Cosplay Gatherings: A Silly Beginner's Guide
By: JulyLikeTheYear
Well.. WHY NOT?!!
Why not go to the gathering?
“Who are you??? How did you get in my house??”
I’m the one asking questions here. Why the hell won’t you go to the cosplay gathering?
“Wha… but…. I don’t know… I’ve never done it before.”
THEN YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE.
BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE. Go back to that convention page and read those rules. Rules are there for a reason! Check their policy on props and weapons. Check their map and schedule. If you can’t find it on the main page check Facebook. Or the con’s message board or just google it. Make yourself prepared for WHEN YOU GO TO THE GATHERING!
Shut.
Up.
You are beautiful. You are perfect. And I love you.
No one is expecting a professional level cosplay, and as long as you put in some effort most people will support it. It’s always interesting to see a variety of takes on a character.
Just don’t be that guy who shows up in a tee-shirt and hat he just bought from dealer’s hall. His lame non-costume messes up the pictures. Nobody likes that guy. DON’T BE THAT GUY. PUT SOME EFFORT INTO YOUR COSTUMES, MICHAEL. YOU LOOK LIKE YOU JUST ROLLED OUT OF BED AND THAT’S NOT EVEN IN CHARACTER! GOD.
But don’t worry about that. You’re perfect and I love you.
RESEARCH
You picked this character, didn’t you? You should know their personality pretty well.
But Google some official art, watch cut scenes. Rewatch the entire series. Replay the game. Make note of poses and expressions this character does over and over. Is there one the character is particularly known for? GET IN FRONT OF A MIRROR AND PRACTICE!
The more you practice the more comfortable you’ll be. Then you’ll be able to do these poses in front of a crowd of people staring at you.
You got this.
Good!
This is when you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled. Get there a few minutes early and try to spot some other cosplayers in your fandom. If you see a few milling about-
CONGRATULATIONS! You’re probably in the right place. Or you’re all lost.
Keep an eye out for someone with a clipboard or a megaphone or a sense of purpose.
Shouldn’t be hard to spot at a con, that is rare enough among young people as is.
This person is running this whole cosplay gathering shindig. Make sure you’re close enough to hear them. They’ll be the one giving instructions and trying to keep you lot organized. THIS IS NOT AN EASY TASK SO BE NICE, DAMMIT.
LISTEN TO WHAT THEY SAY. This is how you’ll know when to come up and have your picture taken and what kind of pose to do. KEEP AN EYE ON THEM AND LISTEN.
NO.
LOOK. That guy is dressed just like you! GO STAND OVER THERE!
This is your big tip of the day. Easiest way to know where to go, what to do, get your questions answered (Other than listening to me. DON’T YOU DARE WALK AWAY WHILE I’M TALKING TO YOU YOUNG LADY) and make friends is to team up with cosplayers who are playing the same character as you are.
Do what they do! Follow them to the stage. Start a conversation. You obviously already have something in common! You’re both giant nerds who like to dress up outside of Halloween!
“Oh god… they just called my group… my new friends are all going up there… “
GO GO GO! This is your time to shine little lightening bug!
This is when all of your practice is going to pay off! Bust out those poses you’ve been practicing in front of the mirror!
BUT
BEFORE YOU DO
THERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF
- THE THEME! What did the megaphone wielder call out? Is this a serious pose? Silly? Good vs Evil? LISTEN FIRST AND BE AWARE OF THAT SO YOU KNOW WHERE TO GO!
- YOUR PROP. Don’t forget your prop! Don’t smack people with it either! Make sure it’s not blocking someone else’s face! But also make sure it can be seen! You worked hard on it! Show it off!
- YOUR BODY. Are you short? Move to the front! Are you tall? Move to the back.What are your arms doing? Don’t accidentally smack someone while you’re flailing your limbs. Is your butt in someone’s face? Ask if they’re okay with that!
Speaking of which we need to talk about consent.
“Consent? I’ve heard of that whole 'Cosplay is not consent thing'…it’s kinda posted everywhere…”
And for good reason. Some people are assholes.
What it boils down to is just because someone is in costume it doesn’t mean they lose their body autonomy. Don’t just assume they’re okay with being touched, posing with you, being involved with anything suggestive. They may look like an anime character but that doesn’t mean you can “accidentally” grab their skirt as you trip over them revealing a panty shot to the world.
BUT FRET NOT.
There is a super easy simple trick to get around this tricky conundrum!
ASK
Feel free to ask people as you’re switching between poses if they want to pose with you or would be okay with touch. It may be a little intimidating but so long as you’re respectful most people will return that in kind! Some of the best shots are where everyone is in sync!
“Oh wow… that one cosplayer is so impressive… I’d love to get a picture with them…”
GET OUT OF THE WAY FIRST. FUCK. WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT BEING AWARE OF YOUR GORGEOUS BODY?
If you want to take pictures outside of the called shots of the gathering don’t take away from the gathering.
Find a spot nearby where you two can have enough space and go for it.
Again, a lot of this goes down to basic respect:
-Ask first
-Don’t block other people’s shots
-Don’t distract other’s from the organized gathering
WAIT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? DON’T LET THEM WALK AWAY!
“Oh god! What?? What did I do!”
Get that Sailor Moon's contact info, stat!
This is a great way to make connections in the community! Exchange screen names! Ask if you can tag them! MAKE FRIENDS!
Talk to the photographers after all of this is done. Find out where they post their pictures. Ask if you can add them!
A few more tips as the gathering goes on:
Think of suggestions to call out beforehand so the gathering can get unique poses.
Don’t get in every shot you can. Give other people a chance.
Take a break. Stand in the shade. Drink some water.
How you feeling, little sunfish?
“It’s been fun! I was pretty nervous but it isn’t that bad! I made friends and I think I got in some great shots! I just hope I did an okay job…”
You did just fine, sweet thing.
NOW GET OUT THERE AND COSPLAY.
