Keeping Up with the Geeks

8:28 pm HelenLJohnson 0 Comments

Beamly

This weekend I have been to the cinema with the con crew to watch Thor: Ragnarok; a usual trip that happens a few times a year to watch the latest Marvel or DC offering. I have joked to my Dad (who has bought pretty much all the MCU films, but has yet to watch one) that keeping up with these films is a full time job in itself. I want to put this on my CV, I have kept up to date with the MCU.

But then there are all the TV series.

And the comics.

And then there is the new Netflix series that has just come out, the entire series released at once of course.

Oh and that new game is coming out next week.

You have two cosplays over there that need finishing.

And your favourite streamer is just about to start a stream.

I surely can't be the only person who feels overwhelmed by the sheer amount of geeky opportunities available to us in the modern day. Not a week goes by without something new coming out, or there is a recommendation for something. The problem with liking 'geeky' things, and I am using this term very loosely to describe items of interest, is that they often cross mediums and they often lead on to similar items of interest. Like many people, the Marvel films made me want to check out the comics and while I am certainly not what many would consider an avid reader, I do pick and choose volumes that I either buy or rent from my local library. I would have never have found out about Saga or Fables if I hadn't already been drawn to comics via the Thor films and Tomb Raider games.

However, as you can see here, one thing leads on to the next. As I am also interested in cosplay, sometimes I play a game and decide I want to make a costume from it. Therefore, I then need to balance the time between making a costume, playing the game and then keeping up with everything else. Lately, I have noticed that it is just so overwhelming keeping up with everything geeky that I end up not enjoying what is out there. It is hard to draw a line on interests and hobbies when they bleed and overlap into so many things. Geeky conversations have become those 'water cooler' moments and you don't want to see spoilers. So it becomes a rat race of consumption at an alarming rate.

This weekend I also realised that I have neglected other interests because I have been trying to keep up. I love reading, but I barely read these days unless it is for my PhD; so on Saturday I sat and read a full novella and it was wonderful. It wasn't a tie in book to a series and it is classified as classic literature exploring sexuality. Yet, even here I feel pressure when I go on YouTube and see all the booktubers and their rate of reading completing their Goodreads lists.

22 words

Everything just seems so competitive now. How many costumes you have made, how many series you have watched, how many episodes you can binge watch etc. I am slowly stepping away from it all. Of course, I will still do all that I enjoy, but I am trying not to put pressure on myself because it looks as though I am not keeping up with the rest of the geeky community. Those booktubers get through so many books because that is their main hobby; I can't even say what my main hobby is because I tend to dip my toe into multiple pools! So that Aloy cosplay that isn't finished yet? That's okay! I haven't even finished the game yet. And you know what, that is also okay.

So if you have reached this point of the mind vomit, well done! Perhaps you feel the same way I do! If you do, the best advice I can say is step back and take a break. It did me wonders. Right now I am trying to ration 'geeky' things and intermingle them with other things that I enjoy. I am trying to be more picky with things such as TV series so I get to spend the time with activities that I enjoy more such as watching films, YouTube and making costumes. I also have all these grandiose ideas that I want to start making YouTube videos, take up photography and try out burlesque from a performing side. I hardly have enough time as it is, so something has to give.

When I have tried a few things out, I'll probably write a more coherent article; until then I just wanted to project my feeling of trying to keep up with this community, hell multiple communities and fandoms, when really what we all should probably do is take a step back and take a long hard look at what we are spending our precious time on.

So if you have any tips, please post them below or tweet me @Lady_Scion

Until next time, look after yourselves and enjoy your hobbies. If something becomes an effort, just change it up. It is okay, in the grand scheme of things you are probably not missing much. 

