The Importance of the Selfie

On the heels of ABC's Pilot episode of Selfie, starring Karen Gillan and John Cho, being released on ABC's website it is time we take a few minutes out of our day to talk about something. Ourselves. 

Selfie is a modern take on the story of My Fair Lady. The story follows around a young girl named Eliza Dooley who is completely social media obsessed. When the girl with a huge online presence and thousands of followers hits rock bottom she realizes that she has very poor social skills and no real friends. Desperate to change her ways and reform herself she enlist the help of uptight co worker. Naturally we assume that shenanigans will occur and romance will prevail. But the show in itself has a lot of potential. It is current, relevant and good for a laugh. 

I think audiences will absolutely love the show if it doesn't play into the idea that social media is ruining this generation. Of course we could all step away from our phones every once in awhile and just live life but as with every generation we simply need moderation. The technology that serves us has a number of positive traits: faster information, easy communication, quick planning, making friends easier, making friends across the world. But one of the most important things I can think of is the SELFIE. 

Now I know what you are thinking --- Vain, attention seeking, self absorbed. 

For some reason these negative connotations are always associated with the selfie. But free yourself of this notion. 

sel·fie

ˈselfē/

nouninformal

1. a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website."occasional selfies are acceptable, but posting a new picture of yourself everyday isn't necessary"
   

People want to paint this idea that being in complete control of the way you present yourself to the world is wrong. Even the definition dictates how you should be operating. Squash it. 

If you know me and I were to tell you that I was never a very confident person chances are it would shock you. A lot of people would say that becoming more confident in yourself is all part of growing up. But part of me has the selfie to thank for that. It has allowed me to present myself to the world in a way that I am comfortable with. I can take 100 selfles and only like 1 of them. I can chose the lighting I like best or the filter that suits my needs. None of these are lies on what I look like visually. I am still the person who took the photo after all only I was in complete control of my settings. It is super empowering to be that in control of yourself and how others view you. Of course anything that allows us to feel better about ourselves is quickly torn down. 

Recently I had new headshots taken for an agency that I signed up with. A headshot is supposed to be the greatest representation of who you are in order to sell the "client" on you and book more gigs. You wear your best colours and showcase your natural beauty. The photographer and I took a series of different photos and when our session concluded he informed me that he would send the photos to me so I could chose the one I liked best and we would use that as my headshot. I was picky when they finally arrived in my mailbox and I wasn't very fond of any of them. Finally I chose one and a week later a different photo appeared in my mailbox. This is an example of having no control over an image of yourself. This is an example of having a photo out their of myself that I am not particularly fond of. I have never taken a selfie that I later regretted. It is always my decision to post, show and share a photo of myself. 

More than anything the Selfie has allowed young women to grow in confidence, know they are

beautiful and even spawned careers, hobbies and creativity. It has allowed young women to discover their sexuality and that they are sexual. It has also helped girls come together to appreciate other girls.

I know…I know… There are still 100 things wrong with the selfie : cyberbullying, shaming, the spread of images without people's consent. But very few things are without fault but I think the selfie gets a bad name. So share your favourite Selfies with us @fakegeekg #flawlessselfie

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Cosplayer of the Week: Melonballs Cosplay

Melonballs Cosplay 

Facebook: Melonballs Cosplay Instagram: whoishelen

The Cosplayer of the Week is the talented Melonballs. We were first introduced to her through her super creative Wall Maria cosplay at this years Anime North. Her costumes are always amazing but her dedication to her craft is equally impressive-Whether its finding the perfect location for a photo shoot, painstakingly putting together a detailed costume or bringing her own vision of a character to life through cosplay. This is a hugely talented and creative member of the cosplay community and we hope to see much more of her work soon!

What got you into cosplay?

At first I didn't realize I was cosplaying until I went to my very first anime convention four years ago. I started dressing up as anime characters for Halloween when I thought it would be fun to do so. Then as years progressed through elementary school I realized that this whole idea of dressing up as your favourite character was amazing and I found out that cosplay can allow me to do this any day throughout the year whether it be for a special holiday or not. So guess I got myself into cosplay just by the whole amazing idea of cosplay by itself.

What was your first cosplay? 

If counting the one I did for a halloween costume in grade 5 then it would be Soi Fon from Bleach. However, if it was my first "serious" cosplay that I wore and brought to conventions it would be Yaya from Shugo Chara. Although it wasn't complete with make up and a wig I had a lot of fun with it and consider it as my first cosplay ever. Even when I look back at it and I look nothing like the character at all.

How long have you been cosplaying?

Including the years that I didn't realize that i was cosplaying it would be about eight years now. And if I were to count when I took it as a serious hobby of mine it would be about four years. So I am still relatively new to this whole concept. 

What is your favourite part of putting on your cosplay?  

