Headless Issue or Stage Issue

[vakkotaur]

Shortly after Midwest FurFest there were a few postings about how many folks were seen around "headless" rather than in full fursuit. This triggered a few arguments and there seem to be two camps: "It's just a costume, big deal." and "Don't spoil the magic." Each has their points. But it occurs to me that while the visible part is the "headlessness" that it's not the root of issue. The real issue might be a disagreement about what is the stage and what is backstage, or if there is a stage at all.

All the World's a Stage

Some of the advice to those attending Renaissance Faires in garb is to beware that while you know that you aren't a performing participant, many of those who will see you are unlikely to know that and so you must be careful of what you do. You look like a performer, so as far as they are concerned you are with the faire. This isn't just first time visitors, either. My own garb probably wouldn't pass muster at some faires that go into detail about period accuracy, yet I have been asked, by vendors (and I think at least one performer!), where my booth was or when my act was. I might not have been on a proper act stage, but I was onstage nonetheless.

There are things that I try not to do, in order to keep up appearances. One thing I don't have to concern myself about is smoking, since I don't smoke. But that is something to avoid: being seen in garb with a cigarette. Or too obviously wearing a watch. There is a certain amount of "wink and nod" here with props that are disguised watches - one rather clever one I saw was a watch that the user could read, but looked like a sundial, complete with angled gnomon, to others. Cell phones are another item to concerned about. Ideally one drinks from a mug or cup that looks right (metal, wood, leather) and not from a paper cup or plastic bottle. It's not that "you can't do this" but "you really shouldn't do this" as it spoils the effect. It breaks the image and the image most ruined is your own.

Backstage, and I have been backstage a few times even though I wasn't a true participant, everything is different. It's understood that all that was an act and this is a place for recovery and preparation. Make the cell call and don't worry about it. Drink from the bottle. Light up if you must. It's not a problem, you're backstage where you don't have an audience to keep up appearance for.

Most of the Con is a Stage

When I started going to furry conventions I almost never saw anyone headless. If I did, they were in some are where they weren't "on." This could be a private room, a headless lounge, at a panel they were hosting and showing something about the suit and head. Or, more rarely, just a more secluded part of a hallway - there are generally places that are less traveled and where there is a bit more privacy.

I am not certain, but I think a good many of those I met and saw had some professional experience and making sure they were offstage before removing part of the costume was second nature to them. It wasn't that "popping the head" was never to be done, it was that it was never to be done onstage without good reason. Feeling like you're about to keel over? Save yourself and take off the head. Just tired of suiting? Go to the headless lounge and rest or go back to the room and change.

Generally any public place at a con, much like at a faire, is the stage whether it's officially one or not. And in costume, or partly in costume, like it or not you are a representative of the convention. Sure, people know intellectually it's just a person in a costume. But emotionally they can suspend disbelief and see a moose or a lion. Going around headless breaks the illusion and, I think, reveals someone who doesn't care about the character they are trying to be or build. It's not hard to find a spot at least semi-secluded if need be. It might still be public, but making some effort at preserving the character helps.

"But it's a furry convention! People really know, so big deal." Yes, it is a furry convention and people do know. It's also one of the few times and places many get to see fursuiters and interact with them. Not everyone is near a theme park. Nor is everyone a sports fan who might regularly see a mascot. And it's not just furs at a convention hotel. There are other guests, and showing some professionalism can only help. So the main hallway, especially, is a stage and many expect it to be treated as such even if all that's being done is a walk-through.

The difference is seeing it as just a hallway or as a stage. When the head is removed, the act is over. And those who came to see the act(s) want those whose acts are over to have the sense to leave the stage rather than mess it up for the other acts. Costume changes, even minor ones, belong backstage.

You can tell where I fall in this. I see the main hallway as a stage. I try to treat it as one. I even feel a bit funny removing just my hand-hoof gloves to unlock the hotel room door. That is admittedly a bit much, but that's me. In keeping in character and thus extending the stage beyond the main hallway(s), I've had some pleasant surprises I would not have otherwise had. The people I encountered (or perhaps, the people who encountered me) saw a character, not someone who just finished his act.

Perhaps it would be best if a convention specified what it considers the stage to be. I suspect that a minimal definition of "the main floor front hallways are to be considered onstage" would be a good thing. Are other places also onstage? Right now the definition is informal and varies from person to person. I know my personal definition of the stage space extends well beyond where most would define it. I certainly don't expect everyone to use that definition. I know it's excessive and overcautious. Nor am I a fan of adding rules, and it really shouldn't be necessary, yet here I think that it would be useful to have an official stance to let everyone know where the edges are. Onstage? Keep the head (and whatever else) on, unless there's a health reason. Offstage? Pop the head if you want.

The thing is, everyone has to know what the minimal definition of the stage is.

