How do I transform myself into a citizen of New Arcadia for PAX?

mentok1982 · June 2007

I was thinking it would be pretty cool to dress up as a newspaper boy from New Aracadia for all of or part of PAX 2007. I plan on making/buying period clothes and then making a fake newspaper that features pictures of Gabe, Tycho and the fruit fucker(s). I will of course want to wear a shirt with short sleeves and shorts because PAX is a hot environment. Luckily, I don't think this will conflict with the costume idea.

Here are some questions I have:

New Arcadia is in what country? America or Europe?
Does anyone know what decade (1930's, 1940's earlier??) the game most closely relates to?
What movies should I watch (besides Newsies) to pick up authentic speech?
Do you have tips on how to create the newspaper? Fonts? Paper to use? Links to images (I found this, this, this and these so far.)?

Thanks for any help and suggestions guys! I will of course post pictures of myself here once I finalize my costume and I hope I see you at PAX!

TychoCelchuuu · June 2007

It's most definitely America. The decade you'd go for would be from 1900 to mid 1930s, since that's the Lovecraftian era. It's steampunk plus Cthulu (plus Penny Arcade), basically, so you want Victorian talking mixed with a lot of swear words. Off the top of my head I can't think of any movies, but obviously books from that time period (Lovecraft for example, durr) would work as far as speech. As for what an old-timey newspaper looks like, The Onion has plenty of parodies up for your perusal. Just Photoshop whatever the heck you want over one of those.

HitScan · June 2007

For Font ideas hit up your local library. They probably have some papers from that era (20's - 30's) on Microfilm. I know we have some back to the late 1800's here.

I imagine the outfit will be pretty (stereo?)typical - white/beige button up shirt, short or rolled up sleeves, brown capri length or rolled up pants with matching suspenders, and a brown beret looking hat.

Additional note: I'm surprised how well the first page of Google Image Search results for "newsie" matches up with my description. I swear I didn't do that first, nor have I ever watched "Newsies" (looks horrid).

mentok1982 · June 2007

Thanks for the tips fellas! They will certainly come in handy. Anyone else have some thoughts?

Aldo · June 2007

If possible: grow sideburns?

mentok1982 · June 2007

Aldo wrote: »

If possible: grow sideburns?

No problem. I can grow some serious sideburns.

And by "serious" I mean sideburns that do not often engage in humorous or fanciful activities.

Aldo · June 2007

mentok1982 wrote: »

Aldo wrote: »

If possible: grow sideburns?

No problem. I can grow some serious sideburns.

And by "serious" I mean sideburns that do not often engage in humorous or fanciful activities.

I think it would look fancy with a beret. And IIRC both Gabe and Tycho had sideburns in the trailer.

mentok1982 · June 2007

I already own a plain black "navy seal" style beret, but I think I need to pick up a larger brownish beret. Maybe one of those that have a little bill on them.

Apparently the hat I am thinking of is not really a beret. A search for newsie hat yielded the following:
http://www.geocities.com/babsila/tobuy/hat.jpg

Aldo · June 2007

I think they call those "puffy hats", not sure though.

Moe Fwacky · June 2007

mentok1982 wrote: »

I plan on making/buying period clothes and then making a fake newspaper that features pictures of Gabe, Tycho and the fruit fucker(s).

You know, instead of making the fake newspaper, perhaps you should think about helping to distribute the PAX Steampunk zine that's being compiled by writers in the Writers Block.

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=22377

It seems fitting...

mentok1982 · June 2007

Moe_Fwacky wrote: »

mentok1982 wrote: »

I plan on making/buying period clothes and then making a fake newspaper that features pictures of Gabe, Tycho and the fruit fucker(s).

You know, instead of making the fake newspaper, perhaps you should think about helping to distribute the PAX Steampunk zine that's being compiled by writers in the Writers Block.

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=22377

It seems fitting...

Thank you Moe! I will change my idea to include their zine. I am going to ask them if they want to combine our ideas into an even more potent idea. How awesome would it be to have several New Arcadian Newspersons handing out the literature?

