2008 Cosplay Contest Thanks (all three cities)

By neimhaille. 06/11/08, 05:52 am

Kia ora all,

I just wanted to personally thank all the cosplayers this year. It's a
very tough job to organise all that needs to be done but it is so very
worth it to see all the contestants on stage. It is always a treat to
see new contestants and to see people familiar from past years coming
back with a new challenge.

This was our first year with a sponsor so there have been some very
steep learning curves for all of us involved and we have already made
some changes based on issues that have come up. The contest last week
ran much more smoothly than in some previous years and the prizes were
available immediately. We are always looking at making the experience
easier on all without compromising any integrity of the contest. While
I have many years experience in a variety of costuming and performance
techniques I make sure there other other eyes and ears available. This
is to make sure the fan view is represented as well as making sure
there are no details missed.

There is a large support group that work hard on the days leading up
to the event and during the year to answer emails sort out any
potential issues. We have people who do very unglamorous door duties
(very necessary to keep the judging time safe and a place where the
cosplayers can be at more ease than in the public eye), take photos
(for any and all debates in the post-viewing judging process as well
as to keep a record for the cosplayers), make sure the room is cleared
and set up, email contestants/Bill/Sponsors when I am too tired as
well as make sure the judging process is as smooth as possible by
being timekeeper and wrangler of everyone. And to be extra eyes and ears
in the judging process.

So a big thank you to all of you both contestants and crew for
everything you have done to help the contest and the profile of
Cosplay in this country. There are plans to make sure next year is
better than ever, and I hope you will all join us again!

Regards,
Michaela de Bruce
Armageddon Cosplay Judge, NZ

By **Duckeh**. 06/11/08, 06:06 am

Ha, we should be thanking you! :3
It was great... I'm sure everyone else included appreciates the amount of time and effort, you and the rest of the crew put in.
So yes, looking forward to next year!! >.<

Edit: Moved to announcements, I just think it suits being there more then here? :3

By **Auroa**. 06/11/08, 08:09 am

Yah I second everything in Duckeh's post.

oO... I was actually thinking of starting a thread to thank you, and the rest of the team.

Can only imagine how hard and stressful it is to be a judge with so many great contestants and even just running/coordinating the cosplay contest. You guys do really really well.

Also, the fact that you cosplay yourselves, you understand the stress that we go through in completing costumes, that you come up to us after judging/stage … that you are so easily approachable … it really really helps with in terms of self-confidence, for me anyway ^^

I recall last years Armageddon I was really depressed after the contest since our group pretty much had backed out after all the effort, and after talking to you and Angela, all that sadness had just gone, cause you knew exactly how I had felt from your own experiences.

So thank you so much for this year and last year, and being our judges!!

cheers

By Ryans-cupcake. 06/11/08, 01:20 pm

I was going to write an email saying thanks. But that involves opening up Gmail, so I'm just going to thank you here.
So thanks, I don't think I'm committed enough to write out a whole thing like Angie and Duckeh, so just thanks.

**Guest** Guest

^ agrees with everything mentioned above. :)

thank you so much for all the work you put in. <3

definitely see you next year~ :3

By **jpwise**. 06/11/08, 11:57 pm

Likewise, Thank you too mdb. Cosplay certainly has taken off in the past couple of years, and by all indications shows no signs of slowing down. :)

See you next year. Razz

By neimhaille. 07/11/08, 04:30 am

Thanks for all the kind replies (and to those who answered the original email).

We really do understand how hard it is to cosplay and compete so we are constantly trying to make it easier. It's an ongoing process as cosplay is evolving so quickly in this country so what worked one year may not work this year.

And yes, it really is a year round job, so while you guys are stressing over making costumes (and yes that is familiar too!) there is a lot of work writing and getting info and testing ideas and looking at other contests.. and emailing organisers.. Luckily not full time year round ;) But it doesn't stop!

But it really has been an absolute joy to see everyone giving it a go. I have a real admiration for those who have been coming each year and maybe not getting specific awards but believe me your work has not gone unnoticed and neither has your love for your fandom. It really hasn't, and it genuinely is hard to be split in two- the one who wants to encourage everyone and the judge who has to make choices to fit a set criteria (which is to look at technical abilities in all areas from script writing to performance to needle work to casting to...)

I am waiting for Bill to get back to me as I have sent him an email about possibilities for next year, I'm hoping at least some will come to fruition, otherwise we have at least one back up plan to make things a little easier on all!

By mightydelemma. 27/12/08, 02:01 pm

this years Auckland Armegeddon was my 2nd ever cosplay my first being back in 2006 in wellygeddon.
it was awesome i was so thrilled to see every one and how wonderfull every one looked and thankfully we had a bigger room than the one in welly. (even though i still couldnt sit in my cosplay)
but year so if next years just as good i'll be happy. looking forward to seeing every one at Welly in april

By Icarus. 27/12/08, 02:25 pm

At the first time I entered the contest I felt soo intimidated by the judges only find out how great and friendly you guys are~ nodnod

We salute you guys for being so awesomely awesome and I can't wait to see you again next year~!!!
(And again, thank you for not popping veins when I sent my entry form in late sweatdrop

)

By **seraphik**. 28/12/08, 05:09 am

you guys consistently put in so much work for us to make the contests awesome (and not to mention, you're supportive over and beyond the call of duty;; several incidents come to mind) so!

thankyou so much for the great job you're doing!

By neimhaille. 28/12/08, 10:16 am

Thank you all again :)

I am working on some personal stuff right now but have been also thinking about the contest and how to make it more streamlined and easier for everyone. So I'm rewriting the rules and making it clearer- the aim has always been to give everyone an equal opportunity. And to keep everyone safe.

I am also going to see Bill really soon and discuss what he wants and we want from the contest this year. It's getting so big (people were turned away from the auditorium this last Auck'Geddon due to it being so full!) that there may be room to expand the games and contest.

Really you all make me so very proud of the talent in this country.

By Winds-Of-Despair. 28/12/08, 12:30 pm

Ah well it was really fun to do the skit this year and if I do another one next year I'm am going to keep the number of people limited unlike last time and all of us living in the same city couldn't hurt either...... Yeah I'm the one who made Trio of Doom productions....yeah sorry about that sweatdrop

Well anyway it was really cool joining in on the competitions and thank you for being so cool about it

By Kelchup. 28/12/08, 01:27 pm

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