Cosplay and Props - Approval

[ksmurf]

This is a friendly reminder that props and cosplays cannot be pre-approved before the convention.

PROPS
Prop inspection is handled by Hynes Security Staff and the Boston Police. Whether a prop is permitted into the convention is at their discretion.

Please review the Anime Boston Prop Policy for details about the prop inspection process and guidelines for bringing a prop weapon to Anime Boston http://www.animeboston.com/coninfo/conv ... ies/#props.

Take note of the Prohibited Items list as well: http://www.animeboston.com/coninfo/conv ... ited_items.

A helpful guideline to use is: hypothetically, if you hit someone with your prop (we do not condone this), who would break first - the person or your prop?

If the answer is 'the person', your weapon is less likely to be approved. Note: if the answer was 'the prop', this does not guarantee your prop will be approved.

When in doubt, we recommend leaving your prop at home, in your car, or in your hotel room.

COSPLAYS
Similarly, Anime Boston staff cannot pre-approve any cosplays.

Attendees are reminded that per our Convention Rules:

3. Appropriate attire is required at all times, including shoes, pants/shorts/skirts, and shirts/tops.

For more information on the convention rules and policies: http://www.animeboston.com/coninfo/conv ... eral_rules

[mono.mi]

I do not expect pre-approval, however I would like to know if fake knives such as plastic knives or knives made out of cardboard and plaster are allowed? Sorry if I am asking this in the wrong place or if this is a dumb question...

[Bennigata]

I do not expect pre-approval, however I would like to know if fake knives such as plastic knives or knives made out of cardboard and plaster are allowed? Sorry if I am asking this in the wrong place or if this is a dumb question...

It's really a case by case thing. When we say we can't pre-approve, we mean that the final say is always going to go to Hynes security. There may have been fake knives in the past, but security gets the last say. Ksmurf's guideline of "what breaks first, the prop or a person" is a good one to keep in mind. Use your best judgement.

[Shiki]

This may sound like a stupid question, and I apologize beforehand, but would http://www.animeboston.com/cosplay/cosplay_faq/#23 prohibit most cosplays of the Millennium organization from Hellsing and, more importantly, the Longinus Dreizehn Orden from Dies Irae?

[ksmurf]

This may sound like a stupid question, and I apologize beforehand, but would http://www.animeboston.com/cosplay/cosplay_faq/#23 prohibit most cosplays of the Millennium organization from Hellsing and, more importantly, the Longinus Dreizehn Orden from Dies Irae?

Thank you for your question.

I will directly address the costumes you mentioned:

Millennium Organization from Hellsing - Many of the members from Millennium do wear the swastika somewhere on their persons. The use of this symbol is not permitted at Anime Boston. Similarly, Nazi regalia such as the armbands, pins, patches etc. are not permitted. The only exception is if the symbols are replaced with something that is not related to Nazis or any other hate group (i.e. swastika replaced with a duck).

Longinus Dreizehn Orden from Dies Irae - From what we can tell in reference images, the armbands do not actually portray the swastika or any Nazi symbols. Per my note above, these armbands would be permitted.

IMPORTANT
While swapping out the symbols on armbands and other accessories would make the costumes permissible at Anime Boston, it is NOT recommended that these are worn outside of the convention center. Given the current political climate, many of these costumes could cause alarm in public and we want to ensure the safety of our attendees.

Please use common sense when planning your costumes and props if you intend to cosplay outside of the convention!

And finally: All cosplays are subject to Rule #23 at the convention and Anime Boston staff reserve the right to make final determination whether an object falls within these parameters.

[Shiki]

I tend to confirm my understanding by paraphrasing: So the black Hugo Boss-esque uniform is acceptable, though not recommended outside the convention premises, so long as there is no swastika on the armband. Fair enough. The LDO uses their own symbol, anyway.

[LolaLeon]

Anyone know how AB feels about underboob?

[ksmurf]

Anyone know how AB feels about underboob?

We are unable to pre-approve any cosplays before the convention.
Per our cosplay guidelines: revealing or offensive attire is prohibited and we ask attendees to avoid wearing attire that would be considered offensive to the general public. Convention, Hynes, Sheraton, and Prudential staff reserve the right to request that you cover up or change.

