Author Archive: LifeOfCosplay

Beginner’s Guide: Starting a Cosplay Page

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As cosplayers, we don’t necessarily think of ourselves as a “brand”, but we are essentially marketing ourselves to our viewers… even if we aren’t selling them anything. Your brand will be a guideline on what and how you post in the future, so before you start a cosplay page, please consider the following:

 

  1. What outlet should I use? (Website, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
    • The type of posts you make might determine the best place to put your product. Do you post often? Do you make lengthy posts? Are you posts heavily image-driven? Do you like to schedule posts?
  2. What direction do I want my page to go?
    • What is your main reason for having a page? Tutorials? Updates on costume progress? Reblogging cool cosplay-related things?
  3. What name will I use?
    • Make sure this is something that you identify as. For instance, I use “Life Of Cosplay” because I update on everything in my life that involves cosplay.
    • Do you want it to be unique? Easy to remember? Easy to spell? Remember that this name will STICK WITH YOU FOREVER.
    • How many variations of this cosplay name is there already?
      • Initially I chose “Peachy Cosplay” as my page, but realized there are several pages out there with a similar name.

This is not O.K.

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To the stranger on Instagram who thinks it’s okay to talk to women like they’re a piece of meat: Stop it.

I am in no way asking for your sexual attention. The amount of skin that is showing in this picture? Most of my facial epidermis and a scandalous peep of forearm.

 

InvisibleHug

You see that kid? I’m sharing part of my hobby that makes me the happiest: making children smile.

And you had to get on the internet and ruin an innocent picture with your stupid words.

 

You, sir, are the reason why I learned to slouch so that nobody’s eyes wandered to certain places.

It’s men like you who taught a 13-year-old me that my body is sexually appealing when a middle-aged truck driver honked at my friend and I as we were walking home from school. If I didn’t stop wearing shorts, I would still get those stupid honks.

It’s men like you who ruined my Valentine’s Day date when I traumatically learned that wearing heels and a dress above the knees means you’re available for prostitution proposals. I was 21, on my first date ever, and didn’t know anything about fashion. I never made that mistake again.

 

I am also not your:

Sweetheart, sweetie, dear, baby, or dog (so stop whistling at me like I am one).

 

I didn’t ask for your “compliment”, but I will ask for something from you: STOP. I don’t want your twisted idea of attention.

 

 

Con survival guide: how to battle cosplayer exhaustion

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Nearly all cosplayers have experienced con exhaustion at one point or another. If you’re always wondering WHY you’re so tired, or WHY you decided to wear that crazy death-trap costume, I have a few tips that will help your experience go a lot smoother.

 

NOTE: a small bag will help you carry stuff. If you can’t carry a bag, tuck some cash somewhere in your costume.

  1. Bring food (preferably protein to help hold you over)
    • Granola bars, nuts, and jerky are very mobile
    • OR bring cash with you and know where the vending machines are if you are crashing hard and need food NOW
  2. Bring a small water bottle
    • Fill it up near fountains
    • Or just hit the water fountains hard and frequently
  3. SIT DOWN whenever you can
    • “OH LOOK! SOME STAIRS! *flop*”
  4. Pack headache/body ache medicine.
    • If you don’t have a bag, buy the single use packets at a local drugstore and tuck it in your costume
  5. Eat breakfast
    • I don’t care how eager you are to head to the con. Start your day off with food in your stomach and drink as much water as you can comfortably tolerate.
  6. Pre-game*
    • Start eating healthy/sleeping 7-8 hrs the week before. You will be able to “go hard” longer.
    • *I realize that many cosplayers are spending the last couple of free nights making costumes. See my guide on: How to make your costumes ON TIME for the con
  7. Bonus: SLEEP!
    • I know it’s unrealistic to ask cosplayers to get a good night’s rest at the con, but you really will enjoy your day time more
    • #SayNoToConZombies

3 steps to get over awkward cosplay posing

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Modeling is not as easy as it looks, and if you’re a cosplayer who is just jumping into the wayward waters of the posing profession, it might be intimidating and awkward to get started. Here’s how you can get over the initiation jitters.

1. Don’t put yourself down!

  • Mentality is a huge part of the battle, so if you’re thinking about apologizing to the photographer for everything you’re doing wrong… don’t! Explain that you are new, and then laugh it off and enjoy yourself.

