Special Children's Christmas Parties, nation wide- Do Good Deeds ;)

By EternalOutsider. 02/11/12, 05:20 pm

This kinda sounds like fun. The few small kids at Geddon seemed to really dig Kaz.

If there is some sort of break room that would be ideal?
Something i was mindful at Geddon was not taking my head off with little kids around. I've been told it can freak them out.

By Highlander. 03/11/12, 03:32 am

I have started this thread for Christchurch people.

https://cosplaynewzealand.forumotion.com/t12262-special-children-s-christmas-party-christchurch#465396

By TinTango. 05/11/12, 09:39 am

Actually, I think I'll go as the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, as I'm looking for some good photos of this outfit. It will also fit in well with a Fairy Tale/Disney theme.

@EternalOutsider- there is a break room upstairs for the sponsors/organizers which they allowed us to use last year. It should be good for taking your head off. How are you with children? Some of whom suffer from chronic illnesses?

@Brunetteyes- that would be cool! Would love to hang out with you and Chris some more. :)

@Highlander- hope you get a good group for Christchurch!

@Fleyer- hope you can join us in Auckland!

By EternalOutsider. 05/11/12, 09:52 am

TinTango wrote:: @EternalOutsider- there is a break room upstairs for the sponsors/organizers which they allowed us to use last year. It should be good for taking your head off. How are you with children? Some of whom suffer from chronic illnesses?

Not sure how to answer that. There aren't many kids (young or older) in my extended family.

The odd time ive been asked to look after them I've been told i did a good job. I have no idea about being surrounded by gangs of them.

Good questions to ask.

By TinTango. 05/11/12, 12:00 pm

Just a few points I wanted to mention

From last year's experience it's always good to have a few prepared things to say to Children, when they approach you, or if you approach them. Also, it can be pretty startling when you see the children with no hair from chemotherapy for cancer, or the ones in wheelchairs, or Nasogastric tubes hanging from their noses. So having some prepared backups are great.

When I dressed up as Shrek, I would randomly walk up and down the hall calling "Donkeyyyy" and going up to Children (those who reccognized my character) asking "Have you seen my Donkey?" "Oh he's such a naughty Donkey... but you must be very Special! Because you're here for the Christmas Party" etc all in a scottish accent, in keeping with my character.

Then there's the generic
"Are you going to see Santa today? What toys do you think Santa will give you?"
"Have you seen.... [insert other characters being cosplayed]"
"I like your [dress/t-shirt/other clothing item] it's got [colours/batman/superman], that's very [cool/scary etc.]"

Sometimes children would be scared, and cry, but you've got to learn to deal with that too, and let them be, particularly if they're tired/cranky.
"Oh I'm sorry... I'm really a Friendly ogre. I don't mean to be scary."

What's more difficult, particularly when you're wearing a mask that limits your talking, is that your communication has to be physical/non-verbal
So you have to think of a few poses that make your feelings show- a lot of happy dancing, putting your hand up to your mouth or holding your belly when you're laughing, pointing at interesting things etc. So it can be a lot harder, more tiring than just talking.

Same with your interactions, give children high fives (those that are not scared), thumbs up, or the really brave ones who come up to you for hugs, just be mindful of any bodypaint/hazards of your costume e.g. your mask/props falling off.

All just suggestions and ideas to think about.
But ofcourse, the important thing is to have fun, and look like you're enjoying what you're doing. The whole experience last year felt awesome, and was really rewarding!

By EternalOutsider. 05/11/12, 07:15 pm

^Some good points there.

Talking is pretty much out of the question. I have to basically shout in Kaz for anybody to hear me right up close, let alone a meter+ away. At geddon i just pantomimed, it was more fun anyway Razz

I did have a couple of kids rush up to me for hi-5's. That was very cute.

If there's a way i could be partnered with someone that would be best. I have little peripheral vision so its real easy for people to sneak up on me. I wouldn't want to trip up on someone.

