Cosfucks: Don't Be One

I've had many a rant about this before, but since having dinner with my lovely group of cosplay friends I decided that a proper rant needed to be written without any sort of bursts of laughter like we are prone to do. (Though today I coughed more than laughed so really I couldn't talk anyway. But still a fabulously wonderful dinner.)

It's without a doubt that in the past few years Cosplay has grown tremendously as a hobby, or even as a profession. Cosplay became the stepping stone into fame and fortune. I know of stories where cosplayers became models, or idols or even fashion designers and photographers got jobs- big jobs at that. Stories like that which cause people to start taking Cosplay seriously. Gradually there were competitions with a decisive amount of cash or prizes. Cosplayers were hired for part time work because they knew how to wear a costume and pose.

Now let me first state very explicitly that I am not an old timer. In fact I am considered very new at this cosplay business, and within the community as well. I am not well-versed with cosplay idols. I don't even watch anime for the matter. I started cosplaying only last year, so in terms of experience, it's not really there.

All this here is my opinion. My observations in events and the comic fiesta forums (though I am hardly active anymore) for years before I cosplayed gave me my own ideas about what Cosplay really is. When I actually came out and cosplayed, though, I was quite surprised to see much different mindsets.

Firstly let me state that I do not want to bash anyone. I don't speak with a particular person in mind.

What I find most disheartening about cosplayers today is the people who don't understand what cosplaying is. To me it is a way of expression. In costume I am someone else, I become the character for a while. I become strong and capable. I have magic on my hands. I can do stuff I normally wouldn't be able to. Cosplay makes it all happen. What I don't like is when people Cosplay just for the sake of cosplaying.

A long time ago in the cf forums I remember someone asking why people want to Cosplay. The answers ranged from "it's fun!" to "It allows me to bring my favorite character to life!". There was passion in every cosplayer, a certain driving force behind all the work they put into their cosplays. This was what attracted me so much in Cosplay. That the community was so wholly united for one hobby. I wanted to be part of that passion.

Now when I ask people who are thinking of cosplaying WHY they want to Cosplay, it hurts me to hear things like "I want to be famous like Alodia." "Everyone is doing it." "Oh I dunno. Looks like fun." I mean, excuse me? Sure it's a fantastic hobby but it is not easy. It does not bring you instant fame. Yes Cosplay is a very glamorous hobby but that does not equal fame. The fame comes when your Cosplay is exceptional. And for your Cosplay to be exceptional, you need passion. Just like with any other hobby.

People come up to me and ask, "Where do you get your wig?" "Where do you get your costume?" "Where do you get your props done?" They think cosplay is all about the costume and a wig. As long as you get the best stuff money can buy, you're set. I'm sorry, no. For one, stop being so lazy and just do your research. Yes you know a friend who cosplays. You want to know where to start, so you ask. That's a very good thing. But please at least do some research beforehand! Do you expect me to tell you in painstaking detail all the things you need to prepare for ONE cosplay? Yeah, it's probably take me all night and a day. The worst thing is? When I ask you for your character, and you tell me you don't know the character. You only cosplay him/her because they are popular.

Let's wait a minute for that to sink in.

...Look I forgive you if you're in a group. I even forgive you if you don't watch the anime/play the game to know the character first-hand, as long as you made an effort to research on the character. But if you CHOSE a character you don't relate to and want to cosplay that character for the popularity, I'm sorry, no matter how close you are to me I am going to punch you solidly in the eye sockets.

We have a term for people who do that. It's called 'cosfucks'. That is not a good thing.

I'm not saying all cosplayers have to be brilliant. Not at all. I'm saying that if you put effort to understand the character you're cosplaying, it's fine. Cosplaying is less about the costume and more about the character. It's "costume role-play". YOU ARE NOW THE CHARACTER. People look at you and say, "Oh look it's Sasuke!" People don't see YOU. People see the character. THAT is the true essence of cosplay.

Imagine if you saw a favorite character of yours at a convention. Take, for example, Naruto. Everyone knows Naruto. If you saw Naruto, you'd want to go up and talk to him. You think of him as Naruto, you expect him to turn around and give you a Naruto shit-eating grin, maybe talk about ramen, and then take pictures with a peace sign, because that's what Naruto does. If Naruto turns around and he's all broody and mean like Sasuke you'll be like WAT. NARUTO R U OK?

