Since I was active on the FD forum, they asked me to be part of their upcoming (FD 2010) event.

It is a honor to participate in organizing their Costume and Universal Cosplay Awards but I have a huge problem!
You see, since my bf and me are going to get married, I am afraid that it will be around the same time.
Our house has the biggest priority for the moment and because of that, we do not still have a wedding date.
Even if the wedding would be sooner, you still need time for your honeymoon and to organize it!
It is still possible that the honeymoon will be around those dates.  (since I am going to ask to take FACTS, Asianim and Paris Manga in account, aug, half sep, nov-dec are only available)
I really would enjoy being for once a judge, I would be flattered and I promise to take it serious! (honestly)

Before I begin, I like to add that I posted already my comments on the topic in the Fantasydays forum.

Pos:

• announcements via speakers
• repeating workshops
• great shows/performances: I only saw Xena, Sailor Moon musical, Japanese drums (Wadokyo) and the 2 female singers in the weekend
• people who recognized my cosplay!
• large offer of food/drinks and okay prices
• the building was really good, it has potential! But due to the fact that there were not many dealers/sellers/… I believe some visitors did not reach the GO games or other things.
• huge offer of CLEAN toilets which were good spread. (in general the location was very clean)
• parking places near the con, although if they believed to have +10 00 people, it would not be enough
• good professional website (1 of the better I have seen but do disable the forms on the contests section)
• fan groups got attention
• the map + agenda which we found almost everywhere
• large choice of workshops, musicals/shows/acts
• friendly, polite and easy-to-recognize helpers
• the Studio Blacklight photo stand (REALLY awesome, thanks again!)
• the recommended hotel ACCOR
• awesome performance stage!

Neg:

• expensive ticket prices and unable to combine the Saturday + Sunday tickets (unless paying TWICE the shipping costs!)
• missing communication conbüro <=> FD <=> Animexx in regards to the costume and UCA contests
• missing general rules when you wanted to participate the contest, no where was mentioned how long an individual could perform
• waited long (3-4 days) before I got a confirmation e-mail of my participation – this AFTER I send them a friendly reminder.
• incomplete/missing correct information when you wanted to confirm yourself for your participation
• not keeping in mind that I participated the COSTUME contest, there was not even a price given for that category.
• did not keep in mind of my fog request which was crucial for my act
• technical issues: during the cosplay contest, the sailor moon musical – this was still during the 3rd day

General suggestions:

• make each section a little clearer by using decoration (simply huge banner, etc)
• put on the website a plan of the floors so the visitors can print it out
• inform the visitors by putting up a writing board/information board near the entrance
• put the conbüro near the entrance, it would seem more logical
• fully use Internet to make promotion: facebook, netlog, animexx, other con website (even Europe), …
• find (more) sponsors: less risk, cheaper? entrance + standing fees, …
• make a good business plan and a backup plan. take the most general worse case scenarios.
• test the technical devices before opening time!
• add something extra to those people who are willing to buy “limited” 3day tickets. (even if it is little, people like it because it is “special”)
• make an agreement with the on-line ticketing agency so tickets can be combined and shipping must be payed ONCE!
• price tickets: compare anime/manga <=> LARP <=> Sci-fi events and find something in between

General suggestions for the cosplay contest – UCA and Costume:

• make better and clear participation rules and stick to them
• put a jury who have experience with making costumes and let them ask some questions
• make sure that a better, smoother communication is made between Animexx and FD
• provide a changing room, it was quite difficult to change your clothes in the toilets (wet spots, dirty floor)
• ask image + MP3 files in advance (during subscription)
• make a difference between experienced cosplayers and new ones. So the new ones have a fair start. (give best new cosplay award or something)
• change the confirmation time for UCA if you want to attract participants from outside Germany.
• smooth presentation
• maybe allow the participants to enter sooner so they can confirm themselves on time.

My mom paid everything (Thalys 15€/ticket – national train – hotel + entrance for both of us) for my upcoming b-day.
It was one of the most expensive events we did and it turned out to be one of the less good cons.

