Where did I go?

I definitely fell off the cosplay train. It wasn’t that I fell out of love with it or that I wasn’t interested anymore. I think I had just reached a natural pause in my life.

Summer of 2019 I was out of town a lot. I traveled with family and pretty immediately traveled to Europe with a little group of students. It was a great summer, no doubt, but also took me out of the convention game pretty fully. School started back up quickly after all that where I threw myself into some big things professionally. Then…covid. Like I said, a pretty natural pause.

I’ve spent the time working on lots of non-cosplay projects; beading and needle felting. Those things helped me cope with the world and even work on commissions to help me spread some happiness beyond me.

I have cosplays too. But let’s talk about that. I had been feeling…less than. I don’t have a 3D printer, an airbrush, a significant other to take photos, time, money, massive amounts of space, etc etc etc. I felt discouraged. I can’t live up to the expectations that people have for a lot of cosplayers.

Luckily, this time off from conventions and pressure has given me a bit of a new perspective. You won’t see me in beautifully 3D printed Mandalorian armor or fully body painted. But you will get some cool handcrafted details. Maybe some quirky characters you don’t see too often. I can only hope that what I do appeals to or inspires someone. And I hope you’re still along with me for the ride.

Pride and Cosplay

As I sit here with my wireless going down regularly, I’m still able to watch facebook cosplay groups collectively lose their minds because of cosplayers who dare to Pride up their cosplays. It’s probably important that I mention I’m primarily seeing this happen in the Star Wars cosplay world, but I’m sure it’s a problem beyond just there.

So what’s going on? Let me put this plainly: people who have a problem with someone adding a rainbow flag to their costume are bigots. I have never seen cosplay groups flip out over mash-up cosplays or other costumes that might deviate from the canon outfit. I’ve seen Hello Kitty Avengers, Stormtroopers decked out in Louis Vuitton or Adidas, amongst a ton of other mashed up and non-canon costumes. I’m sure there are people that aren’t thrilled with them, but I’ve never seen outrage over them.

No outrage over those costumes, but outrage over rainbow flags? Outrage and insults flying. Screaming over their hobby becoming political. News flash: nobody’s sexuality or gender expression is harming you. It’s not ruining your hobby. It’s not making it political. LGBTQIA+ people exist. They’re not mythical. They are simply existing and Pride is a time they can do that, be proud of their existence and celebrate the brave people who got them to this point. Want to learn more about Pride? The Human Rights Campaign has a really concise history of Pride here.

But why does this all intersect with cosplay? Cosplay is a place where marginalized people often find an open and welcoming community as well as the chance to express oneself in a safer environment. I’m a chubby nerd who likes to make stuff. Cosplay provided a safe place for me. The same applies for pretty well any other marginalized group including LGBTQIA+. We should strive to be welcoming of all types of people who show up to cosplay with us; gay, fat, POC, trans, neurodivergent or whatever else makes someone feel not included in their communities.

Welcome everyone and enjoy the diversity the cosplay community allows to us experience. I’ve learned so much from the people within the community and I hope I can turn what I’ve learned into action to help those who need it. I’ve seen the cosplay community work to raise awareness of cancer and support those who need it. The LGBTQIA+ community should be part of the people we wrap our arms around. Feel excited for Pride. Raise them up. Learn how you can work to include people instead of making them feel different. We all need to be welcome and in turn be welcoming. Show some love and maybe you’ll experience some in return.

 

 

What do cosplayers owe you?

To make it short, nothing. Given this, how can we all adjust our expectations?

That said, cosplayers LOVE TO HAVE THEIR PICTURES TAKEN. Most of the time, they will be more than gracious to any fan. As long as you ask nicely, that picture with Spider-man is most likely yours. So many cosplayers love to comb the internet after a con looking for a picture of their cosplay taken by a fan on their adventure to the con. It can be a real kick seeing your photo on a stranger’s Instagram. It is crucial to remember though that a con is not Disney World and those cosplayers are not paid costumed actors.

Over the years, I’ve read and heard plenty of complaints from con goers that cosplayers were rude to them and wouldn’t agree to photos. But let’s break this down. Cosplayers….are just con goers in costume. They paid to attend the same event as everyone else. They have friends to see, vendors to visit, bathrooms to use, snacks that need to be eaten. Sometimes they’re running to attend or participate in a panel. Sometime they’re waiting in line to see George Takei too. Let them enjoy their con just as you would like them to let you do.

                                (wish I could credit this cosplayer! No credits listed!)

Everyone should have a great time at the con, cosplayers and non-cosplayers alike. Don’t follow a cosplayer into a bathroom stall because you want a picture. Yes, that’s happened to me and other cosplayers I know. Let a cosplayer eat their hot dog. Let them check out that vendor; you can ask for a picture once they’re done (the vendor will be grateful too!). Ask nicely. Don’t snipe creepy photos from across an aisle; you’ll get a much better photo if you let the cosplayer know they’re getting their picture taken and can pose. Don’t touch cosplayers without their permission. Basically, let a cosplayer enjoy the con like every other person. If you do that, you’ll get a photo or ten. Often those people who have complained about rude cosplayers not agreeing to a photo just weren’t respectful of the situation.

