How to create a Vampire of Venice costume

Backlog post: 

In preparation for the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, fans from all over the globe are prepping up for their own celebration for The Day of the Doctor. In the Philippines, it is no different. We are gearing up for Fandom Production's End of the World Party at One San Miguel Building's Roofdeck on November 23.

Now, the biggest question for every Whovian for this kind of situation is, 'What am I gonna dress up as?' Whovians can choose from being an incarnate of The Doctor to a Companion or to a more challenging costume as a Villain or an inanimate object. And with the doomsday looming in, time plays a vital part in preparing a costume. Here's my step by step procedure on being a Vampire Fish, a villain from the Eleventh Doctor's Season 5 era entitled "Vampires of Venice."

I choose this character because I love historical episodes and there's a sense of enigma to the so-called Calvierri Girls from the planet Saturnyne. Given that their episode isn't a fan favorite because the Calvierri girls are practically... useless, this episode is the introduction of the threesome - The Doctor, Amy and Rory - a romantic romp that established Rory as a companion and a peek at The Doctor's darker side and sense of judgement. 

With regards to their costume, there are 3 Calvierri costumes - One is the full-on gown that was seen during their day out. It is comprised of a blue see-through veil, a corset gown, gloves and parasol. The second one is their nightie costume, which is just obviously, a nightie but made more difficult to pull-off because of their specialized fangs/teeth. The last option for the costume is the one worn during the Doctor Who proms, it is comprised of a nightie, parasol, fangs and gloves. The 3rd one is my choice because it's a bit of both of the 2 costumes and according to the schedule for the party, we will be watching the Doctor Who proms, so it is more recognizable for that purpose. Also, a nightie is more comfortable to move about with, light to pack and easy to put on - hassle free, if you may. 

Seeing that just wearing a nightie is quite boring, I decided to modify it. The Proms costume is still my choice but I decided to put on a veil for more added effect when I take photos. The veil will be pinned at my nightie's shoulder so I won't be picking it up every now and then. Basically, my nightie will have a hoodie, 

1. Printscreen: Reference is important in building your costume down to the last detail. Best tip is to print out the photo especially when your costume needs more details. I printed the front, back, length, and zoom in details of the Calvierri nightie costume.

2. The Gown: The nightie gown stems from old European sleeping clothes. Basically, it is a period piece of clothing. The neckline is quite plunging with a semi-sweetheart shape, there's also the puffy sleeves. But always remember that when it comes to the costume itself, the fabric will ALWAYS be king. If you are gonna cosplay, cosplay it good. 

I went to our local town's fabric store, they have 4 options for me for the beige fabric. They gave me a thicker fabric, glossier fabric, thinner fabric and sort of old fabric. I choose the old fabric, which is to my knowledge and relief is, Old Cotton. It is quite pricey than the rest of the fabrics but it is exactly what I need for a period piece of clothing. It creases well, looks old and yes, dirty white or beige in color. Bought about 5 and a half yards for it because of my body type. I also bought a blue chiffon fabric for the veil around 1 and half yards that is to be made into a hoodie. I sent it to my dressmaker, have myself fitted and waited for about 2 weeks for her to entirely finish the costume, and when she did, I love it a lot. Perfect down to the last detail. Thank you Aunt Dita, you deserve a mention in my blog. I'm perfectly happy with my gown. :D

3. Parasol. The Doctor says so, they are Vampire Fishes. So the parasol makes sense to protect them from the sun. I tried to make one but I only destroyed one of my pretty umbrellas. So I ended up buying a laced parasol online. If you are from the Philippines and would want to purchase one, try hooking up with Everything Under the Sun. Their transaction is fast, accurate and beyond high quality. I got mine 3 days after I deposited the payment, which is quite fast considering I live in the province. 

4. Fangs. Now... Vampires aren't vampires without their blood sucking fangs. It wouldn't be acceptable without them. And the centerpiece of the costume are the fangs, it makes the costume more recognizable. Building the fangs will be quite the challenge.

