Quote:
When I first began cosplaying in 2005(2006, if you consider a convention stop the first real time), I was entering a world of Fine Arts expression. Now, 7-8 years later, well...it still is that, but not quite so.
I remember when cosplaying was where one could feel accepted. One could get tips for how to dye a wig or how to get that armor done. [The former being where I was T-minus 2 or so weeks till A-Kon 2006, struggling to dye a white wig with black Sharpie markers]
But, what has this hobby become? Honestly, it has become a mire where you get bullied for not being the right something. There's the war of "hand-mades" vs. "store boughts". There's cosplay idols that some might aspire to be, but might never be.
Yes, I'm still in it for the kicks and expression [Without this, I wouldn't have met most of the people on my friend list amongst other things], but what have we become? Cosplay is supposed to be for everyone. Cosplay is for us to just chill out as someone else, be it a rogue swordsperson or that fierce fighter straight out of the newest installment of the game that just came out or whoever we secretly we aspire to be, etc.
Is this what we have reduced ourselves to? To casting away who we are, in order to advance? What happened to being ourselves, no matter what skill level we are? To just hang around with friends, getting to know new ones, no matter if we hand crafted the entire look or bought it online? Or is cosplay on a slippery slope, headed southbound? These are things I'm asking myself, with 2014 on the horizon.
Used to be, we didn't have it this bad. Now, in the recent years, it's as if there is a war amongst our own selves. No longer can we just don on a costume, go to a convention for 3-4 days, load up on swag and possibly take in a concert. Sadly, it's gotten cliquish and I for one, despite enjoying the advances in things like technology and gaming, well...I want it to be like the early days.
That's my wish for the 2014 convention season. For us to just come together as one community, cast away our differences and actually be said community. Screw the labels, screw the whole 'oh it has to be homemade', etc. Whatever happened to letting all skill levels come together at a con for a few days, networking with each other and all that?
I'll still be doing my cosplays and I'll do the characters the best I can. Sure, my characterization might be off or it might not be homemade, but if we keep pushing perfection, sooner or later, there's conformity and newbies who want in on this would be turned off. As one of my fellow cosplayers has stated, "When that happens, cosplay will become nothing but a big contest".
This used to be a hobby we could get into, getting away from things such as work or school or whatever it was. But looking at it now, I'm seeing it as a repeat of the real world. We don't need this one bit. Cosplay is a mini-vacation for some of us and at times, it might be our only vacation for a good long while.
If you're reading this, please add your two cents on what you've noticed in the scene. I'm aware I might be sounding angry in this post and that I might be 'overreacting', but this frustration has been building up for some time. If it offends you, I'm sorry, but we probably should split ways.
Come 2014, let's aim to be more accepting and all that. Sure, that Madoka cosplayer might be missing the wig or the right gloves. But, let them join in your "Madoka Magica" group/picnic/whathaveyou. Yes, the guy in the corner might have the wrong color wig or plus-sized or whatever. If there's a cosplayer in the corner, but they don't have it looking "professional", talk with them. Give them some tips. They're still a part of who we are as a community. Each and every one of us brings our story as well as that same interest in the hobby.
The passion has become lost, losing its focus, character and comraderie amongst fellow cosplayers. Cosplay, yes it means "Costume play". But it's also a hobby, which means we have one focus in mind. To have fun while we're at it. It might have a different meaning to you, but then again, the interpretation is up to you.
"What about those who cosplay for the fun of it? Where is it fair that they're forced into a world they do not wish to be a part of?" and "How can they sit there and do this?".
I look at these questions and just sigh in frustration. Because of all of this going on, you can't tell on who is the good guy or the bad guy anymore. Sadly, with some of these 'cosplayers' speaking out on their opinion on what is the 'right way' to do this hobby, it makes the rest of us look bad.
As I conclude this rant of sorts, I say unto you guys as an 8 year veteran of this hobby:
When I started, my dream was to get up there one day to snatch the trophies and win allocades for my work. Sure, I haven't sewn at all and my costumes have been pieced together from just store bought clothing and cheap wigs. But that's besides the point.
I'm still a -hopeful- good person at heart. I'm willing to answer questions on cosplay and even give tips if needed.
Cosplay, to me, is still an art form I will be passionate about. It is a way of expressing one's self or something truly desired.
Would I still want to be one of those trophy winning cosplayers? After all this time and witnessing the drama within, no. If so, I'd be discarding who I am. An artistic hobbyist. Plus, if I was, I'd probably contributing to the drama and I'm ever so frustrated with at the moment.
Thank you for reading and well, if this Note pisses you off, there's the back door. It was nice knowing you.
