Plastic vs Passion- Finding the Fandom for You!

Its one thing to enjoy something, but when you step into that fandom you are breaking into a whole new world.

As an active Doctor Who lover, I was easily drawn into the Doctor Who fandom. I owe so much to the doctor. This show is the entire reason I am a cosplayer at all. Without seeing it I would have continued through life feeling like an outcast for liking the things I do.


Becoming an active part of a fandom can be a big decision, especially when deciding on which on to chose.

Fandoms, just like people, come with the good and the bad.
There are fandoms who welcome newbies with open arms. It is these types of fandoms that get me really excited about our shared interests. You know, no matter what, that what you do will be enjoyed, accepted, and appreciated.
Everyday involved with a fandom like this is heart warming and exciting. You are constantly surrounded by friends, some you know, and some you have yet to meet.

However, on the other side there are those fandoms that often times see themselves in an elitist point of view. Plastic, as Mean Girls would say.

Fandoms like this often have people who feel it is their right to deem fans as worthy or not. There is a sense of ownership over the rights to enjoy the show or comic or book, etc.

Fandoms that are like this can often lead to an upset in fans. Many of us geeks have dealt with bullies our whole lives. We turn to our interests, and those who share them, to get away from the hate.
But what happens when your interest is the source of the hate?



Here is my advice:
Love what you love.
You are not defined by your fandom.
You are an individual, and you are strong. Don't let the bullies define you.
If you happen upon one of these "plastic" fandoms. Move on. If you feel outcasted, there are others who do too.
Find the support, find the love, find the fans.

Remember there will be good and bad wherever you turn, it is your task to define yourself.

Creative Identity- Imitation vs Inspiration

 

When spending your life working in a creative environment, like cosplay, there  can often times be a blurring of the lines between inspiration and imitation.

I have been thinking often on this subject over that last few months.
The cosplay world is a world of imitation. We take the characters we love from the page and from the screen and bring them to life! It is the nature of cosplay to imitate.

But even with that in mind there are those who still bring a uniqueness to their cosplay.
Its cosplayers who do this that I personally admire more than others. I love to see a spin that would have never been thought of before.
It adds an entirely new element to the characters I already love!

With all this in mind, when is imitation crossing the line?

Cosplay is an art. It takes cosplayers incredible amounts of time and effort to discover and invent ways to create the real life versions of costumes that have only been on paper.
There is materials, construction, and (in some cases) gravity to consider when creating a costume.

However, there is a awful lot of duplication in cosplay.

Some of this comes from collaboration, some out of necessity, and some out of creative theft.
It is important that cosplayers offer gratitude and credit to those who inspire them. We are a community of artist, and in such, we help each other grow.
If we begin to turn and steal each others creative property, we have nothing that can set us apart from the rest of the world.

Remember when looking at your fellow cosplayers that they too are human. Most cosplayers do not get paid or make money from their cosplays. It is a realm of creative expression, and the only way we can support and praise each other is with our words.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes...

 5 parks in 2 days.

It can be done if you know what your doing. And when it comes to Disney World and Universal Studios, I know what I'm doing :-)

 

Photo of The Doctor and BewitchedRaven with Wreck It Ralph and Vanellope at Disney's Epcot

I must start off by saying how bless I am to have the friends that I do. It is only through the kindness of those friends that this trip was possible from the start.

Free park passes, a place to crash, and backstage access made this one of the greatest trips to Orlando I have ever taken!

Photo with Metric Jack, The Doctor, and BewitchedRaven at Universal Studios Harry Potter World

Day one consisted of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

We got to venture into the land of dinosaurs, the world of comics, and a land of magic. We fought mummies, shot aliens, saved ET and lived to tell the tales.

The Universal parks have always held a dear place in my heart. They do a wonderful job of appealing to those both young and old. Our group consisted of a range of those who love the thrill rides, to those who prefer to keep things calm. Such a range of preferences can often upset a vacation, but not at Universal.

