Presenting panels can be a fun way to enhance your con experience. There are thousands of different topics you can present on, it doesn't even have to be cosplay focused! The process can seem indtimdating, but keeping organized will help you be prepared. 1: Keep Track of Deadlines Make sure you know when panels are due. If you don't keep track, the submission period will sneak up on you, and leave you behind. Some smaller conventions have more of a rolling deadline, but the sooner you apply, the more likely you are to get your time slot. 2: Creating the Structure Some conventions might require you to have your panel ready to go when submitting. Others might not ask too much. Before submitting, I would recommend creating the basics of your panel. Think of who will be presenting, what information you are going to cover, and what materials you might need provided (speakers, projectors, etc). Most conventions will ask for at least this information when filling out the application. I would recommend creating an outline for the presentation so you know what are the topics you are discussing, and how long it is going to go for. 3: Putting the Panel Together Now that you have the outline, you're going to figure out how you want to display the information. Visuals are required for a good panel, but that doesn't mean you have to do a PowerPoint. There are live demos, edited videos, props, pictures, etc. You might find that you want to include a couple of different visual aids, but make sure you can still present in your time frame. You might want to rehearse what you want to say (based on your outline) while making sure the visuals work. Try presenting in front of a couple of friends for feedback so your panel can be the best it can be. 4. Advertising
Since you're putting in so much time and effort, you'll want people to come. There will be people interested who are wandering in, but getting the buzz out ahead of time can help increase your attendance. If you have a Facebook page (business or personal) you can create an event and share it in relevant groups. This can help get the word out to those who are interested before the convention starts. You can also use this event to put in teasers and get people excited about what you are presenting. 5. Go for It! On convention day triple check that you have everything you need. Go through your visual aids to make sure you aren't missing anything. If you can, Arrive to the room early to set up. They give time between panels, so if the presenter is not finished, don't interrupt their panel. Once everything is set up, interact with people in the room. Ask them how their con is going or why they chose your panel. Once it's time to start, take a deep breath, and go! You're panel is going to be amazing! Originally posted on Nerd Fest's blog
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So you decided to enter a cosplay contest. They might ask you to make a portfolio. But what is a portfolio? Why do you need one? Where do you even start? It might seem intimidating and just another thing to add on your busy plate, but they can be fun to make! A portfolio shows off how you made your cosplay, steps you used, progress pictures and anything else you want the judges to know about your work. It can even include your cosplay resume (if you don't have one, don't worry, it is not a big deal. Judges usually want this so they can judge your craftsmanship better and to make sure it was actually you who made the cosplay. Before you even start making your portfolio, you'll need to take photos. Make or alter a pattern? Take photos of your pattern pieces. Hand stitching? Take photos showing the detail work. Foam working? Take photos crafting, priming, and painting it. The more photos you take, the more documentation you have to present to the judges. Along with pictures of your work, don't forget to include reference pictures. Judges might not know your character, so always include your references. These pictures will also come in handy when you do your write up. I know that writing sounds difficult and no fun at all, but this is the part where you can shine. Write about how you made each pieces, the struggles you overcame, what you pulled from past experiences, what was your favorite part to make, and what you learned. As long as it is about the cosplay at hand, feel free to include it in there. The judges might not read everything you write, but this part is also a good reflection tool for you to see how much this one project improved you as a cosplayer and what you want to improve. Now that you have the pictures and the writing, it is time to put it all together. This is the creative part. Make sure that you follow all guidelines the con gives you about putting this together. If they don't have any, make it yours. Two of the main ways you can create this is either a picture book or scrapbook. Picture books are easier because you can buy a photo album and put in all your pictures and hand in your write up separately. With a scrapbook, you can get a binder and clear page protectors to make scrap booking pages and save some page protectors for your write up. This will allow for everything to be in one place, but it will take more time to set up the pages and add elements. If you do go the scrap book route, theme it to your character and get paper and stickers that match their color scheme, likes and personality. These can also be done virtually, just make sure that your judges will have access to the internet, or you can project your screen somehow. Being judged can be scary enough. If you follow these tips and make your portfolio uniquely you, the judges will love it. Originally posted on Nerd Fest's Blog |
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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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