BEFORE LEAVING TO SINGAPORE
We had meetings to decide how to proceed. I can't stress enough that this Ouke no Monshou Project is the brainstorm and work of Venus herself and no other! She comes up with the idea and the way of execution, and i'm happy to oblige and put my trust and faith on whatever she aims to do. We only did very little of help with props-making and audio-recording. Sometimes ... actually a lot of time.... some moral support and encouragement. There were too many time that they had to go through some bullshits from organization.
But it is only fair for you to hear the hellish experience straight from the one experiencing it instead so feel free to CLICK HERE for the story from Venus.
AFA DAY ON SATURDAY
Our train from KL to Singapore arrived at 8am on Saturday. Only Me n Yuan traveling together using our own money since helpers don't get any perks or help from organizers. That's fine by us. But we don't even get a free entry pass.... so decided to just walk around Singapore till nightime.
We went to Spotlight and some bookstores to get Chuang Yi publishing English manga. When to restaurants here n there some icecream and such. Bought Yuan a replica of some 14th Century gun for our Steampunk cosplay next year. And then we walked around Bugis for some clothes shopping! I so totally love Bugis there's a lot of Mori styled outfits with lace and skirts galore i was in high heaven!!! Ended up i fell for and bought some tartan lolita-ish outfit. By evening i was solid broke and tired and drenched in the rain so we head to AFA venue. Hang out with some friends outside the hall.
My loot from the day! The gun is not in pic. Oh I finally has a Kyuubei~ contract?We promised to meet up with Venus n Blur at 9pm for their rehearsal practice. It got a bit draggy and the rehearsal only starts about 11pm? Nothing much happened, we were testing out the projector screening and lighting parts, each team gets 2 rounds, and the rehearsal ended about 3am. Me and Yuan (after much difficulty) finally manage to get some sleep at a backpackers hostel at 5am.
AFA DAY ON SUNDAY
Competition day!!! We were so damn tired but after putting on costume and whatnots, manage to get backstage around 11am. I was quite shocked about the place where all the cosplay teams were DUMPED at for preparations. It's at some corner alleyway, outside a locked toilet, with NO LIGHTS. And getting into the hall and backstage is such a big problem. We were given tags that says RCC on it BUT when we show it to the guards guarding the entrances, THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ANY COMPETITION IS BEING HELD hence everytime we had to make phonecalls to someone already inside to come outside and to confirm that the pass is LEGIT and we can ENTER. It happened too many many times.
The competition went smoothly enough. I was given the task of standby-ing the PA system and help with the stage props construction and transportation whenever i can. Me n Yuan used every single knowledge that we gained at our WCS experiences this time in helping out and supporting Venus & Blur, physically, emotionally and everything else. And happy to do so. I cried a bit when it's all done oh dang such a relief!! i spent most of my time in AFA backstage and didn't get to mingle much with friends but I AM HAPPY. and PROUD OF OUR TEAM.
I find Team Malaysia's performance damn superb!! Original and dramatic. All our hardwork~ You can view the performance video HERE. There are many other versions of it in youtube.
Me n Yuan left on a bus to KL at 8pm on that same day (because we're too broke to overnight). ^^ Venus and Blur left on Monday.
PERSONAL THOUGHTS
On Sunday we were cosplaying Remillia and Sakuya from Tohouvania, upon request by our friends. Not many nice pics or any pic at all since we're too busy running around backstage. We'll have a proper Touhouvania shoot with the team later on.
And because we're backstage we kept bumping into the guests most of the time, mostly Aniki, Kaname and Usagi. I get to hug Kaname many time uwaaaa i'm so happy!!
Happy happy Dorky Fangurl YES!!!!
One of the main (actually the ONLY) reason i wanted to join RCC is because it has GIANT PROJECTED SCREEN FOR BACKGROUND AND LIGHTING SYSTEM I CAN PLAY WITH!!! There's no functions n tools like this in any cosplay competition in Malaysia. i was so excited when i get to play with projector screen and lights at Cosfest few months ago... but AFA's stuff is way more grand! And i'm itching to make use of it. So maybe in the future, if i get the chance and minus all the sideline cow-shitz. *prays*
I really like the Indonesian Team's performance. It was one of my dream skit to have something like that, to have the BG and cosplayer work together seamlessly for special effects! Nice work. Although i'm not a Kamen Rider fan. Also I love the song a hell lot it is so smex!!!
Anyway results are 1st) Philippines, 2nd) Thailand, and 3rd) Indonesia. Battle of the foam-armours and LEDs hoyeaaa~
Anyway i had a GREAT time helping out my friends and i don't mind doing it again and again. Cosplayers need to support and stick together more through thick and thin. Decrease all the inner battles and just enjoy this money n time and brain cell consuming hobby of ours called COSPLAY!!!
P/S .... a rage filled but true story note from my Partner Yuan. i suck at raging so i let her do this. Future Malaysian AFA contestants have to really brace themselves for next year.
