glasscannon
Active Member
Oh hm, that is an interesting idea. I wonder if it would work with tickets that have already been booked. From the way you phrased it I'm guessing not, but I will see what Google can tell me.
Hit Girl's weapons, and designing for travel
- Thread starter glasscannon
- Start date
Oh hm, that is an interesting idea. I wonder if it would work with tickets that have already been booked. From the way you phrased it I'm guessing not, but I will see what Google can tell me.
glasscannon
Active Member
Oh awesome, thanks. Did the hotel charge you to receive the package? And the FedEx in the Marriott is closed on the Monday of DragonCon, since it's Labor Day, right?
Riceball
Master Member
Depending on how large each piece (the staff pieces in particular) is with the blades removed it should fit into your checked in luggage with no problem as long as you're not using a really small suitcase and/or are carry a lot of clothes in the suitcase. My guesstimate would be about 2' for each half of the staff and another 2' - 2.5' for the blades so lengthwise they should fit in a decent sized suitcase just fine and the staff halves will take up next to no room being thin and the blades would be no issue to being flat. So if you're suitcase is large enough I'd just pack them and check the suitcase in and save some money hassle, that's assuming you don't have to pay to check in your luggage. I forgot who I flew with last year but I got one bag checked in for free although I did have to pay a fee on the way in because it was overweight but your staff shouldn't add all that much weight since you plan on using PVC pipes and foam.
glasscannon
Active Member
Thanks for that Robb, I'll definitely check with the hotel to see.
Riceball -- the issue I'm up against is I'm specifically trying *not* to check luggage at all. I checked a good sized (second largest in my set) suitcase last year because of costuming props, and really did not like having to lug it around Atlanta, on MARTA and then through the hotel. So I'm packing much much lighter this year, just one rollybag that will fit in the overhead compartment. And as far as I know, every airline except Southwest has checked bag fees now, and Delta is the only one that has the non-stop overnight flight I was looking for (and have already booked), so I'm stuck with fees if I want to check anything. With the exception of any sort of weapons for Hit Girl, all my costumes will fit in a carry on bag, so I'm to going to try to stick with that.
So yeah, checked luggage is really not an option -- I'm more likely to forgo the staff completely than check a bag. But if I plan well, I think I'll be able to fit the whole thing, in pieces, into one of the standard sized USPS boxes for instance. I was hoping to be able to take it in my one small carry-on bag, but the TSA's regulations being what they are, I definitely won't be able to get the foam blades through, and probably not the pvc handles either, as they're probably too club-like.
Riceball -- the issue I'm up against is I'm specifically trying *not* to check luggage at all. I checked a good sized (second largest in my set) suitcase last year because of costuming props, and really did not like having to lug it around Atlanta, on MARTA and then through the hotel. So I'm packing much much lighter this year, just one rollybag that will fit in the overhead compartment. And as far as I know, every airline except Southwest has checked bag fees now, and Delta is the only one that has the non-stop overnight flight I was looking for (and have already booked), so I'm stuck with fees if I want to check anything. With the exception of any sort of weapons for Hit Girl, all my costumes will fit in a carry on bag, so I'm to going to try to stick with that.
So yeah, checked luggage is really not an option -- I'm more likely to forgo the staff completely than check a bag. But if I plan well, I think I'll be able to fit the whole thing, in pieces, into one of the standard sized USPS boxes for instance. I was hoping to be able to take it in my one small carry-on bag, but the TSA's regulations being what they are, I definitely won't be able to get the foam blades through, and probably not the pvc handles either, as they're probably too club-like.
glasscannon
Active Member
BTW, as an adult Hit Girl fan... Any chance you could register for the Sci Fi Scotland forums and chime in with your thoughts on the idiot Daily Mail reviewer's "Hit Girl is a sexy paedophile-magnet" stance, please?
http://www.scifiscotland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=291
( Everyone's welcome
Finally got a chance to read both articles, and they're both completely ridiculous. I agree with you, Hit Girl isn't sexualized at all in the movie, much less to the levels that the reviewer is claiming. And if he was turned on by her non-revealing, non-sexualized costume, that really says more about him than it does about the character or the movie, doesn't it? The only "sexy" thing about her is her strength and independence, which is handled without actually sexualizing her. I also think he's purposely conflating the (possibly underage) sex Kick Ass and his girlfriend have with the totally non-sexual Hit Girl. And his second article is so beyond believable. He was cyberbullied for his review? Puh-lease. Someone is wrong on the internet, oh noes! Someone said something mean about you online! That never happens to anyone. It really trivializes real victims of cyberbullying for him to claim it.
