The 2010 Oscars will air this Sunday at 8/5p. It should be an interesting telecast with mismatched cohosts and 50 best picture nominations to get through. As I did last year, I’ll give you a brief run down of Costume Design and Makeup. The nominations were not surprising but they were a bit lacking in one area. One film makes both lists and in my opinion has an excellent chance at taking both categories. Check out the synopses and pics of the elegant selections after the jump. (more…)

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We have less than a week to finalize costumes for Halloween. Are you ready?

Check your closet. There’s plenty of time to search your closet, your sweetie’s closet, your parents’ closet, or your neighbor’s closet (with permission of course). You don’t even have to find anything special. Take the basic black suit. You can add some white trim to the collar for a trippy Prisoner costume. Black sunglasses and a black suit make a mighty fine MIB or Matrix agent. For the hair challenged, try dressing as the Observer from Fringe.

How about that old sport coat in the back? Wear it with a sweater vest or turtleneck for a decidedly professorial look. Don’t forget the pipe and satchel. Ladies, a straight skirt and twinset make the great beginnings of a librarian costume. Wear glasses and your hair pulled up to complete the costume.

Go all the way to the back of your closet. See anything from 10, 15, or 30 years ago? Perfect. Pair the flannel shirt with some old work jeans and unwashed hair to become a grunge kid. People dress as punks, why not grunge? The 80’s dress can land you a post as a TV mom: Mrs. Seaver, Mrs. Keaton, Mrs. Huxtable, Mrs. Jenkins, or Angela Bower. Practice any necessary catch phrases before you attend any parties.

I love group themed costumes. Whether it’s three girlfriends dressed as Charlie’s Angels or some guys as the Swingers (not that kind). Pull out your 80’s gear and have your friends join in a tribute to WKRP. Make sure there’s at least one bandage on Les.

If you’ve exhausted the closet, stop by thrift store for some great deals.

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The fall television season brings us the Halloween special. Not every show celebrates with costumes, but I’ve selected a few of my favorites* to give you some inspiration this season.

First up is Roz from the Frasier episode “Halloween.” Niles hosted a Literary character themed party. Guests came as Lady Godiva, Sherlock Holmes, the Last Mohican, and even Waldo. The standout at this shindig was Roz dressed as O. I don’t necessarily recommend The Story of O for the casual reader, but it was a creative choice. I imagine Roz rifled through her closet for an outfit and then picked a character that matched. Think of all the great characters you can pull from your closet: Captain Ahab, Anne of Green Gables, a Hobbit, and the classic Wolf and Red Riding Hood. Wookies, Village People, Bunnies and more!

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I said I’d make a video in honor of Reading Rainbow. Here it is. I put way more work into it than it looks. In fact, I had to cut the intro I was working on because I just couldn’t get it right. I’ll add it eventually, but for now it’s more important that something is up rather than nothing. Please ignore the color issues. Here are three of my favorite childhood reads:

It was hard to pick just three books. I was way into Nancy Drew and Anne of Green Gables. I think I read Swiss Family Robinson and Paddle to the Sea a few times too. Who knows, once I get this intro finished I might just do more book reviews.

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I had a fun at Dragon Con this year. I was there for Saturday, Sunday and a teensy bit of Friday night. I took two new costumes and a couple of older backups with me.

Friday night and most of Saturday I was dressed as Colonel Hunter Gathers from The Venture Brothers cartoon. I used a sports top and bloomers I already owned as the base for the outfit. I painted the pieces, as is quite obvious, in a camo-like way. I wore two pairs of bloomers because I may be dressed as a stripper, but I am not a stripper and needed to feel like I was covered up. The stubble was dark eyeshadow stippled on with a contour brush. The cigarette holder was an eyeliner pencil with medical tape on the end. The hat is spare green material folded up like a newspaper hat and stitched in the corners to keep it together. I left my white gloves sitting on my bed. D’oh. Combat boots, fishnet stockings, wig, and glasses round out the ensemble. This picture includes a young lady who modified a Sexy Army costume.

I ran into the two creators of The Venture Brothers at a gonzo show. Jackson Publick laughed hysterically and never did say a thing. Doc Hammer shook his head while saying, “He wasn’t supposed to look that good.” I was nervous wearing that getup but that comment gave me all the confidence I needed to keep going. I had my picture taken more times than I could count while in that costume. Now I know how ManWithPez feels when he wears the Seymour and Audrey II costume.

Sunday was my Dr. Saunders day. You may remember my scar test. My technique improved, unfortunately, I forgot to bring my reference so the scars were a bit misplaced. Oh well. I wore the costume briefly on Saturday and discovered my subtle scars were too subtle. No one noticed them. Sunday’s scars are much darker. Dr. Saunders jacket is unique and could only be replicated if I made it…which I plan to do. Until then, I have a simple lab coat with a popped up collar. I wore a blouse, fluted skirt, and heels with the scars and wig. I heard there was another Saunders at D*C but I never found her.

My Dragon Con 2009 gallery is posted. I didn’t take as many pictures this year since I was there for two days and missed the parade. Sorry. I tried to take pictures of the costumes I loved. I hope you like them too. My recap post is on its way.

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This spring I fell for Whedon’s latest show Dollhouse. It started a little shaky but strengthened considerably by the end of the season. Several of my online/convention buddies are planning to dress as dolls and ManWithPez will be a handler. What shall I do?

I picked one of my favorite characters, Dr. Saunders. She is played by the magnificent Amy Acker. Dr. Saunders was attacked left with facial scars. Here is my attempt at recreating the scars. You’ll see a few differences in some of them but that’s because I was testing different techniques.

I used spirit gum, wax, maroon eyeshadow, black eyeliner, lip liner, red lipstick, and base makeup. I used the lip line to pencil in where the scars should go. Next I dabbed on the spirit gum on one line. As it was getting tacky, I rolled the wax into a worm shape and then pressed it onto the gummy line (the wax might stick to your fingers, that’s okay). I did this one scar at a time. Stipple on the eyeshadow. Draw the eyeliner down the middle of the scars and dab off excess. Repeat this step with the lipstick. Dab some more. Blend a little with your base color. Set with powder to lessen the tacky feeling. Voila.

I need a lab coat and a new wig. So, what do you think?

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