12 replies to this topic

[Cat M]

I, unfortunately, won't be heading to Manifest this year (*grumble* budgetary restrictions *grumble*) but I will be at Sydney Supanova and certainly at Brisnova next year.

When I am at these two events I am going to try to take photos of every cosplayer there, whether I recognise their costume or not. When I take a photo I'm going to tell them a) that they've done a great/magnificent/amazing job that they look just like their character.

I'm planning to do this because I think that people put so much effort into making a costume, even if it's just a few pieces of clothing thrown together with some face paint on. It's so disappointing to have put in some to loads of effort to wear a costume and get almost zero recognition or comments for it.

Now I know we don't all wear cosplays for attention/photo count/super-kudos points but I know from experience that it's a really really disappointing and disheartening experience to spend hours on making a costume only to walk around for half a day without a single person approaching you and going 'hey.... good costume.' Or even 'hey... who are you supposed to be?'.

So from now on when I'm at cons I'm going to take a step forward in supporting other cosplayers by giving some recognition of their effort. This is kind of my (hopefuly inspiring) call out to you guys to do the same.

[Atory]

That's a great idea!

Usually I find that when a cosplayer is not approached about their costume it isn't about not being recognized but rather fans are too shy to approach them. Cosplaying is something that is out of the ordinary and does take a lot of bravery to do and to ask a photo of.

[MachV]

nice idea!

In sydney we call the "The Peace and Love Movement" ala Trigun

Edited by MachV, 25 August 2007 - 04:30 PM.

[Atory]

Isn't it "Love and Peace"?

[Metanoia]

That is a really good idea cat. Though I am sadded you won't be at manifest with me!!

[gene_chan]

Thats a nice idea :3

Need more people like you out there supporting other cosplayers :3

[MachV]

Isn't it "Love and Peace"?

yeah, i was tired when i wrote that. Thanks for the correction

[papa_travaal]

This is a great idea! Not just for Cosplayers either - every person that gets dressed up deserves recognition for their effort, but particularly at the cons where there are so many non-costumed people.

[Starfire Phoenix]

Fantastic Cat! I will do my best to do that as well!

[Avalon Mists]

Great notion Cat!

I've only been witness to cosplay at Brisnova, though had seen pics of such costumes before. I did have a chuckle at Brisnova when I was asked what I was on the Saturday- Entwife costume- but can certainly feel for those that are cosplaying anime characters and don't get any recognistion or praise for their efforts. Unfortunately I've seen where some cosplayers attack others for their efforts, especially if they haven't made their costume themselves but have bought bits and pieces. I don't know a lot about anime and don't recognise a lot of the characters, but I'll work on getting over my shyness and congratulate people on their efforts.

[Last_Chael]

I totally agree Cat! What a great idea!!

I usually find at Brisnova I don't recognise most of the costumes as the majority of costumers there are costuming Anime characters (which I know very little about). I also find that generally they don't recognise the types of costumes I wear (generally sci-fi and fantasy). I know how disappointed I felt at my first Supanova when only a couple of people recognised my Kaylee costume (ok fair enough, it was from a very small scene in the movie But even alot of the Firefly/Serenity fans didn't reconise it), and a lot of the anime fans actually thought that I was just wearing normal clothes. Same thing happened with my Cally costume and with the PAdme costume I wore in Sydney. Though I don't hold it against the anime fans, coz I rarely reconise their costumes

I think it would be really nice to have some mutual sharing on both sides to acknowledge really great costumes - even if you don't know who they are! It's really sad that there seems to be this huge Anime VS Sci fi/fantasy thing happening (at least from what I have seen at heard, particularly at Supanova). Matt was ripped to shreds by Anime costplayers at Sydney Supanova Not very nice. I've heard from a few people that Anime fans are a little intimidated particularly by Star Wars costumers, because of our dedication to costuming (And the money we spend on costumes).

I think Cat's idea is such a fantastic one! I think it's up to us to really share that love of costuming with everyone who costumes, whether we know what they're dressed as or not. IT's really great to encourage anyone who makes the effort to dress up! We all know it takes a lot of courage, and a kind word from someone appreciating the effort you've put in can really go a long way!

[Metanoia]

I've heard from a few people that Anime fans are a little intimidated particularly by Star Wars costumers, because of our dedication to costuming (And the money we spend on costumes).

Thats bizarre... but then do you mean "anime fans" or "cosplayers" cause a lot of cosplayers are starting to spend a lot of money trying to be picture perfect in their costumes. Which is usually a silly amount for what is usually a one wear costume as opposed to the star wars people who wear their masterpieces regularly.

[Last_Chael]

Yup, it was cosplayers.