Honestly, one of my concerns with doing a Hit Girl costume as a full-grown (and curvy) woman is that I am somewhat sexualizing a character that was not sexy in the source material. Nor do I think she should have been sexy in the movie. But 11 year olds grow up into 21 year olds, and those who have been through what she's been through are likely to be a bit maladjusted and possibly a bit sexually aggressive by the time they're adults. Like I said earlier, I left the theater wishing this had been an origins movie about a long-running comic series, so we could see who Hit Girl, Kick Ass, and Red Mist all grow up to be. So that's the idea I'm basing my costume around: "Hit Girl 10 years later".
Anyhow, I can post this on the forum you linked to if you think it would help.
I'm not all that familiar with the Daily Mail since I'm in the US, but isn't it a bit of a tabloid? My main exposure to it is through Digg, where they always seem to be reporting on inaccurate or intentionally sensationalized stories. I wouldn't take this reviewer too seriously either way. 
I think they put a skirt on her to avoid that. I read the cartoon version doesn't have one.
If anything, her schoolgirl uniform was designed to appeal to the lowlifes in the lobby. And she had the gun. I mean, her name is HITgirl, as in Hitman. She's a walking kill machine.
If you want to see innuendo, see Leon [-the Professional] 12 year old girl is taught the biz by Hitman. Natalie Portmans first role.
Hitgirl is kind of a combo of her and the girl Robin from Dark Knight Returns, with BigDaddy as Batman.
Angelus Lupus
Sr Member
I haven't seen the film yet, but I've seen all the trailers and some intelligent reviews (Jonathan Ross here in the UK, whose wife wrote the screenplay IIRC).
As far as I can see, not only is she completely clothed, but her face and hair are covered, too. IMHO, she's not 'sexualised', she's empowered, albeit in a violent way (but that's part of the story). As a feisty young girl who can use weapons and swear, I'd say the character is meant to appeal to kids her age. She's, what, 11? If memory serves, many kids at that age are playing with pretend guns or swords, and think swearing is a bit cool.
Freud would have a lot to say about the people are are seeing anything sexual. (though he'd probably also comment on the swords :lol )
As far as I can see, not only is she completely clothed, but her face and hair are covered, too. IMHO, she's not 'sexualised', she's empowered, albeit in a violent way (but that's part of the story). As a feisty young girl who can use weapons and swear, I'd say the character is meant to appeal to kids her age. She's, what, 11? If memory serves, many kids at that age are playing with pretend guns or swords, and think swearing is a bit cool.
Freud would have a lot to say about the people are are seeing anything sexual. (though he'd probably also comment on the swords :lol )
PAULFIERCE
Well-Known Member
Good luck getting a Balisong.
PAULFIERCE
Well-Known Member
I like your rationalization of things. This is only my opinion, but I think hit-girl should stay Girl. Not Hit-teenager or Hit-Woman.
I know at the san diego comic con this year there are going to be hit-teenagers-women-grandmas... I am staying away from them.
I know at the san diego comic con this year there are going to be hit-teenagers-women-grandmas... I am staying away from them.
Riceball
Master Member
In that case then shipping ahead to the hotel might probably be the best option, the TSA probably wouldn't understand that it's only a prop weapon and trying to save a few bucks probably wouldn't be worth the hassled of having to deal with the TSA screeners.
jackwabbit
Well-Known Member
Hi there! I followed glasscannon here from cosplay.com (sort of - I was googling for tips on Hit Girl's weapons and found this thread, so here we are).