Arriving there on Saturday, we immediately saw that is was somehow abnormal quiet.
For once, after having been visiting busy (sometimes) overcrowded cons, our first impression was “wow this is quite peaceful (not hectic) for once”.
But the things was that the publicity agency went broke => less visitors and dealers/ fan groups / exhibitors than expected.
Only 10% of the foreseen visitors came.

Indeed there were unhappy dealers (which I can understand!) but they tried to make the best out of it.  Same can be said of the visitors.
Was it thanks to the promising website and trailers?
(I did to some research on the net to know the previous editions but not much came up)
Was it because the concept was good (FACTS in Belgium is already mixing Sci-Fi with LOTR and Anime/Manga) but the promotional site was less or the date/location was bad chosen? Who will know?
It has potential, that is certain but it has some flaws that need to be worked on.

Therefore it is nice to hear that the organization wants to work on it and demand the people’s feedback.

Neg:
- Location: 4th world and creepy neighborhood
- First floor: crowded and hot, 2nd floor had more space but lots of noise (games, Q en A etc were located on that floor)
- less sitting places: people were sitting on the stairs but the coworkers chased them away.
- to my big regret: not enough communication BEFORE the event took place. It took long before you got an answer. This for the press as well when you participated the cosplay contest. It is sad since this is a daughter event (mother: Japan Expo) and it is not their first edition!
- no bracelet, ticket or stamp: once you were outside, you could not enter the event again unless you bought a new entrance ticket.
- not many recycle bins… really a pain
- small podium (smaller than Paris Manga) but they did have lights and equipment

Personal neg:
- my mom who was not allowed to enter the changing room. I had to do things with my bra straps and I found it a little difficult to ask it to strangers. Because of this we had to use the toilets (which were reserved for participating cosplayers). But the floor was wet.
- Free huggers: they were back and this against MY WILL!
- Parents who had issues with the security because they had TOO much lugage (2 trolleys + 1 backpack)! They told the security guy that it was stuff from me too. Dad was obliged to change seats so he could not sit near my mom for security reasons. Afterwards when he went to the toilets he was not allowed anymore to enter the room. WTF?!
- People who block the way, you had to ask POLITE: “excuse me, may I please pass by?”
- yelling people who demand something from cosplayers… it is not at all effective.

Pos:
- location: but there were lots of hotels + metro connections nearby
- price ticket: 12€ za – zo 10€. The best day was Sunday
- hotel: price/quality splendid!
- to earch stairs/room you could consult posters with the daily planning of the 3 days + maps of the rooms
- communication at the event itself: very friendly and helpful (kind of sad that this could not be done sooner)
- seperate cosplay entrance + service: check in, guidance etc.
- fencing system : pre-sale tickets vs. dealers vs. non pre-sale tickets. Clearly stated and no one could pass by other people. This system was also used to enter certain rooms.
- different food/drink areas
- wide screens + sitting places during the cosplay competition

Personal pos:
- Personal, original, unique cosplay creations may participate and fun, original price titles for some amongst them.
- Saw some people back and talked with new French cosplayers.
- Bought a limited Clamp drawing!!
- Finally gave justice to Belle in Paris! Changed the act slightly and I had something like: “I must bring this to a good end”.
- A jury who asked more than 1 question!!

A must for Lolita’s. I have never had so many lolita gadgets sellers and lolita’s on an event as this one!!
Asian influenced seller were also more present than on other events in FR.

The word “Chibi” is suitable: it is small but cute.

If I go back?
Maybe but preferably on a cosplay day (Fri or Su) because I can see more cosplayers back.

With huge delays, I will start to give little by little my comments of the passed events.

Let’s start with Asianim!
It was a nice way to end this cosplay year in Belgium. =)
I saw lots of people back, I even talked to a French female cosplayer I know a little and it was very relaxing. *zen*
No stressy, hectic con like we had with FACTS!

