Last week, I posted a blog post about how I organized my cosplans. I had a request to have a template of the spreadsheet I use uploaded so others could use it. Below you'll find a downloadable file so you alter what parts are useful to you. Today's post will discuss the other tabs in the sheet that weren't covered earlier. If you happened to miss that post, you can find it here.
References This page is pretty basic. Sometimes I find tutorials that will help me with a future project that I don't want to lose. I'll write down what the tutorial is for and write a link. I personally don't include pictures in here since I find it easier to organize reference photos in folders on my computer (perhaps a future post if peeps are interested?). I'll group my tutorials together by cosplay since I *try* to finish one cosplay at a time. Shoot Ideas Sometimes I come up with great locations for shoots, and I'm so forgetful that I need to write them down. I'll write down the character's name and location that I want to shoot at. If I have a certain photographer in mind, or I have discussed the shoot with someone, I'll put down their name too, since I am super forgetful, but I don't want to burn bridges with my photographers. Once I actually have a shoot booked, I'll put it on the table on the right so I know not to double book a shoot and to keep my days straight. I only write the character name in the table since I can easily find the rest of the information in the columns to the left of the table. It might make it easier on yourself if you organize the left side by alphabetical order for the characters. Con List I use the con list section to organize the conventions I'm going to. I will put an "X" in the booked column when I officially buy my ticket. Sometimes I forget if I have a ticket (especially with events being canceled), so this helps me make sure that I actually buy the ticket. Tickets are cheaper the earlier you buy them, so I try to buy them a year in advance if I can. If you can't buy them right away, that's okay. Just avoid buying them at the con if you can. You'll save a lot of money. I also like to keep track of other con information such as dates, hotel price, and the con website. To make it easier for me to navigate, I try to organize the cons by the date they happen so I can make sure that I am booking hotels and buying tickets in the order that they happen. I like to include badge and hotel costs so I can figure out a budget. If you plan on going to out of state cons, I would also include a column for travel. Lastly, the website is good to have so you can access information about policies and other important information. Line Up The last tab is my line up tab. I like to plan my cosplays in advance so I can figure out what I need to work on to avoid con crunch. This also helps me figure out what groups I am in and what days we are doing them. Every two columns is a new year. Sometimes I plan things a year in advance, so I like to make sure I can organize multiple years at a time. In the left column of each year I write the day or event (rave, contest, etc.) for the con. In the right column, I make sure to write the con name (in order that they happen) and then the costumes that I plan on wearing. I hope this helps keep you organized next con season! Did you make any adjustments or add any new tabs? Let me know in the comments below!
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I've been binge watching so much during this Stay at Home Order, which has added on to my ever-growing problem: my cosplan list. There are so many characters and fan art that I want to cosplay, that I was having trouble for awhile trying to keep track of everything I wanted to do. I keep my cosplans in many places, but the most organized one is my excel spread sheet. There's a lot of pages in my cosplay doc, so today I'm only going to share those about keeping cosplays organized. The first page I break down my cosplays in to interest levels. I ask myself how much I want to cosplay each character and place them accordingly. These are always moving around for me, but I want to keep track of what matters most to me in the moment so I can work on those first. It has also helped me narrow down characters because if they stay on the low end too long, I tend to lose interest and delete them. Next to my priority chart, I keep track of cosplay I am actively working on. I try to keep this at two, but due to a lack of resources, I've been working on whatever I can make from what I already have. I also include bought cosplays here that haven't arrived so I can track what should be arriving. The bottom table is to keep track of my groups. I haven't updated it in awhile since the pandemic is closing everything down, but I like to keep track of groups and their deadlines so I can make sure to prioritize those by deadlines. The next page is a timeline page. I haven't updated this since before COAF because I'm trying not to push myself to work on cosplay when I'm feeling uninspired. This really helps during con season to keep me on track and to avoid con crunch! I start by writing out all my upcoming cons (this has been updated...for now) and what I plan on bringing to each. To the right of that, I write out the next three cosplays I have planned and what I still need to do to finish them. I use these to populate the