Cosplay: Would you do it?

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 9:55 pm

I haven't cosplayed, nor have plans to.

Unless someone reasonably explains this assumed "stigma" to me though, I don't see why I would completely rule it out.

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 9:56 pm

If by "cosplay" you mean taking part in a costume <i>skit,</i> then no.

If by "cosplay" you mean merely dressing up as a character, then yes (but it was very cheap and required little effort).

The Origonal Head Hunter · Post by **The Origonal Head Hunter** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 9:57 pm

I wouldn't cosplay if you paid me.

pink_hedgehog · Post by **pink_hedgehog** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 9:57 pm

Scintilla wrote:If by "cosplay" you mean taking part in a costume <i>skit,</i> then no.

If by "cosplay" you mean merely dressing up as a character, then yes (but it was very cheap and required little effort).

X2... I dont skit, I dont act I dont do drama... not happenin.

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:00 pm

pink_hedgehog wrote:I dont skit, I dont act I dont do drama... not happenin.

Ooh...

Something tells me that this stigma = stage fright?

I actually rather enjoy making a fool of myself through skits and so forth

Solaria735 · Post by **Solaria735** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:03 pm

Cosplay = Costume play. No skits required. Some people choose to compete and/or perform skits, but that is not solely what cosplay is. Many people just walk around in costumes.

Cloud Clone · Post by **Cloud Clone** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:06 pm

Oh, new question: How important is it that a person must at least slightly resemble the character he or she is cosplaying as?

Unpronounceable_Symbol · Post by **Unpronounceable_Symbol** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:07 pm

I think the stigma is that, if you're devoted enough to craft a costume based on a fictional character, you're devoted enough to carve said character's name into your arm with a sharpened ballpoint pen, or to kidnap said character's creator and murder him/her "so he/she stays the same forever." It is seen as part of a gradual slide to obsessive behavior.

Of course, the "slippery slope" argument is a fallacy. :p

I have cosplayed, and it didn't come out well at all. I spent almost three months making the cadet uniform worn by Galaxy Police cadets-in-training seen in Tenchi Muyo! GXP, and because it was a relatively complex costume and I had absolutely no training in costume design or craftsmanship I had to learn as I went along. But it was fun, it taught me that I could sew in a pinch (say, if a button comes off my shirt), and of course I always enjoy deconstructing stuff like that.

I'm a stickler for accuracy (I get miffed at the majority of costumes I see at conventions), including picking a character who you actually resemble. If your character is tall and you're 4'7", maybe you should reconsider. If you're dressing as a thin, prepubescent junior high school student and you weigh 350 lbs and have a permanent neckbeard, again, please reconsider.

But if your primary concern is looking cool, it's a bad idea to cosplay. Cosplay requires a certain amount of devotion, and most of looking cool is about aloofness and uncaring.

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:09 pm

Cloud Clone wrote:Oh, new question: How important is it that a person must at least slightly resemble the character he or she is cosplaying as?

Not very, but they have to resemble the person if they're claiming some sort of authenticity.

If they aren't, and realize they aren't, and don't claim they are - all the power to them. It's all in good humour. They don't owe anyone resemblance; they need it for authenticity, but if they don't claim that then the argument has no point.

Cloud Clone · Post by **Cloud Clone** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:22 pm

Otohiko wrote: Not very, but they have to resemble the person if they're claiming some sort of authenticity.

If they aren't, and realize they aren't, and don't claim they are - all the power to them. It's all in good humour. They don't owe anyone resemblance; they need it for authenticity, but if they don't claim that then the argument has no point.

True, I can definitely appreciate the humor of Man-Faye and Fatman Sailor Moon. At least until they ("they" as in people who don't really look like the characters they're cosplaying as) start claiming that the likeness is authentic, then it gets troublesome...and weird. That said, angry nerds is the worste kind of anger to behold. Truly scary stuff.