As for sick kids, i think i would be OK.
Mum is a nurse so i have had to endure watching many medical programs at the dinner table for years.
Also the grandparents have been in and out of hospital for a while, so im no stranger to that.

Kaz is pretty resilient, being mostly off the shelf cloths. If anything i have to worry about getting stains on me (keep away you zombies at geddon).

By fleyer. 05/11/12, 07:34 pm

Well looky here I'll be in Auckland for this ~~not that I planned around this~~ I'll be attempting to make Belle to match Tim's beast but we shall see how time goes otherwise I'll hopefully have made Tink for the chch one!

Adding on to Tim's awesome list which is quite accurate,
There is food in the second hall area and while the parents are pretty good little kids are little kids and sticky hands aren't unlikely so just be prepared you may get food on you or slightly sticky (unlikely but still).

Haha also if anyone else is looking at this thread but lacking a costume I have an Aurora costume fitting in with the Disney theme that can probably fit a size 6-8 and might be possible to let out!

By brunetteyes. 07/11/12, 12:18 pm

Thanks for the info guys. Very informative.

Sounds like Princess Jasmine would be more appropriate then.

By Highlander. 08/11/12, 08:42 am

We have ten cosplayers and one photographer going to Christchurch so far.

https://www.facebook.com/events/493134440718398/?fref=ts

https://cosplaynewzealand.forumotion.com/t12262-special-children-s-christmas-party-christchurch

By neimhaille. 10/11/12, 03:22 am

Highlander, you need to contact me asap as you have been doing this without asking me first and you have a list of people attending who have not provided names nor have you indicated under what name you are organising this and with whom.

Marc knows me from doing this regularly from 2007, and I'd like to keep that relationship positive.

Please note this title was always about all the parties hense why it has "nationwide" in there.

Huge thanks to Tim for all his advice, it's very good :)

I did see you in person in your Kaz and I would be hesitant about it being okay in the main hall- from experience you need to be able to check your feet constantly as there are prams and wheelies galore. It's packed.
That said if you have a minder and stay out in the foyer, sort of near the side, you can greet the kids as they come in :) There is lots of light, and you are not so likely to be in a pathway :)
And then there is the corridor to disappear down to remove the head piece as needed

Fairytales are love! Parents and kids like them. :)

Might have to do a sound off:

Add you name to the lists so I can email Mark :)

Auckland:
Michaela (Neimhaille)

Hamilton:

[b]Wellington:

Christchurch:

Names are important as this is a *CLOSED EVENT* We are being invited and Mark needs to make sure no one is getting in who shouldn't be there.

By TinTango. 10/11/12, 07:17 am

Auckland
Tim (TinTango) dressed as The Beast (Ball version)

thanks for organizing Michaela! :)

By commandercandyfloss. 10/11/12, 07:36 am

Auckland here Very Happy

Saf (commandercandyfloss) dressed as Supergirl

uwu I am very excited for this, you're awesome Michaela

By Number-IX. 10/11/12, 09:04 am

Hey neimhaille, I missed out on attending last year's party and really wanted to help out this year, but I'm afraid I might be in Wellington during the Auckland party and possibly back in Auckland for the Wellington party :/ When is the latest for costumers to confirm attendance?

I'd like to go as Raven from Teen Titans but if I'm in Auckland could I possibly wear your Aurora, Annie? :) Princessy is better~

By brunetteyes. 10/11/12, 09:48 am

Auckland
Sophia (brunetteyes) dressed as Disney Princess Jasmine

By fleyer. 10/11/12, 10:34 am

I'll be up for the Auckland one! Rhiannon (fleyer) as Belle.

And if possibly the Christchurch one if that's cool! As Tinkerbell.

By EternalOutsider. 12/11/12, 05:51 pm

neimhaille wrote:: I did see you in person in your Kaz and I would be hesitant about it being okay in the main hall- from experience you need to be able to check your feet constantly as there are prams and wheelies galore. It's packed.
That said if you have a minder and stay out in the foyer, sort of near the side, you can greet the kids as they come in :) There is lots of light, and you are not so likely to be in a pathway :)
And then there is the corridor to disappear down to remove the head piece as needed

Put me down as a tentative then, provided i can organize a minder. If its super packed i will defiantly need one.