My favourite part of putting on my cosplay would be just seeing all of my months of hard work come together as a whole. Since I often take days working on one piece and putting it away for weeks while I work on something else it is breathtaking when I get to see all the pieces fit together, it's like wow I finally did it! This especially applies to the costumes that I personally make myself!

What's the best part of cosplay for you?  Personally the best part of cosplay is when I go over to my friend's house to work on our costumes together. We often make matching costumes together and wear them to conventions! I love the progress work we do in her living room or basement it's really fun. Often times I enjoy doing this than waking up in the morning to head to the convention! It's the time I spend with my friends making our props and costumes that I cherish the most that this hobby provides me with! Although making our 3dmg for out Attack on Titan costumes really stressed us over!!!

 What is your favourite cosplay?

My current favourite cosplay that I made would have to be Lightning Farron's Final Fantasy 13-xii armour costume. This would be the fact that the whole costume was made majorly by myself without much aid from anyone. Since her costume was 90% armour I managed to take my time and carefully make all the pieces while my friend helped me with my measurements and warrior skirt. I rarely make any of my costumes without my mother or my friend since they sew everything for me so I am very proud of this costume as I can call it mine! This was also my second cosplay that I made weapons for too so it was amazing to see how complete it was! However, it did fall apart throughout the convention and I didn't get much pictures I will fix it and wear it again to relive the awesome memories!

Do you have a current cosplay or cosplayer favourite, someone who has inspired you?  

I actually have a lot of people who inspired me into cosplay. I believe the first person to ever make an impact on me would be CVY, her photos from deviantart always blew me away and I look up to her since then when I found about her in grade 7. Shortly finding about her I came across Yuegene Fay's unbelievable work too which pushed me more into this hobby, giving me the hope of wanting to be like them. Then recently I found about the extremely talented Yuurisans, Yuuri-C helped me along the way with my lightning costume by sending me advice and tutorials which made me extremely grateful and happy that she took her time out of her busy schedule to help me out and lastly, my friend Betty (Awesome Kay Kay). She's my childhood friend that started cosplaying when I did, she helps me with my costumes as well as style my wigs and does my makeup. So technically she makes cosplay a reality for me!  

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Guardians of the Galaxy

This post is not spoiler free. You have been warned. 

Guardians of the Galaxy is an adventure packed thrill ride based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name. It follows a band of misfits after their chance meeting when Peter Quill (aka Starlord), and the leader of our group, steals a mysterious orb that brings them together to change the fate of the universe.  The ensemble cast includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon and Vin Diesel as Groot. It also features Lee Pace, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, John C. Reilly, Djimon Hounsou, Benecio Del Toro and Glenn Close. 

Guardians of the Galaxy is the latest in the long line of Marvel Films and has been the first film in awhile to stray from the narrative of our Avengers storyline but still very much existing in the same universe. Introducing new fans and old fans alike to a band of misfits we have trouble not falling in love with. 

The film begins with an emotional bang queue 26 years later and the movie sets the tone for the entire film. We meet our hero Peter Quill sauntering through a planet landscape with ease while his "Awesome Mix Vol.1" blares in the background. The soundtrack plays a huge role in the film and makes our lead one of the most accessible characters in the film. 

Quill seems to be a man out of time perpetually stuck in the 80s (ie troll dolls, tape decks and walkmans). The older tunes (usually 70s hits) his mom has made him on mixed tapes keeps Peter human and tethered to earth. The soundtrack itself becomes a sort of character within the film. The gift his mother gives to him that Peter finally opens at the end of the film (Awesome Mix Vol. 2) promises us a second round of this great adventure. 

Despite the films humorous tone there are some lovely emotional moments throughout the film. Each character shows us a side of them that we are not expecting and gives each character so much debt in the small time that we get to know them. Peter feels the loss of his mother and the guilt he felt for his actions in her last moments. 

We can feel Gamora's anger and hurt and the years it has built up inside of her as she worked close with her enemies. 

We understand Drax's anger and how lonely he has become. 

Rocket is the one of the most compelling of all the character his angry exterior a mask for the pain he feels everyday being an experiment. He is a character who is far more intelligent than people give him credit for. 

And then there is Groot, a creature of few words, who so profoundly reaches beyond his limits to aid those around him. 

I have been excited about this film since the initial announcement. When the casting news started it just got better and when the reviews started coming in I was completely sold. Of course I was scared that I was hyping the movie but it did not disappointing. From start to finish I was completely involved. When the film ended I didn't even realize 2 hours had passed. It's biggest downfall was possibly that it was underdeveloped. I just wanted more. 

The film was so visually stunning. I always love when comic book movies go back to source material, when the artistic direction feels very comic. This film is a must see for everyone. You don't need to be a comic book fan to love this film. You just need to love having a good time. To be in love with friendship and ready for adventure. Oh and also if you love Kevin Bacon. 

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