Once you get your line up figured out, make a detailed list of everything each cosplay needs. If you plan on rewearing a cosplay you've already made, don't forget to make sure it fits and to see if anything needs to be fixed or replaced. Once you have a detailed list of everything (and I mean everything) that needs to be done, you can create a time line. For this time line, make sure that you break things up either by day or week in doable portions of tasks. If you bombard yourself with too many tasks, you will fall behind and lose motivation.
Sometimes you will fall behind schedule and that is okay. See if you can redistribute the tasks you have not finished yet to other days/weeks. If not, consider scraping a cosplay. Your health and well being are more important than get your line up done. I also find it is helpful to try on pieces as you go. Trying on a cosplay all together a week before the con and finding out most the pieces don't fit is disheartening. Trying things on as you go gives you an idea of what you need to fix and you can do it right away. Avoiding con crunch will make your con experience more enjoyable. You will be better rested and less stressed when the con is happening! Originally posted on Nerd Fest's Blog
0 Comments
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 |
Header Photo Credits
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
January 2021
Categories
All
|