Cosplay - Anime Comes Alive With This Fascinating Hobby!

By Ben Pate

Derived from the English words "costume" and "play" Popular Cosplay is a rapidly expanding hobby following in the wake of the anime sensation that has taken off in the past two decades. Built on the goal of crafting elaborate and astonishingly accurate costume depictions of fan's favorite anime characters, the hobby is an incredible and complex source of fun for anime fans all over the world.

In Japan, Popular Cosplay is an extremely popular pastime and can be commonly seen at public events such as video game shows, cosplay parties and nightclubs. In the more recent years since 1998 and beyond a great deal of cosplay cafes have begun to turn up in the Japanese Akihabara district and have grown drastically in popularity.

Attention to detail is perhaps the most challenging and important part of a cosplay costume. The accurate depiction of the anime character being portrayed is the most critical part of the costume itself. At many anime conventions there are contests where the accuracy and creativity of cosplay costumes are judged and winners are awarded based on their costume's accurate depiction of character.

Very much different than Halloween costumes, the goal of a cosplay costume is to literally become the character that is being depicted. For this reason cosplay costumes tend to be extremely elaborate and even simple costumes may take months of research and crafting to make properly. Many costume makers will employ many doctrines of craftsmanship to get the proper texture, look and feel of the specific character they want to cosplay as.

Cosplay costume trends are always changing. On a yearly and monthly basis, depending on what anime, movies and video games are currently popular, the characters of cosplay change. In the past years even some non-anime characters have become popular cosplay choices. Harry Potter and Star Wars are common choices for non-anime character costumes.

Evolving from within the hobby of cosplay itself are some subset groups of enthusiasts who have taken cosplay in new directions. Crossplay for example is a type of cosplay where the players themselves dress up as characters of the opposite sex. However since anime tends to feature characters wearing a variety of unique and not necessarily gender-specific clothing, this is not seen as all that odd.

As it stands now, cosplay has grown so much that at their monthly and yearly conventions thousands of pictures are taken. Taken by "cameko" or "camera boy" photographers, these pictures often end up one of the hundreds of dedicated cosplay community sites online or in one of the cosplay magazines around the world. - 23815

About the Author:

Anime does not appear to be losing steam anytime soon and along with it; cosplay is only becoming more popular. Expressing the highest level of multi-discipline art and culture, cosplay is an intriguing and fun way for Manga fans to truly express themselves.

Battlestar Galactica TV show

By Sonya Blade

Battlestar Galactica is undoubtedly one of the best shows on television today as well as when it first aired. The legacy of the show goes back to 1978 when it first aired and the story began. Today, the show stands as one of the most faithfully watched series on television. And, the show has this almost cult-like following for a reason - it's that good!

The setting of this show is aboard a ship full of military personnel that circle a chain of planets called colonies in which humans now live; there are 12 of these colonies in total. The crew members aboard the ship are the last survivors of a bloody war against their enemies, the Cylons. The main goal of the military personnel aboard this ship is to find the thirteenth colony of survivors, which is the planet Earth. The Cylons are adamant about destroying the colonial people and launching their own Armageddon.

This show is so interesting because it is a depiction of what humans face as we get closer to extinction. The end-of-times-like basis for the show includes these 12 separated civilizations that exist in the 7th millennium of human history. So, ironically, it is Earth that it is this 13th colony that the fleet of Battlestar Galactica is looking for. These settlers on planet Earth were a settlement that happened when all humans traveled out of their original, native planet of Kobol.

The show does have the basics of a 'good guy/bad guy' storyline but so much more. The characters have their own personal issues and conflicts, quandaries, and times when someone aboard the ship is not who they say they are. This is what makes Battlestar Galactica so great is the fact that there is action upon drama and the characters are so real.

There is so much action and explosion in this show that it is incredible. The special affects are so amazing in this show that they will leave you with your jaw hung open. Battlestar Galactica is perfect for anyone who loves drama and to follow a good series. There are tons of series with episodes within them. So, if you have not seen this awesome show, you have a lot of catching up to do! - 23815

About the Author:

If you enjoy Battlestar Galactica, click on Battlestar Galactica DVD.

