I just read about this at Comic Fiesta Forum and i think this post deserved more exposure. For any cosplayer or future cosplayer, this is a good read. Theres more in the forum so be sure to surf down there and read the articles.
Number 1: Love cosplay
Love cosplay, simply means you LOVE cosplay. If you doesn’t love or have the passion for cosplay, then it is a bit hard to start. But i know, some people do develope their love for cosplay only after giving it a shot. Just remember this, you’re not simply cosplaying to get popular, attention or what not! But for the love of the characters and cosplay. No one is forcing you to cosplay, so why force yourself if you dont love cosplay. Bottom line is, Know your own reason and goal for cosplay. Be it just. Not for fame or attention or because you want to be the main character or the cool character.
Whatever you do, DO NOT FEEL LIKE COSPLAY IS A BURDEN OR A JOB! Some people forgot the true meaning of cosplay, it is rather sad that they can’t wait to get out of their costume. Whatever happens to the love? the passion? well, whatever it is, try to enjoy cosplay as we are doing it for the love and passion =)
Number 2: know your limit
Everyone have their own limit. And you have to know your limit. This includes budget, skills, and body size. If you don’t know your limit, and you jump straight into cosplay, you will have a hard time getting the costume and props done. Body size and figure is also one of your limit. Try to stick with the characters that suits your figure. But if you insist on doing such character, make sure you give it your 150%! or be ready to be bash.. coz it’s a hard world we live in. =(
If you want to be EPIC then extend your own limit by reshaping your body according to the character, yes you heard me, RESHAPING YOUR BODY! well, as for heights, it cant be help. But if it is body size, fat or thin or muscled, you can do it if you put your heart into it. I know to some it is a bit extreme to do so. I, myself is big is size and last time, i was even bigger, but through the years of cosplaying, i am shaping my body to be like the characters that i want to be like. If i can go down to XL size from 4XL size, why cant you?
Apart from that, always know your skills limit, let it be prop making, sewing or what not. And if something is beyond your limit, seek guidance or help. We don’t want the costume to ended up to be a disaster just because of that =P
Number 3: Research on the characters
Some people skipped this part! This is one of the essentials of cosplaying! I mean, this is what cosplay is all about, being the character you’re cosplaying. You need to be doing research, not only of the costume itself, but also the character’s personality, attitude, back ground and etc. This will do justice not only to yourself but also to the character you’re potraying! Cause remember! you are cosplaying NOT only for yourself, but also for the fans of the series and the character! If you skip this step, and went out of character, be prepare to be bash by the fans and what not. So do yourself and all of us a favor, do research on the character and the series first to avoid the dramas!
I do see some people who are not doing justice to the character that they are cosplaying, by modifying it into something else.. For example making a cool character into a pervert or hentai. Umm.. if you wanna to act all perverty then go cosplay a perverted character la! Don’t ruin other characters!
Number 4: Research on materials and skills
Another fun part about cosplaying is the challenges of prop making, material hunting, and also other skills. Cosplay is an interesting hobby that constantly challenges your mind. For example, some materials can not be obtained locally and because of that, we have to think of a subsitude on how to replace it or another method on making the props or costume. Also hafta be constantly aware of where we can get which kind of materials. This is why it is important to share our knowledge with each other to make our life easier.
Video tutorials are always available online and also you can always ask those who have made or done such prop and seek their guidance and teaching. Also discussing on how to make a costume is always a good thing, as brain storming always help to give us new ideas and approach on how to tackle the costume.
Apart from that, you must keep a good and wide knowledge about photoshoot places and all for the characters and series you’re doing. We don’t wanna see a Naruto in the airport now do we? haha
Number 5: Be humble
When completed the costume, no matter how hard it was, how epic it is, how much it cost, or whatever, JUST BE HUMBLE! No one likes a stuck up and arrogant person. Be humble, just because you are cosplaying a cool/awesome/great character doesn’t make you any different from anyone else. So do not act all high and mighty and all that k? Come back down to earth.
And with a bit of common sense, these guides should help a lot. But this is only my version of the guide and the very basic one at that, different people have different ideas and approach, well, this is mine. It is up to you if you wanna follow it or ignore it. =) I am only here trying to help.
And if that’s not enough go to this thread here, it contains a lot of FAQs and also Guides:
Source : Zend From Comic Fiesta
