[C2Queen]

I got to thinking that a cosplay with props makes a bigger statement then one without them. I'm curious, what sort of props do you plan to make // commission // buy to supplement your costume for 2012? Got any cool prop ideas in general? Using things like Wings, LED lights, guns, mechanical arms, masks, glowing swords, glowing guns, giant crosses, you name it. I know lots of people on the forums custom make their own props, what does it take to construct such props in the first place? What are the best materials to use? Do you think props make a huge difference to your costume? I brought a glowing sword for my stocking cosplay to ACEN 2011 and people ADORED it. I noticed my sword got a lot more attention that some of my more normal cosplays and props definitely seemed to make a huge impact for people's costumes. So, my question is, what sort of props are you building, buying, or getting commissioned for 2012?

[ATICE]

I've always been curious to see how the lights on your hands thing works. It will probably be something I'll never make, but I think that it is very cool.

As far as current props, I've only modified guns and made matching wristbands to whatever the costume was from.
I should have some type of ice sword for next year too. Beginning stages in the winter.

What are you making?

[GITS SAC Motoko]

I agree. Props bring so much more attention. When I was cosplaying as Motoko Kusanagi I was carrying around a Tachikoma plushie and tons of people noticed it and said something about it, and even asked me where I got it. Plus props make me feel even more in character.

I'm thinking about a few Poke'mon cosplays because I won't have a lot of time to make a complex cosplay for next year (school and such ) so I will probably be making wings/masks/arm and leg accessories/horns etc for my cosplays. I'm still researching some stuff.

[Ranko]

I'd love to make some armor via vacuum forming, just to see how well I could do it... If it turned out well I'd bring it.

[Darko]

GITS SAC Motoko, on 07 June 2011 - 07:28 PM, said:

I was carrying around a Tachikoma plushie

awwww lawd i saw that and wanted it soooooo bad

Sometime in the future id like to make a homeade vaccuum forming machine, I mean it would help a ton, but ill have to settle with wonderflex and sintra for this year instead.

I plan to make a Full body Beast Mode unit 02 from evangelion
right now planning on what to make the head out of
im sure im gonna use either sintra of wonderflex for the armor and leg peices
probably a modified zentai for the bodysuit


if i decide to do catcher jon doe it wil be fiberglass mask. and foam core weapon

This post has been edited by Darko: 08 June 2011 - 11:46 AM

[C2Queen]

@ATICE: I saw those too! Didn't you have some glowing fingertips going Darko? I remember seeing you wearing some. I think you bought them from the soap bubble. What type of prop guns? And what are you using for the material for the guns? Are you using airsoft guns? ME, I'm aiming to make two bloody rose guns from Vampire Knight to go along with my Luxurious Lolita version of Yuuki. I plan to have chains attached to the guns which will attach to cloth cuffs on my wrists. I want to line the sides with LED lights, or just make the entire guns glow. I haven't picked out which design I prefer yet and would be a better choice. (Darko has been helping me with ideas) I wanted to put some originality into it and make sure my gun didn't come off looking real and break the rules. I also intend to make some glowing wings and a glowing halo to go along with my stocking costume (in which I already have a glowing sword that I brought this year) It's proving to be a difficult task, that's for sure. But me and my friend (My Panty cosplayer) have been working with her dad who's an expert on these things to try and figure out the coolest way to make them. We'll be the angel versions of Panty and Stocking for 2012, we were the Anarchy versions this year. There will be some other props along the way, I'm certain.


@Motoko: Oh wow, I remember seeing the Tachikoma plush! That prop really did get you some "major" popularity (Bad GITS joke). To think one small stuffed animal would get you so much attention xD (I'd know, my authentic cheese-kun got TONS of attention, people kept nabbing him from me) I always wonder how people can pull off those really exquisite pokemon cosplays, where the pokemon even having moving mouths and they have full mascot body suits. Plus getting into character and acting like an animal, it must take A LOT of effort.


@Ranko: Armor? For what kind of cosplay character?


@Darko: I still can't believe your going to try and pull that off. Won't a full body suit be pretty hot to walk around in? How will you see in it? I know you couldn't see all that well in the DeadMau5 head. A modified Zentai actually sounds like it would look pretty cool for the bodysuit and not be too hot. SWEET. I keep getting sidetracked from planning the Merry Nightmare cosplay. It'll probably be one of the cosplays I buy closer towards the con. Since all the other ones got planned for groups first etc.