I look for tips online on how to harden modelling clay. They say baking them would be the key, but mine is just modeling clay and not fit for baking or hardening... I learned it the hard way. I ended up melting my pair of ready-made plastic fangs in the oven. It melted like goo. Meh. Good thing I bought 2 pairs. Haha. Another good thing is that I've been preparing for the event months ago, so the search for the fangs isn't that hard as Halloween came, I bought a couple of ready-made plastic fangs with the proper spacing, so it looks really authentic-looking.

I couldn't harden my fangs and I couldn't make my clay stick to the plastic fangs, so I just had to air dry the clay in according to the mold and hope it holds on at the end of the party. 

5. Details: Looking like a vampire isn't just slapping on the whitest make-up you could find. A little enhancement here and there would definitely help a lot.

a.) Contact Lenses: The Eyes could enhance your look. Here I got the Freshlook Contact Lenses on Gray color. Trust me, Gray enhances your smize 3 folds. It gives you that glossy eye effect and a hint of mystery. Couple this up with smokey eye make-up with heavy eyeliners. The Gray contact lenses will definitely pop out. 

b.) Gloves: During the Doctor Who proms, at the Pandorica Set, the Sisters of the Sea had their parasols on with matching gloves. You need gloves coz you don't want yourself to burn. White cotton gloves could be easily bought at any super market, craft store or office supplies store for a really cheap price.

c.) Hair Volumizer/Hair Tiss-er: This is one of the best finds I had during the construction of this costume. Bought it on the day itself before the party at an annual bazaar. Calvierri Girl's hair are donned in an up-do, an instant tiss. Basically, you stick the thing on your head, near the forehead area and cover it with your hair/bangs. It creates that sexy up-do that vampires have, put a couple of clips on and you have a bangs free vampire hairdo for the rest of the party. 

d.) Make-up: Aside from the heavy smokey eyeliner *not in photos*, a Calvierri Girl needs to have a little bit of enhancement to keep her from becoming human looking. Lol. 

• Nude Lipstick: You already have heavy eye make-up, wearing a bright red lipstick isn't best with it - nude is the way to go. From the photos, they don't have any color on their lips at all, so just recreate that without the feeling of face powder on your lips. I used a Maybelline Nude Lipstick.
• Contour Applicator: Vampires have that sullen look on them, and have you notice they always have high cheekbones? So you can recreate that with the contour applicator, I used Ever Bilena's Honey contour blush.
• CC Cream: This is the first thing you have to put on your face before all the make-up. CC Cream is the upgraded version of BB Creams. BB Creams are blemish balms that makes your face picture perfect, same with CC Creams but with a few enhancements on the coverage of your face. Anyway, one thing with CC Cream is that once you apply them on, you will have a whiter looking skin, but not only that, you look whiter on photos. So I guess, being a vampire, CC Creams help you that effect when it comes to posing alongside The Doctors or companions.
• Translucent Powder: Basically, Translucent Powder just makes you whiter than regular powders. I mean, after applying CC Creams, use Translucent Powder to matte your face afterwards. Avoid using CC Creams and Translucent Powder at ones when going out because it does really make you really ghotsly white. Not pretty white. 

 

After constructing the fangs, fitting the gown with a little bit enhancements on the length, I took it for a dry run and here's what I came up with. :D 

I hope this tutorial has been helpful. It's the first time I focused on a costume with such detail because I fell in love with the fandom and community in Whovians Philippines which made me want to cosplay more Doctor Who characters and go back to the cosplay community that I once fell in love with so much. The community has made me realize that it's still fun to cosplay even when we transfer fandoms. :D

Ginoo at Binibining Pakil 2013: Photographer Outtakes

If there's one thing you have to know about me is that, I love pageants. I love to study other people's perception of beauty and pageants are venues for such event. It is also quite the social gathering that people will be talking about for weeks. And I am one of those people, admittedly. I try to dabble to local pageants as much as I can. If I can't offer my services, I'll eventually come around and ask the next person with me about what is happening with the pageant, the rehearsals, blah, blah, but to a point of just enough of being curious of what's happening in the local scene.

