This is going to be a quick post about my thoughts on my previous cosplay experiences and about the future of cosplay. I’ve been to multiple conventions, including one of the biggest conventions in the country, Anime Expo. I’ve put together everything from a low budget cosplay to an intricate steampunk persona cosplay, complete with back story.
I have derived a lot of enjoyment out of being a cosplayer and have some tips and tricks for those looking to become one.
The cosplay crunch time
If you’ve watched cosplay maker videos or read maker blogs, you’ve heard of this term. For whatever reason, cosplayers are the worst in leaving enough time to create everything they want for a cosplay. We have been isolated for over a year now and I still suffer from this. I have so many ideas and things I want to do with never enough time to do them.
For an example I am working on the Worgen cosplay. I need it ready for the Ren Fair coming up in about 3 weeks. In that time I’m leaving for California for two weeks. How am I going to get it done in that amount of time?!
Creative solutions are one of my favorite aspects of cosplay because when I have a deadline, I still want to wear what I’ve made. So I get to a point that I’m at least happy with it and run with it. This hasn’t really panned out well all the time.
I tripped over that hem all night long. The rest of the dress turned out amazing and I still have it, still haven’t fixed the hem. I’ll get around to it when I can, hopefully.
The Planning Process
I take my reference and I pick out ways to make it my own. I love cosplays that are unexpected and different from just an exact replica of what the original character design was. I like putting my own creative spin on things and coming out with something original.
I am a junkie for cosplay YouTube channels like Kamui Cosplay and Axceleration. They are great resources for creating something polished and fantastic. I unfortunately don’t have the resources to put led lights in everything but I did put a little led light in my Sailor Pluto staff.
So when planning out your cosplay, materials, patterns, prop making, all of it, comes together in the end. Just by looking around at what you have available, you might find stuff that will work. Most of my Sailor Pluto cosplay I had already. I just focused on making the Staff and that turned out better than I thought it would.
Cosplay Groups
I have gone alone to conventions, it happens. Sometimes you just don’t have friends that are interested in the same things you are. I went alone to my first steampunk convention and had a lot of fun. I went to the workshops, met new people and ultimately learned that sometimes you don’t have to always be with people you know in order to have fun at an event.
I’ve also gone to conventions with professional cosplayers. We held maker parties and helped each other with gathering materials. It also saved on the hotel room and transportation.
Ultimately I enjoyed just going to the conventions and events that allowed me to express both my creativity and my love for things that interest me.
Recent Changes
Obviously I haven’t gone to a convention in a long time. I’ve spent most of the last year creating new cosplays and learning how to make my own clothing. I feel like much of the cosplay community has been doing the same. The need to make stuff doesn’t just go away and it helped me stave off the boredom.
I’m excited and apprehensive about conventions opening back up. I want to engage with the community once again, face to face instead of over message boards and blog posts. There’s so much I want to share. I also have a dream list of conventions that I’m saving up for and hopefully we will all see each other soon in a safe and healthy environment.
Bella Phoenix 