However, I have to say, that Butterbeer is the one thing that everyone loves to partake in.

A wonderful day with wonderful friends.
Oh, and we got our picture taken with Spiderman!

Metric Jack, Jynxie, BewitchedRaven, Anna, and The Doctor with Spiderman at Islands of Adventure

Day two at Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and the Magic Kingdom

This day was amazing, and long at the same time. Park time was 9 am to midnight. That means we spent 15 hours in the parks!!! Although I was exhausted (and my feet and legs were killing me) I cannot imagine anywhere else I would want to be.

We got to star our day at Hollywood Studios (or MGM studios as I prefer to call it)
This meant more Star Wars than I could handle (and yet, not enough, never enough Star Wars)
After riding the ride, and watching the Jedi Training Academy, we were invited backstage.
Not only did we get some amazing pictures, and a free signed light saber, but (and this is the most exciting for me) We got to meet Jedi Master Cal Ma Ray Zaa

Metric Jack, BewitchedRaven, The Doctor, and Zarin with Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, Darth  Maul, Padawans,  Jedi Knight, and Jedi Master Cal Ma Ray Zaa

Jedi Master Cal Ma Ray Zaa is the first Official Star Wars, Lucas approved, speaking female Jedi Master. This woman was so empowering to meet. She is so confidant, kind, and skilled. Everything you would expect a Jedi Master to be.
We were told how ever aspect of the Star Wars attractions and shows at Disney must go through extensive review and approval by Lucas himself.  This gives me so much more respect for this area of the park.

Light Saber signed by Darth Vader, Darth Maul,  and Jedi Master Cal Ma Ray Zaa

We got to journey through the world at Epcot, even stopping to eat in China.

Our trip ended in the heart of magic itself, the Magic Kingdom.
The new Fantasyland has partially opened, which I very exciting.. I cannot wait for the Snow White area to be completed and opened as well! For now we got to venture into the worlds of Beauty and the Beast and well as The Little Mermaid. 

However, even with all the new expansions, my favorite ride and area in all of Walt Disney World has been, and always will be The Haunted Mansion.

BewitchedRaven

I love being young at heart. I have ventured through the lands of Disney and Universal my whole life.

Every visit reminds me of being a kid again. It will always be a place I love, and would suggest everyone make a trip there at least once in their lives.

Be sure you see the world through the eyes of a child at least once a day.

Your life will grow in value if you can.

 

Time And Relative Dimension In Space

Time And Relative Dimension In Space 

The TARDIS is a geek icon. It is a ship, and companion, a lover, a friend, an adviser, and so much more. Never in the course of television has there been an object with such vivaciousness and personality as that lovely blue box.

All of this is why I love to cosplay it. The TARDIS has always held a very dear place in my heart. Doctor Who is easily one of the main reason I began cosplay in the first place.
The TARDIS is one costume that has gone through many stages with me, and hopefully will continue to in the future. It is easily the one character I do that exemplifies the growth I have gone through as a cosplayer over these past 2 years.
Cosplay is a process. I have heard, many times, people who wish they were as good as top cosplayers like Yaya Han. I like to remind folks who wish this that cosplay is a process. With each costume you grow and become better at your craft. Someone like Yaya has been doing this for years. That's how she got so amazing.
I wanted to share with you my personal cosplay progression as it pertains to my love of the TARDIS. I hope this inspires other to keep at it. With every costume you get better. You learn new things, and try new tricks.
Just be sure that you are always growing.

TARDIS version #1 (Debuted at Dragon*Con 2011)

This version of the TARDIS is actually the second cosplay I ever made.

-The corset and bolero is store bought, but everything else is made by me

-I attached velveteen windows to the corset

-I created the Police Box ribbon by utilizing iron on transfers, and then attached it to the bolero

-The skirt is made by creating four separate panels and sewing them together, then using wooden rods to hold the pyramid shape of the skirt

-I finished by using iron-on's to place the signs on the skirt, and done!