Comments

[film2edit.livejournal.com]

Generally if you're wandering, it is nice to keep your head on. If sitting, usually someone's just trying to cool off, so it's not as weird to pop the head off. A friend of mine over heated, so in a way, we made him take it off. At first, I dragged him in the women's restroom, since the character's female, to get him some water and paper towels to cool off with.

It is nice to keep in character (some folks are bitey about just talking in costume), and yeah, some folks just really don't care.

...then again, I've seen some scary ones I wish I could unsee.

Most furry cons will have a separate area for costumers, but not so much at Anime conventions. If someone wants to walk around without a head, folks don't think about it much. Usually if someone wants a photo of them, they'll put it on, then take it off later. Most masks tend to be some kind of helmet.

I'm going to be purchasing a vest and head piece to use to help keep me cooler. Since the character I'm building is male, it should help keep my chest to appear flatter.

[temperlj.livejournal.com]

Your renfaires are much more strict than a lot here. And I know this is a crappy attitide but no one has the opportunity to dictate how I act (other than politely and legally) unless they are paying for me to be there and have requested it

I don't feel that people participating in "fun" activitoes should be held to the same standard as actors/con organizers/contest participants.
(the exception might be with equestrians,weapons or fire)

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

I think it was that I encountered a large number of folks who took things fairly seriously, and again a number of them were performers. But they did agree that what a patron did was up to the patron. The faires did not set these guidelines, at least not formally. It's not so much that "you can't do this" but "but please try to be discreet about this if you can." As one example: if a person simply doesn't have a period drinking vessel, nobody is going to give them grief over using a paper or plastic container - unless perhaps they're trying to sell something.

If I recall correctly, Kansas City Renaissance Festival actually discourages (but does not ban) garbed attendance. There's no risk of confusion on anyone's part if all the patrons are wearing "mundane" clothing.

[thecanuckguy.livejournal.com]

Very interesting post. While I'm not a fursuiter (still don't understand the (hobby? right word?) 100% but trying, I am an actor and the principle is pretty much identical.

Myself, I consider "safe areas" anywhere where there is no one expecting you to be "in character", which is pretty much where only other actors (and tech staff) are allowed. The plays I've been in lately involve interaction amongst the audience between scenes, in fact one scene in the play we're rehearsing right now (medieval themed, btw) has me talking to another character as we're making our way off stage and out the doors, so "offstage" is still "onstage". (One of the hardest parts for anyone in our productions is to even stay in character when we come across friends and family in the audience)

film2edit raises an interesting point about washrooms. I guess they should be considered "backstage", but there is the possibility of meeting "audience members" in the washroom, as I've not yet seen a "performers only" bathroom (although I'm sure there must be some somewhere).

I do disagree a bit with your reply to temperlj though, concerning your remarking that KCRF discourages "mundanes" dressing up (you seemed to agree with it, correct me if I'm wrong). While of course they won't be as "period correct" as the participants, I find it a lot easier to interact with the audience if they look like me, it tells me that they are comfortable with it (if they want to loosen up enough to dress up then they're probably ok with interacting with the performers), and we have commonalities to talk about (I mean, what's a 13th century knight really going to talk about to someone in a Green Day t-shirt talking into a cellphone?).

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

I would put washrooms as being backstage, for a fur con. In her case, she led someone there for I consider to be a medical reason. Hyperthermia is something not to taken lightly.

KCRF, if I recall rightly, discourage garbed patrons. It would simplify the "patron or participant" question. Also, the effect you mention actually works the other way at renfaires: Participants will tend to try to interact with people not in costume or get non-costumed folks as the volunteer (or "volunteer") to get mixed up in some stage act. Wearing garb actually buys one some immunity from being dragged on stage. Why? Because you look like you could be a shill. And people came to the event to see (and interact with) the participants, not to watch "actorbation" (the cast playing with itself). A patron isn't cast, but if he potentially looks like cast, the safe path is chosen.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Oh as for agreeing with discouraging patrons from dressing up? No, I don't agree. Most faires could use all the "street color" they can get and chances are if someone was willing to spend the money on garb, they will likely (though certainly not universally) try to keep up appearances. I simply recognize that without garbed patrons it'd be plain who is a participant and who is not.

BTW

[jugularjaguar.livejournal.com]

I bought one of those weird belts also. See I am getting into theme again.

Very well said

[jugularjaguar.livejournal.com]

I was at a Ren faire this last weekend. scarletfest.com I was invited as a fursuiter too. I got to talk to some enthusiastic performers
who shared the same thought of not breaking character. I also ran into Scarlet who is also a character performer ( a Realms Fox suit) He also shared the whole idea of never breaking character.

Today, I was at another event, this one features living history players who portray Oklahoma history characters. One who I talked to mentioned about keeping in character and not understanding modern speak.

So if anything I am now re animated. I will just ignore those who say it is my suit and I can do what I want with it. They may have a suit but they are not "one of us"