8 Tips To Learn Guitar Scales for Guitar improvisation

By Mike Brown

Scales are an important portion of your creativity, regardless of whichever scales you desire! The more scales you know, the more ways you have of expressing yourself. If you want to take a proved and tested path that will allow you to play the music of many master musicians, I would suggest you learn scales in the following order.

1. Minor Pentatonic. This is the 1st scale and a lot of people learn it. It is easy because it only has 5 notes, and it opens up huge possibilities for improvisation. Some guitar players never require more than this scale.

2. Major pentatonic. This is pretty alike and is a variation of the minor pentatonic.

3. Major Scale. This scale is the base of western music.

4. Natural Minor scale. The major scale and natural minor scale both form the backbone of western music. You can use the pentatonic scale wherever you apply the minor scale because the pentatonic is in reality the minor scale with just a a couple of notes. With the above collection of scales you can play 95% of music that you are familiar with. If you stop here you can still be a very efficient instrumentalist. The next scales are more particular in their application, but more wonderful and cooler and will start to impart your music with a more special and distinctive feel.

5. Harmonic Minor/Melodic Minor. Two variations of the lower-ranking scales that give a distinct feel, especially the harmonic minor.

6. The major modes are Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian. These Modes are built up according to particular patterns. Depending on your own choice, they will give your music of a different feel. The taking of modes helps you greatly when you are thoroughly experienced with the scales I stated above.

A lot of people don't make it past the major modes - by the time you master the major modes and the some other scales, you are skilled musician, with a large range of musical scales and stylings to feed into your musical composition and soloing.

7. Exotic Scales. I call any scale that I haven't listed above an "exotic scale" - that's just my tag for it. There are hundreds of exotic scales, numerous of them used in peculiar types of folk music or Jazz. You could spend many years learning them all, and you can find reference books on them such as the Guitar Grimoire.

8. Modes of Exotic scales. Every scale has associated modes; it is not true that modes merely exist for major scales. They provide you an even better palette of notes to pick out from. - 23815

About the Author:

E Walker is the founder of Planet of Rock. Imagine having a real band backing you up, anytime and anywhere with Guitar Jam Tracks . Check out our most popular product, the Blues Backing Tracks

Benefits of Kids Camcorders

By Timothy Clark

Kids today are more technologically advanced compared to kids a century ago. Because they have better educational tools and opportunities, they also have advanced more quickly with advanced technology. They are also more mature than previous generations because of these advances. Parents should be aware of the need to provide mental stimulation to their children whenever possible through whatever means are available.

Innovative products can teach them a passion for different things that they may not be aware they are interested in. High academic ratings are needed, but you also have to provide other means to develop artistic, musical, literary and dance performance or inclinations to make them a productive and well-rounded adult.

A child's creativity and other artistic skills can be captured and nurtured with a kid's camcorder. You can find them online or at a local retailer. The choices are numerous since there are differences in size, color, design, specification and price. If you do your research, you can get a high quality kid's camcorder to fit your budget. The proven benefits of using a kid's camcorder are numerous and impressive, as we will attempt to explain.

The first benefit that you can derive from a kid's camcorder is that it is a handy tool to keep your son's or daughter's attention. It is an undeniable fact that children have a very short attention span especially if they don't like where they are and they have nothing to do. Instead of letting them sit like idle creatures that are bored to death with their surroundings, why don't you utilize the magic of a camcorder? It will help while away their time and also develop their interest in making short films or documentaries. In addition, they can keep a record of their days as a child director and will have fun looking back when they are full grown adults already.

It definitely develops their imagination and later on, their communication and social skills as well. It's like shooting the proverbial two birds with one stone.

Another advantage of a kid's camcorder is that it is improves the media literacy level of your child. Since they are familiar with the way a camera works, their interest will be piqued and they are more likely to tune in to news in the television, thereby increasing their knowledge about current events. It doesn't matter if it's about politics, religion, culture or lifestyle for as long as they are updated.

Lastly, having a kid's camcorder will teach your child about responsibility. Just like in the blockbuster hit and cult movie Spiderman, the saying 'With great power comes great responsibility' rings true in this case. If your child was granted the privilege of owning a camera at such a very young age, then it means that he is also responsible for it. It doesn't only entail knowing how to operate the camera, but also being aware of how to take care of it such that minor malfunctions and technical troubles may be avoided. If they break some of the ground rules that you have set, then you have the option of taking away their camcorder, either temporarily or permanently so that they would truly understand its value.

