By: Desiree M. M.
What should be prepared before a cosplay event? What should be brought during the anime/ cosplay cons?
This guide contain things and points what a newbie cosplayer should bring and what other things to prepare before an anime event and Cosplay Contest.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
If you are new to cosplay community, possibly you once became a SPECTATOR. You have witnessed how popular other cosplayers were and how good-looking they are on their mecha or expensive costumes.
Maybe you are wondering where to start and what to prepare.
To begin with, it is just alright if you have a small budget for a costume building. Just remember as long as you continue cosplaying you will learn how to be creative and resourceful enough. Creating your costume will basically begin with an anime photo reference and most important knowing the character’s personality.
You don’t have to rush things. Use your power of observation during events and review the cosplayers’ attitudes and how busy it will be if you are on their toes. This will help you out by learning how to be an effective cosplayer (maybe if you are planning) and to enjoy your self-expression.
IMPORTANT:
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL THE RULES AND GUIDELINES of the cosplay category if you are planning to join the cosplay contest. There are some things that are not allowed during the event especially regarding the costume/ props to bring.
THE ANIME /GAME / TOY CHARACTER OF YOUR CHOICE
Before cosplayers imitate/cosplay a certain character, it will all start by watching the series/ read the manga or played the game. An anime series/manga/ game have a good number of characters to choose from. You may select depending on the materials you have at hand or if you think your personality is the same like that anime character.
Sometimes, you may choose the character because you think you can build the costume easily or someone can help you. Also, you may prefer the character for the reason it is popular or you have completed the series/ currently watching it.
It is very essential to watch the anime first before selecting the character.
It is always be good to update yourself about the series/manga/game because in this way you will get familiar with the true personality of the chosen character. Don’t just rely on what other people say. It is best to try the game / watch some battle scenes, watch the anime series or read the manga. Furthermore, you will have an accurate idea what the costume/ props really look like.THE COSTUME AND MATERIALS/ BUDGET
After selecting the character of your choice and if you are planning to join a upcoming cosplay contest, consider your budget. Expect that you will spend money.
Example, you are planning to cosplay/ build a mecha costume, you have to save a 4 digit numbers of peso. If you are creative enough, maybe you can create the costume easily. Sometimes, a lending hand from other people is very important especially if you will be planning to build a 6ft. robot. Having few savings from your piggy bank will help you to build a semi mecha costume, not very detailed and complicated. Best suggestion, refer to your body size so that you can move freely during cons.Common costumes being cosplayed are made with fabric and other light materials.
Example, seifuku or Japanese school uniform. For beginners, try to cosplay someone with inexpensive costume. Simple but distinguishable.
Before asking a seamstress to sew and make your costume, check your closet and maybe there are old clothes/ unused fabric that can be use. It will save you from purchasing 
yards of fabric in fabric shops. Ask someone to sew/ your mom/ try it by yourself first.
If you have a good budget, sketch or prepare a photo reference of the character you will be portraying. Much better draw every details and explain to the costume-maker or seamstress that you want this to be made exactly. During the process of the costume making, always visit your seamstress/costume maker to ensure and to correct errors if there are any. Make some adjustments if necessary.If you wanted to buy the materials yourself, check DIVISORIA. Located in Manila, Phils.
This place is a haven for all your costume/ cosplay needs. Have a good budget and list all the expenses and things you will buy to avoid purchasing unimportant things. Almost everything can be found here, from the desired fabric, right materials, props, affordable accessories, and other sewing needs. Once you arrived the place, don’t buy the materials right away. There are a lot of stores to choose from. Some stores sell the materials/ fabrics cheaper than the other. In this way you will spend less.Note: Wear comfortable footwear and light clothing before going to Divi because this is a large place to look around. Have a rain gear/umbrella with you.
When I began cosplaying, I spend about 1500-2000 pesos. This comprised the fabric, fare expenses, food and ticket during the event.
But still, your own expenses depend on what you will cosplay. :D
PROPS/COSTUME ACCESSORIES
In some cases, the character of our choice has props or some accessories.Study and review the props to be used. Don’t forget to look for accurate references.
At times, we think that the accessories included with the costume are difficult to create or to find. Use your imagination and think what materials the accessories could be made of. Check your old collection of (fake) jewelries, beads, and alike. You can always customize your own.
Customizing your own props/ accessories will help you to develop your creativity and resourcefulness. If there is nothing available at home, buy or ask for unused accessories from a friend or relative.
If you have a budget, ask someone to make your props so it will look more accurate and much better. Talk to a trusted costume/props-maker to avoid any misunderstanding and money- issues.
On some occasions, we can’t prevent choosing a character with an unusual hair color and length . Example, characters with green, red, yellow, or blue hair, and very long or very short hair length. Wigs are always available, also in Divisoria or Department Stores. But wigs should not be the priority if you want to save. Hair Dyes or colored hair sprays can be purchase from P20.00-P120. But then, if you really wanted to achieve the exact hair color and length of the chosen character, you should have a budget of P500 (very short hair) -P2000 (very long hair).
Check Mannequin Inc. at Divisoria they sell different wigs for all your needs.
PLANNING AND JOINING THE COSPLAY CONTEST
Before joining the cosplay contest, practice walking or modeling like you are in a runway.