We had our big Sailor Moon group planned for this event and it was superb! ^_^
Only sad that we discussed our little act quite late…

I had the opportunity to see rare, beautiful cosplays:
- Luùna’s TB Seth
- Dinotiste’s Lineage 2 character (sexy lady)

And the honestly deserved their prices.
Way to go ladies! *proud of them*

Pos:
- cosplay catwalk
- new extra prices
- extra room for the event
- a try-out for a seperate changing room for the ladies
- NO Free hugs signs
- not too much crowded
- road signs (halleluja, since my GPS was not working I had to rely on the signs!)
- music and presentation: I had the idea that it went smoother and it was more professional
- sometimes beautiful cosplays

Neg:
- not enough info online, not up-to-date on the NL, ENG website!
- last minute change in regards to the entrance: cosplayers were free, and then changed which caused the effect that not everyone was informed
- some toilets which were missing toilet paper!
- parking: sometimes not easy!
- 2 people who had to serve food and drinks (and 4 others behind the counter) => long waiting row

Conclusion: I still love Asianim and they are progressing.
This time the organization demanded opinions in order to improve the next Asianim!

But please next time, do NOT plan it a week after FACTS!
Organize it to mid November, beginning of December.
It will be better for the cosplayers but also for the wallets of some visitors.

A short report will be given since I ain’t like repeating myself… :s

Pos:
- funny to say but the location: I liked the fact that I did not had to search our car. In Ghent it is not easy to park your car. But from a photographer’s point I can understand that the location was not superb compared to a park you have before.
- different eat- and drinking places: French fries, hot dogs, at the entrance and at the cosplay stage (I count 4!)
with more diversity (hot dog, French fries, sandwiches, Asian, …) compared to the previous editions
- stamp you received when you went outside which allowed you to come back in
- option to leave your coats at the entrance
- separate changing rooms (although some people definitely were wrong, unless they changed from sex) :s
- toilets: 3 huge places (more separated and more available toilets compared to the other years
- NURD!
- reduction for cosplayers
- the information/cosplay desk at the entrance. Clearly stated and perfect location!
- the possibility to get cash
- more professional light equipment for the cosplay performances.

Con:
- parking 5 euro… although we parked free on Sunday. =)
- euh… where is the “costume price” which clearly was mentioned in the rules (on the website)?
- performance stage, it seemed smaller and the location was not ideal
- volume of the music: sometimes it seemed loud, sometimes too silent
- unclarity with the Eurocosplay. They had to take also the potential participants of Sunday into account + the information was announced quite late.
- lockers!
- only 2 ticket booths.

Personal Con:
- did not had to opportunity to see/do stuff in hangar 3… it was too hectic/busy. Barely saw hangar 5.
- Aztek-TV stand which was VERY busy.
- I did not see lot of friends/cosplayers… gomen
- costumières (or whatever) of the Euro cospaly: they did not ask ANYTHING on how I made my outfit except: “may I see the inlay?”. How can you be certain that the person really made it her/him self if you only ask 1 CLOSED question?
- why making huge publicity of the Eurocosplay and place the participants at the end of the huge competition? *confused*
- missing fairy godmother and cinderella in our Disney group.
- jealousy, gossip, and 2-face people. No thank you, not with me. :p
- catwalk… first wrote on the website that it was obliged and in the end it was not needed? Why do you place a catwalk and add the rule in the first place?

Personal Pos:
- saw people back, even if it was for one second!
- children who loved our outfits!
- dad who had clearly fun with being Merlin!
- Jessie who loved our Disney group. Knowing that she it a HUGE Disney fan, it pleased me a lot that she was thrilled!
- learned a LOT this weekend!

Suggestions:
- combi tickets: save time, more environment friendly and easier!
- cosplay competition: spread this please. Do for ex. first the individuals, and hour break and then the groups. Of the same scenario but then the 2 “main” categories (games, anime, manga film, divers, …). Advantages: cosplayers can see each other performance, less waiting for the audience/cosplayers and less “boring” for the audience. It will also seem that the performance stage is more used!
- separated “reserved space” for photographers at the performance stage?
- maximum in advance declared amount of participants for the cosplay (except Eurocosplay) and they get a discount or free entrance.
- subscriptions cosplay: only in ADVANCE and NOT viewable on the net! (maybe put a reserve list of max 5 persons in working) More professional, only in advance == less waiting rows when confirming your presence, ask images/mp3 files in ADVANCE. I am also NOT interested to know who does what, I see it @ FACTS itself. It is a bigger surprise seeing others cosplays and you will avoid reactions like starting bets, suggesting that it is X who does Y, … Plus I do not understand WHY FACTS is the ONLY convention in Europe who allows lists of participants…

What also was somehow annoying: some where complaining towards ME about the JURY’s choice. Sorry but it is not in MY hands.
You cannot change the history but you can learn from it.

