Come Out and Play at L.A. Comic Con!

Hi all! It's been a little while since my last post, but it's also been a little over five years since I've started my blog! I am so pleased I've kept this blog going for five years. :) Today's post has been a very long time coming, and the reasoning for that can be seen in a past life update blog. Since Los Angeles Comic Con is about a month away, now's the best time to hype you up for the con with a comprehensive recap from last year's experiences and a future outlook of 2019's con!


Previously at LACC 2018:

I had the opportunity to attend the con for two of the three days as press. Typically, I have a game plan when I attend conventions: Scope out the vendor's hall, interact with con attendees, do free scheduled cosplay photo shoots and if time permits, attend panels that interest me. Unfortunately, I was unable to make any panels or the fashion show that year, but I was able to interact with both con attendees and vendors. Overall, the outlook of the convention was positive.  Also, can I just say that the mascot for the con is awesome looking. I am glad that they kept the same design for 2019.

In 2017,  the process was somewhat unwelcoming when I picked up my press badge. However, in 2018, this was quite the opposite and I felt very welcomed throughout the whole experience from bag check to badge pick up. The staff members looked happy and like they enjoyed their assigned shifts. As someone who does staff for a different convention, maintaining a pleasant guest experience is important. I am always very pleased to see when cons improve upon themselves. Even the convention security situation was a much more pleasant experience than 2017.

When I had discomforts about an uncomfortable situation at the convention and expressed them with a staff member, they did not disregard my concerns. The staff member took my discomfort seriously and notified security. I was extremely pleased to be taken seriously in regards to this situation, as that has never happened before at other conventions. So, for future con goers to Los Angeles Comic Con, please feel free to voice your concerns to staff members, if need be. Never feel like you cannot say anything to anyone. From my experiences, last year, someone will listen to you.

In 2017, I rated the con 8/10, but based on how well they improved upon themselves from 2017 to 2018, I believed that they deserved an increase in rating to 9/10.  I cannot wait to see what 2019 brings.

Peep some photos I took from last year's con:

@januarycosplay - Star Wars

@thebigloserqueen - Snow White

@miss_madra_rua - Gwenpool

I JUST LOVE THAT MASCOT

Coming soon to LACC 2019:

COSPLAY COSPLAY COSPLAY!

I really like that this year is very cosplay focused. Anyone who has followed my blog or either of my Instagram pages knows that I am both a cosplayer and a cosplay photographer. In 2019, Los Angeles Comic Con will have both The Dark Crystal Cosplay Competition and the Cosplay National Championship. Click the links to apply for both competitions, if you're interested in competing! There will also be a Kid's Halloween Costume Contest and Indoor Trick-or-Treating. I like the idea of indoor trick-or-treating because it's a safe alternative for children that might not be able to go out at night on Halloween . It's also reminiscent of what malls used to do in my childhood.  As for me, I was asked to participate in a cosplay group based off of Savannah Alexandra's Puppettes and Purrlesque's fan art, so I hope to be able to fulfill that request to the best of my abilities. I've never done a cosplay group before despite cosplaying for over 14 years. Also, I've been on a con hiatus essentially all summer due to personal reasons and am looking forward to getting back into it. Los Angeles Comic Con is a relatively good sized con where you can wear a more elaborate cosplay and not worry about it being ripped.

There are a lot of interesting guests coming in 2019 as well. Some are giving panels, such as Gerard Way, while others are going to be making appearances and doing autograph signings.

Tickets: If you don't have a full weekend free and are interested in attending Los Angeles Comic Con 2019, the one-day passes are rather affordable for the size of the con. Also, the three day passes are rather decent as well. Children under 12 are free with a paying adult badge too! Very few cons do that, so that's a great perk, if you would like to take your child with you to the con. :)

Anyhoo! That's all from me for now! If you do happen to go to LACC 2019, I hope you have a safe and amazing con experience!

I've also recently created a photography portfolio & post my favorite photos from various cons in there now as well, so check that out too.

Me cosplaying as Blake Belladonna from RWBY (LACC 2018) - Photography courtesy of @jackofsometradesx11

Till Next Time!

-Hachi

Happy Anniversary Long Beach Comic Con 2018! - Press Edition

Hi all! Things have been pretty busy since last time I have posted. I got a full time job! So exciting! I'm working with voice recognition software and programming it to understand human speech better! I love being able to utilize my Linguistics degree for what my interests lie in. So, yes posts might come slower than I would like because I also do photography as a side job, but the posts will certainly keep on coming! Anyhoo, that is not the reason for today's blog. Today's blog is all about Long Beach Comic Con! Last month, I had the pleasure of attending LBCC for two days as press. It was also their 10th anniversary, so happy anniversary, or how we con nerds call it - coniversary, LBCC! <3

Overall Con Breakdown:

The convention was not in the usual location facing the Pike Outlets, but on the side facing the fountain. While it was a minor inconvenience as some of the signs were slightly hard to tell where they were pointing to, this location was extremely ideal from an outdoor photography perspective. The bag check for the most part was rather acceptable.

