Welcome to the PAX East 2014 costume thread!
Yes, it has already begun!! Work on a new PAX costume starts as soon as the recovery from the last PAX is over!
What is everyone planning on doing for their costumes for 2014?
Any big ideas or even just concepts of what you might want to do?
Games or other things coming out or are already out that you might want to base a costume off of?
Got any questions about how to make something or need opinions and advice?
Want to show off your work and post pics?
Find more members for your costume group or talk about a costume contest?
You have found the right place, now post to your hearts content!
Can't wait to see everyone's awesome work this year!
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Please keep in mind this post will be updated as often as possible to provide current information.
FAQS:Are there really that many people that cosplay for PAX?
There are enough of us that you are reading this thread!
I'm not sure if I want to dress up, what do you think?
Dressing up is a personal choice. No one will judge you either way.
Does my costume have to be video game related?
Not at all! There are a wide variety of costumes from all themes in geek culture from Doctor Who to Power Rangers, anime to video games! If you want to wear a costume then do it!
I am a beginner at costume making, any advice?
Many people will have many different things to say about this. At the heart of it all is to stick to your comfort zone. Never sewn a thing in your life? Don't make a full Princess Peach gown. Start out with something simple enough that you can make it, and make it well enough for YOU to be proud of. Don't get intimidated by others. Many people who do the large scale things have been at this a while. Also, nothing wrong with taking some pieces from your own wardrobe or the store and using them.
I have a cool prop weapon, can I bring it!? (this is the biggest one of all so please read on carefully!)
Please refer to these rules first and use common sense.
If you ABSOLUTELY cannot find the answer to your question then please direct questions in a message to
AaronC who is the security manager of PAX.
Do not flood him with questions if your answer can be found here!!!NEW PAX ATTENDEE COSTUME WEAPON POLICY
The (NEW!!!) official policy is as follows:
Weapons Check Policies
All prop weapons brought to the show
MUST be approved at the Info Booth as soon as you arrive. We will be looking for the following criteria:
It cannot fire any sort of projectile. (Nerf guns are only allowed if they have been deactivated and cannot fire.)
It cannot be an airsoft weapon. (Yes, even if it’s deactivated.)
It cannot be sharp or pointy enough to cut or pierce someone with moderate pressure. This includes all real swords, daggers and knives. It also includes ceramic blades, needles, syringes and anything that can pierce (for example, a Little Sister syringe made of wood would not be allowed)
Upon approval, your weapon and badge will be tagged and cataloged.
What kind of restrictions on clothing are there?
As an attendee the only restriction is that your genitalia is not showing (for either sex) and for women your breasts should be covered as well. If you (as an attendee, not a paid employee of an exhibitor) want to wear the equivalent of a bikini, you can.
The restrictions for clothing apply to people working for Exhibitors (do not worry about these rules unless you are working for an Exhibitor, in that case, please refer to your employer).
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THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND IF GOING IN COSTUME:
*See weapons policy and peace bonding sections above for prop weapons (this really can't be stressed enough!)
*You will want to wear comfortable shoes. Shoes are required at all times anyways. Even if they do not match this is a HUGE deal. If you don't think you can walk all day in them, then don't do it.
*You will most likely get stopped for photos (especially if your costume is good). If you don't feel like it then simply tell the person that you are not doing pictures right now but to come find you later, the main thing is to be polite. Keep in mind also that some people are fans of "ninja photos", they walk by and nonchalantly snap a photo of you while you are simply standing there or eating, or...anything really. Once again be polite and sometimes you may even offer to take a nice photo for them (without your mouth full of food!).
*When taking pictures try to move out of the crowd and off to the side where there is less traffic (I am sure the person wanting the picture will also understand).
*The convention center will be hot. Keep this in mind especially for costumes with layers. Fake layers (fake collars, half sleeves that are sewn into a shirt to make it look like layers etc.) are all neat tricks to saving you from sweating like crazy.
*Weight of a costume can be a big issue. Think about it practically. If you can't carry the weight of a costume on you for the time that you will be in the center then don't wear it. Try to lighten up the load with hollow structures and the like. Remember that costumes don't always have to be the exact proportions of the original to look good.
