The Story At one point in my journey, I was working with someone who held real weight in the cosplay community. For a while, things looked promising…we were collaborating, sharing space, and building momentum. But after a brutal falling out, they decided the best way… Read More »The Haters are just FREE influencers
Every cosplayer, photographer, conrunner, vendor and artist in this scene has been haunted by one simple triangle: GOOD. FAST. CHEAP…Pick Two. You’ve seen this in memes. Heard it in panel discussions. Maybe even laughed about it with friends over midnight con crunch. But let’s be… Read More »Good. Fast. Cheap. This Culture can’t have all three
Gatekeeping. You’ve felt it. Maybe even said it. “They don’t belong here.” “That’s not how it’s done.” “We’re just protecting the integrity of the space.” It sounds noble on the surface. But let’s call it what it is… Gatekeeping. And it’s slowly killing the heart… Read More »Gatekeeping vs. Guardianship: The Crossroads of Convention Culture
Every seasoned cosplayer has had that one moment: the slow walk of shame to con ops for prop inspection, hoping that the foam prop you spent 40 hours painting doesn’t get flagged for looking too real. Prop inspections aren’t just a formality—they’re a crucial part… Read More »Why Prop Inspection Rules Matter for Cosplayers
Let’s be Candid – the whole cosplay and convention community is at a crossroads. What used to feel like a vibrant, passionate community is starting to feel fragmented, tense, and, at times, outright hostile. Drama is louder than collaboration. Gatekeeping is replacing mentorship. Ego is… Read More »A Random Cosplayer’s guide to networking at conventions
The cosplay and con community deserves more collaboration/communication and less competition. Want to make it last? Ditch the ego, and communicate like your success depends on it—because it does. I’ve been part of the convention and cosplay scene for a while now—long enough to see… Read More »The Business of Being Easy to Work With – why communication is everything!
Cosplay Contest Pre-judging can almost be as daunting as being on stage. You are stuck in a small room, and you have but a few minutes with professional Cosplayers and Prop Fabricators to show them the months (or more) you have spent on your cosplay.… Read More »Cosplay Contest Pre-Judging: A Random Cosplayer’s Guide
March, 2006After spending six months building my cosplay, I am finally ready for photos. Now instead of painting, I am on a quest to find a photographer. Every one that I call has the same answer: They know nothing about cosplay, the character I was… Read More »Posing workbooks: The missing link between cosplayers and Photographers.
A Build Book is an essential tool for any cosplayer looking to document their creative process for a cosplay contest. Using a build book template helps you stay organized, plan your project step by step, and showcase your craftsmanship. I am going to walk you… Read More »Build Book Template – A guide.
Panels can be a fun and lucrative way to get started in the convention and cosplay community! To start, you will need a panel outline, like the freebie we offer. What’s a panel outline? It’s the document that outlines what you will need to successfully… Read More »A Random Cosplayer’s Guide to the Panel Outline template
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