Does this quarantine have you missing friends? If you're anything like me, you're planning different cosplay groups once this is all over so you can have your fill of fun and creativity with your friends. Although it might be hard to pick a date or con (unless you're striving for 2021), you can still get started planning now, so you'll be ready once this virus is gone. Have no idea where to start? I've got you covered. ![]() There are a lot of decisions to be made when setting up groups, it can be easy to forget them. You will need to first decide on theme and deadline. If you are planning to do the group for a con, you will need to make sure all costume and props are welcomed at the con. If you are doing a photo shoot, you will need to find a location and a photographer. Make sure to contact the location you plan on shooting at to make sure you will be welcome and if there will be any fees. With photographers, be sure to get their rates and make sure that everyone can afford them. Once you have the basics set for your group, you will need to begin recruiting to fill your spots. First, you'll want to ask people you know and can rely on getting the cosplay done. If you are really excited about getting a full group, you probably don't want someone who rarely follows through with their commitments. If you still have open spots after asking friends, social media is a great way to get those filled. If you are going to a con, check to see if they have a cosplayer Facebook group and post in there. If you are aiming to do something more local, find your community's Facebook groups and ask there. I have also filled spots by posting to my Instagram story Once you have a group, I recommend setting up guidelines for the group. This can be anywhere from what patterns to use, if there can be duplicates, or anything specific requirements. For the Sailor Eevees we decided as a group on butt bow tails, how many tiers the skirt would have, and if gloves would be white or match the paws. It's important to settle this ASAP, so people can know the requirements before making or investing in the cosplay. It helps to keep your group cohesive and on the same page. Setting up a Facebook group/event or a messenger chat with everyone for communication is essential. This way, people can post their work in progress, any questions, or any other relevant information to the group. Have a pinned post with everyone's character and their cosplay name so people can easily find who to tag in photos.
I would recommend planning a group at least five to six months out to give everyone sufficient time. Even if you give everyone enough time, be prepared for people to drop. Life happens and someone will drop. If you are dead set on having a full group, maybe find a few people who are willing to be any character and act as an understudy in case someone drops. Check in with your group at least monthly until there is about two months from the event. At that point, I would communicate weekly so everyone is aware of what the plan is, if there are any last minute changes, and you can have people respond with works in progress. By following these steps, you should be able to have a wonderful time with your group and not have as much to stress about when the day finally arrives. Do you have any other advice? Leave it in the comments! Originally posted on Nerd Fest's Blog
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Did anyone else set themselves up for failure by saying they'd use this time to be productive and get *so* many cosplays done? That you would finish all the projects you started, but never finished? I'm sure I'm not the only one who's in quarantine bored out of their minds, but can't find the motivation to work on cosplay. For the longest time I couldn't understand why I din't have the motivaiton. I love using my creativity to work on new projects and to keep myself occupied. I started to realize that there were two major factors inhibiting my desire to cosplay. ![]() Inhibitor #1 The biggest piece is that I am not giving myself enough slack. This whole pandemic is stressful! On top of my worries of graduating, finding a job, and paying bills, this pandemic added more uncertainties and stresses in to my life. The world and everything else is literally falling apart. In the US we don't have the resources to handle this situation properly. It's hard to focus on nonessential tasks when I feel like I trying to put out so many other fires in my life. If you're beating yourself up about not getting as much done, take a deep breath. We're all in the same boat, and it's okay that you're not using your creative outlets as much. You need to take care of yourself first. There's a lot going on in our lives, our country, and around the world. It's okay if you're not functioning on the level that you normally do. These stressful situations can cause exhaustion and a lack of motivation. You can't hold yourself to the same standards as before. Just keep your head up and do what you can. If all you can do is binge something on Netflix, that's okay. Do what you need to so you can stay alive. Inhibitor #2
I tried on a cosplay a couple of weeks ago. It was the first time I put everything on for my new Mami Tomoe cosplay. After making a few TikToks, I asked myself "what's the point?" I put on make up, got dressed up, and was done in an hour. It wasn't as fun as it normally is to cosplay. I couldn't figure out why until I started doing Alaizabel Cray Cosplay's makeup collabs. Being in a group of people sharing ideas and themes has helped me to realize what the big draw is for cosplay: doing something creative with friends. Making TikToks alone in my room wasn't cutting it because I was missing the social interaction. Just talking over messenger and bonding with some cool people has helped me with my quarantine funk. It's also helped me to realize that most of the joy I get out of cosplay is hanging out with my friends and doing stuff together. These collaborations have made me feel less alone and brought me closer to some awesome people. (And if you haven't seen any of the collabs, you can find them on Alaizabel's Instagram) So if this pandemic has you in a funk and you've lost all motivation, it's okay. You're not alone. A lot of creative people are struggling right now, so you're in good company. Just do the best you can, and try to do one thing every day that makes you happy. This will end, and your creative spirit will come back. Cosplay is not consent. It's a common phrase that's plastered around conventions, and a topic that is near to my heart. Although this phrase has one common meaning, there are other aspects that a lot of people (including other cosplayers) forget. The main action most people think of when they hear this phrase is