Introduction to comics (when you are intimidated by them!) Part 1

2:59 pm HelenLJohnson 0 Comments

feedingbyreading.org

Are you are intimidated by comics? Don't worry, so am I! Although I am much better now than I used to be, skirting around Forbidden Planet with eyes to the floor, I still get moments of 'imposter syndrome' where it just makes the experience more uncomfortable than it needs to be. So what should you do? This is part one of a two part blog post helping you to get started with comics. This week will be general tips on finding what you might like and how to combat that feeling of 'I shouldn't be doing this/I shouldn't be here'. Next week is a selection of comics that are perfect introductions. Justing putting it out there, I am by no means an expert and I have found my usual taste in comics; but hopefully the little things I have found helpful may be helpful to you too :).

Firstly, let's begin by becoming more familiar with some common terminology; knowing what you are asking or looking for can make all the difference!

Comics or comic books generally cover all genres and styles. The thinner styles are individual issues and are released most commonly as weekly, fortnightly or monthly publications. When the story is wrapped up in a standalone issue, this is a one shot. Multiple issues are called a series and often collected together in trade paperbacks as a cost and space effective option. These trade paperbacks are often in volumes and series may have multiple volumes. Think of these like your bonus DVD, they will often come with extras such as concept art, stories of development and a collection of cover art. It'll be easy to spot as they are all numbered with each volume following a story arc. The story arc is simple, it is the whole narrative tale that spans multiple individual issues. When multiple volumes are collected together, these are called a compendium. These weighty tomes are often quite expensive and sometimes includes pages printed in black and white when they were originally in colour. When a story is published in a book style first, this is a graphic novel (e.g. Scott Pilgrim) and can be stand alone or be part of a series. Many people now are turning to comics in a digital manner using sites such as comixology and humble bundle that can be read on e-reader devices. This is a great idea as a cost effective option, to collect a long running series or for when you are travelling. 

Comiconverse

Manga reflects the Asian style in art, publication and narrative style; often from Japan, Korea and China. The Golden Age of comics is the time between 1930/1940s. The Silver Age of comics are those published between 1950s/1960s. The Bronze Age are those from 1970-1985. Those from 1985 onward are called the Modern Age. These ages are good to know as they impact what kind of comics you are looking for and which bags and boards you need. Comic bags and boards are used to keep individual comics clean and protected. To further protect comics they can be placed in comic boxes.

Publishers:

The Big 6: Marvel, DC, Top Cow, Image, Dark Horse and MAD.

Those outside the big 6 are deemed independent titles.

If you need a further breakdown (especially with roles within comic production, see this post by Free Comic Book Day Website)

Finding Comics:

Geek and Sundry

So now you know a little bit of the lingo and how publishers are split, let's take a look how to find something you may enjoy.

1. Go to your local library

Yes, if you are not aware, in the UK libraries often now have a good selection of comics, especially main community libraries, and have a digital database for a larger selection of digital titles. I read the whole series of Fables like this and it is good to have a browse in an environment that may not feel as intimidating as a comic book shop or stall. It is perfect to find out what you might like without having to invest money.

2. Start with films, TV shows and games that you enjoy

Series that link with films, TV and games are a good way to feel like you are not a complete newbie. You will already be familiar with the world and characters so reading the story should be easier than trying to get to grips with a whole new world. Examples include Star Wars, Tomb Raider, Mass Effect and James Bond 007. Often, these are published by Dark Horse but can be with others. From here, you can find artists and writers that you like and find out what other publications they have contributed towards.

For the biggies of Marvel and DC, if you enjoy Thor or Wonder Woman, have a Google to see which series are recommended (and check that you are able to read them as a stand alone without feeling like you have missed out on too much) or take the latest complete series of that title. Especially for long running titles, there are often multi-verses and spinoffs and can be overwhelming. Sometimes the historical content can be a little hard to get into, so at the start stick to the latest ones unless a particular series is highly rated.

Polygon

3. Ask friends, YouTube and/or Twitter

If you have friends who are even mildly into comics, ask them what did they start with and any that they recommend. Also follow comic readers on twitter, they'll frequently tweet out what they are reading or recently bought and you can add them to your list. Very often for me, I'll get attracted by the cover art and want to know more about it. I found out about Monstress this way, a title I would have never seen unless I was just flicking though my wonderful twitter timeline of geekness! Another good source is YouTube with channel highlights such as comicstorian, comics explained and comicgirl19 who will do reviews and in regard to comicstorian, summarise whole series. So if you are struggling a story or not sure you'd like it, you can check it out first! If you are getting lost in a timeline, comics explained is your man.