This post has been edited by C2Queen: 08 June 2011 - 01:57 PM

[Darko]

Pain= Beauty
when it comes to cosplay that is

This post has been edited by Darko: 08 June 2011 - 01:59 PM

[Unlucky Slayer]

My big prop that I will have for ACEN 2012 will be a full size (or damn close) riot shield for my random ANTI-SKILL Officer cosplay from To Aru series. (Index/Railgun) other than that I will prolly also have a plush "Steak" in a cage for my Dr. Thunderland Jr. cosplay from Tegami Bachi.

[GITS SAC Motoko]

Darko, on 08 June 2011 - 11:43 AM, said:

awwww lawd i saw that and wanted it soooooo bad

Yay! Someone noticed me! i'm glad you like it. This was her 2nd ACEN. :3

C2Queen, on 08 June 2011 - 01:55 PM, said:

@Motoko: Oh wow, I remember seeing the Tachikoma plush! That prop really did get you some "major" popularity (Bad GITS joke). To think one small stuffed animal would get you so much attention xD (I'd know, my authentic cheese-kun got TONS of attention, people kept nabbing him from me) I always wonder how people can pull off those really exquisite pokemon cosplays, where the pokemon even having moving mouths and they have full mascot body suits. Plus getting into character and acting like an animal, it must take A LOT of effort.

Hahahaha naw your joke made me chuckle. :3 Yeah it is crazy how a stuffed animal gets to much attention. But yeah the Poke'mon cosplays are complicated, I'm drafting a lot of different designs...O.o But sadly I cannot make a full mascot body suit. Once I have the career that my college degree is designed for I'll have more money XD so I can attempt and make one. Yeah I'm going in a group for Poke'mon (they're going as trainers, I think as the different Gameboy versions starting with Yellow/Red/Blue-Black/White) and I asked who'd be a Poke'mon and they ALL pointed at me. Because they think I'm "that crazy to easily act in character 24/7". I'm like "thanks....XDDD haha." I just hope I have time to pull it off and now i have to choose which one >///< I have so many favorites. T_T

@Darko: Yes! Pain does equal beauty and cosplay. And also dying of heat stroke. XD When I went outside I was almost dying in my pleather jacket...and all the cosplays I want to do involve layers...in my opinion, there's no such thing as "summer cosplay" because no matter what you wear it GETS HOT in cosplay. Or maybe I give off too much body heat O_O.

[Kitsu-chan]

My major prop for ACen 2012, is a Steampunk version of the 11th Doctor's sonic screwdriver. I'm thinking I'm gonna up the size of it from screwdriver to cannon.

[Ranko]

C2Queen, on 08 June 2011 - 01:55 PM, said:

@Ranko: Armor? For what kind of cosplay character?

Dunno... Maybe something like Monser Hunter or maybe a gundam lol

This post has been edited by Ranko: 08 June 2011 - 06:55 PM

[GITS SAC Motoko]

Ranko, on 08 June 2011 - 06:54 PM, said:

Dunno... Maybe something like Monser Hunter or maybe a gundam lol

gaaassssp!!! Do a Gundam! That would be soooo amazing!

[Ranko]

GITS SAC Motoko, on 08 June 2011 - 08:34 PM, said:

gaaassssp!!! Do a Gundam! That would be soooo amazing!

If I can get the money, I'll try my hand at Burning Gundam, since I am quite fond of it lol...

[ATICE]

C2Queen, on 08 June 2011 - 01:55 PM, said:

@ATICE: I saw those too! Didn't you have some glowing fingertips going Darko? I remember seeing you wearing some. I think you bought them from the soap bubble. What type of prop guns? And what are you using for the material for the guns? Are you using airsoft guns? ME, I'm aiming to make two bloody rose guns from Vampire Knight to go along with my Luxurious Lolita version of Yuuki. I plan to have chains attached to the guns which will attach to cloth cuffs on my wrists. I want to line the sides with LED lights, or just make the entire guns glow. I haven't picked out which design I prefer yet and would be a better choice. (Darko has been helping me with ideas) I wanted to put some originality into it and make sure my gun didn't come off looking real and break the rules. I also intend to make some glowing wings and a glowing halo to go along with my stocking costume (in which I already have a glowing sword that I brought this year) It's proving to be a difficult task, that's for sure. But me and my friend (My Panty cosplayer) have been working with her dad who's an expert on these things to try and figure out the coolest way to make them. We'll be the angel versions of Panty and Stocking for 2012, we were the Anarchy versions this year. There will be some other props along the way, I'm certain.