And cosplayers, you have a part in this too. Be nice. Can’t take a picture because you’re on the run to get to a panel? Let that person know. Tell them you’d be happy to stop for a photo when you have more time later. What it’s all about is treating each other with a bit of respect. We all can enhance each other’s experience if put a little effort into it. And as always, no means no and that needs to be respected too.

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Well that was different….

What an absolute difference a week makes. One week ago I was a guest at a small fan-run convention. The day after I get home I find out that I would be working at Wizard World Cleveland that coming weekend. These cons are completely different beasts and man was I going to find that out by jumping headfirst into it.

I found out officially that I was going to be a vendor, as well as presenting on the creative stage, literally the Monday before the con. Oops. Guess I wasn’t going to have time to request of time from work for the con itself or load-in times. This required some real rearranging of my schedule, a lot of leaning on good friends for help, and a definitely some flexibility. Yikes.

Luckily, somehow, everything seemed to end up working out. Staff with the con was super great at making sure my info got up on their site almost immediately and it looked so smooth and sleek. Check-in with Wizard World was easy and efficient as well. I didn’t really see too much of con staff during the weekend…but I guess that’s ok.

One thing I really noticed about large cons like Wizard World over the smaller cons is that everything is up and running right away. Gates open and attendees pour in. Definitely no time to really acclimate to the situation, you’re just in it. But as a vendor, that’s what you want; feet in the aisles and eyes on your merchandise.

I was located in LGBT Alley, which is a new and growing feature of Wizard World conventions championed by fellow cosplayer and good friend, Alexa Heart. It’s an area of the con dedicated to LGBT and LGBT-friendly vendors. Often I find small cons to have an emphasis on diversity and inclusion and despite the seemingly open atmosphere cons have, there isn’t always a safe place for our LGBT friends. It was a super friendly area to be a part of and I really look forward to what Wizard World may do with the area in the future. Trust me, there’s a need. I really loved my aisle mates and we had a blast even in the slow times. Definitely need to work on my booth set-up though, which is fine for smaller cons or craft shows, but tended to get lost in the massive booths around me.

Now did I say I presented on the creative stage too? Oh yes, I did. So yeah, that was pretty neat. I got to present my wig care panel and I love teaching people about wigs. I always feel like I get to help remove some of the mystery of wig wearing and styling and hopefully getting someone closer to living their wig life to the fullest. Ok that sounds dramatic, but seriously, wigs are intimidating. If I can help someone feel more confident about cutting or just wearing a wig, I feel like I’m actually providing the cosplay community with the lessons I want to be more available to all cosplayers.  That’s what I really love to do.

It was definitely a whirlwind of a two weeks for me, but I am so incredibly glad that I had the opportunities that have come my way. And now I’m going to go pass out for the entirety of this weekend.

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Giving thanks to those behind the cosplayer

It’s that time of year, the holidays, gearing up for con season, sitting around in the dark because the sun goes down at 4pm, and I’ve got to thinking about all the people who make cosplay happen. There are so many and their support is vital to keeping us going.  First and foremost on my list is not my cats. To be fair, they’re adorable and I love having them around….but trying to crawl through my sewing machine is not what any cosplayer needs.

Every cosplayer does need a friend who is willing to help them pick up things that are dropped, carry their wallet, fix a strap, and just generally help them navigate the con floor. Lord knows we can sometimes be pretty helpless and whiny in costume. Cosplay handlers, even if you never call them that, are so so so important. I want you to know from the bottom of my heart, you guys are the true heroes. You seek no attention, but are willing to help us show off. We owe you a lifetime of drinks.

All the friends who are willing to go along with group cosplay plans, you’re amazing too. I try not to do a lot of group cosplays for personal reasons, but I have had the pleasure of working with some awesome people. They’re always down for goofy photoshoots or collecting weird props. I’ve subjected people to some really weird stuff, but you never questioned it and for that I’m forever thankful.

There is also an army of people who stay behind the scenes. They’re my support system while I work on stuff isolated in my house. These are the people who like and comment on my posts. Those who encourage me when I’m feeling discouraged. But this support system goes beyond social media and into the real world with people who are willing to buy my products or promote my events. You are the people who really make my world go ’round. I even have a friend who has encouraged me to start this blog. I cannot thank anyone enough for helping to push me and make me grow all while not expecting more than I can give in return.

My family doesn’t much support my costuming. Not that they don’t…they’re just indifferent to it for the most part. Shout out to my older brother for often bringing the niece and nephew to craft shows I’m a part of though because that’s really great. My biggest support comes from my friend, cos-manager and person who isn’t completely uncomfortable and creeped out that we’re constantly shipped together and/or cosplay as ships, Daena. Everybody deserves to have a person in their court and she’s mine. Not only will she let me bounce ideas off of her constantly, but she’s also willing to sit at my table at a con for hours on end. I literally and figuratively wouldn’t be able to do any of this without her help. In the cosplay world, there are lots of people who come and go, so I wish for all of you to find someone who will stick by your side. And for real, you need someone who you can laugh off the zero sales you made that day or the rude person at your panel and then be able to sit in a hotel room and eat too much pizza, breadsticks and macaroni and cheese that you impulse ordered on Grubhub.

Find your people. Let them know how much you appreciate them. And try to be that person to them in return.

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