Do you want to show off your new cosplay? Enter our Cosplay Fashion Show at the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival!
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Category Archives: Anime USA Convention
Welcome Back Kass McGann!
We’re excited to welcome back Kass McGann to Anime USA 2015! An expert on historical costuming, Kass is excited to demonstrate her knowledge with a huge variety of panels from explaining the finer points of Geisha Makeup, or How to Dress for a Browncoat Ball. As if she wasn’t busy enough, she’ll be one of our craftsmanship judges for the Masquerade this year. Kass was blown away by all the creative costumes she saw at last year’s AUSA and is revving up to make new and fantastic outfits for this year. We hear that she has some amazingly colourful Steampunk ensembles planned. And don’t be surprised if she channels her inner Inara this time around. ( Don’t forget to check out what she’s working on right now (http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/blog) as well as her upcoming novel (https://www.facebook.com/KassMcGannProtoNovelist.) See you there! Check out more on the Who to See page.
Enter AUSA 2015’s Art Show!
Got some art you’d like displayed and sold? Check out the art show! View more information on the art show page if you’re interested.
Submit an AMV for AUSA 2015 AMV Contest!
Welcome! AUSA invites you and everyone that wishes to come and enjoy the 2015 AMV Track at Anime USA! We, the AUSA AMV staff wish to put out a challenge to all AMV Editors and Studios to put their game face on and make their best work to date! Find out moore information on the AMV Contest page.
Psyche Corporation Returns to AnimeUSA!
Anime USA is glad to announce our first guest of the year, Psyche Corporation! Previously seen in 2012 and 2013, Psyche Corp. has returned once again to wow with their incredible music. Regulars on the east coast renaissance fair and convention scene, they’ve released four albums exploring their cyberpunk fairytale. As an added treat Psyche Chimère will be running a few geek science panels throughout the weekend. Welcome back to Anime USA! Learn more about Psyche Corp. and stay tuned for more about the concert and panels this year.
Artist Alley and Dealers Room Now Open for Applications!
Want to join the Artist Alley or Dealers Room at Anime USA? We are now open for applications! Head on over to the Artist Alley page and the Dealers Room page for more information on how to apply for a table.
Catch Up with Kitsune Kid!
Kitsune Kid cosplaying as Wartortle.
We got a chance to catch up with cosplayer, Kitsune Kid (formerly known as KO Cosplay). She was a guest at the last year’s Anime USA. See what she has to say about cosplay & more!
What got you into cosplay?
I was watching anime with a bunch of friends in college—Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann to be exact—and they said I should cosplay Yoko. I took their advice and wore my first cosplay—some parts made and some parts purchased/commissioned—to my first convention and had a blast. I knew I had to make more costumes. The rest is history!
What is your favorite cosplay to date?
That’s a tough question to answer. I love Angewomon for the final product and all the work that went into her, but Suicune has a special place in my heart since it was a great chance to show off my creative skills since it was an original design. Crimson Viper takes the cake as my favorite cosplay to wear, though. :)
What is your advice to cosplayers new to the scene? What about when making their own cosplays?
My best advice is to pursue things you love and to start small. If you try to make a costume of a character you don’t love, all the labor won’t feel worth it in the end. Cosplay can be a pretty painful process, from burning yourself with an iron to the long hours of all-nighters to make the deadline. I always recommend that newbies should start small, because while taking on big projects can seem challenging, they can also be very overwhelming and discourage new cosplayers from continuing the craft. All the skills associated with cosplaying (sewing, propmaking, wig styling, hair cutting, applying makeup and prosthetics, 3D printing, etc.) will be skills you build off as time continues. Start small and build up!
Who are some people that you look up to as role models?
What was your first cosplay? What have you learned since that has stuck with you the most?
My first cosplay was Yoko Littner from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. I’ve learned so many invaluable lessons from making cosplay and cosplaying, however I would say the most important thing I’ve learned is that you must do things because you love to do them, regardless of what others may have to say about it. In the end, you’re doing it for you, not them. :)
Hotel Room Block NOW OPEN!
Looking for somewhere to stay for AUSA 2015? Look no further! The convention hotel’s room block is now open. Go and reserve your room now.
An Interview with Anime USA 2014 Guest, Joshua Hart of J. Hart Design
Joshua Hart of J. Hart Design cosplaying as Misstitched Alice at Anime USA 2014
Have you heard about Joshua Hart of J. Hart Design? He was a guest of the past Anime USA 2014. Check out his advice for fellow cosplayers and more in this interview.
What got you into cosplay?
Prior to my first convention, I always loved going to the Maryland Renaissance Festival; and, I absolutely treasured playing dress-up! When I was thirteen, I began to teach myself how to sew and alter clothing for these festivals. I would sew all of my renaissance garb by hand, and my free time was spent researching new sewing techniques. I began cosplaying in high school with many of my theatre friends. When they asked me to join their Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children group for Otakon 2005 in Baltimore, MD , I was immediately thrilled and excited to participate.
What is your favorite cosplay to date?
This is an extremely difficult question to answer. All of my costumes are my children; I love them equally. But, if I absolutely had to choose, I would pick my Trinity Blood group, made in 2009 for Otakon’s Hall Costume Contest. While these costumes are not to flashiest, nor the best constructed, they hold a very dear place in my heart because these were the first costumes where I felt confident and proud to showcase my work. These costumes were far above my comfort zone, and I learned so much by making them.
What is your advice to cosplayers new to the scene? What about when making their own cosplays?
The main piece of advice I can give to novice cosplayers is to be proud of your accomplishments, and to refrain from comparing or judging yourself against other attendees or friends. Whether you compiled your costume from found/purchased pieces or created your costume from scratch, you have expressed passion and creativity. These are both admirable and commendable traits worthy of praise.
Who are some people that you look up to as role models?
I have always admired any talented individuals. But, my work has always been shaped by Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Zac Posen, and Alexander McQueen. While they each have their particular styles, I have always admired their sense of proportion, silhouette, and minute detailing. I have pushed myself, over many years, to produce garments that are crafted as beautifully as their garments. I am still hoping to achieve this goal.
What was your first cosplay? What have you learned since that has stuck with you the most?
As previously mentioned, my first costume was Cloud from Final Fantasy: Advent Children for a large group with my friends. Looking back, the finished costume was a mess! But, the experience, creativity, and comradery has stuck with me ever since! Over the years, I have learned that patience is the key to a successful, finished product. I can guarantee that sewing is time consuming, stressful, fussy, and expensive. But, by calming your frustrations, you will work more efficiently, skillfully, and cautiously. This will result in a better looking garment, and a happier, more confident cosplayer!
Anime USA Announces 2015 Con Chair, Kat Sartafi
We’re pleased to announce our new Convention Chair for the year of 2015, Kat Sarfati. Sarfati has been working for Anime USA since 2009. She has over 8 years of professional experience with educational non-profits. Her own journey to fandom began as a child growing up with science fiction and anime; she was introduced to anime when she saw Sailor Moon on television after school.
Sarfati got involved with fan-hosted conventions in 2005, starting with Balticon and then soon after, Anime USA and Katsucon. She has held positions in convention security, programming, staff registration, and more. In 2014, she served as the Director of Personnel for Anime USA. Sarfati looks forward to serving our members as well as our staff to the best of her ability. If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to her at chair@animeusa.org.
In 2015, we will be expanding on our children’s programming to include fun Halloween-themed events and more Please join us Halloween weekend, October 30–November 1, 2015.