Poppopopop the J

This weekend J-popcon '14 was held and I actually had a truly great convention. It was hectic as always, but I never felt uncomfortable as I sometimes have.

A note before we journey onwards: I adore cosplay and cosplayers everywhere. I look to others work and become interested in new methods and ideas. But when it comes to cosplay "idols" I don't always understand the hype. I do have two exceptions though... My favourite thing about cosplays is wigswigswigs and perhaps that is part of the reason why I truly glorify the Russian ladies R&R group, Ryoko-demon and Rei-doll. I've looked up to them for years and never ever thought the day would come where I'd meet them. They were announced as cosplay guests at J-popcon a few months back and I couldn't believe it!

My con started rather early - I went to get my convention bracelet early to avoid hours of queuing which proved to be pointless since we queued for a long time before the entrance ceremony (where the international guests where also introduced). After that Sascha and I got to briefly meet Rei and Ryoko and I failed miserably at keeping my cool.

I was part of a hipster princesses group! It was fun and relaxed to wear my own clothes + a wig. I went to a very relevant-for-me panel about film methods and manga (it was sooo interesting!) and was sad to leave early to go the cosplay show meeting. I caught the last of the Reward animators panel as well!

Emma, Smølf and Kristine was staying at mine over the weekend and they saved my day since we could drive in their car to the convention with my show prop.

We changed into cosplay (I debuted my Astrid from HTTYD2), had rehearsals and tried to keep our nerves in check...

... which isn't normally a problem for me, but I knew I had this judge panel (R&R + Reika) waiting for me. When I went into judging I started shaking, but everything went fine and they were so sweet.
Luckily we had fun backstage to take the edge off.

We goofed around and I saw almost the entire fantastic cosplay show before heading back to go on stage in slot 12. I only had 2 others participating in my category so it felt very odd going on stage - I can't really remember much even though I didn't have bad stage jitters or anything...

... And I managed to qualify for the ECG season 4! Team Denmark headed for Paris in the summer! I am so excited!!!

I went to the Russians' Q&A and learnt a few things I'd been wondering about the Russian cosplay scene. When they pointed to me for my question Rei-Doll kept calling me "the winner, the winner" hahah! I got this polaroid with them as well. 

 Aybike came to see me (and her other friends) Saturday and she made me cry after winning, haha. In the evening I went to the VIP dinner alongside the other winners and food never tasted so good (obviously). I had a long, really lovely talk with Rei-Doll and laughed with the silly Germans.

Sunday I hung out a lot with Stine, we saw the girls' fashion show and the second cosplay show!

We took a quick drive to Nationalmuseet to have some fun in their Purikura machine. It was a nice change from the same con location!

I went to Reika's make-up session and the later VIP meet 'n' greet. I got a more high definition photo with R&R and the ones still in the room in the end took a group photo! So cute.

To end the weekend I went to Wagamama with Kathrine, Stine and Rasmus. We ended up spending over 3 hours there laughing until our stomachs ached and eating delicious food. It was such a great ending to the weekend - and all is well that ends well, right? 

Ordering pizza with Ellen

The Oscars arrived one very pretty evening! I'd booked seats for myself and 7 other film students a few months ago and we'd been gearing each other up ever since!

We met up just around the corner from the theatre showing the live-steaming for a quick and cheap bite at Chilimilli's cafeteria restaurant.

We then went for champagne in the entrance hall and waited for the pre-show film: 12 years a slave! It was great seeing it as it came to win Best Picture. It was beautifully photographed too.

QTs.

 I finally got to wear my purple 12 pound dress with buttons all the way down the back. The long train makes it hard to wear a lot. I added a DIY Turkish lace applique belt since it was a bit simple though.

Everyone had dressed up - worn more make-up, worn the longest dresses in the wardrobe.. I think generally about 70 % of the audience was in fancy dress this year - it keeps accumulating!

 My expectations to Ellen as a host were SO HIGH you have no idea. And from the minute she started her opening monologue I loved her as a host. She brought relaxation and a burst of fresh air into the award show.

When Helium won short film the audience went ballistic with Danish pride!

Jared Leto was the first win of the evening and his speech was my absolute favourite - he included Ukraine and had a fantastic message, while also being personal. So was Cate Blanchett and she spread awareness about the lack of female leads in Hollywood. Honorary mention to the Frozen songwriters' cutesy speech.

Cate Blanchett and Pink wore my favourite dresses of the night. Pink's performance was so great too - I really liked the Wizard of Oz 75th celebration throughout.

The sun is slowly returning to Denmark...

Skyping with Aybike with spring flowers on my desk.