HOMESTUCK SHOOT BASICS --A General Tip Guide for a successful shoot Compiled by Raiji Magiwind

Hello everyone, Raiji here, resident Michigan Homestuck (or as we jokingly call it, the Land of Faygo and Miracles)... I figured I would share a general set of basic rules and a rough master base shot schedule list for folks considering running a Homestuck photoshoot at a convention. I currently mainly cosplay as Karkat, with some Kankri and working on a few other characters in the meantime. I figured why not have a set out there for folks to use as a rough template based on what I have seen at other Homestuck meetups and shoots, but from my own personal experience running not just Homestuck shoots but also shoots for several other fandoms, including Final Fantasy, Bleach, D. Grayman, Kingdom Hearts, SMT/Persona and a number of others. PART ONE: First off some basic rules one should have at a Homestuck meet (or any real photoshoot) to help the chaos run more smoothly. I also suggest recruiting at least 2-3 additional people to help with crowd control for a group of Homestucks size. It can be done alone, but I only recommend it if you have the patience of a saint, like myself... and possibly one hell of a set of lungs (or some form of megaphone if allowed), cause you are going to be shouting A LOT.

ONE: As this particular shoot for this fandom is a large scale event unto its own because of the size, tis best to have a master list of ALL the shots to be done at the shoot. Normally for most photoshoots, one could take requests at the shoot, but for this particular fandom, doing so will bring only absolute chaos. So definitely organize a master list with at least the base shot groups plus popular pairings followed by a list of pre con determined additional pairings decided prior to the event. If your group is lucky to have extra time after the list is gone through, then open up to a coordinated setup of additional shots. Make sure you decide on a set method for this, if you do have time left for open shot requests. Such as do a lineup of any who have a request and have each tell you the request, then move away. I RECOMMEND AT LEAST TWO HOURS (USUALLY THE COMMON CONVENTION MAX FOR A SHOOT TIMESLOT), BECAUSE BOY, YOU WILL NEED IT!!!

TWO: Strongly support Cosplay is NOT Consent. This means for all shots, and pairings, if you want to do something with another person, YOU ASK!!!! AND RESPECT THEIR RESPONSE!!! And please keep it Con friendly folks (or at least within con rules or the local areas rules for public decency and displays of affection). Disapproving shenanigans CAN get ones badge pulled, or get thee arrested/charged for illegal or inappropriate shenanigans. Be ready to report such behavior to con staff, the local authorities or other agencies required if needed. This covers your ass and keeps everyone safe. In lieu of this, this especially extends to kissing people. Just dont. Unless you ask the person and they are fine with a stage kiss or such, just dont. If you and the other party are close enough or know each other well enough (BFFs, Couple, etc.) and dont mind actually locking lips, then fine, but still no sucking face like youre a soul sucking Dementor from the Harry Potter fandom.

THREE: I do suggest enforcing or emphasizing folks to be on time, cause if they miss a shot, pairing or other such related shenanigans involving their character, then their outta luck, cause many times in this fandom because of the size redoing a shot for later arrivals can be tedious, and cut into precious shoot time already slotted for others shots. One MIGHT see about slotting in a shot for all the late arrivals (or have where the late arrivals can join the Everything Else shot) if there is time to accommodate them near the end. Many MSPA/Homestuck shoots will usually do group shots for things like Problem Sleuth, Cherubs, Midnight Crew, The Felt, Exiles, Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff, and so on near the beginning (within the first 30 minutes). So if

one plans to be one of these, one suggests they be there near the beginning. There may still be some shots later for the pairings and stuff involving them later, but group shots of that set will be at the beginning usually in most cases.

FOUR: Prepare to have other rules for when the con arrives, and these will be explained at the venue. They could be rules added based on the venue or any requirements given to you by convention staff or the fire marshal. This also includes, callings of the pairings (do you plan to use a megaphone, a shout out method like the wave, etc.), organizing the group (getting group organized so not block paths, exits and so on) and the photographers and so on.

