Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 623 Location: On my holy hole
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject: Tips and hints fur fursuiting around(GROWING TO PRO VERSION)
When you are going into public with your fursuit you should pay attention to some safety issues. Unfortunately there are some things that could damage a suit, or in the worst case, the suiter itself. Other things do not do harm directly but they aren't less important. We'd like to offer you the following hints:
Never walk alone. A fursuiter nearly always has a limited sight, therefore isn't able to percept the surroundings as usual, since visibility is limited, is apropriated to inspect or examine the place, and determine the best walking, dancing, and interacting areas before you suit up, if possible. A guarding person is inevitable, also regarding interactions with other people (especially children).
As a suiter you can easily fail to see a kid standing right before you and run it down.
Unfortunately there are always those who make fun out of testing, if the fur is fireproof or how it handles various liquids. Carelessly tossed away cigarettes belong into this category too. Furthermore you need someone to lead you away if the sight in the suit gets worse (like fogging if you use glassed lenses or other transparent material) or if you suffer from excess heat aka hipertermia.
For this purpose a clear gesture meant for the guarding person is recommended. It should not spoil the performance but show clearly that something is wrong and you want to get out of the place (or even the suit) as soon as possible.
Keep away from people carrying ice cream, fries or beer cans. This issue should not need more explaination. No suiter likes it when his/her artwork (and most of the suits can be called that way) gets damaged or made unusable due to such accidents.
Children. Nobody is a more thankful audience for a suit performance than children. Most of the time it's them who drag their parents along by the hands so that they can take a closer look at or even touch the strange furry figures. But some hints on this issue, too: Mind your steps! As we mentioned before you can easily fail to notice a kid and run it down. Some children get scared at the sight of a suit; try to make yourself small in this cases, kneel down and hide (if you have any) claws and teeth. If a kid does start to cry after all, just don't even try to calm it down. In this situation the retreat is the best method. Quite the contrary are the more couraged children that even aren't afraid of pulling your tail or trying to lift your head. Another point is touching the kids. To be on the safe side you should follow the old "head and back" rule. It's no problem stroking a children's hair or patting it's back friendly. Just don't do other things unless the parents explicitly gave their OK. You are accused of being a child abuser too easily, even if you have the most innocent intentions.
If you see kids coming after you with pizza all over their faces and hands. try not let them became closer(RUN FAST),
If kid put his head down and charges, BE VERY SCARED and drop to your knees fast!
Stay away from birthday cakes with more than 10 candles.. you will go up in smoke(the smoke of the candles enter on your vent system, stealing your air).
Fear kids chewing bubble Gum(it is too hard to get off those bublegums).
Never turn a toddler upside down after it has eaten, it will ralph on you(besides your suit gets all dirty, will smell realy bad).
To get rid of an annoying tail puller w/o lawsuit, make it look like the tail puller pulled you down and sit on him hard.
To get rid a nose Honker, Act if your sneezing and spit water at them.
Have fun... Growl at certain kids to scare the hell out of them and confuse the ones you treat kindly.
Avoid extreme suiting. A suit performance is a big strain for the body and should not be kept up to the absolute limit. When you feel the first traces of exhaustion it is time to leave the "stage" and wave goodbye. It's preferable to go ten minutes earlier than to collapse in the suit just because you still had to run this race with the kids. Also, an even terrain should be chosen. To walk uphill in a suit can be extremely exhausting.
Don't forget to cool down at the end, relax and let your body temperature get fix with the new climate, that helps to don't have an unecessary stress on body.
Never stand still for to long time. you will be climb like a tree.
(unless if you has been trained to do it)
Never get to bouncy while walking through door ways, you will knock your self out.
Watch out for that first step down at edge of stage, latex noses being propelled inward from the ground do not feel good.
Be careful while using bathroom facilities, velcro crotches are not forgiving.
Never perform naked inside a costume in public. You never know when that crotch seam will give during performance.
Never sneeze, you will splatter on your eye sight.
(unless if your sight eyes are in the eyes, without mouth contact)
Never share your suit with who have problem on digestive and/or urinarie system.
(no one like feel that kind of smell when it dries)
Use thin powder(aka baby powder) on your body before wear a fursuit, it allows to not let that disgusting scent of sweating in the suit.