Airsoft guns are the best. I usually just dispose of the ammo properly when I get the guns and then I'll modify them in a certain way... like for the clear airsoft guns I brought to acen for Chris Redfield.. I would have had it so the bottom of the magazine was taped black (because there was no magazine in there, with some sort of indication to other people that there was no magazine as well like a blue circle or something. Usually magazines don't have that you know. UHm.. as far as prop lights though.. I know I want to have some for a few costumes already. Especially the Cyber Sub-Zero I plan to do in a year or 2. I think it might be next year if I can get the normal one to work out. Also some type of device so I can breathe out smoke for my Smoke costume as well. Maybe have it coming out of the side of my armor at command too. That would be neat, and will hopefully not be TOO much trouble to get working. That's great what you have so far. I look forward to any updates you may post.

[Keans]

ATICE, on 09 June 2011 - 10:55 PM, said:

Also some type of device so I can breathe out smoke for my Smoke costume as well. Maybe have it coming out of the side of my armor at command too.

I would suggest a small water vapor machine, you know like the ones the use in the new fake cigarets and such.

Theres also something like this that you can buy http://www.looksolut...gmachines.shtml

Just make sure you stay away from smoke detectors. Lol

[MOMO2]

I di a kite this year and when I went as Kite (.Hack) I did not get a whole lot but, Data Drain Kite, now that was great. It was made out of plastic by Knives ( he is great) and I think I spent about $250 on it =(. Was well worth it though =) It did fall apart but did not break. I have to fix it but it got allot of attention. I was not impressed by my hat though.

[S1NN3R]

Darko, on 08 June 2011 - 11:43 AM, said:

awwww lawd i saw that and wanted it soooooo bad

Sometime in the future id like to make a homeade vaccuum forming machine, I mean it would help a ton, but ill have to settle with wonderflex and sintra for this year instead.

I plan to make a Full body Beast Mode unit 02 from evangelion
right now planning on what to make the head out of ???
im sure im gonna use either sintra or wonderflex for the armor and leg peices
probably a modified zentai for the bodysuit

I'm currently working on a rather large costume like this. Different anime but same concept. Sadly, it won't be ready for 2012, but 2013 will be a blast. If you do decide to do this, Post progress in the Cosplay Progress thread!

C2Queen, on 08 June 2011 - 01:55 PM, said:

I'm aiming to make two bloody rose guns from Vampire Knight to go along with my Luxurious Lolita version of Yuuki. I plan to have chains attached to the guns which will attach to cloth cuffs on my wrists. I want to line the sides with LED lights, or just make the entire guns glow. I haven't picked out which design I prefer yet and would be a better choice.

Lit Bloody Rose guns would be awesome. I'd suggest getting clear outer casts of the guns paint them from the inside, leaving thin/no coats where you want to have them light up. Then wire the trigger to the lights. I've made similar props in the past and they leave a great impression

[GITS SAC Motoko]

Aw, the Bloody Rose guns would be AWESOME!!!!! If you have any progress pictures from doing them or when they're completed, post them! I'd looooove to see and I'm sure they'll turn out great.

[Sin Ai]

Wings. Huge, full feathered movable wings. -Granted I have the time to make it-
And 9 tails. -Again If I have the time-
As well as Fang's staff. Not to huge but, I'm getting there. XD

[GITS SAC Motoko]

Oooooooooooh sounds good! What cosplays are you doing this year for those props?