Anyway...Professor: I'm looking to make a "Mindy Stick," too. I wanted to say that for what you used/how easy it seems to just use a foam sword, the blades on your daughter's staff look great! I may try the same thing.
How did you attach them to the staff? PVC nipple-type thing? Also, did you paint them? They look a bit shiny, but I know foam can be hard to paint well, so...just curious.
I am going to Dragon*Con as Hit Girl, too, but I'm checking a bag for sure, so I am less concerned about TSA, etc. I figured I'd have my staff break in the middle, then have each blade come off the staff. That should be enough to fit into my suitcase.
I know I could make these blades with metal and slot them into the PVC tube, but I don't want to run the risk of con security disallowing it, so I'm going to go with foam or something equally "safe."
Glasscannon - if my staff comes out alright and you don't get to bring one, you're welcome to use mine for photos some if you'd like, if/when we meet up.
Anyway...Professor: I'm looking to make a "Mindy Stick," too. I wanted to say that for what you used/how easy it seems to just use a foam sword, the blades on your daughter's staff look great! I may try the same thing.
How did you attach them to the staff? PVC nipple-type thing? Also, did you paint them? They look a bit shiny, but I know foam can be hard to paint well, so...just curious.
I am going to Dragon*Con as Hit Girl, too, but I'm checking a bag for sure, so I am less concerned about TSA, etc. I figured I'd have my staff break in the middle, then have each blade come off the staff. That should be enough to fit into my suitcase.
I know I could make these blades with metal and slot them into the PVC tube, but I don't want to run the risk of con security disallowing it, so I'm going to go with foam or something equally "safe."
Glasscannon - if my staff comes out alright and you don't get to bring one, you're welcome to use mine for photos some if you'd like, if/when we meet up.
jackwabbit
Well-Known Member
Professor-thanks! I didn't think you'd painted them (oh, foam...how wonderful you are for that - NOT!), but just thought I'd check.
As for attaching them, mine are the same way. I purchased some cheap foam swords to experiment with yesterday. They are holllowed out already and came with a long plastic dowel inside them that I can easily rearrange so that it sticks out a ways and fix in place with glue. But after that, I'm not sure how to attach it to the PVC. Did you just use electrical tape? It doesn't look like it. I'm guessing they sell some sort of connector that does that? Hm...I have to head to Home Depot or Lowe's after work, I guess.
Thanks for the response!
By the way, to everyone, I know my username can be confusing. Long story, but suffice to say that I'm a girl and you can call me wabbit.
As for attaching them, mine are the same way. I purchased some cheap foam swords to experiment with yesterday. They are holllowed out already and came with a long plastic dowel inside them that I can easily rearrange so that it sticks out a ways and fix in place with glue. But after that, I'm not sure how to attach it to the PVC. Did you just use electrical tape? It doesn't look like it. I'm guessing they sell some sort of connector that does that? Hm...I have to head to Home Depot or Lowe's after work, I guess.
Thanks for the response!
By the way, to everyone, I know my username can be confusing. Long story, but suffice to say that I'm a girl and you can call me wabbit.
jackwabbit
Well-Known Member
EDIT: I figured something out. I'm going to be honest and say that my carving skills aren't the best, but I was able to shape the foam swords into what I think are a decent approximation of the blades. It will work for what I'm looking for, which is a just for fun Mindy Stick that I absolutely KNOW won't cause me issues with con security, etc.
Anyway, I attached the blades using the dowel rods that came with the foam swords. Instead of trying to find a PVC nipple or connector that would take my 1/2" PVC down to the 1/4" or so dowel, though, I just made the dowel bigger. I couldn't redrill the swords, as there wasn't enough foam there, so I just used electrical tape on the ends of the dowels that stuck out of the bottom of the swords to increase their diameter.
Once the dowels were large enough, using their electrical tape bulker, I fit them snugly down into my PVC staff (it's super tight - they're not going anywhere) and used a little hot glue for extra security. Seems to work great. I'm waiting on paint to dry on the staff now, but I'll try to post pics when I'm done.
Thanks for tolerating my ramblings, all!
