Saturday Morning Post: Cosplay Level AWESOME

Convention season is in full swing, especially here in the Midwest, and the best part is it’s time to pull those costumes out of the closet. Cosplay, the costumed parade of characters at conventions,  has become the right of the nerd, and the rite of the nerd: it brings groups of people together. It breaks the shy wreck out of his or her shell and makes kids, both young and old, smile and squee. HOWEVER! Cosplay is not something which should be taken too lightly (not to say you can’t have massive amounts of fun with it, let’s just reference the great power/responsibility bit), and we here at SciFi4Me found it time to help educate those just starting out (or even starting anew) for this weeks’ Saturday Morning Post.

The first thing one must consider with choosing a new character to cosplay as, one must consider the fans. As odd as this sounds, I’ve met people who like Star Trek who don’t get along with Trekkies, My Little Pony fans proclaiming themselves anti-Brony, and the list goes on. If you don’t like the fandom, don’t dress up as the character. In an addendum to the guideline, be careful what you dress up as if you’re not a fan of children. Most kids get the biggest kick out of seeing Spider-Man or Finn at the convention; don’t ruin their young fantasies.

Another thing to consider is yourself. “Can I pull this off?” is the first question which comes to my mind. It’s the main reason you don’t always see me cosplaying. I feel like I look too unlike most characters (until I fell in love with my current work in project to be debuted at the end of this year). Let’s face it, too, it’s depressing to see a Riddick with literally no muscle mass or a super tall Wolverine.

Or perhaps a raven-haired Poison Ivy? Nothing honestly annoys me more than people who can’t seem to get the hair correct. You’ve gotta nail the ‘do. If you can’t make it, fake it. There are really good wigs out there and, while I realize it’s impractical to dye your hair bright blue unless your employer is extremely progressive, Ramona Flowers has to have the Easter egg crazy hair. 

An alternation of the “can I pull this off?” emphasis, as well as the consideration of the fans: is this age appropriate? This swings two separate ways: if you’re underage, please cover up appropriately and, if you’re a great deal older than your character, tread carefully. I realize this big thing: if you’ve got it, you want to flaunt it. Whatever, sure, if you look amazing, great for you! I appreciate your dedication and time spent keeping yourself in great shape, but if you look 35 and are trying to pretend to be a 10 year old, it’s not likely to work out and if you are 14 and have a skirt shorter than your hair, you’re going to attract the wrong sort of attention. Just be responsible.

Of course, for every good wig, there’s a super terrible one. And for every person who has created or bought nice armor pieces, there’s a guy wearing duct tape instead of bracers. You don’t have to go all-out insane for your cosplay, but certain levels of cheapness show. Especially if you think you’ve done well enough to enter a costume contest. If you’re using a broomstick for a Gambit’s staff, you’re not going to beat out the Jon Snow guy wielding Longclaw. If you can’t afford it, try alternate looks. In all honesty, homemade can be completely amazing. And it’s not against the rules to utilize the talents of friends.

On the Game of Thrones note, I’ve already seen three female Viserys Targaryens in two conventions. I get it, he’s vastly feminine by comparison to many characters in both the books and HBO TV show. But, please, gender swap responsibly. I’ve seen some great gender swaps (I’m looking at you, Agent Phillipa Coulson), some hilarious ones (Disney “Princess”/Bros), and some which were just plain wrong. So, please, if you’re rule sixty-threeing it up, make sure it’s epic.

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Kaley Cuoco begs you, I beg you, the convention WORLD begs you. Enough Slave Leia (she’s in the whole movie and there are multiple costume changes). And for that matter, enough Deadpool, enough Harley Quinn, enough Link (especially female Links), enough Avengers, enough female Elevens, just enough guys. Seriously. Stop with the things that are run into the ground. Originality equals awesomeness and, unless you’re a dead ringer for early twenties Carrie Fisher or have decided to do Arkham Imposters Harley Quinn, that’s really enough. My favorite cosplays are those with a twist, or are the unexpected character. I saw an Empty Child at Wizard World St. Louis for cryin’ out loud! I had CHILLS!

Of course, going into that matter, gears and a corset- Steampunk do not make. Steampunk appropriately. Having a rich backstory for your Steampunk character makes it that much better and worthwhile. Heck, you could be a world-worn writer cast out of your latest circle for scandal… complete with the beautiful quill which you have carried since your first novel hit the presses. Or don’t, because I think I’ll be using that next time I get alternate Victorian. But incorporate your story into your costume… a person who travels a lot would have much of their belongings on them whereas a gentleman with a stable household might not carry more than a pocket watch and perhaps the tools of his trade.

Now, going back to quills, ACCESSORIZE. I’ve seen so many Doctor Horribles, but you know what made me smile at Planet Comicon? The DEATH RAY. I mean, come on. How awesome is it to be able to have a picture where Doctor Horrible poses with his death ray? And, come on, what would the Doctor be without his Sonic Screwdriver?

Accessories bring me to an equally important and fairly similar point: details, details, details. There’s something to be said about the awesomeness of a cosplayer who has gone the extra mile to embroider a specific design on their coat, or perhaps remember that Kaywinnet Lee Frye is hardly ever seen without her skin covered in grease stains from her job in the engine room. Sometimes it’s the little eccentricities in makeup, sometimes it’s mannerisms and they way you talk. After all, how can you really be Chiana (Farscape) without the little head bobs? While we’re on the subject… since Deadpool is immortal, why not go the extra mile, folks? It’s all about commitment. 🙂

Last, but not least, remember, Cosplay does not equal Consent.

So, there’s all that’s fit to print. Enjoy your weekend!