If someone did it to your fursuit, a easy way to clean it is use a spray can of scent elimination or an air refresher.
Don't drink too much. You should not drink too much before starting a suitwalk(nether drink a thing, avoid dehidration). You can't think of many things that are more unpleasant than to feel the call of nature while you're in your suit. Depending on the suit's built, it can take up to thirty minutes to be able to use the toilet. It is a good idea anyway, to use the bathroom prior to the actual walk to prevent such situations to happen.
Never jump up ontop an arcade video game, it will tip over, and inevitably, you will end up under it.
Weather. Keep an eye on the weather situation, if you plan an outdoor performance. To be caught by rain during a walk can be quite nasty upto uncomfortable. Nonetheless, falling ice or snow can enhance the suiting to some extent. Extreme heat is also a problem if you want to cover a great distance(that case can be used a coldvest).
Don't remove your head in public, or a friend/co-worker, unless if it realy neccessary. This rule is not a safety issue but counts for the effectivity of a performance.
Don't talk in your suit. Unless your suit was made to talk with no problems(if want a better reaction, could try change your voice). There's something to mind, though: Talking in your suit increases the risk of fogging up the lenses of glasses or some types of viewing holes in the head.
Phew, that's it! After so many tips and hints you are now ready for the first performance of your own. _________________ born to be fur
I don't bite.. ..unless you are into it
posted OVER 600 messages on this forum, and growing
Last edited by CoreyFox on Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:56 am; edited 1 time in total
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Khoi Has Fuzzy Paws
Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 338 Location: Texas
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:29 am Post subject:
wow great tips, ill keep them in mind when and if i ever go fursuiting _________________ If canines go woof/bark and felines go meow what do vulpines go? merk maybe or meof X)
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CoreyFox Another Ronin Kitsune
Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 623 Location: On my holy hole
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:32 am Post subject:
that is just a reduced version, for starters yes, for pro's i have some more advanced tips and hints fur special ocasions _________________ born to be fur
I don't bite.. ..unless you are into it
posted OVER 600 messages on this forum, and growing
Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Enumclaw, Washington
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 8:34 am Post subject:
How about walking around or preforming during furry conventions? Got any tips for us that only make fur con appearances?
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CoreyFox Another Ronin Kitsune
Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 623 Location: On my holy hole
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:26 pm Post subject:
CanisSilvermoon wrote:
How about walking around or preforming during furry conventions? Got any tips for us that only make fur con appearances?
yes i have some, if the fursuit have not a good vision, or if the stage is too small and crap(like on Eurofurence 2005, has a hole in the middle of the stage), mind exactly your steps, pratice a bit on the exact place where it will be done without suit, fur not have surprizes while walk
If the ground is clear and petty space, try see what's around to little updates on what's going on around, small objects or childrens might become in front of you without you notice. _________________ born to be fur
I don't bite.. ..unless you are into it
posted OVER 600 messages on this forum, and growing
Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 623 Location: On my holy hole
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:31 am Post subject:
An addenum:
Dehidration sometimes is a big problem for fursuiting around, so, if you go direct and drink a lot, that excess will go directly to your bladder, and no one likes when have that call of nature, so taste your water calmly, give time to your bio system absorb it and distribute to all your corners. _________________ born to be fur
I don't bite.. ..unless you are into it
posted OVER 600 messages on this forum, and growing
Last edited by CoreyFox on Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:01 am; edited 1 time in total
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Deviantcoyote Tail Wearer
Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Extremely boring Maine
Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 1:45 am Post subject: ..
Thanks for the info. I will use what I ahev read in the next month. My suit will be here soon. _________________ I wish the world were a fly and I were a giant rolled up newspaper. "Al Bundy"
Designed to enhace failure. "Jeff Porter"
Leader of the TALKING Anthro army!
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CoreyFox Another Ronin Kitsune
Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 623 Location: On my holy hole
Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:04 am Post subject:
u'r welcome, soon i hope do another update on that one, each time, that version became more complete, and i apreciate any question you have, who knows if you see a point that i didn't saw?
give time to time, and it will be rewarded _________________ born to be fur
I don't bite.. ..unless you are into it
posted OVER 600 messages on this forum, and growing
Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Extremely boring Maine
Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 1:39 pm Post subject: ...