PRD · June 2007

Aldo wrote: »

I think they call those "puffy hats", not sure though.

I was going to call it a "bonnet", but my dad is from Scotland so that's why. My uncle still wears one all the time. Wikipedia calls it a "flat cap", and mentions the newsboy connection. Shouldn't be too hard to find, shop where old Scots go.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_cap

HitScan · June 2007

I didn't think Beret was the right name, but in my defense, they do look somewhat (superficially, a little) alike.

mentok1982 · June 2007

Princess RedDot wrote: »

Aldo wrote: »

I think they call those "puffy hats", not sure though.

I was going to call it a "bonnet", but my dad is from Scotland so that's why. My uncle still wears one all the time. Wikipedia calls it a "flat cap", and mentions the newsboy connection. Shouldn't be too hard to find, shop where old Scots go.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_cap

Thank you Princess! I hope you live happily ever after.

mentok1982 · June 2007

Since Dick Tracy is available to me for free (Comcast On Demand), I am going to watch that a few times. I hope to pic up some good period lingo/slang and maybe some costume ideas. I think I can base my outfit on an older version of "the kid".

strike_the_trip · June 2007

mentok1982 wrote: »

Since Dick Tracy is available to me for free (Comcast On Demand), I am going to watch that a few times. I hope to pic up some good period lingo/slang and maybe some costume ideas. I think I can base my outfit on an older version of "the kid".

I don't think Dick Tracy has the feel that RSPD has. It's more of a late 30s-40s gangsters in zoot suits atmosphere and you want a 1900s-1920s sci-fi Lovecraftian feel, right? I just stumbled on this video today and its look and feel reminded me of this thread.

I hope this helps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysYsFqwSJ7k

TychoCelchuuu · June 2007

The WETA Rayguns and other stuff like that is more Victorian steampunk than New Arcadia appears to be. New Arcadia is a lot more American looking, from the screenshots I've seen. I'm not sure if Dick Tracy's the perfect source, but Victorian speech probably isn't either.

strike_the_trip · July 2007

TychoCelchuuu wrote: »

It's steampunk plus Cthulu (plus Penny Arcade), basically, so you want Victorian talking mixed with a lot of swear words.

TychoCelchuuu wrote: »

I'm not sure if Dick Tracy's the perfect source, but Victorian speech probably isn't either.

A Flip-flopper, eh? Don't be upset with me just because I gave a better recommendation than The fucking Onion.

MSG'd!

Also, I like The Onion.

TychoCelchuuu · July 2007

Yeah, I kind of changed my mind. The steampunk and Cthulu seem to be influencing a lot of stuff, and we haven't seen more than like 2 lines of dialog, but looking at the docks, or the hobos, they look like they're going for Great Depression-ish America too. We don't have a lot to go on

mentok1982 · July 2007

My parents found the hat I was looking for. I have not seen it yet, but it is black and it apparently matches the detailed description I gave to my parents.

Soon I will go out searching for the rest of my wardrobe.

TrainwreckX · July 2007

mentok1982 wrote: »

Since Dick Tracy is available to me for free (Comcast On Demand), I am going to watch that a few times. I hope to pic up some good period lingo/slang and maybe some costume ideas. I think I can base my outfit on an older version of "the kid".

I see how old this post is, but is Dick Tracy still on demand? I haven't seen that movie in fooooooooooorever. If, so what section is it under?

mentok1982 · August 2007

TrainwreckX wrote: »

mentok1982 wrote: »

Since Dick Tracy is available to me for free (Comcast On Demand), I am going to watch that a few times. I hope to pic up some good period lingo/slang and maybe some costume ideas. I think I can base my outfit on an older version of "the kid".

I see how old this post is, but is Dick Tracy still on demand? I haven't seen that movie in fooooooooooorever. If, so what section is it under?

It is not on Comcast On demand. I went through the entire movie listing last night and it was not on there.