For more information, please see our cosplay-specific guidelines: http://animeboston.com/cosplay/cosplay_faq/#15

[EddieSTah]

I have a cosplay that I want to do that requires a few airsoft guns as props. Will this be allowed if there are no BBs inside of the guns? What are the rules on them?

[ksmurf]

I have a cosplay that I want to do that requires a few airsoft guns as props. Will this be allowed if there are no BBs inside of the guns? What are the rules on them?

Airsoft guns are listed under the prohibited items:
http://animeboston.com/coninfo/conventi ... ited_items

For more information about weapons and props, please see:
Cosplay FAQ - http://animeboston.com/cosplay/cosplay_faq/#18
Prop Policy - http://animeboston.com/coninfo/conventi ... ies/#props

[mainmarco]

Hi, new to cosplay and props and I have a quick question. I was planning to be The Heavy Weapons Guy from TF2. As a result, I was planning to build a non-firing minigun that spins up using a small hand drill. I was curious if that would be allowed? I have seen fake firearms at AB before and well made props. If I am able to make it, are there any indicators I need to add? Such as making the front muzzle orange similar to most props. Any help would be great! Sorry if this is a bad question, I'm new to this and don't wanna make life hard on the staff!

[ksmurf]

Hi, new to cosplay and props and I have a quick question. I was planning to be The Heavy Weapons Guy from TF2. As a result, I was planning to build a non-firing minigun that spins up using a small hand drill. I was curious if that would be allowed? I have seen fake firearms at AB before and well made props. If I am able to make it, are there any indicators I need to add? Such as making the front muzzle orange similar to most props. Any help would be great! Sorry if this is a bad question, I'm new to this and don't wanna make life hard on the staff!

Be advised that prop inspection is handled by Hynes Security Staff and the Boston Police - not Anime Boston staff. Whether a prop is permitted into the convention is the discretion of Hynes Security and Boston PD. Therefore staff can not pre-approve your prop nor can we tell you exactly what criteria a prop must meet to "pass".

Additionally, be aware that in accordance to Massachusetts General Law and Boston City Ordinance 16-5A, the Boston Police Department will treat anyone carrying realistic looking weapons as a legitimate thread and will take appropriate action. Therefore, prop weapons should not be carried outside the convention center. This includes in the Prudential Center.

For more details, please refer to our prop policies: http://www.animeboston.com/coninfo/conv ... ies/#props

That said, some helpful guidelines are:

• Hypothetically, if you hit someone with your prop (we do not condone this), who would break first - the person or your prop? If the answer is 'the person', your weapon is less likely to be approved.
  Note: if the answer was 'the prop', this does not guarantee your prop will be approved.

• We also highly recommend, as you stated, making sure your gun prop has an orange tip.

• Avoid using metal or other heavy materials.

When in doubt, we recommend leaving your prop at home, in your car, or in your hotel room.

[UBCSMercenary]

When it comes to tactical video game based cosplays from Zombie Survival Games such as Resident Evil 3 2020, for a cosplay of a character who uses real world weapons such as a Rifle based off or derived from the AR 15 series platform, hand grenades, and wears bulletproof body armor.

As for as the description of such type characters like S.T.A.R.S. members or Umbrella Special Forces go, what would be an acceptable way to Hynes security staff (that would not be inappropriate or offensive) of creating and incorporating make believe imitation versions of such types of paramilitary hardware or equipment as part of a costume of a character who uses such items?

As long as its verified by Hynes Security that it's not capable of firing anything and never was, I.E. the magazine doesn't detach, the chamber/action/bolt/slide/charging handle etc... don't move and the barrel not only has an orange tip, but also has no opening for anything to come out, and the cosplayer in posession of said prop is not misbehaving with it/acting in a manner with it that it would be interpreted by a reasonable person as anything other than just a cosume/prop, then would it be permitted as is under all those conditions above being met, or would there be additional criteria that must be met?

Also are there any rules on make up or body art depicting blood gore or wounds (Such as zombie bite Marks, headshot wounds, stab wounds, shrapnel wounds etc..?) If we were to cosplay as a Zombie or infected from a Resident Evil game?