FIVE: Common sense. SEAL YOUR MAKEUP!!! Might be wise to probably have Tide pens (or similar) on hand and some makeup towels or something similar for cleaning up makeup mishaps. Yes, if you get your unsealed makeup on someone or on the hotel or convention halls property, I SUGGEST making one clean it up On the subject of cleaning up, YOU WILL AND SHOULD LEAVE the space you occupy CLEANER THEN YOU FOUND IT!!! That means pick up your crap, your wrappers and whatever else. Yes, even if it wasnt you who chucked it. Take a moment at the end to have everyone remaining help you clean up the space before you leave the area. If one can remember, consider even bring a garbage bag or something so trash, broken stuff, etc. can be tossed in it instead of all over the con space. Remember, lets show your convention, the hotel and venue and the city in which the con is held that we Homestucks have class.

This below is a copy of a shot list you can copy, paste, modify and add to based on your particular MSPA/Homestuck shoot, meet or gathering.The list itself is by no means final and can be played with to suit the group. Its main purpose is to give you a basic Master List for the major points of shots one might want in a MSPA/Homestuck shoot at least, and also offers a short list of many of the more common pairing shots that have been seen requested at shoots at conventions. The Pairing List can be added and subtracted too based on the group and the consensus of the group interest.

BASIC MASTER SHOT LIST

1) Group Shot (EVERYONE...IE: Cue the Fainting of the Fire Marshall, or the Convention Space Clown Car) 2) Beta Kids ---John, Rose, Dave, Jade 3) Alpha Kids ---Jane, Roxy, Jake, Dirk 4) Beta Lowblood Trolls ---Aradia, Tavros, Sollux, Karkat, Nepeta, Kanaya 5) Beta Highblood Trolls ---Terezi, Vriska, Equius, Gamzee, Eridan, Feferi 6) Alpha Lowblood Trolls ---Damara, Rufioh, Mituna, Kankri, Meulin, Porrim 7) Alpha Highblood Trolls ---Latula, Aranea, Horuss, Kurloz, Cronus, Meenah 8) Ancestors ---The Handmaid, The Summoner, The Psiioniic/The Helmsman, The Signless/The Sufferer, The Disciple, The Dolorosa, Neophyte Redglare, Marquise Spinneret Mindfang, E%ecutor Darkleer/The Expatri8, The Grand Highblood, Orphaner Dualscar, Her Imperious Condescension/The Condesce/The Baroness 9) Robots ---Aradiabot, HAL, Jades Dream Bot, Liv Tyler, Brobot, Hussiebot, etc. 10) Problem Sleuth 11) Cherubs ---Calliope, Caliborn, Lord English 12) Guardians ---Nanna, Mom [Rose and Roxy], Bro [Dave's and Dirk's], Grandpa, Poppop, Grandma, Dad, Colonel Sassacre Halley [Colonel Sassacres Dog], Bec 13) Midnight Crew 14) The Felt (Including Doc Scratch) 15) Exiles/Carapaces ---Wayward Vagabond [WV], Peregrine Mendicant [PM], Aimless Renegade [AR], Windswept Questant [WQ],

Writ Keeper, Ms. Paint, Serenity (Yes, the Lightning Bug), Carapaces 16) Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff 17) Sprites ---Nannasprite, Jaspersprite, Davesprite, Jadesprite, Tavrisprite, Fefetasprite, ARquiusprite, Erisolsprite 18) Tricksters 19) AU's --Alternate Versions, Fantrolls, 4Chords, Demonstuck, etc. 20) Dreamers (Derse and Prospit) 21) God Tiers 22) Everyone Else (Anything not called up, like Hussies, late arrivals, etc.) 23) Family Shots Egbert/Crocker --Dad, John, Jane Lalonde --Mom, Rose, Roxy Strider --Bro, Dave, Dirk Harley/English --Grandpa, Jade, Jake, Bec 24) Trolls (Groupings) By Sign/Color/Family ---The Families (From Low to High) --Candy Red/Carmine [Mutant]-Vantas Family (Cancer) Kankri Vantas The Sufferer/The Signless Karkat Vantas Burgundy/Rust/Maroon-Megido Family (Aries) Damara Megido The Handmaid Aradia Megido Bronze- Nitram Family (Taurus) Rufioh Nitram The Summoner Tavros Nitram Yellow/Ochre/Gold/Mustard-Captor Family (Gemini) Mituna Captor The Psiioniic/The Helmsman Sollux Captor Olive-Leijon Family (Leo) Meulin Leijon The Disciple Nepeta Leijon