4. Use your hobbies and interests as a starting point

Here comes almighty Google, just type in something you are interested in and 'comic' and see what comes up. Some might be hit or miss, but you'll get a feel for what is out there based upon themes and issues you are interested in.

5. Buck up the courage and ask.

If you are particularly nervous, go by the few tips mentioned previously. Once you have a feel of what comics are and what is available, you should find it easier to ask the person behind the counter what they'd recommend based on x,y,z that you have enjoyed or to have a browse in boxes at comic con. Sometimes, a personal recommendation is one of the best and at the end of the day, a good fan wants others to enjoy the same thing. Not to circle it off in an elitist manner.

So I hope this has been a good read for you, if you have any more tips or suggestions, please leave them below in the comments or tweet me @Lady_Scion. Coming up next is a selection of my favorite comics and suggestions on titles to start with.



   

CosDown 4: Falling Out of Love with Cosplay

11:48 am HelenLJohnson 0 Comments

Nina, aka Mango Sirene, released a video this week titled "Let's Talk about Cosplay (and the reason why I left). If you haven't watched it yet you can find it HERE, it is a much watch for any cosplayer; in particular those who are making money from the hobby. It is done in a podcast style format and it almost three hours long with a few technical issues; however it is well worth a listen (set speed to 1.25 to help with lag).

Nina is one of my favourite cosplayers, one that helped me through periods of unemployment, sadness and low motivation. I won't lie, just by watching the videos I wished I could be as organised as she was and attend all the wonderful looking US conventions. I looked forward to the con vlogs and still believe it is the best all round entertainment cosplay channel. Yet as the recent video discussed, beneath everything Nina had some serious mental health issues complete with feelings of failure and guilt. She had fallen out of love with not just with cosplay, but also with life.

Tharja/Mango Sirene/J Wai Design

I think this feeling, to varying degrees, is something every cosplayer will face during their time creating. I know I certainly have many times. Life often becomes a priority, rightfully so, and knowing when to cut back is as important as know when to push yourself. Of course I'd love to have a new costume for every con, do loads of photoshoots and run a YouTube channel; but I just don't have the time. As I cosplay mainly video game characters, I often feel the need to complete the game I'm cosplaying because shock, horror, what if someone quizzes me on the convention floor? What if they find out I'm a 'fake'? However, a lot of the time it is either a. play the game or b. make some of the costume during my free time. Running an Etsy store also means sometimes I don't feel like working on my own costumes because my free time is helping other people create theirs! Which is lovely, but not good for your own development when you get burned out before you get to personal projects.

So what do you do when you fall out of love with cosplay? I don't need to describe what it feels like, as well as being personal, you'll know when you hit that plateau. Also do not feel guilty or shameful if you need to take a break or quit altogether. For most of us, it is a hobby, and you need to put yourself as a person first. Hobbies are supposed to be enjoyable, sometimes challenging of course, but activities where you can foster personal interests no matter how niche or strange. Here are a few tips that may help:

1. Change how you work.

Nina mention how she has given up con crunch, if a costume isn't finished for a convention then so be it. I too have adopted this thought for a few years now because I'd rather just enjoy making the costume rather than doing a half-arsed job just so it is finished for a con. Changing how you work may mean re-wearing more costumes or scheduling in a few chunks of the week where you can work on your costumes guilt free. Remember you control your hobby, not the hobby controlling you.

2. Take a break but stay creative

If everything feels overwhelming. Do not feel guilty for taking a break for a week, a month or even years. Focus on something else; play some games that are in your backlog, write that book you always wanted to or maybe paint. Sometimes being creative in a different way helps you to get over an overall flop.