 However, one problem that I can state that I had was borderline sexual harassment during Saturday of the con on the part of the security asking me to lift up my shirt after stating to prior security personnel that I had a corset under my cosplay. Cosplay is not consent, nor will it ever be. We must stand firm and call out all wrongdoers.  All of the other security personnel had accepted my statement about my corset (which is still noticealy visible under my cosplay), had just simply wanded me, and were going to send me on my way. However, this one particular security worker decided he would try and convenience me to lift up my shirt for him when my corset can be see through my shirt. By lift up my shirt, I mean my entire shirt, not just a little bit. To which, I promptly told him off and stated that the lining and busk was visible without the need to remove anything. That was an unfortunate mishap that in no way, shape, or form reflects on the convention or the convention center, but on the person, himself. I should hope, that they are dealt with after I gave my report. Unfortunately, that particular experience had me off to a bad start for the day on Saturday.

I was worried this bad mindset would continue; however, getting to the press check in process was great! The staff member that ran that section was extremely friendly and welcoming. That instantly boosted my mood and every other security team member was amazing and showed great professionalism in their duties. The vendor's hall has something for everyone too. They even incorporated wresting this year as that has garnished more interest at conventions in the recent year or two.  I got to meet and talk with various artists in the artist alley and see how their con experience was going and was even interviewed as well. I attended the Space Expo panel, "So you want to build an R2", which featured a group of panelists discussing how they built their own replicas of the iconic Star Wars character along with other droids.

Photography wise, I shot both indoors where the beautiful lights were and outdoors by the reflective windows near the fountain were. Depending on the aesthetics you're looking for, this convention center in particular is quite possibly the most aesthetically pleasing one to me. At this con, I cosplayed as both Velvet Scarlatina from RWBY and Rouge the Bat from Sonic the Hedgehog. One a faunus photographer another an international jewel thief. A fun fact about me, I connect better with non human characters.

Velvet Scarlatina

Rouge the Bat, photography courtesy of @yorkinabox

As stated many times in the past, I am a cosplaying photographer, so I happen to look at the con from the lens of both an insider and outsider's perspective. From an insider perspective, Long Beach Comic Con is such a welcoming and inviting con, that is why I always enjoy going to this particular con every year. They are a very cosplay friendly convention and do all that they can to ensure that the public remains safe, and that cosplayers are not limited in any way with what they can cosplay within reason. From an outsider's perspective, the con has grown so much over the years I have been attending it. I am so pleased and I can see why so many people are willing to purchase the lifetime pass to the con. I know a few that have it, and none of them regret it at all. The con continues to grow and thrive as a welcoming atmosphere to both new and old attendees. I am looking forward to Long Beach Comic Expo in February. Some of my happiest memories happened at this year's Long Beach Comic Con and I am looking forward to creating more in the years to come.
(all photos below taken by me)

Soldier 76 x Fallout 76 mashup by @alexdrastal

Cinder Fall - RWBY cosplayed by @kajicosplays

Psylocke - X-Men cosplay by @utahimecosplay

8.5/10 (honestly, this is one of my favorite cons, I would probably go to this con and Long Beach Comic Expo for as long as they run)
Pros:

• Friendly Staff 
• Considering that I am a staff member for other unaffiliated cons, we represent the face of the con. So I take professionalism and a good attitude to heart, this can make or break a con for so many people.
• Many things to do
• Interesting Panels
• I attended a panel on how to build your own R2D2, that was extremely cool as my old research lab tried to build a robot before
• One thing I like about the panels at LBCC is that there is honestly something for everyone. Some cons do not get very diverse in their panels, and more of them need to. 

Cons:

• The parking situation was not ideal
• This was a complaint I heard from many that I asked about what was their least favorite part of the con. I think the Pike Outlet parking threw so many people off.
• Location change/ Signage
•  I didn't mind the location change all that much
• However, many people, myself included found the signage explaining where the new location was and how to get to it were completely thrown off by it.

Stay tuned for more posts! I still have to tell y'all about NerdbotCon, CBD Expo, and LA Comic Con!

Till Next Time!

-Hachi

Ready or not! It's Almost Time for Nerdbot-Con!

Hi guys! This is a busy later half of the con season for me as some of my favorite cons happen in September! One of them happens to be Nerdbot-Con! Nerdbot-Con is an extremely affordable one day con that happens in Pasadena, California. This con is like a fine wine, it gets better with age. No joke! I have attended each year since it has started and it has become more elaborate and continued to the bar without breaking the bank. That is one of the reasons I am extremely pleased to be covering this event as a member of the press, this year. I hope to see you there! Read below for more info! :)




Date: August 14 th , 2018

NERDBOT MEDIA presents NERDBOT-CON 2018

Saturday September 22 nd , 2018
10am – 5pm

*ONE DAY ONLY NERD CULTURE AND COSPLAY CONVENTION*
*Over 120 Vendors*Celebrity Guests*Cosplay Contests*Nerd Karaoke*
*Nerf Gun Zombie Shoot Out*Photo Rooms*Panels*Live Music*Performances*

AND MORE!

