Keneshi Project: Wigs

, by Akhy

Rise of the Guardians: Jack Frost

, by Akhy

COSPLAYING: Art NOT Fashion

As I said before, in my former blog entry, some people don't even know the true art and essence of the word and hobby, 'COSPLAY'(I can't believe that I even have the guts to comment on these issues tho I, myself is not a cosplayer, but a mere con-goer. Maybe it's because I've been a spectator for so long that I can classify my self eligible of criticizing on what I see for I've been used to seeing it and it's not something new to me.). Some self-proclaimed cosplayers don't even put much effort and passion into what they are doing. It's like "Hey! Look! I'm all dressed up as a cute girl" or "Look upon me and worship me for I am the personification of your favorite character" attitude of most newbs.

DISCLAIMER: PHOTO NOT MINE

From time to time(since I don't attend EVERY con and just go to cons where my schedule is free...), I see more and more cosplayers roaming around, looking like manga-trash(does mangas that never got the chance to be published for you-know-what reason). Synthetic wigs that looks like they're suffering from cancer, inappropriate wig style/look, and most of all, NOT WEARING ANY AT ALL. Just their plain black, straight hair. It's a pain in the eye seeing them, calling themselves cosplayers, although they don't even know how to do the proper make-up for their character, or even the simplest of poses of the character they are portraying.

Cosplay isn't a FASHION TREND, it isn't for modelling. It's not about mere wearing of the costume or the attire of the character walking around the way you want, but wearing the character and it's characteristics as a whole.

Most of the time, when I see a Vocaloid cosplayer(No offense meant to Vocaloid cosplayers) it's either the projection is outstanding or out...out. It was like they did that for the sake of cosplaying. I for one did not knew who they were when I first attended my very first con, but since whenever I see them in conventions, I got used to what they look like, got curious, Googled them up and learned a bunch of stuff. And realizing what I've seen and been seeing, for goodness sake, please stop what your doing and get the hell out of my sight. Most cosgailers cosplay these personas because it requires no information about the character unlike anime characters that even requires further research to fully gain knowledge about them.

But I'm not saying that only those who are elite cosplayers should cosplay, although I am saying that make the necessary preparations before you debut your cosplay. Isn't it that you also do preparations before big events? It's just the same as this, it's like your Baptism, you are to be welcomed into the cosplay world after you debut your first cosplay.

Tips from a cosplay spectator:

Go over multiple tutorials and try them yourself until you think you got it.

Earn. Earn sufficient money so that you can complete every single bit of detail of your character. Cosplay is about art and craftsmanship, also being critical, observing the smallest of details.

Inquire/Ask cosplayers who have been in this league for a long time. Ask them about the wigs, the shoes(because some characters require custom boots/shoes), the weapon/props, the accessories, the make-up and the look.

Think of alternatives. Your characters are fictional. Most of the time, the item that would complete the look can't be found on any store. Make one.

Think a bunch of times every now and then.

Be careful of scammers Be sure to buy only to legit online sellers if you are to order your items online and be sure to differentiate what's good and what's not if you are to buy offline.

Have fun. Spectators like me like seeing barkadas/tropas cosplaying epic characters and having fun.

Make the best of it. Anyway, it is an expensive hobby.

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, by Akhy

Accessories

The Perks of Being a Cosgailer: Wealthy Costrippers Chronicles

Have you ever seen your favorite character being cosplayed by someone? Did it meet the DETAILS of the character? Did the 'cosplayer' portrayed it well? Or was is just an awful debacle you can never unsee?

I've been attending anime/cosplay conventions since '11, so technically, I have the right and the standards to judge cosplays that I see whenever I go to cons, or whenever something pops-out on my newsfeed regarding the art of Cosplay. I can pretty much say, since Myrtle Gail Sarrosa entered the Pinoy Big Brother(PBB) House, the world of cosplay went on chaos, almost a complete clutter in its name. But before I start, I want to clear things out, I DO NOT HATE MYRTLE, I 'WAS' A FAN OF HERS actually, back then.

COSGAILER pertains to certain people who cosplay just for the sake being a Myrtle, the cosplayer, fan. These are noob cosplayers that do not know the important details in cosplaying. Somewhat similar to weeaboos.

