Why Parental Supervision of Minors Cons is Important

Youve all heard the story of the 17 year old girl who was found bloody and unconscious at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con. At first reports stated that she was attacked and sexually assaulted but it was later confirmed by  the San Diego Police Department that no such thing had occurred. She had in fact fell while attempting to climb a 6 foot gate and was discovered by the pool of the Marriott Hotel at around 1am. Throughout this entire ordeal I have repeatedly asked myself the same question: where were her parents?



Ive noticed an increasing trend throughout the years as conventions have become more popular. Parents drop their kids off and leave. When did a Comic-Con become a Day Care Center? Do parents not realize that the organizers of these shows are not legally responsible for their children? Arent they the least bit curious as to where their kids are going and whom they are spending time with? Arent they concerned for their safety? Your child is a minor and a minor requires adult supervision. As someone who has completed several certified courses in Early Childhood Development and was in Early Childhood Education for 10 years, this boggles my mind.

Because the underage Roger Rabbit cosplayer at this years San Diego Comic-Con was not properly supervised, her evening ended with a suspicious 29 year old male (its not okay for a man that age to spend time alone with a minor ever) and suffering from a  6 foot fall. Her injuries include eye socket and skull fractures and bleeding from the brain. She also had drugs in her system. Shes lucky she wasnt killed.

Where were her parents?

Everyone needs to learn from this horrible situation. Comic-Cons, shows and events are not a "get out of parenting for the afternoon" card. If your child is a minor, you need to provide them with adult supervision. If you cant do it, find someone else who can. And if your child doesnt like it, thats tough. End of story, No excuse. Failing to do so can have deadly consequences.


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Costuming in 2014 A Year in Review

2014 is coming to an end which means its time for my annual year in review costume breakdown. For new readers of Confessions of a Cosplay Girl, this means I list all of the new and fun characters I brought to life  this year. The list  is pretty long and features my first gender bender character and two characters featuring body paint. My thanks to all of the amazing photographers I have shot with in 2014!

Mystique

Photos by Bodhi Tree Photography

Body Paint by Lynn Cole 

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Queen Elsa

Photos by Photos and Designs by Piera

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Warrior Wonder Woman

Photos by Future Photography M3

Photos and Designs by Piera

Hero Hotties

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Ariel

Photos by Hero Hotties

Green House Photography

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Cheetah

Photos by Green House Photography

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Couture Maleficent

Photo by Photos and Designs by Piera

Bodhi Tree Photography

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Cinderella

Photos by Green House Photography

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The Invisible Woman

Photos by Hero Hotties

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Faora

Photos by Future Photography by M3

Hero Hotties

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Couture Zatanna

Photos by Green House Photography

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Gender Bender Carl Grimes: The Walking Dead

Photos by Greg Larro Photography

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Fan Boys Dont Own Me

Photo by Bodhi Tree Photography

Get ready for a very honest and to-the-point entry. I am very upset. Recently I have been dealing with fan boys who make sure to attend every appearance I make in the area. Now you may say its great that I have people who support me however it appears that some seem to be getting angrier and angrier with me. The reasons vary; I didnt respond to something they wrote on my Public Facebook Page or they ran into me at a show and I did not have the courtesy to post that I would be there. This feeling that they have, that I am obligated to inform them of where I am going and it is my duty to respond to them on my page makes me uneasy.



Like many cosplayers around the world, I like to share the work that my photographers and I do online. I love to attend conventions to have fun with my friends and loved ones as an attendee. Sometimes I am there as a guest or a member of the press. On other occasions, I have been there on behalf of the charity organization I work for. Ive promoted appearances that I make but I do not promote when I am going to have a sign up table for the charity organization. The reason for that is, I must keep "Victoria Cosplay" and the charity work I do separate. The focus of the charity work is to spread our mission and inform local costumers who may be interested in joining our cause. I am not there to promote myself or sell pictures. It is about giving back.