Perhaps it's the collaboration of artistry that makes me want to watch pageants, the stage designing, stage lighting, costume design, photography, modeling, fashion design and overall artistic freedom in one night. Mind you, I know a little bit about theater and production stuff, but pageants are always intriguing for me. Moreover, there's always an essence of theatricality and whimsicality in it - one night dedicated to the idea of beauty and everything that comes along with it.

This year though, I was quite involved in it. Well, not much, but sort of. Anyway, I was asked to shoot the candidates for their pageant photos. I didn't want to at first but I eventually gave in because they have been so persistent and I just couldn't say no to nice people. Oh well.

I just brought a friend along with me, who has been pretty much very helpful and I never undermine it one bit and we proceeded to shooting the candidates. It was awkward at first shooting girls in their swimwear with bodies that are... well, let's just say, very sexy. But eventually, you get the hang of it and you just shoot them, no biggie. But then, boys come in in their swimming trunks, and dear lord, I feel much awkward. They are barely somewhat naked! But you know, I need to be professional and pull myself together, so I just shoot them silently and giggle on my own thoughts. haha.

We followed the shoot eventually with casual wear for both boys and girls and it was aptly done in good time. The organizers were really organized. Like things went smoothly, no wasted time, everything was done completely as planned to which I was really impressed. Really, truly impressed. Though there's still the jitters that did I get a nice picture of him or did I fuck up? I mean, these are supposedly my clients, so I must not fuck up. But he told me exactly what he wanted for the tarpaulin and I get it completely, we are in the same page, so bravo to you, Butchay.

Doing the setcards was a breeze, I thought of just making it clean and simple and elegant. I don't like the design to overpower the candidates faces so I keep it clean. And as per request of the organizer, just a close up body picture is okay and I choose the rest with the casual and another one, so he gave me limited guidelines to which I can play with which is very fine by me. I made it in smaller resolutions so it would immediately fit Facebook's news feed preview, no cut heads or something. So yeah.

Complete Setcard Layout for 2013 candidates.

Now, the tarpaulin is quite the big problem. I don't know how to layout tarpaulins. I can layout average-size photos. But to print them on a 8x10 foot scale? Err, I'm utterly clueless. I seek help from our town's resident awesome artist, Kuya Etick. To my surprise, he didn't just tell me what to do, he showed me what to do. We kept exchanging emails about how should this and this be done and he replied quickly and exactly. I mean, he was just, awesome~! Salute to you oh great leader. Haha. Almost, mustering up how to edit a big ass tarpaulin size photo, I managed to level up my skills and that is quite commendable, even if I do say so myself.

So basically, I nailed the size and resolution/math part of the tarpaulin. *good me* But imagine that tarpaulin without the logo. I was like, it looks bare. So I rummaged to get last year's logo, but it was saved as .jpeg, so I can't edit it. So I flipped my keyboards and said, "What the hell, I'll make one." Which is very odd for me to say because I haven't really tried editing logos, much more pageant ones. It needs to be very elegant and royal-looking. I focus my mind on the fonts that I'm going to use, the layout, the assembly of the logo. how I can design it without overly designing it. Meh. 

What I did was, I retained or somewhat copied the same font of the 'Ginoo and Binibining' because it's very readable and quite good enough. Then I had to enlarge the P in Pakil so that it has the essence of being a logo and not just words bunch up together and kick in the 2013. But since I'm such a minimalist person, or I just want clean stuff, I just made it plain Silver with embossed edges to make it look 3D and regal. I also ditched the former crown and sceptre to which those kind of logos are usually made with and just replaced it with an energy ball for a fantasy and whimsical effect. It looks clean and very royal indeed, so I'm happy about the logo and I'm proud I made it all from scratch. Just sad that I can't put the crown or sceptre on. haha. But it really looks very royal.

