Just to clarify, I would like input regarding the kind of things you think new suiters should hear about so I can build a list and then elaborate on them.
Do's and don'ts ect.
Cleaning
Vision
Heat
repair advice ect.
Tender Paws
That kind of topics is good for a fursuit 101 beginner panel but it's not useful for intermediate-advanced performers.
I was thinking about some really advanced panels like we had at EF15 with GoH Croc & Jimmy Chin :
Action not words : Croc told to the attendees how interact/communicate is important in suit and how to use a spotter/helper to his advantage. Fursuiting is not just hugging, waving, posing but it's also interaction with people.
I suit, therefore I am : Croc told us about character creation, consistency. It's the next step after fursuiting and it's all about bringing a character to life, with his own personality and story.
Why mascots matters : Jimmy Chin told us his experience about Critters by the Bay and professional mascotting.
We could also have a workshop with specific topics : writing a fursuit/mascot skit, acting, dancing, using props...
Absolutely, The intermediate would cover character building and bringing a character to life.
We have a long time till CF2014 and I would like to get the 101 finished first, because I feel that a beginners panel will be the one that needs the most attention. I say this because it has to appeal, and it has to be useful.
Someone who attends the intermediate will have a desire to learn and perform better and will / should already have a good understanding of the basics. I would say (Get the inspiration going) Some people may never take to preforming in suit, just the way I cannot draw art. But new ideas mean you can find a way to be creative, even when you think you're unable.
A lot of my love and inspiration for costuming goes way back to when I was a kid and I would see Disney characters on TV. For a decade or more I wanted to do this as my dream job. So you could say I already had a keen interest in costuming.
I have also been a paid mascot performer.
Perhaps if you would like to talk to me about any ideas for the intermediate fursuit panel, I would greatly appreciate any input.
It would be nice to have a high quality panel to present next year.
Many thanks. Tender Paws.
tenderpaws@confuzzled.org.uk