Do I deserve fan boys getting angry with me to my face because I did not promote that I was going to be at a show even after I explained my reasons? No. I shouldnt even have to give a reason. Its my private decision on weither I want to make public where I am going. Am I obligated to respond to comments made on my page which has over 9,000 people on it? No. Its impossible to respond to every one. Yes, I appreciate the people who have supported my work but I was never in this for the "Likes". I costume because it makes me happy. I am not doing it for anyone else. I do it for me. I know there are other women out there who say they do it for the fans. They accept gifts through the mail and take votes on what character you want them to dress up as next. They make it very clear they are doing this for you, the fans. That is not me.

Costuming is a form of self expression for me. It is an outlet for me to express myself creatively. Its amazing that people support me. Its amazing that people like my work. I am by no means brushing my supporters off. I appreciate it beyond words. But dont act like you own me. Dont approach me as if I owe you because you clicked "Like" on my page. Respect the boundaries. Respect my duties to charity. And respect my decisions if I dont want to make pubic what shows I am going to and who I am with.

Please feel free to hit "Unlike" if you wish. Its not the end of the world for me.

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Why Charity Work Matters to Me

Charity Work is something that I have been interested in for quite some time. My interest reached a new level after discovering that many people I knew were in the Heroes Alliance. The Heroes Alliance is a nationwide non-profit organization of  volunteers who give back to the community by making super hero appearances at child-related charities and events. I had seen many wonderful photos and spoke to the charity workers about their mission and how they used their skills in costuming to brighten a childs day. They became real life heroes to children (and their families) who desperately needed hope and I wanted to become a part of it.



I wanted to get involved for many reasons. First and foremost, I know what its like for your life to suddenly change. In 1999 I went from able -bodied teenager to being in a wheelchair in a blink of an eye. One moment I was carefree and the next, I was bleeding and broken, trapped in a car. Words cannot describe how shattering it is for your life to suddenly change. You experience shock, depression, anger, exhaustion, hopelessness and a whole other truck load of emotions. And then theres your family and what they are experiencing. It is not easy. The world goes dark and during these times it is so important to let any amount of love and light in. It does make a difference. It can help you heal. I was so happy after months of being in the hospital, when I was finally taken to the art room to do a craft project. That memory stands out. That happy moment. If Superman or Wonder Woman came to visit me, I can tell you right now that would have made all the difference in the world.

When I got the process moving on creating and running a Heroes Alliance branch in Pennsylvania, the unthinkable happened. My grandmother had fallen ill. My beautiful green-eyed grandmother was always there for her family. If someone needed a place to sleep, she offered her couch. If they needed a meal, she cooked for them. She swept the sidewalk of her neighborhood and always loved telling people that God loved them. She was a good, loving woman and sadly in late 2013, I had to gather up the strength to say good-bye to her on her deathbed. That was the hardest thing I have ever done. Emotionally and mentally I was a mess and then my body shut down. I broke out in hives that spread throughout my body and came down with a cold. I was in bed and on medication for days and yet, I did not want to stop the process on creating a Heroes Alliance branch. Although I was terribly sick, I felt my grandmothers strength with me and knew proceeding with this would be the best way to honor her memory.

My grandmother and my accident is why charity work matters to me. I know what its like for your life to change and I know what its like to lose someone you love. My grandmothers kindness and generosity inspired me to help others like she once did.


I cant speak highly enough about the Heroes Alliance organization. It truly is a beautiful concept to give back and an added bonus that we are dressed as super heroes. Everyone has a big heart and they are just as passionate as you are to make the world a better place. We are making a difference and spreading love, support and positivity.  And everyone within the organization supports one another in their mission 110% all throughout the United States. We all have a story on why super hero charity work means so much to us. Now you know mine.

Dedicated to Virginia
I love you

                                                             

                 
                                                   

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Cosplay Spotlight Roxanna Meta

Roxanna Meta is one of my favorite cosplayers. Her beautifully detailed costumes are stellar and her craftmanship is first class. In addition to being a very talented costumer, Roxanna is also one of the nicest people I have encountered on the interwebs. Roxanna took some time to talk to the Confessions of a Cosplay Girl Blog about her craft, dealing with trolls, and what she has in store for 2014.




