Both serious and sappy

[dancerjodi]

There's been a debate raging in the 501st legion yahoo group as to whether an Episode III Anakin post being called Vader, but pre wearing the suit would qualify as a 501st costume. The discussion has been NASTY. I tell you, these costumers can cause drama that puts goth or poly crowds to shame!

The discussion moved on to people talking about costuming to type or lack thereof. Some mentioned that the pre suit Anakin wouldn't be a good 501st costume since its a face showing one, and that people could look really bad if they didn't actually look like Anakin. This progressed to a discussion about really overweight people and costuming. Its gotten quite ugly.

One woman had a wonderful reply. Its just so sweet, the story brought me to tears. You go girl!

"Best thing about my weight is I had the chance to play Princess Fiona [From Shrek] last year. Last October I did a hospital visit with the Central California Garrison. I was taken to one little girls room and told she never allows anyone in costume into her room let alone near her. Of which her dad is
always sitting on the bed with her to protect her.

I stood at the door green face and all and asked if I could enter the
room. She said yes. I walked close to her and asked her what she was
watching and what she had on her walls. She had drew pictures of
Cinderella since she loved her. I then told her a story of someone I knew
sent a drawen picture to Cinderella and Cinderella sent an autograph back.
I told her that she should check into this since she loved Cinderella so
much. The young girl smiled. I asked then if I could get a photo with her
for me to take home to share with Shrek and Donkey she said yes. Yes asked
if her dad would move off the bed so I could sit down on the bed with her.

I am (as some would say) Fat and over weight. But because of this I gave a
young girl something that NO strom trooper nor Darth Vader could give her."

I wish people can step back and think about what's really important in all of this and let go of elitism. Myself, I always costume to type since I really need to be comfortable with a role before I dress/act it, but I'd never fault anyone else for not doing that. For example, I'd make a piss-poor Sailor Moon since I'm just not 'kiddish' enough for that. Or I'd make a very bad Galadriel since I'm just not that frouffy or delicate. The Rebs always seem to get the shaft versus the Imperials in terms of costumed coolness (which also ties into this Anakin costume debate issue), but last Sunday *I* was one of the few costumed people at the theater that the terrified little girls felt comfortable talking to or taking photos with. Different strokes and all that, I just don't understand why some people don't see it, and think that it has to be their way or its just wrong.

Comments

[tiamatlady]

Leia was one of the few characters who scared the piss out of me. She stood up to Vader, she was pretty impressive. I'd probably run and hide. While sticking "Kick me" signs on the TKs. *lol*

Of course, as a child I ran away from an R2 at a BK. He was scary, so I was a bit of a dork, even then.
*giggle*

[electricsoup.livejournal.com]

you know, 90% of the reason i keep hedging on starting my star wars costumes, despite having all the materials for two of them, is that i'm still overweight.

comments like those are exactly why i haven't started. that sort of elitism is why i've reconsidered joining the 501st, despite being one of their biggest supporters for years :(

feel free to pass that along to them if you want. i'd rather they knew and realized that they exclude good people that way.

[silentq.livejournal.com]

Yikes, I didn't realise that costumers got all that bitchy. :/
I tend to feel most comfortable in costumes where I can get my hair to match, and find the right foot wear. :)
Which tangentially reminds me that I should dig my jawa costume out of the back of my closet and do the upgrades that I wanted to get done.

Vader!

[cintyber.livejournal.com]

I still wanna be Vader before the mask!
I can be Mini-Vader like Mini me exactly the same just smaller and I have the hair for it right now!

[mixedborder.livejournal.com]

When I finished my Darth Sidious costume and went to that fan-film festival in Worcester, the 501st guys (except for you) didn't seem at all friendly or welcoming. That, and the political infighting, are why I haven't taken photos and submitted them for membership. Plus I'm afraid my brooch doesn't look professional enough, and I hate rejection.

[developer.livejournal.com]

At least with poly drama someone is gettin' laid.

Goth drama still has no excuse expect that to be goth is to have drama.

[isolatory.livejournal.com]

Ah, but simple the answer is! You cannot be Vader unless you have a button on your chest that you can push to call your mother so she can come pick you up.

[slickgothgurl.livejournal.com]

i know who princess fiona is...but the rest you speak of... :blank look:

[pilot-babe.livejournal.com]

I love that woman's reply!!! That's what this silly hobby should be about.

A lot of this goes on with the MWG as well. Sad. I'm guilty of quitting organized costuming fandom myself because I'm sick of all the behind-the-scenes silliness that has been going on for far too long (well that and the fact that I never have time to devote to events the way I'd like *whine*).

I thought it was supposed to be about having fun, celebrating our shared fanpersoness, and most importantly doing good works and making kids (and adults) smile. Far too much lately it's turned into junior high level elitism and bickering. >:-< Maybe the people behind all the negative stuff that goes on in the different clubs were picked on all through school and this is their chance for some payback or something.

[kyrene.livejournal.com]

Vader has been established, as per canon, to have been Vader pre-mask. Therefore, Vader minus the mask is acceptable.

Not only that, but Vader is both incredibly hot with or without the mask. Hence, I cannot see why people are complaining. More hot people to costume as. Please, bring on the hotness, please. There isn't enough in the world.

Amen, pass the dark chocolate M&Ms....

Oi.

[fieryredhead.livejournal.com]

Gotta love the drama. Glad that you two are still sane.

:p

[ex-dead-man403.livejournal.com]

That's too bad about the drama - isn't the whole point just to dress up and have a blast? Life is too damn short to argue about whether Anakin qualifies as one side or the other, especially if someone can actually pull the look off!