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2. Fake that confidence

  • It helps to practice your poses in a mirror or have some references with you, too, but rolling your shoulders back, sticking that chest out, and holding your head high can make you feel less awkward. Fake it ‘till you make it.

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3. You are a chameleon

  • Okay, so you’re in a crowded convention when you strike your pose. Okay, so people might be looking at you weird. It doesn’t matter. Who is going to know what you look like on a normal day?

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The Princess Hug

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I was at the Maryland Renaissance Festival dressed as Snow White, when a 7-year-old girl shyly came up to me with her mom. She’s was clutching her mother’s leg as I kneeled down and spoke to her in hopes of breaking through her timidity.

As usual, I spread my arms out and ask her for a princess hug. I was unprepared for the intensity of that hug.

This girl clung to me like I was her last hope in the world and didn’t say a single word. It seemed like an intense emotional time for her, so I started whispering words of encouragement. “You’re a beautiful girl. You have so much love in you. Don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t do something.” And she just stood there with her arms wound tightly around my neck and listened.

This girl was poorly dressed, wore glasses at the age of 7, and was overweight. It saddens me to say this, but she probably didn’t get to hear words like that often. Perhaps that’s why after that hug, she didn’t stop smiling.

Being a Disney princess often grants me direct access to the hearts of little girls, which is a overwhelming and wondrous privilege. I will always remember that hug as the reminder of how powerful words of love can be.

 

Photo by Kandles KN Photography

Photo by Kandles KN Photography

MAGfest the MAGnificent convention

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One week.

One week after my first MAGfest, and I wish it was still going on!

Since I live in the local area, I initially went to a super-crowded Katsucon the weekend prior, so I was expecting another crazy ride for MAGfest. I was delightedly wrong!

First, I have never been to a 4-day convention, and attending a Thursday convention is very relaxing… and incredibly advantageous. You can sign up for any events/games/tournaments before anyone else. You get uninhibited access to all the displays, games, and vendor’s booths. The world is your burrito.

Second, there are a lot more panels that I was actually INTERESTED in! And the game room; THE GAME ROOM! An entire floor dedicated to tabletop gaming and meeting new people. An even BIGGER room focuses on arcade games.

But the thing that stood out the most? The photo shoot availability.

Unlike Katsucon, there were no battles for a tiny space of corner to shoot characters in. Even though both conventions were held in the exact same location, the entire indoor and outdoor area was clear and free, and the talented photographers were eager to shoot!

At Katsucon, this section would never be so empty in the day time. NEVER. (photo taken by me)

Seriously, if you’re interested in getting some free quality photo shoots in your cosplay, I HIGHLY recommend MAGfest.

 

Thursday con = no background crowd. It was great for my Rogue cosplay.

Early con = no crowd in background!

I don’t think I’ve experienced a convention that is so perfectly tailored for endless games and incredible photos.

I ran into 'Eurobeat Kasumi Photography' every day of the convention... and he shot some amazing stuff with me!

I ran into ‘Eurobeat Kasumi Photography’ every day of the convention… and he shot some amazing stuff with me!

Only 350+ days left until the next MAGfest. I’m looking forward to it!

Winning $$ for your costumes

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Cosplay can be an expensive hobby! Fabrics, sewing machines, props, armor, wigs, makeup… it adds up pretty quickly.

I have found a way to ease that financial burden, and it only takes a little bit of effort! How do I do it?

I submit my costumes in competitions.

No, I’m not talking cosplay competitions… although I did win one of those once (and only got some DVDs and a shotglass); I’m talking about any event going on in your local area.

Keep your eyes and ears open. Research what locations nearby give good prizes for contests and special events. Know what special movies and events are coming up soon (these are often in-line with contest promotions). Save this information somewhere where you can check up on them every now and then.

I won a $25 gift card at my library’s Halloween contest.

Cindy

I submitted my Princess Peach costume in for a radio Halloween contest and won $500 in prizes (which I promptly sold).

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I found out about a bar that was holding a Star Wars costume contest to hype up the new movie coming out and won $1000 (there was only one other competitor).

leia

These events I found out with minimal research. Imagine what you could be winning if you actively look for these things on a regular basis!