 Victoria: How many costumes have you created?

 Roxanna: I just now counted seventeen made since about 2004; I actually dont make very many costumes each year.

Victoria: What is your favorite part of costuming?

Roxanna: Wigs! I never accept "just okay" on a wig. Hairstyle is a huge part of accuracy, especially when mimicking a live-action character, and I think a lot of people neglect it or dont know how to approach it. But of course my true favorite part is wearing the costume, feeling sexyfine and proud of my work - does that count?

Victoria: Yes, that count! What is your favorite convention to attend?

Roxanna: At the moment, Dragon Con. It used to be WonderCon, but then WonderCon moved; it used to be San Diego Comic Con, but then Comic Con became overwhelming and impersonal. Now Ive found that Dragon Con best embraces the social aspect of cosplay that I love so much.

Victoria: How did you learn how to sew and create armor?

Roxanna: Books, skilled friends, and online tutorials. I started my cosplay career by buying pieces and modifying them. So back when I could only sew a straight line, I would pick costumes where I had minimal sewing to do, and the rest could be constructed with purchases and my other craft skills like painting. But Ive made sure over the years that each project includes new tasks that Ive never done but Im pretty sure I can figure out, and so Ive built my abilities up step by step and now I can say "psshh yeah, I know some stuff!"

Victoria: Do you accept commissions?

Roxanna: Not at the moment, although I will always listen to a proposal in case it blows my mind. I used to do commissions, but found that I have trouble motivating to work them into my schedule; its best that I just dont do that anymore. I do, however, have an online shop where I sell pieces of my choosing, and thats at http://hausofm.storenvy.com

Victoria: Do you think that the world of cosplay has changed now that its become mainstream?

Roxanna: Well, Im not convinced that mainstream is the right word to use - were still a fringe group! But yes, I think a lot has changed since I started, some for the worse and some for the better. Im looking forward to seeing what develops in another five or ten years. In some ways, I hope cosplays popularity dies down a bit, so participants dont feel like they have to hustle for attention in the crowd (and lets be honest, we all love attention!).

Victoria: What advice would you give to female costumers who have to deal with trolls on the internet? 

Roxanna: Hoo boy. Follow your gut. I dont think theres any right way to handle online trouble, or any wrong way. With straight-up trolls, of course, the common wisdom is that the best way is to ignore them (I would amend that to say "and block their asses whenever possible"). In the case of critics and body-shamers, though, theyre not trolling so much as feeling like its important and okay for them to share their opinions on everything all the time. Some women choose to treat those people like trolls and ignore and/or block them, which is valid. I personally only feel right if I call them out whenever and wherever I see them voicing hurtful opinions. Ive gotten into arguments this way, but Ive also made people reconsider their attitudes. Thats enough reward for me to continue calling people out in a way that I feel retains my dignity. This method works best for me.

Victoria: What projects do you have in store for 2014?

Roxanna: I try not to plan too many projects ahead of time, and instead I go with the flow of what feels like fun right now. Plus, I am ALWAYS taking time to make improvements on previously worn costumes before each convention or appearance - I seriously dont consider any of them "finished." That said, my current pet project is, like many other women right now, Elsas ice gown from Frozen. Weve got a great big Facebook group going and were all sharing tips and progress, and its so much glittery fun! This project will take me a long time, though, I have a feeling. Its pretty ambitious for me and Im not the kind of person who marathons sewing unless I have to, so I work slowly, bit by bit.

Victoria: Where can people contact you and view a port of your work?

Roxanna: My Facebook page is Haus of Meta, and I do post there regularly (although of course Facebook is terrible and limits how much of your content people see on their walls; so its not ideal, but thats the current most popular option so Im rolling with it). Im also on Tumblr, and although I post a lot of different content there daily, my homepage at http://roxannameta.tumblr.com has an option to click on "Photos of Me," and youll see all my posts that show my work!

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