hellkitty wrote:Okay, I guess my question is more along the lines of something like this:
a) Is it more accepted to go as a character or as a 'type'? Which is considered 'better'?
b) Is it 'cooler' if *everyone* knows who you are supposed to be or just other otaku (or equivalent)?
c) Is it weird/awkward when absolute strangers want to take pictures of you?
d) If one is female and one's costume *is* a bit on the sexy side (as the ones I've seen are), does it bother you that creeps might ogle you? I mean, at ComicCon I saw a girl dressed as Princess Leia in that bikini/Jabba the Hutt slave number and I have to say she did not seem at all aware of the guys trying to get upskirt shots of her costume or how they were talking about her body about 10 feet away--I didn't know this girl but I wanted to punch them out on GP and if I'd been her boyfriend I'd've gone ballistic!
e) What do you do/think if you run into someone in the same character? Is it cool or do you feel competitive? Do you try to avoid the other 'you's or do you swap notes? (I'm kinda sick already of seeing Rorshach costumes, myself, but I don't cosplay so I don't know what the cool people think).
f) Is there a preference for made costumes or prepurchased ones? Meaning: is it considered more authentic and thus better if you put together your own stylish little number, or to shell out mucho dinero to buy an 'official' or 'authentic' costume--like that Halo Masterchief number that goes for about a grand?
Mind you, these are all coming from someone who is more or less invisible. Salespeople don't see me even when I wave money at them. I've made a minor hobby of NOT being photographed, including submitting a picture of my cat for my department homepage (Truth is, a 20 pound cat could probably do a better job than I do anyway). The only photo in existence of me beyond governmental IDs is 13 years old. And I have the negatives of *that*, too.
All of that *attention*, quite honestly, would freak me out. So I just kinda want to know what it takes to put oneself out there like that. I wish I had the guts/fashion sense/self-confidence/looks to do it, but I don't.
HK, you can't see me. Wait, isn't that John Cena's line?
From my perspective built from many friends who cosplay...
a) Either/or, Somepeople love going a basic archtype, just look at the number of Stormtroopers and star Trek red shirts there are. Not every one goes as Darth Vader or Mr. Spock at Sci-fi conventions and by that same rational, many anime cosplayers go as unidentified students, background troops and such from different shows. It all depends on your taste. as an emaple take FMA, have a number of people dressed as State Alchamists, because they simple like the uniform, and can dress up without needing to be one of the specified members.
b) Again, matter of personal taste. Some people dress up as some of the most recognized characters because they'll be instantly reqocnized. Some people will chose lesser known ones, because they realy like the outfit or character, and some do it to see how many people will actually know the character.
c) It shouldn't be. and usually within a convention setting, if you are in costume, you should expect that to happen. Some will kant pictures for the character, some to show how good the costumes are, some for the "wow, somebody did this costume", and some just for memories.
That said, most people will ask before hand if you are ok with them taking a picture with you, and you do have every right to say no. If you feel that your rights are being violated, report them to the convention.
d) Clearly, I can't speak from direct experiance on this one. But I do have a freind that has done that exact costume. From her, and other female friends that have done, let us say 'provocative' cos-play, They know what they are doing and what they may be getting themselves in for. If they are still ok will doing that character, then that is a choise they have made. It's just like the swimsuit you choose to wear to the beach/pool/hot tub, You are fully aware that other people will be looking at you, and thinking who knows what, and if your fine with that, then go right ahead.
e) Runs the gambit, i've seen this happen and the results vary:
- Girls have pointed, squeeled and hugged.
- Idiots have sulked and walked, because they are the only ???, or because the other person makes (or they just think it makes) their costume look bad.
- Some have swapped pointers or details on how they made pieces.
- Some ask for pictures of the two together.
- and many don't seem to care.
There is no real protocol, as with many things just go with the flow.
f) If you want to look more or less correct, and don't care about anything else, then order/buy your costume. If you are doing it to be in competition, then you should make it yourself or work with somebody to make a custom costume for you. It's like Halloween, there are:
- Cheap purchased costumes that look bad
- Expensive purchased costumes that look real good
- Poorly made costumes, where unfortuately due to knowledge and materials used, just won't be that good.
- Costumes made by hand by people with good working knowledge of what they are doing that look great.
And the best ones that are out there are almost always, Hand made by people who have made costuming their art. Just looking at the outfit, you'll know that this couldn't be ordered online because of the amount of detailing and the way it is fitted to the wearer.
Hey, I hate having my picture taken, my id card looks like i'm stoned, (i wasn't), and my passport makes my look like a member of the IRA, so I know where you are coming from. If you want to cos-play then go right ahead, and take extra clothes with you as if you do start feeling uncomfortable, you can always change.
Don't be afraid if someone asks you for a few sewing tips either. Share the knowledge 
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