3. Switch off social media

The internet is great for cosplay, seeing what other people have made is such great inspiration in addition to tutorials and CMVs. However, there also comes the drama and pressure to live up to everyone else on the social media feeds. So switch off and ignore what others are doing for a while. Not only will you be avoiding some toxic vibes but also might be able to focus and enjoy your own creations because you are not comparing your progress to everyone else.

Do you have any more tips when someone falls out of love with cosplay? Leave them in the comments below or tweet me!

My Mum Passed Away

4:26 pm HelenLJohnson 0 Comments

I'm sat here, thinking, why the hell am I writing this on my blog? This blog is filled with cosplay, gaming and generally fun stuff. As the title gives the topic away, yes, I have lost my Mum, on Saturday 22nd 2017 aged 60. A Mum who meant the world to me, who has been my carer when I was little and as the years went by I became her carer. I'm writing this here, because as a previous avid diarist (my whole teenage and early twenties are documented, not sure if that is a positive thing!) writing things out is damn cathartic and I have mentioned in passing my Mum, and my role as a carer via social media. It was how I got into cosplay in the first place because it was a creative outlay and a break away from caring. My Mum was also so proud of my costumes and loved seeing them, as best she could. She was registered blind, I'm not sure how much she actually saw, but I gave her props to feel and she used to always say it looked nice before realising yet another costume was covered in blood! Along with my Nana, she taught me the joys of creating, from fabric to wood; my Mum was the person in the household with a toolbox! So, why not write a little bit here? Maybe a fellow cosplayer, gamer or carer who lost their Mum might find some comfort in this post; if that happens then that is more than I can ask for. For now, I just want to write.

My Mum wasn't always so ill, although she had medical issues from as far back as I can remember. Undergoing a triple heart bypass in 2002, I became used to my Mum attending and staying in hospital. She also never hid death from me and much to some people's dismay, we would have some pretty morbid conversations! However I did always tell her off for keeping a spare sympathy card alongside the birthday cards! This attitude has helped immensely, even though it is still so hard right now. For me, it is the half eaten things, the half used shower gels, the bag just dropped on the floor, the single mini tin of beans that I had to buy because she refused to eat Heinz beans like every one else. The house feels paused, it is hard to know what to do with 'things'.

As a carer, my life became woven with my Mum's and suddenly being broken out of that routine is quite strange. Only now do I realise how many times I wrote essays and fan fiction, read journal articles and drank coffees during hospital appointments and stays. Gaming and the internet became not only an escape, but also became a way where I could build skills while still staying within a space where if I were needed, I could be there. I wrote a blog post over " Liverpool Girl Geeks" that showed how I did that. My Mum never really got gaming, but she would always try to understand what was going on, as long as there wasn't too much shooting! Very often, once I finished a game, I would tell her what the story was, she was particularly interested in Life is Strange and they were nice moments we shared. She also introduced me to Pokémon because she saw all the other kids playing with Gameboys and talking about the anime. Though she probably didn't expect to still be buying me Pokémon games for Christmas almost 20 years later! 

What I have noticed quite prominently is how people grieve differently; and how different styles of grieving can clash. All I can say on that is try to be away of other people and try to not enforce your style upon others. I felt terrible that although my Mum only passed away a week ago, that I still wanted to go to Manchester MCM Comic Con. I just wanted to work on costumes and do my PhD annual progress meeting. For me, I felt I should stay at home, but I knew that wasn't what I wanted to do and I know my Mum would have been mad if I didn't go! So yes, I did go to comic con on Saturday and had a lovely day alongside fellow cosplayers and meeting up with people I only see a few times a year. On the Sunday, I stayed with my Dad; we both appreciated how each other grieved and worked it out so we could both get what we wanted. This made is much easier to deal with.