[OtakuAngelD]

Hopefully, if I can figure it out, I'll have a smokeing jetpack for my Saturday Steampunk

[SupremeKai]

Actually going to start on a gun prop, saw a really cool idea on using a Nerf gun, sanding off the logo and painting it, just have to remember not to paint it all black and to leave the orange tip, actually thinking of a dark blue with silver accent and then dry brushing it black

[chuck]

Hey guys so my friend and i are looking for a .Hidan, Kakuzu, Pein for next years acen. let me know if ur cosplaying as them that would be cool

[GITS SAC Motoko]

SupremeKai, on 13 June 2011 - 08:08 PM, said:

Actually going to start on a gun prop, saw a really cool idea on using a Nerf gun, sanding off the logo and painting it, just have to remember not to paint it all black and to leave the orange tip, actually thinking of a dark blue with silver accent and then dry brushing it black

Dark blue is a great idea! Why couldn't I think of that? Because a lot of cosplays I'd like to do one day in the future require a gun, and dark blue makes sense, but it still looks fake, but real....ooooooooooooo! cooooooooooool!! XD I'd like to see what that looks like, I bet it will look great. What cosplay is it for, if you don't mind me asking?

chuck, on 14 June 2011 - 11:48 PM, said:

Hey guys so my friend and i are looking for a .Hidan, Kakuzu, Pein for next years acen. let me know if ur cosplaying as them that would be cool

Sounds good, but I would suggest you post this into This thread here. You'll get more responses and faster.

[kimuhalu]

I'm making a set of white wings and a set of yellow wings. One's for the future One Piece cosplay, and I also want to try being Fluttershy next year.

I have no idea if I'm even cosplaying a certain character this year, but I'm going to make his prop anyway. I'm gonna have to make a trident that transforms into an anchor/spear and a gun. >.> And the official toy isn't gonna cut it. It's too short... maybe I can buy it and mod it? Hmmm..

[SupremeKai]

[quote name='GITS SAC Motoko' timestamp='1308151671' post='1021696']
Dark blue is a great idea! Why couldn't I think of that? Because a lot of cosplays I'd like to do one day in the future require a gun, and dark blue makes sense, but it still looks fake, but real....ooooooooooooo! cooooooooooool!! XD I'd like to see what that looks like, I bet it will look great. What cosplay is it for, if you don't mind me asking?


its for Juuza From Umineko No Naku

http://umineko.wikia...i/Juuza_Amakusa


He does not really show his guns so i figured why not make my own will start working on it next weekend, have to get some sandpaper for my dremel, trying to get the logo off the gun and then going to sand the rest of it, then i guess its time to search for paint. Will post pics when finish sanding

[chuck]

GITS SAC Motoko, on 15 June 2011 - 09:27 AM, said:

Dark blue is a great idea! Why couldn't I think of that? Because a lot of cosplays I'd like to do one day in the future require a gun, and dark blue makes sense, but it still looks fake, but real....ooooooooooooo! cooooooooooool!! XD I'd like to see what that looks like, I bet it will look great. What cosplay is it for, if you don't mind me asking?


Sounds good, but I would suggest you post this into This thread here. You'll get more responses and faster.

ok cool thanks for your help

[kuro_ketsurui]

Ranko, on 08 June 2011 - 06:54 PM, said:

Dunno... Maybe something like Monser Hunter or maybe a gundam lol

If you're going to do any kind of mech, may I suggest Big O? I don't think anyone has ever done that, and it would be AWESOME.

[KusanagiRobin]

PROPS!!!

Just had to scream it out loud. I've fallen in love with making props, though I've gradually been working my way up in size--I think the biggest I ever made were for 2008-2009 (Sakura's Star Wand and Temari's fan). The ones that ever got the most attention were the Phantom Hourglass, giant DS stylus, and Bombchu I made for Toon Link.

For 2012, Boogiepop might be the only one prop-less, though she is seen in the anime and live-action movie with what looks like a rope dart weapon. Alan Gabriel's getting his android hand, of course, and maybe his gold pistol. The most ambitious this year (and maybe thus far) will be Yumi's electric guitar (and I might use the minispeaker I used in Tima's radio to play AmiYumi songs through it) and (squee!) a releasing Senbonzakura for Bya-kun. I'll make the hilt and half the blade, carve the top of the blade into curvy petal shapes, and then at the end I'll string some petals onto nylon thread. I might use lights for that one, too, if I can find some pink/light red lights.

[therealdeathnote]

I am only bring a small Sealand flag.