*Tickets are on sale now for $18/will go up to $22 at the door*
*Kids under 12 are free with Adult Ticket purchase*

*Celebrity Guests Include*
Gregg Berger – Cartoon Voice Actor
Rikki Simmons – Cartoon Voice Actor
Suzie Plakson – Star Trek Actress

Rikishi – WWE Hall of Famer

Christopher Khayman Lee – Power Rangers Actor
Jack Guzman – Power Rangers Actor
Gigi Edgley – Actress
Eric Bauza – Voice Actor
And More!

All paid ticket holders have free entry to the Nerdbot-Con After-Party!

This will be NERDBOT MEDIA’S 3rd annual NERDBOT-CON at the Pasadena Convention
Center.
In 2018, we are going to go bigger and better with more activities, more vendors, more music,
more guests, more games, and awesome panels!

NERDBOT-CON is your alternative to huge, faceless and expensive conventions with long lines
and enormous crowds that steal your soul (and your wallet!). Our safe and family friendly event
is centrally located in the heart of beautiful Pasadena, California.

NERDBOT MEDIA, a leading company in new media and journalism, has been organizing great
meet ups, after parties, and night events in the Los Angeles area for the past three years,
including the brand-new smash hit anime convention Anime Pasadena.

Our staff has been attending and covering conventions for years now. We think it’s time for
something different! NERDBOT-CON is a fun and interactive event for all attendees.
Cosplayers, photographers, collectors, and all Nerds and geeks that just want to go out, see their
friends, and have an AWESOME time.

Our mission is to bring the very best photographers, videographers, vendors, and entertainment
to the beautiful Pasadena Convention Center. It’s going to be an amazing day of interactive
giveaways, panels, Cosplay contests and photoshoots.

Our official NERDBOT-CON 2017 Highlight Video is available on YouTube!
The Grand Geek Gathering reviewed NERDBOT-CON 2017 and had an amazing time!

Find NERDBOT all over Social Media:
NERDBOT-CON on Facebook
NERDBOT Media Official Website
NERDBOT Media on Facebook
NERDBOT Media on Twitter
NERDBOT Media on Instagram
NERDBOT Media on YouTube

For inquiries about Nerdbot Media and Nerdbot-Con please contact:
Elvin@nerdbot.com
Anthony@nerdbot.com
Loryn@nerdbot.com



Let me know in the comments below, if you'll be enjoying any cons this fall! 🍂🍂🍂
Till Next Time!

-Hachi

Watchuknow about Long Beach Comic Expo? - Press Edition

Hi all! Have you guys ever have instances of writer's block? That's what went on with me these past few months. Even though I had so much to write about, and so much to say, I couldn't motivate myself to put words on paper, so to speak. I cannot stand the feeling. It makes me sad to have so much to say, but just could not for the life of me find the drive to put words on paper. However, I am back and would much enjoy writing about the latest convention that I had the pleasure of being press for, last month. That convention is Long Beach Comic Expo, hosted at the Long Beach Convention Center by Mad Event Management!

I have been attending LBCE for the past three years now. I have been a regular attendee, a panelist, and now a member of the press. LBCE is a two day annual convention that happens in February. Before this convention, there is a smaller conference for Comic Creators called Comic Creator Conference or C3. At the end of this conference, they have an awards gala for the Dwayne McDuffie award for Diversity in Comics. I was lucky enough to be a guest to this gala. Us guests got to see some of the biggest names in the comic book and creative pop culture world give speeches such as: Don McGregor (Black Panther & Jungle Action) and Phil LaMarr (Static Shock & Samurai Jack). We also got to learn a little bit about the five finalists and see a video acceptance of the winner of the 2018 award. Afterwards, we were treated to hor d'ourves and drinks. This event also allowed people to networks after the conference from the afternoon prior.

I always go to both Long Beach Comic Con and Long Beach Comic Expo the entire weekend. These events are very diverse in that they are more than just comic book driven. They are a collaboration of artists, cosplayers, photographers, media, and other industry professionals. Since Black Panther had just came out, several panels about the character and his series were also happening. I like that the convention stayed relevant to the times in the pop culture realm. I also like that Long Beach Comic Expo has a Space Expo attached to it. It's a nice added addition. The bag checks and security screenings were very easy to go through and efficient. The convention felt very safe as local law enforcement were at the con as well to keep the peace. The food trucks were out giving attendees options outside of the restaurants and convention center dining. The staff actually looked like they wanted to be there, which is not the case at some conventions I have attended. The security workers had good vibes and positive attitudes, which made for a welcoming experience.