So what now? Of course, a 'new normal' is now starting to emerge. But I am also appreciating the amount of experiences and things to look forward to, even if I don't know what they are yet. My Mum taught me to find pleasure in the small things, so I am going to sign off this post with the wise words of Albus Dumbledore:


Thank you :) and I'll be writing again soon x

CosDown 3: Creating Your Cosplay Handle

12:00 pm HelenLJohnson 0 Comments

I'm sure you have seen around the internet the handles of fellow cosplayers; whether that be '[blank] cosplay', [blank's] closet or any other amalgamation of cosplays and fandoms! But why do cosplayers have them? And how do you create one of your own?

First of all, you do not need a cosplay handle if you do not want one. Especially if your cosplay exploits are kept strictly to conventions with no interest in sharing. Also if you want to use your real name, then that too is completely fine; many people do.

So why have a cosplay handle?

1. They have become part of the community and one of the first questions someone may have while at a convention is 'how can I find you online? or 'how can I tag you in pictures'? So you are not sharing out personal accounts, a cosplay handle with a related social media account helps to get your pictures back to you and helps for arranging photoshoots and meet ups.

2. Privacy. Using a cosplay handle means you never need to provide your full name. Even in competitions, you can ask for your cosplay handle to be announced rather than your name. If you are sharing photos, in particular if you have a professional job, it keeps everything separated. Sure people can piece together accounts, but it makes it just that little bit harder.

3. It helps you to stand out and create a brand if you are pursuing cosplay as a way to bring in an income. I'm not even talking about full-time cosplay here; even if you plan on creating cosplay YouTube videos, having a cosplay handle aids your visibility on the web for your costumes.

4. They are quite fun! They can also hint at the kind of cosplays you do or what fandoms you associate with.

So how do you make one?

There are no hard and fast rules to creating a cosplay handle. I came up with 'Lady Scion' from using Tomb Raider as my inspiration (as that is my main cosplay fandom) so Scion comes from Tomb Raider 1. The Lady part comes from being inspired by 'Lady Noctis' who was one of the first cosplayers I followed on social media and from Lara being a Lady herself. So double the Tomb Raider! My aim was to hint, but not be obviously linked to Tomb Raider because I knew I'd be doing other cosplays and didn't want to pigeonhole myself. So no 'Crofts'! This is a good thing to keep in mind when creating your handle, you may be obssessed with 'Undertale' for example, but will you still be doing this as your main cosplay in two, three years? Here are a couple of points to keep in mind if you are stuck while creating your cosplay handle:

1. Keep it fairly neutral, it is better to hint at an association rather than directly link.  

2. Take inspiration from what you like in everyday life, mash words together, see what works! 

3. Write many names down, you'll know when one just stands out from the rest.

4. Spend some time looking at other cosplayer names, how they are formed and how it works on social media platforms. 

5. Make sure it is pronounceable and easy to spell. I've only just found out the multiple ways of saying 'Scion'. Don't make my mistake! But at least reading you can say it however you like!

6. Don't panic if you feel like nothing fits. It will come in time!

7. Once you have found a name you like, Google to make sure that it hasn't already been taken or links to something unsavory that you wouldn't like to appear when people may be searching for your cosplay. 

8. Likewise, avoid trademarks and copyrighted names. Just in case!  

9. Finally, make sure you like it. Seems simple to say but this is something that attaches to you and your work. So make it something that is special to you.

Finally, MangoSirene also has a fantastic video about cosplay handles that is well worth a watch :)
 
And you are done! Hopefully this has helped and I look forward to seeing all you fabulous cosplayers with your fabulous handles on social media :)! You can find me on Twitter @Lady_Scion if you have any questions.

E3 Wish List 2017

12:00 pm HelenLJohnson 0 Comments

Where the f**k have I been?