If I had a printer I would print all that off and hand it to my friend Jan. He will be my handler at the 3 day con I am going to at the end of october.
I look forward to reading any more advice you may have to give. _________________ I wish the world were a fly and I were a giant rolled up newspaper. "Al Bundy"
Designed to enhace failure. "Jeff Porter"
Leader of the TALKING Anthro army!
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nicoda135 Stalking Wolf
Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 898 Location: New Jersey,Mount Holly area
Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 7:37 pm Post subject:
same here when i get my suit i ll have to keep all this in mind. i ll check back later, much. hope to see more info thanks! _________________ I don't bite..........................much
800 posts and proud of it!
Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 623 Location: On my holy hole
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:11 am Post subject:
ok, i'll look fur another tips for pros, i hope i have it translated to post here.
if has done a direct question, might show me where to begin that translation, i have it in portuguese, if i not find anything already translated, that questioning would help me give a start. _________________ born to be fur
I don't bite.. ..unless you are into it
posted OVER 600 messages on this forum, and growing
Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 623 Location: On my holy hole
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 12:44 am Post subject:
some more tips.
The fursona must always be complete and in character. You become the fursoma you are wearing, and everything it represents.
Movement is a must, not just for maintaining the vitality of the role but to see your surroundings. Continuously scanning your space avoids collisions or other mishaps.
For a fursuited to be believable being lead around by a minder and doing little more than waving blindly to the people in general. It requires constant energy and movement, plus the ability to act your shoe size in communicating excitement and involving the audience.
The first step in characterisation is the walk. A cartoon representation of the creature being portrayed, soon developing its own unique gestures and mannerisms.
All actions must be appropriate and in good taste, remembering you will be a special focus and friend to the manyones in sight of you.
Good taste - Never be crude or unsportsmanlike because some of the main people watching you will be young children.
Stay in character - Consistency is an important part of being a fursuited. You can't just turn it on for skits. You have to live the role throughout the event.
Never talk in fursuit if it not has been made to talk, when you can't talk, everything is done by exaggerated mime. It might became remarkable how much can be expressed without words.
Be exaggerated - Every action in your Mascot suit should be exaggerated so it is easy to see from a distance. This means everything from walking to waving.
By the time the lights go down and the spotlights track in for you (not the human you used to be) are really "warmed-up" in every sense. Getting the crowd fired up involves some serious leaping about whilst holding paw to ear. Casting dignity to the winds you have to be prepared to let your hair down and have fun.
Have fun ! - If you are a Fursuited and not having fun then something is seriously wrong. This is your chance to get away with all the things you have always wanted to do and the great thing about being a Mascot is that no one knows who you are inside the suit.
In a position of high visibility, it is important to be enthusiastic at all times. Never react bad, however you may feel, and dissuade supporters from negative responses.
Take care of your suit - If your suit smells and/or looks bad no one will want to be near you. Have it clean for any event.
Being a a fursuited is great fun and an honor that not everyone have. There are no books or courses on the subject at anywewe, but knowing all those keys I gove you, and being a little crazy at heart certainly helps. _________________ born to be fur
I don't bite.. ..unless you are into it
posted OVER 600 messages on this forum, and growing
Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 898 Location: New Jersey,Mount Holly area
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 2:38 am Post subject:
i would of never thought of all that, wow, at least we all have CoreyFox here to help us all out thank goodness for CoreyFox. _________________ I don't bite..........................much
800 posts and proud of it!
NEVER and I do mean NEVER Wear your fursuit on the side of a rural highway after dark!!! Not after what happened to Rocky Racoon in CSI: Fur and Loathing!!!
Now all kidding aside of course.
You'll want a fly or some other method of getting to the bathroom without having to take off your entire suit if you are at a convention. I know in the performances I have done I really wanted a method to go to the restroom and be right back to clown around. And thanks to someone who works on fursuits, I now have one and it is very nice!!
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Master_Shake Biggest Fan
Joined: 08 Aug 2005 Posts: 358 Location: I'm in your house! *scary music*
Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 1:28 am Post subject:
Did you copy this from somehwere? Sounds familiar...Very good, though. _________________
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