Jade-Maryam Family (Virgo) Porrim Maryam The Dolorosa Kanaya Maryam Teal-Pyrope Family (Libra) Latula Pyrope Neophyte Redglare Terezi Pyrope Cerulean/Cobalt-Serket Family (Scorpio) Aranea Serket Marquise Spinneret Mindfang Vriska Serket Indigo-Zahhak Family (Sagittarius) Horuss Zahhak E%ecutor Darkleer Equius Zahhak Purple-Makara Family (Capricorn) Kurloz Makara The Grand Highblood Gamzee Makara Violet-Ampora Family (Aquarius) Cronus Ampora Orphaner Dualscar Eridan Ampora Fuchsia/Tyrian-Peixes Family (Pisces) Meenah Peixes Her Imperious Condescension/The Condese Feferi Peixes 25) Sibling Shots --John and Jade --Rose and Dave --Jake and Jane --Roxy and Dirk 26) Patron Trolls --John/Vriska --Rose/Kanaya --Dave/Terezi --Jade/Karkat

This will usually be followed first by the more common pairings list (IE: John/Dave, Stridercest, SolKat etc.) and such then go to the requested pairings (usually polled via the convention forum, a Facebook or Tumblr page for the event) if there is time and applicability.

The Common Pairings of 2013

--These were the most common ones seen through the 2013 convention season, outside of the well-known stuff like SolKat, Stridercest, etc.. A Good list to use for pairing ideas is here: http://homestuckresources.tumblr.com/post/20290999982/listofhomestuck-shipping-names This list apparently uses the various hemospectrum/chumhandle colors to represent the character ship, so all the listings for say Sollux will have each pair name down in the blood color of the troll/chum handle color the pairing is for, so IE: Sollux/Karkat ships will be candy red, Sollux/Aradia would be a maroon or darker redetc. Though for many of the more well-known pairings, most fans will usually know the name already, though it is usually best to call it by the pairing, IE: John/Dave, Sollux/Karkat since some of those newer to the shipping side may not be as familiar of the pairing names. This list is nowhere near exhaustive as there are many pairings and as such (which grow constantly), and MANY crack ships.and trust me this person knows crack ships (GHB/Sollux anyone?)@_@ but this list is a good starting point..

THE LIST OF COMMON PAIRINGS

Dave/Jade John/Rose John/Dave Dirk/Jake Jane/Roxy Mom/Dad Karkat/Terezi Tavros/Vriska Gamzee/Karkat Eridan/Feferi Equius/Nepeta Sollux/Feferi Karkat/Nepeta Gamzee/Tavros Sollux/Aradia Vriska/Terezi Eridan/Sollux Karkat/Sollux Gamzee/Terezi Vriska/Kanaya Aradia/Equius Signless/Disciple Mindfang/Dolorosa Summoner/Mindfang Disciple/Darkleer Mindfang/Dualscar Psiioniic/Condesce Mindfang/Redglare

Aranea/Meenah Mituna/Latula Meulin/Kurloz Rufioh/Horuss Kurloz/Mituna Cronus/Meenah Meulin/Horuss Damara/Rufio Kankri/Latula Cronus/Mituna John/Karkat Jake/Aranea Roxy/Meenah Dave/Tavros Dave/Karkat John/Meenah Jane/Gamzee Calliope/Roxy Gamzee/Caliborn Calliope/Caliborn Stridercest Captorcest Vantascest Gamzee/Feferi Dualscar/Condesce Karkat/Meenah Snowman/Slick Jake/John Kankri/Karkat Karkat/Slick Dirk/Equius Vriska/Meenah Bro/John Signless/Psiioniic Damara/Meenah Dirk/Caliborn Dirk/Jane Eridan/Roxy GHB/Signless Terezi/Nepeta Redglare/Disciple Aradia/Vriska Damara/Kankri Terezi/Sollux Cronus/Kankri Dirk/Meenah