Cosplaying isn't just about wearing expensive wigs and high quality costumes and props, it's about how creative and meticulous you are in observing things. You have to potray the character you wish to cosplay, some even do researches because some characters they cosplay has a variety of attires and weapons, it's not only for physical portrayal but also for further knowledge about the character because some con-goers doesn't know much about anime and those hosts that want to chat(if you wish to join cosplay catwalks and the like) like to ask "Sino yang kino-cosplay mo?(Who are you cosplaying?)" with the follow-up question "Bigyan mo naman kami ng background ng character na yan.(Give us a little background about that character.)" And the worst reply would be "Si -insertakawaiicharacternamehere- po(It's -insertakawaiicharacternamehere-.)" nothing more, nothing less. Be aware of those you give your answers to, maybe he's/she's a great fan of that character you are cosplaying, you would just be crushing your own dignity and name.

According to Shenny Ongayo on the question "What is cosplay":

Cosplay (for me) is a hobby where you can express yourself. You can "unleash" your inner artist in you by sewing your own clothes and making your own props for example. It's not where you just pose for the camera and smile. It also means portraying. For example: "A Ciel Phantomhive cosplayer was asked by a photographer to pose for him, then the cosplayer poses and do the usual cutesy-pose. Then here I go, approaching to the cosplayer to talk to him because I'm not allowed to punch him directly to the face." This is the reason why when a person asks a cosplayer on "how to cosplay" they usually answer, "it's best to portray you favorite character," Why? Because you know them by heart. they would never recommend by saying, "JUST LOOK FOR NARUTO IN GOOGLE. .YOU'LL SEE EVERYTHING IN THERE," That's just b*s*. Basically, when a person cosplay, the people should see the character that the person is portraying, NOT the person in the character's clothes. That's why most people are confused about costuming or costume-wearing with cosplaying. I repeat, cosplay is a hobby, not a stepping-stone for popularity. Never expect that when you do this hobby, you'll be featured in TV or in any kind of media, this was actually just for fun in the first place. If you want to cosplay with that in your head, I'm telling you, you better change your opinion about it.

Some or the noobs in cosplay often just buy wigs and wear them, without styling, without looking in the mirror asking themselves, "Is this identical?" or "What does it lack?" or "Does it look good?". They wear their made-to-order costumes, without asking themselves the same question, without asking enough questions to make things clear, for them to have a more parallel look to the character they are cosplaying. The make-up, the friggin' make-up. I don't even know where to start on that. Some of these 'cosplayers' don't even wear make-up, or worse, do their make-up completely different to what is supposed to be done for the character. They don't even check their looks if its okay. And for goodness sake, if only I could get the courage to say "Halika dito, aayusin ko yan.(Come here, I'll fix that.)" Not to brag but, I may not be the best on cosplaying, or even as a cosplay enthusiast, I could definitely do it way better and improve it more than you could ever do alone.

I can't forget that one time when I attended VocaFusion '12 and almost everyone 'cosplayed' their favorite Vocaloid character. I saw a girl wearing a wig that made her looked like a Miku with cancer because of her unfixed and very low quality wig, also saw a boy as Mikuo with a very very straight hair, he looked like he just had his hair re-bonded, it was silky smooth and straight. Please do spare me a headache on this one, Google it and see how Mikuo's hair looks like and see if I am right that he was wrong.

If you wish to COSPLAY, and not to COSGAIL, do take time to prepare and have a cosplay debut grandeur.

Join this page and save your cosplay life: https://www.facebook.com/groups/137067499738199/

lf you're already a member, do visit this tutorials and reviews done by your beloved admins and cosplayers:

Cosplay Wigs:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/137067499738199/doc/258499784261636/

Contact Lenses:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/137067499738199/doc/259874647457483/

Fabric Guide(For those who sew/make their own costumes):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/137067499738199/doc/236357859809162/

Tutorials:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/137067499738199/doc/258631770915104/

Comments/Suggestions? Leave them in the comment below!

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, by Akhy

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Rise of the Guardians: Jack Frost

COSPLAYING: Art NOT Fashion

The Perks of Being a Cosgailer: Wealthy Costrippers Chronicles

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Rise of the Guardians: Jack Frost 02

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COSPLAYING: Art NOT Fashion

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