Evan (EternalOutsider) as King Kazma

By sakura_petals. 13/11/12, 04:53 am

Calie (sakura_petals) Christchurch (Belle)

By shannonxmaree. 14/11/12, 05:22 am

This sounds like a wonderful thing to do!~

I just ordered an Alice in Wonderland costume. Laughing

Will be great to finally meet you all.

By neimhaille. 15/11/12, 03:01 am

I hope I didn't miss out on anyone :) I"m going to email mark today to update him with what a great response :) I'll also ask him about the schedule just to make sure it's here all official like :)

Quote :: 24 November, 2012 Sat Christchurch: CBS Canterbury Arena, Addington Christchurch
Fleyer Tinkerbell (yay!)
Sakura Petals: Belle

01 December, 2012 Sat Hamilton: Mystery Creek Events Centre

08 December, 2012 Sat Auckland: Showgrounds, Greenlane Auckland
Tintango, Beast
BrunetteEyes: Jasmine
Saf- Supergirl
Eternal Outsider, King Kazma (seriously, you should be fine in the foyer area XD)
Number IX- Raven (honestly if you can make it that would be wonderful, please don't stress too much- I'll let Mark know :)
Fleyer: Belle

15 December, 2012 Sat Wellington: Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua Wellington
Fettman
Shannonxmaree: Alice in Wonderland

I just wanted to say thank you all so very very much :) I am going to miss the Wellington one but will be in Wellington that weekend if anyone wants to catch up on Sunday :)

Also if anyone needs a minder in Auckland I will wear Cinderella after all so I can be mobile and help be a pair of free hands :)

PS sorry for my grumpiness in an earlier post. All is good, we just now have two groups for Christchurch potentially and I can leave that to Mark to count heads ;)

By brunetteyes. 17/11/12, 03:56 am

I've just realised that my close friend's 21st is the night before this so I wont be able to attend anymore.

sad

I'm super bummed I have to miss another year D: I'm sorry.

By fleyer. 20/11/12, 06:47 pm

Okay bumping to say I probably won't make the Chch one (won't finish anything in that time) but hopefully I can still make Tinkerbell for Auckland instead!

By arjaytistic. 23/11/12, 11:14 am

Hi, I'd like to attend, I have a fairy costume. My sister would like to also as Esmerelda.

-- rj xx

By EternalOutsider. 23/11/12, 04:28 pm

neimhaille wrote:: Eternal Outsider, King Kazma (seriously, you should be fine in the foyer area XD)

Well if you think i will be good there, mark me down as confirmed. Very Happy

With my new ventilation system installed, i should get good run times out of Kaz. I'll just make friends with a security person or something and ask therm to keep an eye on me, incase i get mobbed by kiddywinks LOL.

By TinTango. 03/12/12, 07:26 am

I might have to switch costumes, just realised my Beast mask is too scary.
Will change to either Hulk or Shrek 2.0
Both are green.
Despite being Marvel, I can hang with Supergirl and Raven- for a superhero crossover team-up!

@brunetteyes- don't worry these things happen. Will miss you, but see you next year!

@fleyer you'll fit in with Arjay's fairy.

By Highlander. 03/12/12, 10:23 am

We had seven people for Christchurch. Some were easily recognised such as Alice and Minnie. The kids were 4-12. A few recognised some Naurto or Sailor Moon characters. We shared a backstage room with the 501st.

I think most of us were pretty nervous to start with. But we gave out caps and balloons. It helped break the ice. We must remember to bring Marker pens next time to sign hats with. Some of us did help in Santa's grotto. Which has no Santa in it. But lots of very good presents. We were guiding kids and parents for a couple of hours. I think the look on their faces when they saw what they got was worth it.

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