The Energon Pub

Okay, so it's looking more and more like I'm getting roped into I-con, our wee local scifi con out here on Lon-Guyland. Two of my students are going, and they wanted to share with me that they'd be there in cosplay.

HK, like it's even POSSIBLE to cosplay Starscream?

Yea...

Only one notice will be given in this thread:

Keep pictures, stories, and whatever else /b/ summons you here to do, all on the level.

I'm not saying HK has done anything wrong here thus far, this is just a friendly reminder.




My wife has cosplayed as Jill Valentine and Chun li. It was awesome.

hellkitty wrote:Okay, so it's looking more and more like I'm getting roped into I-con, our wee local scifi con out here on Lon-Guyland. Two of my students are going, and they wanted to share with me that they'd be there in cosplay.

The closest thing I ever came to what might be considered cosplay was one Halloween when I dressed as the Baroness and my friend dressed as Duke. Let it be noted that it ended predictably--with an evening of drunken groping naughtiness, somehow actually in character.

That has pretty much set the precedent/conditions for any time *I* would ever cosplay in the future: a good friend doing it too, totally in character, and ending X-ratedly (also totally in character). Or at least heavy R. This other stuff, I frankly don't understand.

Care to weigh in on this to make me all smart and hip?

HK, I'd do it too if you dressed as Starscream....

HK, people are gonna do what they want to do and to me cosplay is an art.
The girls are expressing their love for the charectors.

With the number of Anime Cons under my belt, cos-play funny enough is something I just haven't done.

No real reason why but it just hasn't interested me. But It does mean that I know tons of people (many of them friends) who take any chance to cosplay as an excuse to do so.

If you are happy doing it.
If you are going to put effort into your outfit.
If you understand and can channel the character.

Then by all means go for it, and have a blast.

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?

hellkitty wrote: like it's even POSSIBLE to cosplay Starscream?

found that pic. knew it exists

I have never been so happy to be so terribly, terribly wrong. Wow.

I am...speechless.

HK (a good idea since everything I say is going wrong today).

Name_Violation wrote:

hellkitty wrote: like it's even POSSIBLE to cosplay Starscream?

found that pic. knew it exists

Gah, beat me to the punch!

It makes me sad that no one has duplicated that costume and built an entire seeker entourage.

We're up to what? Eight canonically named seekers now?

That would be quite the posse, even without going into fan characters.

Hmmm... I could see the seeds for a new rival for the 501st...

Caelus wrote:

Name_Violation wrote:

hellkitty wrote: like it's even POSSIBLE to cosplay Starscream?

found that pic. knew it exists

Gah, beat me to the punch!

It makes me sad that no one has duplicated that costume and built an entire seeker entourage.

We're up to what? Eight canonically named seekers now?

That would be quite the posse, even without going into fan characters.

Hmmm... I could see the seeds for a new rival for the 501st...

Starscream
Skywarp
Thundercracker
Ramjet
Dirge
Thrust
Sunstorm
Acid Storm

Yeah, 8, unless I forgot someone

I don't cosplay perse, I do however, twice a week, dress like a viking, grab a shield and a club/axe/sword and go out to a park and beat the hell out of other people dressed like pirates/vikings/ninja/orc's etc.

It's fun.

Depends.

Some of the ones I've seen on DeviantArt are pretty cool, others are just plain ametuerish, and some are downright freaky.

Personally, though, I'm not one to engage in such an activity.

Senor Hugo wrote:I don't cosplay perse, I do however, twice a week, dress like a viking, grab a shield and a club/axe/sword and go out to a park and beat the hell out of other people dressed like pirates/vikings/ninja/orc's etc.

It's fun.

Twice a week?!?!?!!?





...Lucky.

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.

Here's my $0.02 worth since I've done cosplays (of sorts) and Ren Faires:

A) It's easier for people to recognize you if you're dressed as a certain character than if you show up as your own fan creation (usually based on a particular show/character). Even if you cosplay a lesser known character, you may be surprised how many people still recognize your char. Neither is what I'd consider "better" because I've seen some poorly done well-known characters and some kick aft fan characters. In my own case, I've never done a known character cosplay to date, but in the example of my Barricade-inspired outfit, I have had people recognize that I was playing off of Transformers This is the outfit.

