Anime Expo 2013

[SaiQ]

Originally Posted by Kanashimi I'm still not at a point where I'll return to AnimeExpo, but glad you had a good time. That's quite a hefty cosplay project for your first one. I'm horrible at prop making, but glad you were able to get the hang of it. Seemed like you had a lot of fun!

Thanks Kana!

Yeah, I was ambitious in my first cosplay project. In hindsight, I should have started with something easy like Mass Effect armor before I tackle a full armored costume. I wouldn't have completed this costume in time if it weren't for Henrik Pilerud's advice and build pictures. Word of advice to anyone cosplaying for the very first time, don't do what I did. Start small and let experience build on itself!

I'm also terrible at prop making, but Pepakura Designer software makes it really easy for a novice. It doesn't take a lot of tools to build a foam costume. The structure support and joints however requires basic knowledge of physics and use of metal brackets, washers, nuts, and screws. Nothing complex really.

Anime Expo's attendance annually increases by the thousands, so if you don't like crowded conventions or long lines for events, AX wouldn't suit your taste. It is annoying that Masquerade and concerts were charged individually and parking for the convention center increased from $5 to $20. However, I can see why given how much it costs to rent out LACC and Club Nokia. South Hall was also closed after hours (reduce rent?). Only staff or those who needed to access the parking garages were permitted. Lack of air conditioning in South Hall was also a problen, but that's due to the large crowd's combined body heat being too much for the lobby's cooling system to handle.

-SaiQ

Originally Posted by SaiQ Anime Expo's attendance annually increases by the thousands, so if you don't like crowded conventions or long lines for events, AX wouldn't suit your taste. It is annoying that Masquerade and concerts were charged individually and parking for the convention center increased from $5 to $20. However, I can see why given how much it costs to rent out LACC and Club Nokia. South Hall was also closed after hours (reduce rent?). Only staff or those who needed to access the parking garages were permitted. Lack of air conditioning in South Hall was also a problen, but that's due to the large crowd's combined body heat being too much for the lobby's cooling system to handle. -SaiQ

To be fair, when we go to a convention, it's as press. If we have in the same month E3 (in the same area) as well as several other conventions around the US then it gets hard to justify the pure cost. Not only are you fighting with other media outlets, but you're also under harsher policies in terms of photography or videography. I don't deny they're a great place to get news scoops, but there's a lot of other conventions at the time with big-named guests as well.

So from that standpoint it's really difficult to justify the cost of travel for three people, hotel for close to a week (in an area we were just at), etc. We've gone as 91.8 The Fan three times before, but it's just taken a backseat overall.

[SaiQ]

Originally Posted by Kanashimi So from that standpoint it's really difficult to justify the cost of travel for three people, hotel for close to a week (in an area we were just at), etc. We've gone as 91.8 The Fan three times before, but it's just taken a backseat overall.

Fortunately you have 918thefan members like me who'll go to these conventions and report what they see.

Originally Posted by SaiQ Fortunately you have 918thefan members like me who'll go to these conventions and report what they see.

Which is always a plus! I do like to hear what's going on regardless. So thank you for this really thought out reviews. :)