And so, I finalize the tarpaulin and the setcards and gave it to my clients. They'll be the ones to set up the page. I didn't bother to get involved with the page because it causes a lot of ruckus and it frustrates the heck out of me when getting too much notifications just like last year. I'm just happy that our photos were used and that's a gorram awesome thing for me. :D 

After giving the page an ample time to accumulate likes, I released some of the photos from the photoshoot. I know candidates could be vain and they very well be because they are the chosen bunch for this year's beautiful people. And I also like to think that beyond the competition they are friends, so I got a little something something for them to remember by: GROUP PHOTOS. I teased them on my Mira Vista page first and uploaded the rest accordingly.

Then it's the Big Night for our candidates. Even though it was drizzling, the pageant continue on and it was all in good time too. The event ended around 12:30 AM. Not that long considering they had 3 hours worth of presentation and exposure. I was in the backstage prepping myself up to award the Ms. Photogenic title, so I didn't even consider taking photos that night. One, I had enough of event photography, I just want to enjoy the night, Two, I had other things in mind, which is not screwing the awarding even if it is just being exposed for a good 1 minute, Three, I seriously cannot stand the fact that I'm too small for the high stage, my camera is beyond excellent working capability, rain, competition for vantage point and the only girl (supposedly) to take pictures during the coronation night. I know it's not an excuse but I swear, my mind is just focused on not tripping on the candidate's gown and not poking the awardee with the pin. Meh.

Me awarding the Ms. Photogenic Award.
Photo Credits to: Tadeo Sagritalo

Then of course, there will be photo opts. I got the chance to be boy crazy that night. Well, not that boy-crazy per se. I just wanted to congratulate the candidates for winning and not winning and sometimes, for not being anymore the winner. 

Photo opt with me~! lol.
Thank you D for taking these photos.

Congratulations little bro~! 

And this fella is just happy enough to turnover his title.

And since, the day after that, or the week, people are still pageant high, I put these together to make a statement. :D 

4 years of Pakil Royalty

Overall, I'm just happy to be part of the production team of this year's pageants. I don't know next year, but hopefully, I get to watch it too. Even with just that participation. :D 

Battalia Royale Survival Guide

Notice: I shouldn't be posting about Battalia Royale in any way at all. Because I'm afraid I'll be breaking a few of the Underground World's rules or something. I'm into preserving the cult status but on the other hand, it's nice to see people appreciate this kind of live action role playing game. And so, I'll keep this entry very vague but quite useful for others who would want to witness killing other people. And so... We RUN.

My Fanart tribute to Sebastian Kiriyam played by Sir Kevin Martin

I just got to know Battalia Royale from a friend. I got invited and I have no idea on what to expect on this Interactive Play they are raving about. I have denied myself all the spoilers and news about it. In short, I'm very clueless onto what will the curtain offer.

Let's back track a bit: I remember watching Battle Royale, an epic cult film classic from Japan where the story revolves around a class of students kidnapped to be taken in an isolated island and are forced to kill each other for 3 days until there is only one left standing, back in 2007. I have long been a fan of watching Japanese films and this movie sticks with you arbitrarily.

And so being a fan of the film, my friends and I agreed to wear a school-ish outfit to feel that we belong to the scene. BAD IDEA.  At the end of the play, my little black doll shoes was split in half from all the running, my skirt was quite damp from all the crouch sitting position and the rain and I got blood splatters all over my well-made up face.

It wasn't the usual play you see on theaters. First off,  the venue is the whole backyard of Museo Pambata which is quite ironic considering the loosely based premise of the play from the movie. There are no seats. As an audience you literally have to run and you are part of the play.

The experience was quite exhilirating. I've got mixed emotions on seeing other people kill each other and us, the audience, being herd around by Marshalls with flashlights and fake gunshots. Not to mention my very straight upbringing made wince on some parts that are taboo on other people's eyes. I can't tell you how different the play is and how it is chaordically presented. I'm a very techie person. I look on how things are made. But in this case I overlooked it all because I feel I'm really part of the play and you are just captivated by how alien things are in terms of content, technicalities and production especially when you are such a fan that living it for real is whoa.

I guess you just have to sign up and experience it first hand which is also quite a challenge because they have a very different ticketing system. Remember this one is underground. You are warned.

Photo Credit from Battalia Royale/Sipat Lawin Facebook Page.