B) Depending on the particular character you dress up as, be forewarned that the more popular said character is, the higher your chances of running into fans who will try to glomp/hug/fan-ogle you. If you dress as a really popular character, you will have people taking your picture often. Don't be shy about it either. It might be scary at first, but just relax and you'll be just fine. Even if you're dressed as a lesser known/OOC/hard to recognize (like in my case) character, some people will just want to give you a hug anyway (sometimes randomly, sometimes because they like your outfit or character). You may run into the occassional obviously nervous fan. This is the kind of fan who will try chatting with you about practically anything, usually does so in a hurry, and just looks really nervous but will still compliment/comment about your outfit. Then there's the creepers. These people are pretty obvious and will try to invade your personal space if you're not careful, but more often than not, they'll just look from a distance and might say something to you but not always. This ties in with part D.

C) See part B, but here's a few other thoughts. If you're not used to getting your picture taken, cosplaying a very popular character might not be the way you wanna go. You will attract attention and lots of it. If you're going to your first con, experiment with a lesser known character costume and see how things go. It will be something you adjust to over time. If you want to be more prepared, practice some character poses by a mirror before going to a con. This will really help you overcome the initial nervousness of getting your picture taken. You can even take the outfit out for a test drive, so to speak. Wear it somewhere random and have a friend take pictures (or go with a tripod and do it yourself) and see how you look. This could also realy help your confidence as said character (and overall).

D) "Sexy" costume or not, I've noticed from personal experience that you don't have to show a lot of skin or wear a tight fitted outfit to attract the wrong attention. There are pervs out there but they are usually fairly obvious. The more confidence and awareness you show, the more they will back off. You don't even really have to be the most confident person but if you can fake it enough to let them know you're not gonna take crap from them, you're set That's how I started out, and trust me, I'm still really shy but can make myself intimidating if need be (and don't always realize it either...). Creepy attention can also be avoided if you're with friends. A girl wandering around a con by herself is more likely to be bothered by creepers than someone in a group, or even just with one other person.

E) When you're cosplaying a known character, you may encounter someone else dressed like you and it's really nothing you need to worry about. I personally think it's fun to see the differences in peoples' sewing techniques, patterning ability, how much or how little detail they put into the outfit, etc. Then again I make costumes, so sometimes I will ask how someone made something so as to help further my own skillset. Don't be afraid of giving or receiving constructive criticism either. Most people will just give simple comments or compliments, but there's always a costume Nazi out there Live and learn, it's how we progress!

F) I always think it takes the most skill and dedication to make your own outfit. Anyone can buy something that's pre-made. It's a whole other thing when you take the time to make it yourself, and you instantly become a step above those people who buy outfits. Buying accessories is one thing, and that's fine because it's much harder to make props than the costume. If you make your own outfit, you have something to be proud of and you may leave some people in awe that you've got that talent Don't be afraid if someone asks you for a few sewing tips either. Share the knowledge

And one last thing. Self confidence is something that's learned. Not everyone has it, but you'd be surprised how much fun you might have playing dress up for a few hours, and how much better you feel about yourself while you're doing it. Just whatever you do, don't cosplay something you're afraid to run around in. If you're nervous about wearing your outfit and being that character, you might end up feeling worse and/or rushing out to your car to change into normal clothes. Cosplaying is supposed to be something fun

And that's my lunch hour advice for ya

Senor Hugo wrote:I don't cosplay perse, I do however, twice a week, dress like a viking, grab a shield and a club/axe/sword and go out to a park and beat the hell out of other people dressed like pirates/vikings/ninja/orc's etc.

It's fun.

Belgarth?

Highbeam wrote:Here's my $0.02 worth since I've done cosplays (of sorts) and Ren Faires:And one last thing. Self confidence is something that's learned. Not everyone has it, but you'd be surprised how much fun you might have playing dress up for a few hours, and how much better you feel about yourself while you're doing it. Just whatever you do, don't cosplay something you're afraid to run around in. If you're nervous about wearing your outfit and being that character, you might end up feeling worse and/or rushing out to your car to change into normal clothes. Cosplaying is supposed to be something fun

And that's my lunch hour advice for ya

Highbeam, you, of course, rock. I was hoping you'd share your wisdom.