2:09 pm HelenLJohnson 0 Comments

It is a Sunday afternoon, which means for this blog something should be posted. At least once a fortnight, but for a while I wanted once a week! Which, in the blogging world is pretty average; so where the fuck have I been? If you follow me on social media, you would have seen that I have also been a little quieter on there bar reposts and retweets. The truth is, the past few months have been quiet difficult. I am currently a PhD student coming towards the end of my first year, which means that a good chunk of work is due in. I also have some home issues that I'm not comfortable to discuss here, but they have certainly taken a toll this year, although they have been present in my life since around 2011. So for the start of the year, up until now, I have emotionally been going through a lot, to the stage where I thought I needed to drop out of my PhD despite working towards it since my undergraduate third year in 2010. I've had some help, and luckily I have a great support network which I am so privileged to have. At times, it is sometimes hard to find the wood among the trees, and it is only now I am starting to realise how much support people will provide if I just open up rather than bottle away; hoping that it will just disappear by itself. In truth, it has only made it worse.

So I am now just working though everything. I'm hoping once I hand in some PhD progress work, that my cosplay passion will come back and I can find some time to work on it. I enjoyed a good few hours playing Horizon: Zero Dawn in March and April and again. Hopefully find some more time to progress on. I have an Aloy wig that I styled, but I doubt that will be finished for Manchester MCM. So just to ease up pressure on myself I'll probably just be taking Manchester MCM pretty chilled this year with maybe one costume for the weekend or maybe a rewear of my Egyptian assassin.

I have plenty of blogposts here that I can write, so for now I'm not saying when you can expect a post, but please keep an eye out. Writing out this now is cathartic and it seems a shame to just let this blog go. It was something that kept me occupied when I was unemployed and the fact that I didn't write anything last month, yet still received 4k views is unbelievable. Thank you whoever is visiting!

I also can't sign off without mentioning the incident that happened in Manchester last Monday. As someone who considers Manchester to be their home city and was due to go the concert, it has be an upsetting week. My thoughts have been with those who were involved all week and to see how Manchester has united over the past seven days has filled me with pride for a city that I research and live among.

Until the next blogpost, you can always find me online via Lady Scion and remember to appreciate your friends even if they are virtual connections or within a physical sphere (sorry, my geography is coming out!) because they certainly help you to be the person that you are. To all my friends, thank you.

5 Reasons I like Classic Lara

12:00 pm HelenLJohnson 0 Comments

In order to be fair, this is a response blogpost to my previous one detailing '5 Reasons why I like Reboot Lara'; if you haven't read it yet the link is the blogpost title you've just read. I made that one because the poor girl gets a bit hate and I personally quite like the overall design and embedded game play elements in her design. However, I grew up with classic Lara, starting with my Saturn and progressing onward with secondhand copies on PC (when it actually ran!). So naturally, I like elements of that version too! This isn't about one version verses the other in a battle to the death with the 'true' Lara reigning supreme; nah, I don't have much time or patience for that...


So here are five reasons why I like classic Lara:

1. Wit and humour

Wikiraider

Lara certainly had some corkers of lines during the classic period and all revolved around a good dose of British humour. Being witty in the face of danger altered the power dynamics between her and her enemy. It made sure the Lara could demonstrate her dignified control over a situation. It doesn't come across quite as wisecracking as Nathan Drake does in the Uncharted series, which overall just makes those moments feel all the sweeter.

2. Simplicity in design

Irishhips

In the previous blogpost, I suggested that I like the overall design of reboot Lara because as a cosplayer, it is more interesting to create and more comfortable to wear. However, the turquoise, brown and gold colour pallet is iconic to the character of Lara. Boobs aside, the simplicity is what makes it special and it came across well with the technology of the time. Even when new outfits were used in subsequent titles, the simplicity remained which helped to create the perception of Lara; rather than being distracted by clothing design. Something I found quite jarring in Legend from both the designs and the amount of clothing options that were presented.

3. Duel Pistols

Wikiraider

We cannot talk about classic Lara without mentioning the pièce de résistance that was her duel pistols. It felt great wielding unlimited ammo pistols before moving on to other more powerful firearms such as the desert eagles. Okay, so it was very unrealistic to be able to duel wield (watch this fantastic video from Ahoy who goes into the history and logistics of duel wielding in video games) and damn, do those holster not make sense in a real world setting. Yet, they were perfect to fit into Lara's design. 

