Cosplaying - The Wonder, The Addiction

So, a very weird and creepy thing happened. I was having a hard time trying to figure out what to write, so I decided to come back to a subject I haven't talked about in awhile: cosplaying. Not wanting to basically write the same thing twice. I went backinto my Word file and looked it up. After getting the gist of what I wrote previously, I clicked on properties to see how long ago I wrote. Keep in mind that tonight's blog is being written on April 11th. The previous coplaying blog entry was written on...wait for it...April 11, 2008. I should paly the lottery tomorrow....



Cosplay. It's fun. It's addictive. It's hard work. It's a religion.



I've ripped on coplayers in the past, but in a loving fashion. Unless you are one of those who ignores your own body type and inisist upon dressing up like Faye Valentine or Light Yamagi. Please, just don't. It hurts the rest of us. Seriously. Despite that, cosplayers are a very energetic and playfull bunch. They have to be.



The amount of time and work that goes into a fan's costume actually exceeds the amout of time it is worn. To be a cosplayer and to create a costume, you must be one of two types of individuals. One is a person with seamstress/tailor/costume designer skills. The other is a person who has access to a seamstress/tailor/costume designer. All coplayers, however, share the same traits. Creativity, energy to wear their costumes...and must love being in the public's eye and have their picture taken every 90 seconds or so. Being a flirt also helps.



Costumes are quite often intricate. Details are important. Getting the rank right on a uniform, or a special symbol, is important as there will ALWAYS be that fanboy or fangirl who actually will call you out if you get it wrong. As with any costume design, there has to be some knowledge onhow to plan to create a costume. This may include renderings, the use of body stands, continuous measurements...and the hunt for the right color material.



A costume can also be quite restrictive depending upon who you are portraying. Say your character has wings, extended body features, or the character you are emulating...simply does not havea humanoid form. This brings an element of construction to the table. How do you create a costume to attatch to yourself and still be able to walk around? Not an easy task. Just to give you an idea; see the above photo? I am six feet tall. That costume is easily eight to nine feet tall. The person inside? Tiny.



Lastly, there is the make-up and wig element. Like anythign else with the costume, there has to be consistency. You can't dress up as L and wear a long, blond wig. Just doesn't work. Also, make up has to be maintained. Unless you have a professional make-up artist in your group. Theatrical and photo make-up artists make sure their work can stand up under hot lights. Regular make-up jobs? Not so much. I'm still waiting for someone to cosplay Scar at Otakon...I want to see the design on the right arm!



Wigs are devices of torture. I know this from my years of working in theatre. I've never actually worn a wig, but I've seen the application. First, you have to decide how you are going to wear a wig. Straight on your head, or will you use a stretch cap to attatch the wig to? Either way, you are going to have bed hair when you take the wig off. And it's itchy. And it's hot. Very hot.



Despite the horrors and hard work and the wearing of demonic devices...they still are able to run around, act in character...and always are ready to pose for your camera. How long do they practice their poses? How often does an attractive cosplayer endure leering fanboys? Or the creepy older guy with a Nikon camera? You gotta hand it to the cosplayers. They love the attention, so give it to them! They've earned it!



Hopefully, this year, security won't decide that I am carrying contraband in my backpack and keep me out of the Masquerade. Oh, and to the guy walking around as MegaMan with the skintight suit...no one wants to see the outline of your junk....



SIDE NOTES:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKbb9915hUY

PLAY LIST:

Go here to see and hear what I was listening to while writing this blog!

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