I remember when cosplaying was where one could feel accepted. One could get tips for how to dye a wig or how to get that armor done. [The former being where I was T-minus 2 or so weeks till A-Kon 2006, struggling to dye a white wig with black Sharpie markers]
But, what has this hobby become? Honestly, it has become a mire where you get bullied for not being the right something. There's the war of "hand-mades" vs. "store boughts". There's cosplay idols that some might aspire to be, but might never be.
Yes, I'm still in it for the kicks and expression [Without this, I wouldn't have met most of the people on my friend list amongst other things], but what have we become? Cosplay is supposed to be for everyone. Cosplay is for us to just chill out as someone else, be it a rogue swordsperson or that fierce fighter straight out of the newest installment of the game that just came out or whoever we secretly we aspire to be, etc.
Is this what we have reduced ourselves to? To casting away who we are, in order to advance? What happened to being ourselves, no matter what skill level we are? To just hang around with friends, getting to know new ones, no matter if we hand crafted the entire look or bought it online? Or is cosplay on a slippery slope, headed southbound? These are things I'm asking myself, with 2014 on the horizon.
Used to be, we didn't have it this bad. Now, in the recent years, it's as if there is a war amongst our own selves. No longer can we just don on a costume, go to a convention for 3-4 days, load up on swag and possibly take in a concert. Sadly, it's gotten cliquish and I for one, despite enjoying the advances in things like technology and gaming, well...I want it to be like the early days.
That's my wish for the 2014 convention season. For us to just come together as one community, cast away our differences and actually be said community. Screw the labels, screw the whole 'oh it has to be homemade', etc. Whatever happened to letting all skill levels come together at a con for a few days, networking with each other and all that?
I'll still be doing my cosplays and I'll do the characters the best I can. Sure, my characterization might be off or it might not be homemade, but if we keep pushing perfection, sooner or later, there's conformity and newbies who want in on this would be turned off. As one of my fellow cosplayers has stated, "When that happens, cosplay will become nothing but a big contest".
This used to be a hobby we could get into, getting away from things such as work or school or whatever it was. But looking at it now, I'm seeing it as a repeat of the real world. We don't need this one bit. Cosplay is a mini-vacation for some of us and at times, it might be our only vacation for a good long while.
If you're reading this, please add your two cents on what you've noticed in the scene. I'm aware I might be sounding angry in this post and that I might be 'overreacting', but this frustration has been building up for some time. If it offends you, I'm sorry, but we probably should split ways.
Come 2014, let's aim to be more accepting and all that. Sure, that Madoka cosplayer might be missing the wig or the right gloves. But, let them join in your "Madoka Magica" group/picnic/whathaveyou. Yes, the guy in the corner might have the wrong color wig or plus-sized or whatever. If there's a cosplayer in the corner, but they don't have it looking "professional", talk with them. Give them some tips. They're still a part of who we are as a community. Each and every one of us brings our story as well as that same interest in the hobby.
The passion has become lost, losing its focus, character and comraderie amongst fellow cosplayers. Cosplay, yes it means "Costume play". But it's also a hobby, which means we have one focus in mind. To have fun while we're at it. It might have a different meaning to you, but then again, the interpretation is up to you.
"What about those who cosplay for the fun of it? Where is it fair that they're forced into a world they do not wish to be a part of?" and "How can they sit there and do this?".
I look at these questions and just sigh in frustration. Because of all of this going on, you can't tell on who is the good guy or the bad guy anymore. Sadly, with some of these 'cosplayers' speaking out on their opinion on what is the 'right way' to do this hobby, it makes the rest of us look bad.
As I conclude this rant of sorts, I say unto you guys as an 8 year veteran of this hobby:
When I started, my dream was to get up there one day to snatch the trophies and win allocades for my work. Sure, I haven't sewn at all and my costumes have been pieced together from just store bought clothing and cheap wigs. But that's besides the point.
I'm still a -hopeful- good person at heart. I'm willing to answer questions on cosplay and even give tips if needed.
Cosplay, to me, is still an art form I will be passionate about. It is a way of expressing one's self or something truly desired.
Would I still want to be one of those trophy winning cosplayers? After all this time and witnessing the drama within, no. If so, I'd be discarding who I am. An artistic hobbyist. Plus, if I was, I'd probably contributing to the drama and I'm ever so frustrated with at the moment.
Thank you for reading and well, if this Note pisses you off, there's the back door. It was nice knowing you.
I posted this on my Facebook tonight after a tiring and frustrating day. Plus, it's been pent up inside me for quite some time. Feel free to vent your thoughts on the scene itself. I'd like to hear your viewpoints on what the scene has become, etc.