4. Being a lady, doing it for herself.

I'll admit; I am not a fan of the 'daddy' stories or 'mummy' stories that have crept into Tomb Raider over the years. What I liked about classic Lara was she was doing it because she wanted to; even when approached by agencies *cough*Natla Industries*cough* she only took on the job if she felt it benefited her or it was a particularly important mission for the world as a whole. When Kurtis came along in Angel of Darkness, it was nice to see that dynamic of the woman who would often choose to work alone combined with the need to stick and work together. Was it romantic? Who knows, in my mind I say it might have gone that way, but the wonders of imagination means you can write your own narrative!

5.  Backpack

Has there ever been a backpack that earned the title of a 'Mary Poppins Bag' as much as Lara's classic backpack? Found in Cambodia, lost in Paris and even then the nifty grey number held just as much stuff. It held artifacts, weapons, flares and medipacks galore. All in that lovely brown colour and solid shape that is damn hard to find a replica of for something that looks so simple!

Ellie The Last of Us 2 Costume Reference Guide

8:25 pm HelenLJohnson 1 Comments

So it is 2017 and it is time to start working on new cosplays! GLaDOS is my big build for this year, but alongside I want to make smaller costumes and improve ones I already have.

First of these is Ellie from TLOU2 trailer. I already have an Ellie cosplay from the first game (sorry, I don't have any pictures :(! Another 2017 goal!) and when I saw the new trailer I fell in love with the older, more worldly Ellie who has dirt and scars seemingly ingrained into her skin. Also there is blood, so of course I like it!

If you are doing an Ellie cosplay, I hope these images (taken from the trailer) and notes help you out. I will update when more information and/or the game is released. If you have noticed something I haven't, let me know in the comments or via twitter and I can amend :).

Full Body:


 Shirt and T shirt:


Tattoo:


Hands:

Left Hand

Right Hand

Right Hand

Shopping/Making List:
- Petrol blue thick cotton or lightweight denim shirt. Looks to be more a male tailoring. Has silver poppers, fastens left to right. Was long sleeves, roughly cut to be short.
- Olive green crew neck t shirt. Typical 'Fruit of the Loom' style.
- Skinny mid-wash blue jeans. Ripped at the knees. Slightly longer than needed to push up at the ankle.
- Converse black (could be navy however) boots.
- All your favourite products for blood/scars/grazes and dirt. I'll be creating a make up guide when I progress further with the costume :)

Top YouTube Channels Cosplayers Should Be Subbed To

12:00 pm HelenLJohnson 2 Comments

YouTube is a treasure trove of cosplay videos and any cosplayer should definitely be making the most of what content is on offer. It can be overwhelming; however here a few suggestions of channels that cosplayers should certainly hit that subscribe button for!

Best for overall cosplay advice:
Mango Sirene
You cannot go wrong with Mango Sirene. An American cosplayer who covers everything cosplay, and I mean everything! Her 'Cosplay 101' series explains pattern drafting, finding hotel rooms, wig styling and more. The convention vlogs are entertaining and beautifully edited and there are also the odd fun craft or challenge video. A well rounded channel that is both entertaining and educational for new or experienced cosplayers. If that wasn't enough, become a Pateron and there are addition live streams to see what Mango is making next! If only I could be half as productive as her!

Best for Prop Making
Punished Props/ Bill Doran
The guy who knows the most about foam! If you are thinking of making armor or props, you should stop here first for tips and ideas. There are also tutorial series on resins, sculpting and metal casting. Bill also has 'Foamsmith' books available for any additional help you may need to create your foam creations.

Best for Varied Character Creation
Axceleration Cosplay 
A good proportion of cosplay videos on Youtube are anime inspired, so if you are like me and don't make anime costumes or fancy a change, Axceleration has a good variety of costumes that you don't often see tutorials for. Like Mango, her 'Introduction to Cosplay' series covers a lot of basics and is a great starting point for any cosplayer. Her enthusiasm certainly comes through which makes her a joy to watch. 