-NOT PICTURED: I created a lantern head piece using a tea light lantern, a headband, and some LED lights. It actually lights up!

Steampunk TARDIS (Debuted at Timegate 2012)

This version of the TARDIS was designed and created as part of a Steampunk Doctor Who Dragon*Con parade group
-Custom clockwork fabric was designed by me, and created on Spoonflower

- Corset was commissioned by the amazing Michelle at Damsel in this Dress

-NOTE: it is vital to have a corset that fit correctly! I cannot stress this enough. This is the whole reason I do not make my own corsets. If you wear a corset that has not properly be made, or does not fit you perfectly it can cause irreversible damage, especially if you are like me and have pre-existing back problems. Don't skimp if you are a corset wearer (like me!)

- To build the hoop skirt, I bought a cheap hoop skirt online. I then tore the entire thing apart so I was able to use the hoops themselves. I then used ribbons to create the new caged body of the hoop skirt

-Again, I used iron-on transfers on the ribbon to add the Police Box detailing

-The over skirt is actually two layers. The top layer made of the custom clockwork fabric, and the interior layer, which is actually painted to look like the inside walls of the TARDIS, should anyone happen to catch a glimps :-)

-The St, Johns patch is custom fabric I had made, as is the Pull to Open sign

-I also chose to make the Pull to Open sign a pocket to allow me to keep hold of all my  nick-nacks that I may need. The interior of the pocket is an iron on of the same sign, so if the inner part is ever revealed, it matches!
-Wig was bought through Arda Wigs

-The mask was made by the amazing GypsyRogue 

-The bolero is hand made with the help of my good friend Kollette. This was one of the first "make my own patterns" I had ever done. The window panels are each a separate piece, along with the clockwork sleeves

- The goggles were obtained through ebay

-the hat was customized by me with clocks, lace, and feathers

Harlequin TARDIS (debuted at New Orleans Comic Con 2012)

This version was inspired by the history and culture of New Orleans
-The corset is again one from Damsel in this Dress

-The tights are from We Love Colors

-The cincher skirt was made and customized for this costume by my good friend Ashley at Corsairs Boutique. It has diamond shaped windows to keep up with the Harlequin theme

-The tutu skirt was hand made by me. It had black, white, and blue strands colored throughout it

The shirt was also hand made by me

-The necklace has the key to the TARDIS on it-The hair pom poms were each hand made to match the skirt
-There is also a Harlequin Mask ring that goes with this cosplay
-Make-Up done by me

Photographer: Tobias Roybal Photography

Work in Progress: 1920's Flapper TARDIS (to be Debuted at Timegate 2013)

-Dress was bought from etsy
-Wig obtained from ebay
-Cloth Boa is being made from the Pull to Open sign
-Flask/ Purse are designed to represent the windows
-Police Box headband
-Feather Lantern hair barrette

Future Plans

I am also currently working on my TARDIS for Dragon*Con 2013. This is a super secret project that I am thrilled to be working on with The Doctor and GypsyRogue. I have yet to see anything like it, and I hope you will love it as much as I do!!!

I always get thrilled when I can bring something new and relativity undone to the cosplay community. Nothing excited me more than to inspire others to join in this amazing hobby I have grown to love so much!

Cosplay is a wonderful place, often full of love, support, and friends....
As long as you are true to what you love, you really can't be doing it wrong!

www.facebook.com/BewitchedRavenCosplay

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!

Well Hello There!

I am BewitchedRaven! I love cosplay and anything geeky!

This blog is where I will share my thoughts, feelings, and costume processes. Please understand that what I state here is my own opinion, and I am entitled to it.
I love to receive feedback, but cruelty and hate will never be welcomed into my world.

The internet is a vast and interesting place, and there is enough room for all. So I will be claiming this little corner for me.

My goal is to have weekly posts.
Be sure to check me out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr too!

I really hope you enjoy what I have to say! Happy Blogging!

NOTE: Image created by Dorian Chase (www.facebook.com/MetricJack)