Fursuiters and Handlers

[Valerion]

Fursuiting can be physically dangerous, or destructive to something you paid a GREAT deal of money for. And yet, we do it. Uncle Kage requires that each and every fursuiter have a separate handler, and that the handler must be with the suiter at all times. I think this is an excellent idea, and will push for something similar at our upcoming con.

Why do we have handlers? Why are they needed? What do they do, and what not? And what should they never do?
I found a video from a previous con where this exact issue was discussed, and I consider it to be excellent. I would say it's mandatory watching for any suiter. Just note that it is just over an hour in length, so do it when you have a lot of time.

[YoteFox]

Handlers are very important, especially for the full fursuiting experience. The handler I had at Geekfest was a dick to me because he kept doing his own thing and kept disappearing out of my line of sight as a joke. I got really annoyed with him for that and if he is reading this I want to say FUCK YOU! HA atleast were buddies and he knows I got pissed with his inability to be a proper handler.

Anyhow yes, as seeing as fursuiting might be growing quite somewhat in SA I really do think we need to focus quite somewhat on proper fursuit interaction and handling. Handling and interaction can really make or break fursuiting for someone and you'd really want to protect your expensive carpet haha.

[Tocs]

Thanks for the video, I actually wanna be able to be a fursuit handler eventually when I get time xD

[Sev]

Thanks for the video, I actually wanna be able to be a fursuit handler eventually when I get time xD

"Daddy, I want to be a fursuit handler when I grow up."

XD

[Kspore]

"Son, you have to do something more practical. Become a lawyer or something else"

[Ivic_Wulfe]

Well, that brings up a new meaning to Lawsuit >_>

[Valerion]

Thanks for the video, I actually wanna be able to be a fursuit handler eventually when I get time xD

I'll have to chat to you when I get mine, then

[Sev]

Not unless I beat you to it.

[Tocs]

Without a doubt. I still need to meet you both you amazing furs you.

[YoteFox]

Tocsy! I also want to borrow you sometime as a handler if you're up for it!

[Sudan Red]

I've been a fursuit wrangler to a whole herd of fursuits (3 at highest count) at ComiCon London. Fursuiters have very limited field of vision & impaired hearing. Basically, I made sure that they didn't trip over things (little kids mostly!), that they stayed hydrated, kept their belongings safe, unzipped zippers in emergencies or security checks, did costume checks for flipped collars etc & MOST IMPORTANTLY that they posed for photos! There are few things more tragic than someone taking a picture you're not ready for. Your expensive suit becomes dull & uninteresting when you're not interacting with your audience & acting out your character.

I've suited without a handler before but I would've preferred having someone that wasn't impaired for my own safety as well as the public's. Luckily at furcons, the entire attendence is very sensitised to fursuiters' limitations & act accordingly (eg will warn a suiter by gesturing if a kid just ran up to them, will assist suiters if they seem to be in distress etc). I have not experienced that same level of awareness at non-furcons (lack of cooldown areas specifically).

[YoteFox]

Necro this thread!

I'm looking for a decent handler for rAge!
I've had enough of Tyger's crappy handling

[Leeward]

Ditto for Stelcon.