 

For your convenience, I’m adding a list of places you can start looking for contests at:

  • Library
  • Fair/festival
  • Community center
  • Bar/nightclub
  • Privately owned restaurant
  • Radio stations near you (check their online contest info)
  • Comic/game store
  • Anime/comic/costume clubs

 

Good luck, and happy hunting!

How to make your costume ON TIME for the convention (Part 2 of 2)

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This is part two on how you can get your costume done on time for the con. Take a deep breath. This might hurt a little bit (but it’s totally worth it).

  1. Set an absolute deadline at least TWO WEEKS before the date you want to wear your costume. Don’t break this. Ever.
    1. Drop everything you’re doing right now and make a pact with yourself that the 2-week deadline is a sacred step in your cosplay construction that shall never be broken.
    2. Promising yourself is easy, and we break stuff like this all the time. Make incentives for completing on time!
      1. On-time example: If I finish on time, I get to chow down on that ice cream I’ve been eyeballing (#noregrets)
      2. Early finish example: Wow! Finished 1 week early! I’m going to go to that dance club I’ve been interested in but too shy to go to, since I have so much time now. Or learn how to do the waltz so I can look legit in my princess dress (or whatever suits your fancy)
  • Late finish example: Well, it l ooks like I won’t be spending the extra $$ to visit my favorite actor/actress at the con. (Seriously, make this pact violation painful to break)
    1. Late finish discipline could also be doled out on a “every day I’m late” basis. I.E. “Every day I’m late, that’s one less con party I’m going to attend”

How to make your costume ON TIME for the convention (Part 1 of 2)

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Let’s face it. Most artistic-type people aren’t usually the most organized… which means there is a lot of room for error; especially when it comes to estimating how long it will take to finish a project. When I made my Princess Bubblegum costume I thought “Oh hey this is easy. I can probably do this on two days.” WRONG! I was so very very wrong!

All around the world cosplayers cry out in frustration, their costumes barely completed in time for the convention. This is a sad reality that you can help to fix! Here’s how:

  1. Make a timeline
    1. What do you want done at different points in your construction? How far along do you want to be after a week of initiating your project? After a month? It’ll only take a few minutes to sit down and write down your plan, but it can save you hours of heartache near the end of your project
  2. Buy extra supplies.
    1. Because running to the store for more fabric or ordering more of your special worbla takes TIME. Your time is precious.

The third tip is quite a doozy, so it gets its own blog post! Look for the second installment later this week. 🙂

 

5 tips for staying warm in costume

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Staying warm in a costume is sometimes difficult… especially in colder weather when you’ve got a thin costume or if it reveals a bit more skin than is recommended. When I lived in South Korea, I’d be outdoors at conventions for hours, and it was FREEZING during the winter. So here’s what I recommend if you want your costume experience to be as comfortable as possible!

  1. Heat pads. These are the cosplayer’s magical trick up the sleeve (or dress). There are stick-on heat pads sold at drug stores and online. Buy these. Buy many of these. A lot of packages will warn you NOT to apply it directly to your skin… but my overly sensitive skin has not had a problem with any complication as of yet. These bad boys can be stuck directly under corsets and not create an obvious bulge. The best place to put them? Directly where your kidneys are. Since all your blood filters through your kidneys, if your kidneys are warm the rest of your blood will be as well.
  2. Nude leggings. Or 2. Or 3. If you want your legs to look smooth and perfect, I would recommend these even during the summer! I’m not talking about pantyhose; I’m talking full-coverage ballet-quality nudes to match your skin tone. Try a dancer’s store and pick yourself up a few. Layer them on top of each other during the winter for even more warmth insurance. I once wore 3 pairs and my legs didn’t looked like giant marshmallows. This probably has something to do with the constricting and forming nature of tights. (Gotta love it!)
  3. Thin shirts/tank tops. Every layer counts, so if you can sneak a tank top under your costume, do it! Keep those kidneys warm.
  4. Full-body spandex. Have a character that’s a different color than normal? Don’t paint your skin – especially in the winter season. Just like the nude leggings, wearing a spandex can smooth out your skin… by covering it completely. This is a good time to combine some thin heat pads under your fake skin for bonus warmth coverage. Viola!
  5. The good ‘ol giant coat. If all else fails, bring a coat/cloak with you to keep you warm. Throw it off dramatically* whenever someone wants your photo, and get ready for your much-deserved closeup. *If coat is expensive, don’t throw it on the ground

Photo by pingophoto.com