The Best for Cosplay Music Videos (that isn't Sneaky Zebra ;) )
The 86th Floor
Okay, I know Sneaky Zebra are the kings of the CMV, but you are probably subbed already! So I'm suggesting 86th Floor, a British team who have produced some great CMVs in 2016 and have some great choreographed segments with my particular favourite being the Overwatch team from Manchester MCM 2016.  

Best for Wigs
Alexa Poletti
Anything you could possibly want to do with a wig, Alexa will know how! After collecting a following on Instagram, Alexa set up a YouTube channel which has grown at an unbelievable rate; and rightly so with her informative wig tutorials. 

Best for Worbla
Kamui Cosplay 
What Kamui can't do with worbla, I'm pretty sure can't be done at all. All the videos are fairly short in length and presented in a lighthearted and fun manner. So it is easy to watch a full series at a time. The channel is especially useful if you are planning on making Blizzard characters. If you need more help, Kamui has a range of books including her latest, 'The Costume Making Guide' which has a collection of worbla armor and prop tutorials.   

Best for MakeUp
Emma Pickles 
Although not a cosplay channel, Emma Pickles has a good mix of recognisable characters that you may be cosplaying in addition to general SFX and makeup tutorials that you could adapt for your own cosplay. For UK cosplayers it is great to see someone using products that you have access to!    

So here are a few channels that if you are a cosplayer, you should be subbed to! I still have many more in my subscriptions so will probably do another version later on in the year!

5 Reasons I Like Reboot Lara

12:00 pm HelenLJohnson 0 Comments

Reboot Lara has been the target of much disdain since she came on the scene in 2012. While I adore the traditional design in all her green vest top, brown shorts, gun-toting badassary; the new vision of Lara arrived at a time when I very much needed her. Like Lara, I was a recent graduate trying to make a smidgen of a mark on the world and I warmed to her new design. As I was attending my first comic con in 2013, it was my first choice and creating it was a fantastic distraction from being a carer and dead-end part time jobs.

So aside from personal connections to reboot Lara, here are five reasons why I like the reboot Lara design:

1. Bow
The addition of a bow to Lara's arsenal I believe was a fantastic choice. It is great for stealth and it feels pretty badarse to finish off a hoard of attackers with only arrows. For the 2013 game, it worked well to show development as Lara built on her crafted bow that started as a few twigs and string. Mechanically, I love using the bow and feel like Tomb Raider has mastered it better than any other game I have tried.

2. Jewellery 

Sean Nash Deviantart

Hear me out, I know this sounds like a stupid reason to like a character design, but I feel the jade necklace and the three earrings add a finish touch to the overall ideology of who Lara is. In case you have missed it, I discussed possible origins of Lara's necklace in this blogpost and I still believe there is something more to that necklace than has already been revealed. The two earrings on one ear and one on the other appears quirky (and yes, I know of the possible insinuations that the piercings can mean, however with the rise in people obtaining a greater number of piercings, these hidden meanings don't account as much as they may have done in historical subcultures). I like the earrings so much, I replicated the second piecing position for myself!

3. Comebacks
While classic Lara holds the number one spot for one liners and comebacks, reboot Lara came out with some corkers, mainly while being held hostage in Rise or after a grueling fight. They are slightly darker in tone and I really didn't expect them while playing the 2013 game; but the 'go to hell' one fitted perfectly after being caught out and fighting waves of Yamatai's residents.  So much so, I reloaded my save to hear it again!

4. Ice Axe

Again, mechanically it works very well and the ice axe works brilliantly as a melee attack, especially to get out of a sticky situation. As a gamer, I'm very much a melee person so having this option was a godsend. It was also the first weapon I created from scratch so holds a special place for that reason in addition to clearing a path at comic cons when held up in the air!

5. Survival Nature 
More so in the 2013 game, I enjoyed the way survival elements were integrated. Admittedly, I did expect more in regards to hunting and crafting and while Rise did respond to this; there is a lot more that could be intergrated into the game. Nevertheless, some of the cutscene's imaginary of survival makes for some beautiful scenes of struggle and determination.