don’t hand out compliments easily. You have to work for them.

But things ran smoothly. Someone was always around to let us know if an event was about to begin, to show us where the press line was, whatever – and we were invited to the VIP dinner Friday, which was very convenient – we were standing around thinking of going out for food.

This was our first official Grand Cosplay event, so we tried out the new dry erase board system. (Expect to see a lot of these at future cons, many photographers thought it was a great idea, and plan to use it)

So: With the board, we have your cosplay name and character to use as a reference in judging. We camped out on the stairwell a lot, it was one of the few spots where you could get a good photo, and we hoped that most congers would use the stairs at some point.

Now, there’s my biggest complaint:

The Venue.

There were just not enough open areas to shoot in – it was a bit cramped, and when lines (like PLC lines) formed, it turned into photographer’s hell. Next, there were no good outside areas, which meant using flash in almost all shots, which is not as flattering or accurate as a natural diffused light. Next year I’d like to see a different location – even the Cathedral down the street might be a bit better, although they have similar lighting problems.

Here’s my other complaint: We’re standing in the press line for MLC – next thing we hear, no cameras allowed. Period. Press too.

Now, I’ve shot a lot of bands. Usually if they have photo specifics, they’ll ask us to not use flash, or shoot only the first three songs (while they still look fresh). But no cameras at all, that’s not media friendly – screw that. I’m out of there – someone else can have my seat. I’ll hang outside and shoot cosplayers, and send my minions in to check things out.

And I did.

Andrew comes out. “How was it?” “IT WAS LOUD”. I inform him that he’s shouting, and he complains about a ringing in his ears. Greenhorn. Ears not plugged properly. Let’s head back to the house and get some sleep, get up early Saturday.

Right.

First, of course, we have to watch a bunch of anime. I clean up and upload Friday’s shots while we’re doing this.

Pegasus Maiden stays up all night, till around 5, working on her costume. Andrew complains that he can’t sleep because of the ringing, and plays video games until at least 2. Still, he probably gets more sleep than the rest of us put together.

But can we get him up in the morning? No. Takes three hours to get him dressed and moving. Occasionally he’d wake up and hear the printer running, as it dripped flyers on his head.

When we get there, parking is full. Andrew gets a scorched ear, and dire threats concerning ice and water for the following morning.

Saturday is almost always the big day at cons. Sure enough, we’ve got a full house. Lots of PLC and Jrock costumes – which is ok, but I would have liked to see a larger percentage of anime costumes.

At this point, we’ve pretty much got it down. We grab a cosplayer. I shoot some photos. Andrew is Dry Erase Board Boy; he gets them to put their name on the board; I shoot a shot of them holding it. He passes them a flyer with the site address, so they can find their photos later.


A great science. Next time, two boards, though. Some people take longer to write on the board than others, and we lost a few names.

I’m hot for this cool Read Or Die bag that’s in the dealer’s hall, saw it Friday. PM still won’t let me buy it. Yeah, I agree, the faces aren’t quite right on the embroidery – but I want it anyway.

Saturday is Cosplay/Masquerade day – and who is going to represent team CCT? Not me. Andrew refuses. So I guess it’s PM again (Big Surprise).

We head to the craftsmanship judging area, PM to be judged, us to photo the entrants. I beg a copy of the cosplay order, and force Andrew to copy it. Now we know who’s who in the masquerade.

Our press seats? Wonderful. Although the judges are in front of us, there are enough angles to shoot around. The competition is still the hardest place of a con to get good shots, though.

And PM takes home runner up, Best of Show, with her most dramatic performance to date. Sniff. I’m so damn proud.

I should have a list of the winners here, but it seems I mislaid it (Hah. Never wrote it down, you mean, you lazy bastard.) Maybe it’ll turn up later. My minions catch the first part of the PLC set again, then we trek home. We watch more videos, I upload the files, and we get a bit more sleep than we did the night before.

Oh yeah, the halftime entertainment. Waiting for the judges – we have Ramen and Rice, who impress all with their consistent genius. Pikacello flawlessly pulls off an intricate piece on the cello (so it seems to me; although I play bass, not cello, the fingering looked a bit tricky and she had a fierce look of concentration on her face.) And then a surprise. In contrast to R & R…. now, R&R generally play with their eyes closed, a study in stillness. Then out comes USA Musume – hey, hold on. Isn’t that R&R bouncing around and singing with them? When did this happen? Was I asleep? I seem to have a faint memory of Animagic, or am I creating that in my head now?

Still, the judges aren’t quite ready. We need a stall. Behold. Leapeth upon the stage, Hanyan Fairy and Pegasus Maiden, who sing us a song, and danceth about, and merriment is enjoyed by all.

Sunday: Andrew almost gets up –but not quite – so we ditch him, and head in alone. Sunday is lazy day anyway. We get over, catch a few shots – head into the dealer’s room for those last minute sales. My ROD bag beckons to me. PM talks me out of it again, which causes me to spend twice as much – instead I get a stack of pencil boards, and two Eva Christmas figures. See what happens when you curb a spending impulse?

What’s up next? Hey, Iron Cosplay. Chris snags PM for his Iron Cosplay team – there are only two competing teams. They’re tossed a bunch of stuff to play with – cardboard boxes, fabric remnants, ribbons, paper, markers, tape – and a stack of cds, which must be a dominant part of the costume. It must be a recognizable samurai character. One hour – away they go. (I don't know the name of the third person on their team, maybe someone can inform me.)



PM is notified that she can’t help – she can only model. She folds her creative fingers and sulkily allows herself to be dressed. Tape and cardboard fly, an impressive figure unfolds – it looks like an easy win.



However: the judges are not familiar with the character. And they are familiar with the Samurai Pizza cat of the other time. Very close, but a loss. Neko power wins. Later, we stumble upon K. Valentine - and notice - hey, I think this costume will fit. Ok, let's try. The Samurai lives again, briefly.

It’s pretty much over, so we head home. To rest? No. For Tokyo Dark Castle awaits. And in the dark of night, we journey forth again. Loud music, Goth fashion show, and another Cosplay. PM takes home the gold this time, #1 Elegant Gothic Lolita. That’s 3 contests and 2 wins, in 2 days. Team CCT comes through.



I should write more on TDC, but sleep still beckons, and Andrew covered it in a post on the forums – go have a look around. And remember, you can retroactively enter the Grand Cosplay, if we took a shot of you and had you write your name on our wondrous dry erase board…. But this is only good for a short time; while our memories are still fresh from the event.

Sayonara – catch you at Sakuracon. PM will be handling things at Recca; unfortunately (hard to say that, I win either way, I guess) but unfortunately for the con side of my life, I’ll be in Europe then. For now, go vote for yourself, or your friends in the photos - go on the forums, and talk for hours on end, if you feel so inclined. Go enter the contest. It's fun. And say, we are looking for people to write articles on cosplay and cons. No pay. Just glory.

AOD Film

Tokyo Dark Castle Film

Photos from Friday

Photos from Saturday

Photos from Sunday

Iron Cosplay

Tokyo Dark Castle

California Cosplay Times, main page