I had a blast at the convention for the most part. 9/10 stars (would always attend, if given the chance and opportunity) By the way, the dates for next year's Long Beach Comic Expo are : February 16-17, 2019. If you can't wait that long and want to enjoy another Long Beach convention, Long Beach Comic Con, also hosted by MAD Event Management is September 8th and 9th, 2018. Check them both out, if you can! :) This year is also Long Beach Comic Con's 10th show!

The only downside was, I have two convention creeps that follow me around most cons, and one creepy vendor that had previously sexually harassed me at LBCC, and encountered two of the three. One, I was able to get away from, and the other proceeded to push his boundaries by practically french kissing my hand after I said I wasn't comfortable hugging him. If I could ever get photos of the three, I would make sure they couldn't harass anyone else. They only seem to do it when security is not around. A possible solution to this is to have more security and make them roam the hall floors more often, as well as the outer limits of the con.

 If anyone in my viewership has ever been harassed or stalked at a con, concert, or other event, please go to someone trusted for help. It is not your fault, and never will be your fault. Cosplay or any type of attire worn is not consent for unwanted advances or sexual harassment. Be someone's advocate, or be your own, but most importantly be safe and aware.


I would normally post a bunch of photos from the convention, but unfortunately, Adobe Lightroom CC Mobile messed up on me and deleted all of my photos from the con. Luckily, I was able to upload a few cosplayer photos before this happened and those can be found on my photography Instagram page: @himawarisayscheese.


Let me know in the comments below what your favorite part of comic book, anime, or pop culture conventions is. My next major con that I will be writing about is Lvl Up Expo in Las Vegas, NV. Take care and treat each other with kindness.


Till Next Time!

-Hachi

LACC 2017 Recap - Press Edition

Hi all! I know this is a little delayed of a post, but I've been extremely busy, this month. I went to Vancouver, British Columbia for a week to present my Master's Thesis at a research conference. I also went to Fan Expo Vancouver, fun times were had! I digress though, today's post is about Los Angeles Comic Con, so I hope that you enjoy it since "con season" is essentially over for the year in California.

Me cosplaying as Nana Osaki from the manga/anime Nana. - LACC Day 1

I attended LACC for three days as a press member. That was an interesting experience for my first time officially covering a larger convention despite some hiccups along the way. I would like to recap each day attended and end this post with my overall opinion of LACC 2017. This review is fully honest and not sugar coated in the least bit.

Friday: 
I arrived at the convention a few hours after badge pick up opened and noticed that there were banners to tell attendees where to go line up at. That was very efficient because they had a line for regular attendees with weapons, without weapons, with bags, and a line for VIP, Press/Exhibitors/Panelists. This made the shuffle easier to go about as bag check right upon entry was fast and hassle free. Afterwards, we had to go to the pre-registration booth for press to get our badge. The main issue with this part was that many of the staffers running the badge pick up were not very cordial with the attendees and it did not make for a welcoming experience. However, the bag check security members were really kind people. The convention opened 30 minutes later than they were supposed to despite only having the vendor's hall and the fashion show happening on Friday. I am someone that typically enjoys going to panels on the slower days, so that was a little disappointing that there were no panels happening. I was able to do some photo shoots with various cosplayers though and that was nice. The overall downside to the Friday convention was that the night security staff had horrible attitudes and threatened my photographer friends and I. The way these security guards acted did not represent the convention well at all. If anything, it reflected negatively on the convention given that these people are selected to work a convention and should do their best to keep the attendees happy.

The full look of my Nana Osaki cosplay - photography courtesy of @francheezy24_7

Many cosplayers came casual on Friday - @francheezy24_7

While cosplayers went all out on Friday -@actcostumes

Saturday: 
I decided to get to the convention a little later, and did a few photo shoots as both a cosplayer and as a photographer. I didn't attend any panels that day, but I did get to collaborate with other photographers to hone my craft. I also spoke with various cosplayers and photographers asking how the convention was going for them. The overall opinion for Saturday was positive. Most people, including myself had a great time on Saturday. All of the security were friendly and way more lax when it came to closing time than they were on Friday when they kept threatening us. They still opened up the vendor hall later than expected as I was told by other attendees. I spent a majority of my time doing photo shoots with my friend Derek ( @tammohawk.photography). He was teaching me how to do studio style photography with lights. I am rather pleased with how the photos came out. Saturday was probably my favorite day of the convention.

A practice session with @takingbacksam as genderbent halloween Harley Quinn & @tammohawk.photography.

@allyn_monroe slays as Emma Frost

@misstinakay89 kicking butt as Damian Wayne's Robin. 