As you have just read, there are wonderful benefits in getting a kid's camcorder. May you be influenced so that your child will also gain much more than a simple material possession! A kid's camcorder is an amazing gadget that can open up a world of infinite possibilities. - 23815

About the Author:

Every kid would want to have a HD camcorder of their own. But camcorders are not for kids to play with so instead the can get a great replica. Kids camcorders come in many qualities and at different prices. If you want to know more about camcorders for children be sure to check out our website today.

A Couple Of Various Hollywood Movie Reviews To View

By Rene Dennis

For a long time we have used the video store as one of our main ways to access movies. As technologies have advanced, downloading dvds off movie download sites is becoming very common. Following is a list of a few movies that you can get using a movie download site.

Above Suspicion: WWII is just starting. American newlyweds honeymooning in Europe are enlisted by the US government to carry out an espionage mission against the Nazis. Can the honeymooners succeed? Richard Thorpe. Joan Crawford, Fred MacMurray, Conrad Veidt, Basil Rathbone and others. (1943 Espionage)

Roll Bounce: A group of skate-admiring adolescents on Chicago's South Side have to prove themselves to the snobs on the other side of town while their local skating rink closes, all when facing the pleasures and pangs of growing up. As craze-based coming of age films go, this is a notch or two underneath Saturday Night Fever and an advancement over Roller Boogie. Cast includes Droop Wow, Chi McBride, Mike Epps, Wesley Jonathan, Kellita Smith, Meagan Excellent, and Tim Kazurinsky. (112 minutes, 2005)

Rocky Balboa: Rocky has settled in to retirement, but a virtual match showing Rocky beating the current champ, Mason Dixon, has caused a stir. Now, the champ wants Rocky in the ring. Rocky decides he must do this fight, and he starts to train again to get back in the ring one last time.

Lust for a Vampire: Carmilla, the seductress from The Vampire Lovers, preys on young students at an all girl school. Third-rate terror film is very weak. Cast includes. Ralph Bates, Yutte Stensgaard, Barbara Jefford, Michael Johnson, Suzanna Leigh, Mike Raven, and Christopher Neame (95 minutes, 1971)

Nomad: On the desolate steppes of 18th-century Kazakhstan, when opponent tribes battle for freedom, mystic combatant Oraz saves a baby descended from Genghis Khan who is destined to join the country as "Mansur". Historical fable has nasty sabers-on-horseback fights and excellent production layout (genuine human being add-ons) however trudging storytelling. Cast includes Kuno Becker, Jay Hernandez, Jason Scott Lee, and Mark Dacascos. (110 minutes, 2005)

Talladega Nights: The Battle o Ricky Bobby: This is a crazy comedy with NASCAR racing as its platform. Ricky Bobby has become one of the best drivers in NASCAR. When an accident puts him out of action, he loses his nerve for racing. With nothing but racing in his life, Ricky Bobby must find a way to overcome his fear, and return to his championship form.

The Omen: This is a remake of the classic 1976 original. Born under suspicious circumstances, young Damian is a difficult child that his mother thinks he is evil. As things develop we soon realize that Damian is in fact the son of the devil. Now his father must go to Megiddo to learn how to stop the antichrist.

Cinderella Man: Recounts the true story of James J. Braddock, the Cinderella Man. Braddock was a boxer in the early 1930's that was seemingly already washed up from a not so stellar career. He was down on his luck and barely keeping the family alive. To save his family Braddock revives his career, and then does the impossible. He wins the heavyweight title.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Here is a romantic comedy set in a beautiful resort in Hawaii. After being dumped by his girlfriend Sarah, he finally decides to go to Hawaii to get over the loss. Unfortunately, when he goes to check in at the resort, the first person he sees is Sarah, and of course her new boyfriend.

Try "Movie Streaming Online" if you want to find some downloads. Try a different search if the first one does not provide good information. See if "Music Download Reviews" gets a better result. - 23815

About the Author:

Another option when it comes to Movie Downloads, is divx downloads. Dvd Movie Downloads You can have several out at a time and the movie downloads are free with membership. You can install, unzip, watch and then discard or zip the files back up.