If you remember my previous blog entry you would know that we cosplayed Samurai Warriors in AME NO JIDAI. We also joined the group competition and we actually won. In all honesty, our goal was never to win. We were there to have fun and have a taste of what is like to compete. Winning was an additonal point for us. Preparing for this group cosplay took some time and effort. We’ve been planning this for months. At first, we wanted to cosplay something else but as soon we got wind that the theme for AME would be Feudal Japan, Seedsop suggested why not cosplay Samurai Warriors? As soon as the three of us, Me, Ice and Seedsop had finally agreed and got to chose who we were going to cosplay, we planned out when we will be having our costumes made, when we’ll be dubbing for our skit and when are we gonna start with the props.

There are 6 people in this plan. Three of us are the cosplayers. The first thing we dealt with is the costumes. We went to our amazing seamstress in Marikina to have it done one month earlier. We were so particular with the clothe to use because wanted to look like the characters as in if we were them. We searched for large and clearer pictures of our characters from front view to back view. We even have head shots. We visited our seamstress every so often to check the progress of the costumes. When the costumes were done we were very pleased with it. I have to thank Madame Belen, our seamstress for doing a good job on the costumes. Every single of our penny was worth it.

Now, while the costume was on the making, we were preoccupied with the script and how we go about it. Apparently, for the group cosplay, if you have a skit, you only have 6 minutes to present. We gave the script writing duties to Ice. Ice has a knack for scriptwriting something she has to thank MC for, whether she likes it or not. We did some research on the characters, what quotes they used to get the basic idea who they were, so that their personalities will show already in the script. It was such a hassle during that time, since Ice is having internet problems and she has thesis to worry about. I give her more than a thumbs-up because the script she made was really great. She even gave us a the freedom to edit and to add some more if we wanted too.

We also sacrificed one Sunday for the dubbing. We did the dubbing in Ice’s house in Makati, since their old house in cainta was destroyed by Ondoy. Well, having that house in Makati was a blessing in disguise for us, since it became our meeting place and preparation room because it was only 2-3 block away from the venue of AME NO JIDAI.

After the dubbing, the issue of who will edit it came up. Ice wanted to but because she has thesis, she could not really put much time on it. I wanted to but being such an inexperience person when it comes to that matter, I was already out of the picture. Seedsop took the initiative to shoulder in editing the audio. Props to him, because despite he has work he was able to work on half of the audio. The other half was given to Eco, since he has more experience with it and he was really good at it. Eco became one of our kurokus. He was our choreographer and director for our skit. That guy is amazing. Our audio would not have rocked weren’t for Eco. Eco would not be able to make it amazing if weren’t for Seedsop too. So Seedsop and Eco, I really have to give it to you guys.

Now while they’re working the audio and all, I on the other hand was helping Ings, our props maker who also became one of our kurokus. Alongside Ings, was Ushuaia, who made Seedsop’s shoes. Yes, she also made my headgear. Ushuaia and Ings are the groups creative department. They’re both UP FA graduate. Ings majored in Painting. Ushuaia is a Vizcom, cum laude graduate. Ings made all of the weapons, in which Iassisted in the making. I have to thank Ings for giving me the opportunity in making them. I learned how to spray paint, to paint using a brush and to cut boards. Seedsop, Ice and Eco helped a bit in the props making too but since Ice has thesis, Seedsop has work and Eco at the time was busy perfecting our audio, I was the only one left to help Ings. Ushuaia at that time was preoccupied with work, Seedsop’s shoes and my headgear (which I dubbed Darna). I also remember we chose not to attend Mangaholix just to get some things done for our group cosplay.

Given the choice, I would have slept over Ing’s place just to speed up the process. I mean Ings was making three weapons, all at the same time. I was really adamant on helping him out. I was there almost everyday helping out. I nearly cut my wrist, mighty bond-ed my fingers etc. I always go home late. But hey, it was fucking worthit. Believe it or not, on the day of AME, Ings and I were still working on the arrows of Ina-hime and doing some finishing touches on the weapons. Because of that experience, I wanted to learn more when it comes to making props. I don’t have any frigging talent in sewing. So at least when it comes to making my own props I would have the talent for it.

When the weapons were done, I was breatheless. They were epic in my opinion. Ings did a very good job. I bow down to you master. You are amazing and I know you will be making more epic props in the future. I also have to give props to Ushuaia for making Seedsop’s shoes epic. They look exactly like the real thing. I knew she would have the talent in making footwear. When she made Talim’s sandals for Ice’s Talim cosplay, I knew she could do more than just that. This is why I dubbed her, Eiva’s sapatera (pleasedon’tkillme!).

While making the props, we were also practicing our skit. We were practicing in Ings garage that was enough for our movements.We only practiced for our skit, the day before AME. Talk about rush but it was okay. We managed to pull it of well in AME. I just hope the judges and the audience did not see our mistakes. Because we made some mistakes on stage. Hahahaha.

That’s why on the day of AME, we were all excited because it would be the day we will see the result of our preparation and hardship. We weren’t disappointed. We were also happy to see that there a lot of people who recognizes who we are cosplaying. Also, I am very happy that Ice’s costume change on stage went pretty well. Yes. Ice has a costume change on stage. It was part of our script. I think we surprised a lot of people by it. You seldom see costume change on stage nowadays in group cosplay. The idea of costume change was Seedsop’s too. It’s a good thing Ice was okay with it.

I remember we were ecstatic to get on stage to do our stuff. I also remember how awesome Ings and Eco as kurokus. How well we were able to portray our characters, how our skit went and our friends telling us that our presentation was really nice. After all of that, I have a big smile on my face. Winning didn’t matter. We had fun out there and to be able to show people what we got? IT WAS WORTH IT!

Again I have to thank Ings and Ushuaia for the props, Seedsop for the audio, Eco for the audio, choreo and directing and Ice for the script.

Thanks to all of Project Eiva who supported us. To Vince, thanks for being there. Congratulations once more on your first ramp. You’re an awesome Kaito cosplayer. Let’s have a Vocaloid cosplay photoshoot sometime ^^

To our dear friend Ksolaris, thanks for supporting us and being our official photographer I love you girl

AND TO REST OF YOU OUT THERE WHO CHEERED FOR US THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!