@nikki_s_k as Injustice Raven

Sunday:
I came to the convention a little later and checked out the Disney cosplayer gathering to get some photos for that event. I also did some photography with my partner: Jerry (@jackofalltradesx11) as both his model and fellow photographer. We went around the vendors hall and checked out various booths. We spent a decent amount of time at the booth of Alicia Marie Body. She was the nicest person I have ever met for a "popular" cosplayer. She was funny, cordial, and welcoming to everyone, who came to check out her booth. I also bought a Reptar Bar from the FYE booth. The overall downside of this day was that I was sexually harassed on six different occasions by both men and a woman. As a result, I would like to express this regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, "COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT"! Do not ever touch or grab at a person just because they are in cosplay. Always ask politely for photographs or any contact, and do not make vulgar sexual remarks towards any person. Please refer back to my previous post on how to experience your first con. There were no security around to report a person, who has stalked me for the past two years at a different convention to the point I have to always be around someone at cons or I feel uncomfortable going. I am certain that this particular person, who commonly cosplays as Waldo has done this to other people as well. This can be fixed by having a larger amount of security at a con.

@aliciamariebody as Lola Bunny

@spideydna as Spider-Man

@justnaction as Black Panther. I can't wait for that movie, next year!

@_jaegerb_ as a genderbent Joker

My overall takeaways from LACC 2017:

• The con had a primarily chill atmosphere. 
• They need to hire better security as I was told by multiple photographers that they were threatened by security guards and nothing happened upon reporting it.
• The booklets were simple  to understand and straight to the point.
• Most attendees were more interested in the vendor's hall than the panels.
• Cosplayers were more likely to attend on the bigger days rather than the opening days. 
• The staff needs to be a bit more enthusiastic especially when people are picking up badges. 
• I have done badge pickup duty for both SDCC and WonderCon & have noticed when the people giving the badges are upbeat, it makes for an overall better experience for the attendees. 
• Fix the communication between professional attendees on guest lists as many people doing panels were not on the list and could not easily pick up their badges
• The public relations staff is great with communication though. (I was always kept up to date with all new announcements regarding the con. )
• The convention needs to be more strict on timing and stay true to their scheduling.
• Con rating: 8/10
• I would return again for 2018
• The factors that caused this rating were the lack of enthusiasm by several staff members, opening the vendor's hall late, not enough security guards, and the fact that nothing was done about security guards threatening attendees. 
• All of these factors are fixable. 
• I hope to actually makes the Club Comic Con event, next year too. 

Well that's it for my LACC review! I hope this was thorough enough, and stay tuned for my future posts now that I have free time again!

Did you attend LACC? What was your overall opinion of the con? Let me know in the comments below.

Till Next Time!

-Hachi

Cosplay Mashups: Zelda Quinn

Hi all! Sorry for the random hiatus! I've been in the midst of a "con crunch " for San Diego Comic Con and spent a while working on my cosplay. A con crunch is when you try and finish a cosplay close to the start of a convention. I made the whole outfit on one week and two days. I would probably never do that again, it was extremely stressful considering that I had never used a pattern before. The pattern is by Simplicity #8113, R5. It's their version of Princess Zelda from the Twilight Princess game in the Legend of Zelda series. My pet peeve about patterns is that they are extremely expensive for being on flimsy tissue paper. I recommend waiting until Joanns has their 1.99$/pattern sales. Save your self some money! That's what I did and that's also the reason why I had such limited time to make it. The reason I call her Zelda Quinn is because it is a mashup between Princess Zelda and Harley Quinn.  Every year that I volunteer for SDCC, I go to Harleypalooza. That would be the Harley Quinn cosplay gathering. I always have to be different, so instead of making her classic or canon outfits for the gathering, I always do some sort of mashup. It's become a bit of a tradition for me now. I made the whole thing in under 65$, with my goal being under 75$. I think I did pretty well for myself. The only downside is that by the end of the day,  after being "peace bonded", which means that they attached my "weapon, or prop to my costume", the security ripped my overlay. Sadly, I will have to repair it for the next gathering or convention I go to. Otherwise, I am glad I got some great shots before that happened and that my post-ripped overlay shots were modified to hide the rip, but those are not processed yet.  Without further ado, I will show you guys some of my SDCC photoshoot photos. I really hope that you like them! Below is also a quick review of SDCC 2017.

Photography courtesy of Ron Z. Photography

Photography Courtesy of Michael Greening

Photography courtesy of Snapshot 360 Photography

Photography courtesy of Snapshot 360 Photography 

SDCC Review:
As usual, I attended San Diego Comic Con as a volunteer. I have been volunteering with Comic-Con International for five years now. It still is an enjoyable opportunity for me. For many people, volunteering is the only way to actual get into the convention as it has grown exponentially over the years. It was another humid day in San Diego, as it has been every year I've volunteered. It felt like there were more people at the convention, this year, as opposed to last year. The staff were not as helpful as I would have liked them to be, but they were for the most part very kind. The officers on duty were extremely kind, courteous and easy to approach. There were plenty of panels going on and the usual mad rush to Hall H. I actually decided to do outdoor activities for the first time since I started going and had a blast at the FXhibition. I hope that they bring that back for next year. I also enjoyed playing the video games, but I did feel like there were less video game exhibits offered this year. Or quite possibly, they were spread out more than usual. Another favorite of mine is the walking dead section where the zombies come after you. One of them actually managed to scare me this time, it was pretty funny. I also FINALLY found out how to get to the back of the convention center to do the cosplay gathering stair shoots. Only took five years to find that out hehe. I unfortunately didn't get the volunteer shirt this year due to miss communication in the volunteer room, and that was extremely unfortunate. Other than the staff ripping my costume while peace bonding me, not getting the volunteer t-shirt this year were the two downsides of the con this year. The rest of it, and being able to reconnect with friends was great. I will always enjoy volunteering for this convention.