For obvious reasons, I think I'm probably not cut out for character cosplay--most of the known female characters are pretty attractive and if I were to try to dress like one of them, it would merely make people sad. "Oh, that poor deluded woman...."

It's a scifi con, so I'm suspecting there will be a few steampunk outfits around, and that's something I could probably pull off with pretty minimal adaptations--most of the female steampunk seems to be just goth clothes with like actual colors (egad!). I'll have to see what I can dust off in the old batcloset (the cobwebs make it even more GAF, right?). I don't think I'm ready for the full on thing you do, but I suppose as solidarity to my students, I could do a little something.

I smell a trip to the craft store.

HK, black lipstick--NEVER!

It can be both. Ive seen some unreal outfits at the cons Ive attended. I have the highest respect for those who put time/money into making costumes. I just wish I could sew sometimes.

Caelus wrote:

Senor Hugo wrote:I don't cosplay perse, I do however, twice a week, dress like a viking, grab a shield and a club/axe/sword and go out to a park and beat the hell out of other people dressed like pirates/vikings/ninja/orc's etc.

It's fun.

Belgarth?

Exact same fighting style/rules different group. I think Belegarth is the knock-off version of what I do. I do Dagorhir just got back from a huge ass event too. Most fun I've had, ever.

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?

a] Depends on the context. A generic X-uniform is generally less cool than a costume representing a specific character. However, I always admire generic Stargate SG-team uniforms, and (well done) Ghostbusters uniforms are always freaking amazing.

b] Generally it's more fun to go as a character people will recognize. Anime characters are becoming so uncommon and old hat, that IMO traditional American characters have lately been in the minority and thus more fun to cosplay as. It makes you more unique, Super-characters and Bat-characters being the exception.

c] Oh heck no, usually it's a load of fun! Especially when parents ask to take pictures of you with their little children. Those are always my favorite photo-ops.

d]I'm a guy, so I can't comment on this. Personally, I'm more impressed by accuracy than raciness... but that's just me.

e] That hasn't happened to me yet. If I encountered someone like that, I would most likely be amused and ask that "other me" to pose with me for a pic.

f] Generally, home-made costumes that showcase someone's skill are more impressive, to me, and give you an extra boost of confidence when you're walking down the halls. You want to showcase your skills and creativity, not your money! There's a trick to anonymity though... if you don't want your picture taken, go as a character that wears a mask or something to obscure your face. That's specifically why I chose to cosplay as Cyclops. And I had so much fun, it was worth every penny and minute of labor.

And now I must show off my pictures from last year's SDCC and this year's Phoenix Cactus Con! yes, I wore the same costume to both cons. I spent two hundred dollars on it, and I'm going to get my money's with with that thing!

http://jazzeke.deviantart.com/art/IRON-MAN-and-CYCLOPS-96740041

http://jazzeke.deviantart.com/art/Cyke-and-Shadowcat-96662662

http://jazzeke.deviantart.com/art/Cyclops-and-Ms-Marvel-93630327

http://jazzeke.deviantart.com/art/Marvel-vs-DC-110748745

http://jazzeke.deviantart.com/art/Cyclops-and-Rogue-110749201

http://jazzeke.deviantart.com/art/Gambit-Wolverine-and-Cyclops-111166326

http://jazzeke.deviantart.com/art/Look-you-110749536

I cosplay quite a bit..

I am part of the 501st Legion.

http://www.501stlegion.org/members/disp ... stumeID=10

I know a girl who Cosplays regularly as Link. She's hot as hell and has massive tits.

call me an idiot but what is cosplay?

Decepticon_25 wrote:call me an idiot but what is cosplay?

I should think it's quite obvious by the content and pictures in this thread. Cosplay is costuming as characters in fiction.

oh man! i am such an idiot! thanks. i think.

CP can be cool, cute, creepy, or a combonation of them all.

Cool: If you see a dude at BotCon dressed in a transformable costume that was handmade, That's just cool!

Cute: If you see a little girl dressed like Ace/Tommy/"The Space Man" at a KISS concert, that's just cute. If a group of cute girls dress as the Sailor Scouts, it's cute. If you dress your daughter as Sari, it's cute.

Creepy: If your an old fat man dressing as Sailor Moon, it's creepy, and funny. If you're a big fat girl, and you dress as Princess Peach, it's creepy. If you *sigh* saw the pic of me as Mario, it's creepy.