*Costume size can also be a problem. Keep in mind that you will be wearing this into a convention center full of tons of people. No one wants to get smacked in the face by your giant Jesse from Pokemon wig or by your Final Fantasy bigger than a person sword.
*Swag is a very common thing, try to have a plan of where you will keep all your awesome shirts, buttons, magnets, games, etc. Matching bags are always a popular option. Having a buddy to help carry your stuff is also another option. Please note, there is limited coat check or spare room space to keep stuff in for attendees. It all depends on personal preference but is something to keep in mind.
*Freshness can be a little lacking by the third day of being in costume (this is not meant to offend anyone but this should be addressed). Try to change at least any underlayers to your costume everyday. If this can't happen then try to hang up the costume in your room for the night so that it can at least air out (febreeze isn't a bad option either). Wear deodorant and any other freshening toiletries that you prefer and shower each day to keep yourself and your costume nice and fresh.
*Finally, it is a good idea to carry a few safety pins (or your costume equivalent) with you to make on the fly repairs while at the convention center. Accidents happen, especially the more people you add to a situation. It would be a shame for someone to step on the hem of Kaylee's Fluffy Layer Cake Dress and have it rip and leave you exposed.

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GROUPS:
If you have a group page that you would like to have posted here then please PM me!
Keep in mind that most groups make a Facebook page to connect and organize through since things can get lost very easily on this thread.
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GROUP MEETUP TIMES AND LOCATIONS:
TBA (please PM me if you know of any)
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CONTESTS:
TBA (please PM me if you know of any)
S2 Games Costume Contest
An event to honor the creativity and ingenuity of cosplayers. S2 Games will be host to a Cosplay Contest at PAX East hosted Saturday, April 12th in room 159 of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
ANY costume is welcome as long as it does not violate convention rules
Grand Prize Winners in Male and Female categories will receive a $500 USD cash prize and be officially commissioned by S2 Games to create a costume for their upcoming MOBA Strife. There will be tons of other prizes, INCLUDING MOXIE PLUSHIES!
Check out details for this contest at
http://cosplay.s2games.com"
Posts
I'd like to point out a rule change regarding costume weapons. Arwen has the right info, there is no missprint. Realistic looking costume weapons are now allowed as long as they are not airsoft (working or not), nerf that works or fire any kind of projectile.
They still have to be inspected and tagged.
Have fun cosplaying this year.
I'm aware. Still a silly rule if you actually inspect the weapons though. And I doubt anyone is going to be dumb enough to engage in an airsoft battle within the convention center and get ejected.
I'm aware. Still a silly rule if you actually inspect the weapons though. And I doubt anyone is going to be dumb enough to engage in an airsoft battle within the convention center and get ejected.
PAX has not restricted attendee cosplay clothing, although I did ask Zangief to pull his pants up a little bit this last Prime.
The restrictions for clothing apply to people working for Exhibitors.
Haha I will change the original post, I am not aware of what goes on at East too well >.<
It is not in another forum so far as I know. I simply have not had the info in the OP because it has never come up since it has not been an issue for attendees (which is what I am concerned with haha XD , exhibitors have a whole different set of rules that they are informed of!). I will add it though
No worries, I figured that was the case.
Anyone else start already?
maybe. There aren't usually that many cosplayers from what I've gathered.
There is a certain appealing justice in this.
I would hope that no one would openly mock someone for being a character they were unfamiliar with. I think the situation would be more akin to curiousity. Some characters are instantly recognizable others however may be obscure. However, the kind of response you indicate to their unfamiliarity presumes that it is a highly recognizable character or that the person is a fan of or familiar with the particular series in question. I know that there are probably many cosplay characters which I will not be personally familiar with but I will enjoy seeing nonetheless - it doesn't mean I might not ask which character they are. I'm sorry but in my experience that kind of retort doesn't highlight their ignorance it would only serve to display yours. Much better to simply state who you are - who knows you may expand their world in the process.
Even I have an original character (this costume is straight out of my own head and cannot be found in games, movies, etc.) And the most people do is ask what it is from, I tell them I designed it, most people react with "oh cool!" and that is that
Don't worry about being recognized or being unrecognizable. Just do whatever costume you want, have fun with it, and be courteous to others who will in turn will most likely be courteous to you.
https://allmylinks.com/topherxbeads
Twitter page: http://www.twitter.com/designbybonnie
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