That's all I have for now, but I'll continue to add more as I get more photos back! Let me know in the comments below if you have any cosplay suggestions for me. :)

Till Next Time !

-Hachi

How to Survive the Con-pocalypse!

Hi all!

As promised, I am giving you all some pro tips on how to survive your first con! I've been attending cons consecutively since 2005, while cosplaying for the majority of them. I currently average at attending around 8 cons per year. Sometimes more, rarely less. I've volunteered for Comic-Con International for the past 5 years, and have been on panels for other cons.

I was tasked by Vegas.com to provide some tips to their viewers attending Lvl Up Expo in Las Vegas, NV. Lvl Up Expo is known as the ultimate gaming and anime convention of Las Vegas. It runs from May 12-14, 2017. If you'd like to go to this con, check out some of these nice travel deals! I've only been to Las Vegas one time as an adult, so I hope to go back soon! Another good website to use for registering for conventions is Eventbrite. Some conventions use this service as a quick and easy way to register for their events. I have primarily utilized the site for smaller cons, but big ones do use the service as well. Anyhoo, onto the tips, with a little bit of a twist!

Nurse Morrigan at Comikaze Expo/Stan Lee's L.A. Comic Con 2016  - courtesy of Novice Snapshots

Pro tips for attending your first con!

1. Remember cosplay is not consent.
• Never touch or photograph a cosplayer without their permission. 
2.  Stay hydrated
• Bringing your own water and refreshments is a good way to avoid sticker shock at the con.
• Some cons do allow hydration packs.
• As some cons have the tendency to draw large crowds, ie. San Diego Comic-Con, & Anime Expo, it can be easy to overheat, especially in cosplay. Drinking a decent amount of water can keep you cool and avoid heat exhaustion.
3. Utilize "Day 0" as often as you can. 
• Day 0 is meant for picking up your badge early. It helps you not miss out on those panels you'd like to attend by having to wait in line for your badge.
• Occasionally, day 0 has some early access perks.
4. Anticipate long lines, especially if you attend on the expected "busy" days of the con.
•  This is called "line-con" as a term of endearment. 
• Lines can get long for big panels, screenings, con exclusives, and badge pickups.
5.  Cosplayers:
• Anticipate that many people might ask for your photograph. 
• Never feel obligated to give a photograph, if you do not feel comfortable doing so.
• Unfortunately, some people at cons do not have the best of intentions.
• If you are cosplaying as a princess or superhero, expect kids to come up to you. Be polite to children and if possible, act in character. It really makes a child's day to see that.  
• To piggy back off that, most conventions are family friendly. Please consider that when you think about what you would like to cosplay as. 
6. Bring cash with you, not every vendor will have a POS (point of sale) machine or a Square reader.
•  Sometimes, vendors will give special deals for patrons using cash.
7.  Photographers: 
• Don't forget to ask permission to photograph a cosplayer.
• If you are worried about forgetting to credit the cosplayer, bringing blank pieces of paper, having the cosplayer fill out their information on it, and snapping that photo first before the shoot helps with combating that.
8. Bring a friend! 
• Cons are a lot more enjoyable when you have a buddy to go with.
•  However, if you do end up going alone, cons are a great way to meet people. I have made several friends from all of my con attendances.
9. Do the demos! 
• One of my favorite parts of attending video game expos is trying out all of the new games before my friends. 
• The lines don't take that long and you get a decent amount of game play time.  
10. Just have fun! 
• In the end, the con is what you make it out to be.  
• So try to make it one of the best experiences you will ever have and enjoy yourself! :)

So here's the twist, I've interviewed some of my friends and asked them to provide their own pro tips for attending your first con as well! Please take a look and enjoy! Links to their pages will be provided in their names, so please give them some love! :)

Provided by Queen Akemii & Taken by wafflopogusarts

Name: Shae - ( Queen Akemii  )
How long have you been attending cons?:
Ive been attending conventions since 2013, which is 4 years. 
What is your favorite thing to do at the cons?: My favorite thing to do at cons is going to panels, especially those crowd interacting ones. They're always fun to just watch, even if you're too shy to join in.
What role do you play at cons? (cosplayer, photographer, handler, or multiplayer mode):
I'm a cosplayer, but I casually take photographs of other cosplayers during my down time at cons. 
So, what's your pro tip?: 
A tip that I'll have for others that are interested in joining the community will be to just go with the flow. Majority everyone at the con scene are extremely nice. Don't be afraid to approach new people so you can gain friends. It's a welcoming community and we'll love to have you.