Walking fast on the stage or being shy/timid is normal to beginners. Develop your self- confidence or do some acting / short play about the character you desired. This will avoid you from looking like a fool during the catwalk. We all know that you don’t want to look like a laughing stock in front of the audience. Practice the factors that will affect the criteria for judging. Remember that in a cosplay catwalk you are given an ample time to pose and do a short skit. Use this time so that the audience or photographers can take a picture of you.
Face the judges and use the stage for your advantage.
Important:
If you think you are ready for the catwalk, read and understand all the guidelines and rules of the event in cosplay category. Provide all the necessary things, like photo reference and any valid ID’s. If you are ask to print your registration form, have a copy. Register early if online pre-registration is available. This will avoid too much hassles before the cosplay program.
Minors are always ask to bring a written consent letter from your parents/ guardian and a photocopy of a guardian’s valid ID. Always OBEY this rule because the event organizers will not be responsible for your full security (if you are alone) nor didn’t force you to join the event.
FOLLOW ALL THE RULES AND GUIDELINES TO AVOID PROBLEMS.
WHAT TO BRING BEFORE THE EVENT
The following are the things to bring before the event. Prepare them 2 days or a day before the event.
Food and Thirst Quenchers
If you want to save from buying foods in expensive food stalls bring some bread/sandwich and water/ juice/ soft drinks with you. During the cosplay event you cannot avoid being hungry. Sometimes, you will choose to stay in the event area instead of roaming around the mall/ any other places.
Emergency Kit
This kit should contain extra needle and yarn in case your costume will get damage, strong glue and spare buttons (light costume), fabric, and additional rubber sheets (mecha costume) / accessories, tape, and alike. Extra money is necessary too.
Makeup Kit
Prepare your makeup kit. You should make your face clean and nice-looking. Oily face is not good esp. if you will be wearing a very nice costume. For boys, face powder/ foundation and lip balm is enough. For girls, bring foundation, lip balm/lipstick, eyeliner, cheek tint, eyeshadows, hairclips, rubber bands, and necessary to make you look good when someone took a picture of you.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE EVENT DAY
Review the venue.
If this is your first time to visit the place, have someone with you and drop by the area. In this way you will get familiar with the shortcuts and paths to the venue.
:D If you think that your costume is difficult to wear, invite a friend or relative to help you to put on your costume. It is nice to have a relative with you so that you will have a personal photographer also.
If event tickets are available before the event date, purchase one.
THE EVENT DAY ITSELF
Wake up on time.
To avoid traffic jam and cramming, leave the house an hour or two hours before the event starts. It will be better if you have your own car if you have big costume with you.
Take a bath, eat your meal, and brush your teeth.
Good Hygiene will make you feel good.
Check all your belongings and things to bring to avoid urgent situations during the event.
Provide a list and count all the important stuffs with you.
If you will be going alone and later meeting with your friends, and you don’t have someone to secure your wallet/ cellphone, ask a trusted friend to keep it. Cosplay organizers are not responsible for any loss of your personal belongings. Their only task is to keep your baggages safe from non-cosplayers and to guide you before, during, and after your stage performance.
Buy the ticket right away once you arrived at the venue. Register at the cosplay area if you are planning to join the cosplay contest. But if you will be only planning to costrip (Costrip-no plan of joining the cosplay contest) it will be fine. The important is you will express what you have and you want to have some fun during the event.
When people ask for a photo, don’t refuse their request. Instead, pose for them and remember to portray the character’s hand gestures/ actions. If you think you are not ready, state the reason. Maybe your costume/makeup is not yet ready or you are hungry. People can understand that you also have needs.
DURING THE COSPLAY EVENT AND CATWALK
The usual call time for cosplayers is 1 hr. or 30 mins. before the catwalk time. You should be ready and don’t roam around outside the event area. Proceed to the cosplayers area if the emcee/event organizers are calling for your attention.
Check the cosplayers and proceed to the line according to your number. If other cosplayers say “Hi” or “Hello” don’t snob them. Reply them with a smile/ a “hello” too. This is one step to be sociable with other cosplayers/ gain some friends.
If your catwalk call is almost 2-5 cosplayers away, don’t GET NERVOUS.
DURING THE CATWALK
Remember to imitate the character’s actions/ you should feel the character’s personality. If the character has special trademark, like hand gestures/ poses, try to be like him/her. Why? because there is a possibility that the audience will like you. Also the judges can give you a good score.DON’T OVER ACT when you are on the stage. Use the stage for your advantage. Remember to face the audience and judges.
Pose for a while so that photographers can have a good shot of you. If your character’s personality is serious, don’t smile, if the character is introverted, show some shyness, and so on. Generally, cosplayers are given 10-15 seconds to pose/act on the stage.The following are the common Criterias for Judging:
Accuracy
Craftsmanship
Creativity
Stage Presence/Performance
Audience Impact
And that’s it. Maybe, this guide is too boring to read. But if you really want to be organize and prepare, I know this guide is worth to read.
If I am missing something, just reply here.
Have a nice day!
"Cosplay is for fun, creativity, and friendship, not for fame, greed, and self-love."
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