touching. Regardless of the person's gender, what they are wearing, or what character they are acting as, there is nothing that automatically gives consent. Whether it is a hug, high five, or an arm around the waist, you should always ask a person before you touch them in any way. Do not be the creep with the camera. One of the most infuriating things is having someone sneak your picture. I have spoken with a lot of cosplayers on the subject, and it makes you look creepy. Always ask before getting a picture. You will get a better shot, and the cosplayer will feel more comfortable. If you want to get in the photo (or someone else) and do a certain pose, always ask first. If it is something they are not comfortable with, drop it and do something else. If there are a couple of cosplayers and you want them to do a shippy photo, ask first. You can't just assume they will do anything you ask them to. You ever see someone in a cosplay and see something that is not accurate, or you know a way to do better? Don't tell them. Their cosplay is not consent to rip them down or give them unsolicited advice. Instead give them a compliment and discuss the character or series. Under no circumstance should you ever say something derogatory, sexual, racist or homophobic to a cosplayer (or really anyone). Their cosplays are not an invitation to tear them down. Cosplay is also not an invitation to hang around. While cosplaying is a great way to meet new people, you don't want to over stay your welcome. If you plan on following someone around, ask if it's okay. Just because you are cosplaying the same series, it doesn't mean that you have to stick together. If they do say no, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are being mean or acting rude. They might be uncomfortable with new people, introverted, or already have plans. Don't be disrespectful if someone does not want to be with you. Part of being in cosplay is acting as the character you are dressing as. If you are going to drag another person in to your act, always ask them first, especially if it involves touching them in any way. Everyone is entitled to enjoy the con, so don't do anything that will upset them. If someone says to stop, or leave them alone, respect their wishes and go on to enjoy your own con experiences.
In short, remember that the cosplayers are human with their own set of values and emotions. They have a right to their body and comfort. They are not your favorite character/waifu/husbando/arch nemesis. Treat them with respect and ALWAYS ask for consent. Originally posted on Nerd Fest Cospaly cards are a great way to connect with cosplayers, photographers, and con goers alike. There are so many times I've been stopped in a hallway for a photo and I've forgotten to give them a card. When this happens, I don't ever see the photo and I'm not credited by the photographer. By having business cards handy, you can be sure to be credited by everyone. The first step in the card process is picking where you get your cards from. In the past I have used Moo. Moo.com is great because you can choose different backing for your cards and your business cards come in a great box for transporting. I ordered my most recent set through Canva. I really like this set because it has all the same features of making posts in Canva. There are a variety of grids, stickers, and text options to make your cards show off your personality. Once you choose where to get your cards through, it's time to think of a design. A lot of cards I have received have a picture and/or a logo on the front with contact information on the back. I would recommend having at least a picture on the front so people will have an idea about who handed them the card. Remember to ask the photographer if it's okay to use the photo on your cosplay card! If you have a logo, I would add it to the front to make it more personalized. On the back, you can add contact information and a picture or logo. What you can do depends on what site you go through. There are many great templates so you can choose something that represents you. This is my current cosplay card. They have some of my contact information, and some of it is outdated, including the pictures.Contact information is a must. You don't want to add too much information, I would recommend listing five top. I would recommend adding your email and at least your Facebook and Instagram. If you have some sort of funding site such as a Paetron, KoFi or Twitch, I would include it to help gain funds. If you are active on twitter, tumblr, or TikTok you can add that as well, but I would recommend doing it only if you are active on those sites. A website or blog would be a great addition as well, as long as it still focuses on your cosplay. If you have other noncosplay related ventures, I would recommend creating a second card since the audience might not be the same.
If you have more information than you can fit, you'll need to evaluate what you include on the card. Consider the purpose of your card. If you're trying to get your name out there, list what sites are best to reach out to you. If you're trying to make a profit, list the sites where you make money. If you still can't decide, put on the ones that you like the most. You can always create links to different sites on Facebook and Instagram to help your audience reach you in different places. If you use the same handles for some sites, it might be beneficial to put the logos of the sites next to the handles. This can help save you space, especially if most your handles are the same on each site. This is also good for branding since it will be easier for people to find you on different sites. Once you have what information you're going to include, you will need to put them in an order. The order will depend on your goals and the importance you assign to each one. Whatever you want people to see first should be towards the top. You might need to get new cards before your old ones run out because it has outdated information. People can't find you if they don't have the correct sites to find you. I would recommend reviewing your cards annually to make sure they have all the information you want them to. Even if you still have a lot of outdated cards you should get rid of them. Outdated information is going to get you nowhere. Cosplay cards are a great networking tool! By applying these tips, you'll have fantastic looking cards. Originally posted on NerdFest |
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Gamora: Get Geekish Blake: Yuki Cat Captures Nui: Ham Sandwich What's this?These post are different cosplay advice topics that I think people would find useful. Categories vary, so they can help beginners as well as veterans. Archives
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