Derek is essentially my photography sensei (teacher), who gives me tips to use in my own photography

Name: Derek - ( Tammohawk Photography )
How long have you been attending cons?: Since 2014, AX (Anime Expo) was my first con.
What is your favorite thing to do at the cons?:
I like to check out the artist alleys. Outside of photography, I also like to draw. I enjoy supporting other artists.
What role do you play at cons? (cosplayer, photographer, handler, or multiplayer mode): Photographer! For now, I would like to start cosplaying soon.
So, what's your pro tip?:
For photographers, make business cards. It really helps cosplayers figure out where their photos are at after the con. Also, utilize bag check rooms, if provided. These help so that you aren't carrying heavy items around all day during the con.

Ezra's photography accounts for a majority of my con based posts on here. He's amazing, check out his work!

Name: Ezra - ( Novice Snapshots )
How long have you been attending cons?: 
I've been attending cons on and off since 2005.
What is your favorite thing to do at the cons?: Hit the dealer's hall, artist alley, food trucks, and most recently, hang out with friends. 
What role do you play at cons? (cosplayer, photographer, handler, or multiplayer mode): Photographer and handler. Plus, I always keep an eye out for con creeps.
So, what's your pro tip?:
Plan ahead for parking and be early.



That's all folks! I hope my friends and mine's tips and experiences have helped to make your first con experience more exciting! Let me know in the comments below how your first con experience was. :) Special thanks to Queen Akemii, Tammohawk Photography, and Novice Snapshots for being willing to be interviewed for my blog. :)


Till next time!

-Hachi

Wonder(con)ful Day for Some Cosplay!

Hi all!

Today, I'm going to show you some of the photography I did at WonderCon. I went for days 2 and 3 and cosplayed as two different characters. My character for Day 1 (2) is Atsuko Jackson from the anime Michiko to Hatchin, and my character for day 2 (3) was Morrigan Aensland from Darkstalkers/Marvel Vs. Capcom (and other Vs. Capcom games). During WonderCon, I worked with three photographers in particular for cosplay photoshoots: James Rulison of Rulison Photography, Ezra Ramirez of NoviceSnapshots, and Derek Tam of Tammohawk Photography. I did take photos for other photographers, but not actual photoshoots. I'll post a photo from their collection at the end, but first, a brief overview of my characters.

Atsuko Jackson:

Atsuko is a recurring character in the anime Michiko to Hatchin. This anime takes place in alternate reality Brazil and covers several topics. These topics include race relations, strong female characters, class differences, coming of age, and family dynamics. Atsuko is a sergeant of the police force tasked with capturing her childhood friend, Michiko Malandro. Throughout the whole series, Atsuko's past with Michiko comes to haunt her. She feels conflicted between doing her job and her feelings about her old friend. Atsuko's character is occasionally is considered to be a lesbian because of how she feels about Michiko and this is referred to within the anime. Atsuko's look is reminiscent of blaxploitation films of the 1960s and 70s. For this year's cosplay line up, I wanted to primarily focus on incorporating more POC characters in my cosplay. My reasoning is that representation matters.

Photography courtesy of  NoviceSnapshots

Photography Courtesy of Rulison Photography

 Morrigan Aensland:

Morrigan is a very popular character in the mainstream gaming world. Getting her start in the 1994 arcade game, Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors, she has grown into a household name in the gaming community. Morrigan is considered an anti-hero character rather than a villain. Funny thing is, I almost solely cosplay as anti-heros and villains. Morrigan's backstory is that she is a Scottish succubus from the late 1600s and the head of her clan. She's silly, flirty, playful, narcissistic, and hedonistic.  The sole reason she is not considered a villain or evil is because she is both friendly and approachable.  This results from her constant adventures into the world of humans. Outside of the Darkstalkers series, Morrigan makes appearances in other games including the *insert company name* vs. Capcom games, and even an anime series, where she was the main antagonist. Another factoid about me is that most of the characters I cosplay as are the opposite of my personality, ie, flirty, sexy, overconfident, etc.

Photography courtesy of Tammohawk Photography

Photography courtesy of The Steel Shark with my good friend, Crystal Rose Creations

Stay tuned for my next blog where I give pro tips on how to enjoy and thrive at your very first convention! :)

Till Next Time!