I realized again that some people are becoming more and more selfish.
Rumors (according to the BCT forum) were spreading again.
Luùna was being unfairly attacked.
It harsh to say, but “welcome in my club”.
Jealousy being more in the upper hand these days.

Many people are talking also behind my back, still claiming that my mom made all those costumes.
And in fact the only thing that she did was making the “cloak” of Merlin. :p
The shoes, the beard and the hat were made by me.

It is true that the ASSISTED me while making the beast.
She was my real “fitting doll” to test the face.
My dad was the 2nd “fitting doll” for the “suit” and I was the one for the paws.
Simply because Tom was not often available.
But giving suggestions how-to or fitting it is NOT making it herself!

My mom was a little disappointed because I promised her to make her “Fairy Godmother” outfit of Cinderella for FACTS.
It was foreseen for FACTS but due to the Beast and Madam Red, it was not finished.
So if supposedly my mom did make the costumes, would you not think that everything would be finished on time?

In fact due to the beast, I lost quite some precious time!
I only had one week (after my working hours) to complete Madam Red.
Friday was luckily a day off but I still did not make it!
I was forced to restart 3 times on the skirt and changed the hat several times which cause my some time issues.
Even on Saturday @ FACTS, I was still finishing my hat!
I did not have the time to greatly seam the inside, nor to properly finish my jacket/hat!
The last days before facts, I did not sleep long or often… all this… mainly not to disappoint certain people.
While eventually when it was time to perform on stage, all those people were not there to support me!

Eventually I found out that some were supporting the winner and when she won, they were whining towards me.
Excuse me but I am NOT responsible for the jury’s decision!
In fact it is true that the winner had a beautiful costume
(do not turn my words around, I did not say BEST). :p
Stop having 2 faces and pretend that you like me and say “I am so sorry for you”.
Because I know in the inside, you were actually glad that I was for once NOT in the top 3. (referring to certain people, not everyone)
In the end everyone was free to enter the competition. Why did YOU not do it then?

On the other hand seeing those evil rumors and fuss I am actually glad that I did not win the Eurocosplay entrance.
Because what would people say about me if I won?
Plus it is a date that I do not need to take into account, nor an extra costume and act that I have to foresee.

Therefore it is again one of the reasons why I go to other countries.
People do not know me there and at least they give me a fair start.

From nature I am always sincerely friendly and I always mean well with people.
Even if you do not like me.
If you hate it, well deal with it then and ask yourself WHY you hate it.
Because I did not do anything wrong.
If I do not like you, then you will know it, trust me.
But if you do hurt me I will never forget and I will keep it in mind…

The last weeks on the BCT forum has been hectic.
Many fuss about little things…
I wonder what the real reason is behind all this…

Special thanks to ShamanRenji for adding me to her list: http://news.deviantart.com/article/96486/

Guess what? I am again in the Cosmode Magazine! I am soo proud! *^_^*

Yosh!
After FACTS it will be time for the Sailor Moon group.
I am looking forward to work together with talented cosplayers!

Our act is going to soo fun and unique!
I am lucky to be the “shy” one, I do not need to do plenty things.

I would like to take this opportunity to express the following:

Thank you so much for supporting me during these years! *^_^*

This is dedicated to my personal friends (T, J, A, …), my cosplay friends, DA-friends, my family and my future husband to be.
Most of all the compliments and the support of my cosplay friends mean the world to me! I keep those words close to me.
I am honored to know you all! *hug*

Lol… I just wanted a catchy title.

It seems like they are doing a hug effort! =D
I heard that there will be lockers available for the visitors, +60 consoles and the assassin creed II demo (provided by Ubisoft) and the extra arrangements for the cosplayers (trip to London + best costume price).

This already sounds very good, it looks like they are taking a step in the right direction.
But I am waiting for the con itself… simply because aside from this, things can still be the same.
Therefore I will only form my opinion after Saturday the 17th.