calendar on the left. Usually I make these calendars for a month at a time (this one is different since I was balancing student teaching, grad school, and work). When I do this for each month, I break it down by what I want to do each week. I like to double check that all of my tasks are even divided up by how much time I think they will take so I'm not overloading myself. I try to revisit this at the end of each week and highlight everything I got done in green. At the end of each month I eventuate what I got done and what I need to do next month to keep on track. When it gets closer to con (about two months out), I write everything down on paper too and put it on the cork board over my desk so I can help keep myself on track so I'm not crunching. I like to keep my thrifted cosplays separate. These are pieces that I think would be fairly easy to find at a thrift store, so I keep my eyes open each time I go. To make these lists, I just look at a reference picture and write down everything I need to complete the look. These are cosplays I don't have a timeline for and I'm willing to wait to find pieces I can alter to make the costume. The last Page I'm going over is my buy online page. As the name implies, it's just a page with links to cosplays I want to buy. Before I put them on the list I look at reviews about the retailer (if I haven't previously bought from them) to make sure that their product is quality. I also check to see if there are any product reviews and pictures from consumers to see how the product actually fits. Once I am confident in the product and company I add the link here so I don't forget about it. As much as I would love to buy everything now, real life has to come first. Was this helpful to you? Would you like to see more of my spreadsheet in future posts? Let me know in the comments!
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 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 Picking a cosplay name can be so intimidating. There are so many fantastic names out there, it might seem hard to find one that fits you. Plus, with so many social media accounts, you don't want to take someone else's identity. It's hard to find something that captures your essence and your craft, the way you want it to. It's going to take time, but I know you can do it. I chose my name back in August of 2016. I was signing up for the cosplay contest at Fort Collins Comic Con and they asked what I should be called on stage. I had to think for a bit. I wasn't immersed in to the con scene, so I wasn't sure how to pick a name. I wanted to include my first name since I wanted to remember to respond. Having such a common name (who doesn't know at least five people named Ashley), I wasn't worried about random people being able to find me online. After thinking for a bit, I knew I wanted something with fire in my name. I thought of different words related to fire and settled on Sparks. I chose it because it paired well with my first name, and there was word play I could use. After 24 hours, I was finally able to submit my application. *Not that the application mattered, since the MC skipped over me and got in a verbal disagreement with the judges when they told him he skipped someone. The first decision you should make is if you want to use or include any other alias you go by. I know some cosplayers use gamer tags, pen names, or part of their names/nicknames. If you are planning to be multi-faceted (stream games on Twtich, cosplay, write, etc), you're going to want one consistent name to brand yourself with. If you want to keep these identities separate, I would not recommend using the exact same name. Secondly, decide on what you want your brand to be. I wish I had taken more time to stop and think about my cosplay name. Think about who you are as a person and as a cosplayer. What words would you use to describe yourself? Are there any characters you relate to, or cosplay a lot? What is something you're interested in outside of cosplay? Take some time to think about your answers to these questions and try out different names. Your first idea is probably not going to be your best, so don't feel bad if you don't like any of the names. Keep writing down different ideas and changing them until you find one that you think fits perfectly. Once you decided on a name (or narrowed down your options) you're going to want to make sure the name is not in use. There is no database of cosplay names (wouldn't that be cool), so you're going to have to do some digging. My recommendation is to search the name you want on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Even if the name is just taken on one site, I would not recommend using that name. Chances are that person has created that identity already, and you don't want to steal it from them. If your name is available, great! It's time to set up your accounts. I would recommend setting up at least a Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook so no one can take your handle. You probably won't use all accounts up front, but it's better to lock in all usernames now so they can all be consistent. Coming up with a cosplay name can seem tricky, but with some time and thought, you can create the perfect cosplay alias. Orginally 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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