-Hachi

Poisonous Kisses to my little Ivy leaves

Hi all! So sorry for the delayed post. I've been waiting for my cosplay photos to show up before I posted a new blog post. I hope everyone has been well and had a happy February, especially that one extra day. Any Leap Year proposals out there? ;) My February went decently, but these last two months have gone by so fast that it's basically all a blur. I kind of wonder if the rest of the year will be that way. School has been slightly busy with group assignments, and we all know how annoying those can be. All you really need is a good partner. :) Well, let me stop rambling on and post some cosplay photos! These photos were done at Fairmount Park in Riverside, CA on Superbowl Sunday during a cosplay photoshoot day where cosplayers, models, and photographers collaborated with each other. At this photoshoot, I only cosplayed as Poison Ivy from Batman and these photos come from a photographer called James Ortiz and I'll post his info now. He can be found on IG under the name: fkimagery , and on Facebook as Photographer James Ortiz . He's a great photographer and really nice guy, and I recommend him if you're in the Inland Empire area. :) Here's some of the photos from this shoot:

My next major cosplay will be Tira's feathery costume from Soul Caliber V, along with minor projects. So look out for that in the upcoming months. :) Does anyone have any cosplay they are working on?  Let me know in the comments below.

Till Next Time!

-Hachi

Hiatus is Over! Life Update

Hi all!

   I've had a very long hiatus from blogging! Pretty all summer I abstained from my blogging page. So sorry for that! I have been very busy and life gets in the way. Mostly all summer I just worked and did appointments. I didn't travel much at all during the summer, but I did move to a different county in Southern CA. It was a goodbye to the desert and hello to suburbia. I had a pretty successful move, but I also have been feeling a bit unmotivated since moving which accounts for part of the reason I haven't been posting much. Also, we had a family emergency back home ,which resulted in new living situations my family, as well and saying goodbye to my childhood home. :/ We still live in the same hometown though.
   Aside from the bad parts of the summer, I also had some good moments. This summer I went to San Diego Comic-Con as a volunteer for the third year in a row and even made a new friend. :) I also went to Long Beach Comic Con, and Touhou Con before the summer officially ended. I was able to have outing with a handful of my friends both from my hometown and from undergrad/graduate school.
   I have a couple of conventions coming up in the next few months and am looking forward to them. I have various cosplay ideas planned out and can't wait to show them. Until then, I will post photos of my two most recent cosplay projects below. :)
   Another great thing is that I have finally ended a one year writing hiatus on my novel and have so far added six new pages to it. I hope to continue this roll in both my novel and on my blog.  As a treat, I will be posting up at least one blog a week to get back into the swing of things and this can range from craft projects, restaurant reviews, cosplay creations, novel excerpts, recipes, product reviews, or almost anything that you request. It's my way of making up for my lack of attentiveness :)

   Without further ado, here are my cosplay photos from San Diego Comic-Con, and Touhou Con.

Harley Quinn -1950s style

Genderbent Shizuo from Durarara

If anyone has suggestions for future blogs, please let me know in the comments below! :)


Till Next Time!

-Hachi

Comics, Cosplay, and Fun for all! :D

Hi Everyone! So sorry for the late blogs again..... I have been in midterm and presentation mode for the past month and things are finally slowing down! :) So with that said, I will post some photos of my last two events I attended: Long Beach Comic Expo and Riverside Cosplay Gathering. I am pretty sure I have said I am an all over Californian so I try to go to multiple events all over the place. I can't wait for my next convention adventure. :)

Me with some CSU Long Beach students cosplaying as Ash and Misty

Long Beach Comic Expo- This is still a fairly new convention for Long Beach. I believe this was the third year it has occurred. I went on the Saturday, which was the bigger day of the two day con. I cosplayed as Dawn from Pokemon, which was a cosplay I created through mostly upcycling. I took photos with kids, and did selfies with other Pokemon cosplayers. I met Agnus Oblong, the creator of The Oblongs, and got an autographed drawing from him. I also haggled for an hour with a comic book dealer to get the first issue of Black Panther, which I was able to haggle down about $25. That felt great. Most people I encounter at comic cons do not do research on the book before coming to purchase, which makes haggling harder. I also did my usual Captain America pick up. That is a must for me as Captain America is my favorite superhero. :) I went to a couple of panels, one for Cosplay/ Geek Fashion, and one for DC comic's new endeavor called Divergence. That's about all I have to say for LBCE, and I hope to be able to attend Long Beach Comic Con at the end of the summer. Here are some more pictures from that con! :)

A drawing by Agnus Oblong. He has some really weird drawings in his album too lol

PikaPool and PikaAsh

Marceline the Vampire Queen

Also, I did the Riverside Cosplay Gathering, which was at Fairmount Park in Downtown Riverside. I met new people, did a photoshoot (that'll be a separate post when all my picture are done being worked with.), took pictures, just had some good fun. :) A lot of areas have cosplay gatherings : the Bay Area, the Central Valley, Orange County, the LA area. You just have to look for them and I recommend them all to find like minded people and immerse yourself into a community that is very loving and supportive.I might also say, that inconjunction with my Hachi and Life facebook page, I also have a cosplay page so feel free to follow! :) https://www.facebook.com/sunflowercosplay
Here are some pictures from the Riverside Cosplay Gathering:

Ash, Dawn, Knuckles (went turbo), Misty, Ash, and Sabrina.

Attack on Titan, Pokemon, and Panty & Stocking with a Garter Belt.

Till Next Time! (hopefully in less than a month !! -_-;;; )

-Hachi