My entry won't do the first hand experience justice.

And as to abide by artist rules, I support independent artists such as this independent theater. Audience aren't supposed to take any pictures during the event because it is still a play after all. Hence, the lack of photos on this very entry. You don't go to theaters and click away. It's theater ethics. Duh!

But after experiencing the play first hand, I need to post it on my blog somehow. And so I came up with a rather weird idea of posting a Survival Guide for Battalia Royale from my own experience. I wouldn't want someone leaving the venue with one shoe torn in half like me. So here it goes, The Battalia Royale Survival Guide.

1. WEAR RUBBER SHOES. Why? There will be A LOT of running and your feet will be very much grateful because it will survive 3 hours worth of ache. (Remember I went there thinking I'm part of the game right? So I was in cosplay mode, school girl top and skirt, with knee high socks, doll shoes and a clunky handbag - REALLY BAD IDEA)
2. KEEP YOUR BAG SMALL. I carried a clunky bag that night which drags my running. It flops itself around me as I take a sit or stand up. I wish there was a baggage counter somewhere so I could leave my things, but of course, it will be at my own expense. You wouldn't be able to do much while you are inside anyway. You'll be herded.
3. WEAR PANTS. I was in a god-damn mini skirt. I can't crouch down when I needed to view the characters closer. I can't sit comfortably and it was just a complete bad idea to wear a skirt on this play.
4. HYDRATE YOURSELVES. As I said, you will run a marathon - some what. So you will need water. Seriously, we were so parched afterwards and looks like we've been through hell and back.  I'm already saving you from this foreseen event.
5. PACK A PACK. You can include cigarettes and lighters to that small bag of yours. You can take a yosi break in the venue. They are cool with it, even Marshalls smoke their stress off.
6. NO BLINGY. You wouldn't want scratching someone with that huge ring of yours or losing your favorite piece of jewelry over the stampede. So, keep it low key. You are an audience, not the star.
7. DON'T BE SUCH A HECKLER. I hate hecklers as much as I hate spoilers. They are self proclaimed Kill joys and are no fun. There are a few during our batch who seem to be worth killing as well as the characters. Jeez, these people doesn't realize hard work.
8. BRING A FOLDABLE UMBRELLA. Bring this along with your small bag. The venue will be the whole backyard of Museo Pambata, no roof over your heads when it starts raining. That, or a trusty RAINCOAT.
9. BRING MONEY. Aside from paying your fees if you are a walk in, there are also a lot of Battalia Worthy items that are work keeping. Like the survival kit which contains a random class card (the character that you want/don't want to follow), a flashlight, a glowstick, a map anda Battalia Royale insignia bandana for only 100Php. There are also raincoats there for sale just in case you skipped Rule #8 and some cool art pieces. And also, you will be so hungry after 3 hours, you'll just car pool to somewhere open to eat.
10. BRING A HANKY. There will be killings. So there will be blood. That means some mother will be angry about your stained clothes. Prepare a Hanky to wash off sweat, blood, saliva or other human exhaust.
11. BRING A FRIEND. Seriously, half of my experience is enjoying the horror with a friend. We stick together through all the running, and more running. And let's support independent theaters, spread the word.
12. BRING AN OPEN MIND. There will be people who will be not so cool with what they'll see. Majority of them gets eliminated already when they haven't watched Battle Royale. The rest will be just be happy to  look underneath girls' skirts. Jeez.
13. BRING THE EXPERIENCE HOME. Tell your friends about it. Go again next screening. It will be always a different experience I'm telling you.

So yeah, I think that sums up all my frustrations. But those frustrations only added more fun to my Battalia Royale experience. Seriously, I got blood splattered all over my face because we got good erm, seats. And I was drenched from the rain, but it made all the scenes quite dramatic and daring.

But at the end of the day, you question yourselves about the morality of it all. It's one of the message that BR is trying to tell us. If given the choice, would you stop the play or not?

To experience the thrill of killing people, please check out their facebook page here. And their ticketing system here. And here's a SPOILER alert for the stubborn ones on what Battalia Royale is all about. Spoiler here.