That is exactly what happens WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR CHARACTER I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.

Please, people. Please just AT LEAST DO YOUR RESEARCH. I AM CRY AT PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THEIR OWN CHARACTERS. HOWWWWW. IT'S LIKE WALKING INTO AN ENGLISH EXAM TO DO MATH QUESTIONS YOU JUST DON'T.

I would rather people start with a character they absolutely love to pieces, rather than an over-done popular character they don't care two cents about. Because sometimes it really is the passion that makes the difference.

Midnight Updates

I actually have a lot of things to update... The trip I took with my family to Tanjung Sepang (I think...?); a over-the-weekend Penang trip, that Wednesday night when we ventured to the Taman Connaught pasar malam... I can't believe 3 weeks has already passed since then. WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING OTL

This week is going to be a busy week for me... A lot of Sociology research due in the near future, my History 102 debate on Thursday, History 102 Mid-terms on Friday, Malaysian Studies video due sometime soon...

Sometimes I wished I didn't procrastinate, but then again I'm pretty sure if I didn't procrastinate I wouldn't be as efficient as I am today. Hahaha. Excuses! I am so used to doing last-minute work. It's like if I don't do my work last-minute I'll be confused and lost.

But okay no, I've really started reading up on History now okay. :( I can't wait until this Saturday! :D For our Sociology community service my class decided on helping out the Soup Kitchen! We'll be patrolling the back alleys of KL scouring out homeless people and giving them food. C: I would probably make me feel really good and stuff. :D Like one of those saint-people. Like Mother Teresa, only with less contact because I despite how selfish this would sound I really am not looking forward to touching them. :\

I haven't even started doing the props for the TWEWY cosplay... /headdesks Although tbh it's not really a rush, but every time I see that pack of paper clay sitting on the coffee table I'll feel slightly bad about it and stuff.

Then I see the doll's dress next to it and I wait patiently for my plastic clip rings to arrive. C: Yay!

Oh god this was supposed to only be like a super short update/post because I'm half-way doing my Sociology research. :C Uh. But at the same time I can't find any relevant articles as of yet so... Oh well. I guess my ranting skills bleed into typing as well. Tsk.

I Lied.

I remember distinctly promising to update more. I honestly never imagined that being in college will be equivalent to even less time to blog. :\

But then now that I have a car to drive and a laptop to use, I think I can work this out. After all, a wise man once told me that you can always find, or make, time to do what you want.

To sum up 7 weeks would be hard, especially with the crazy amount of things I did and participated in. The first event that is sufficiently epic enough to blog would be the ADP Cup Amazing Race, which is awesome and more awesome. Being tired is not a problem.

Basically I learned that one: never wear sandals to run around the entire KL and
two: It is good to know where pubs are and how to get to them.

Thankfully we had mummy Nat to herd us around like a pack of sheep, so everything went superbly fine.

MOSHIES MOSH LIKE A BOSS

We took it so easy, it was funny.

Also, crashed at Chyi's house during the school holidays. Her house so large, I jelly. :( Her dog is still so adorable. ADORABLEEEEE!! But I think she doesn't want me to pamper her dogs (and freak her out) more than I already have, so she tempted me with her PS2. I was suitably tempted.

Last Saturday Brandon drove Louis, Jas and I to a certain convention, where we learned that Louis has nice legs and is secretly lesbian. Also, I got called cute by two adorably cute kids of the age of 14 and 16, which is so much fail I don't even-

Okay so I look young. But still. :( I hate my Sasuke wig. However, we met up with Angela! :D I LUBB YOU ANGELA~ ♥

Getting there.

Say hello to Brandonita!

Disappointed at the lack of KH merchandise. :(

 

Jas-chan! Y U DRAW ME SHO CUTE! ;v;

Louis' trap.

The Brandon that looks like Er Whey.

...What are you guys planning to do?

Operation Flower-suke: Complete

Flower-suke apparently has a few minor side-effects, like losing one's mind.

You don't want to know.

RAWR. I AM NINJA.

I was trying very hard to look serious. Truly.

And every Sasuke needs an emo Sasuke pose!

Dinner.

And despite it being midterm week for the rest of the ADPians, I find myself being unusually free. How delightfully odd.

I am up to the Atlantica world on Kingdom Hearts I, and I'm hoping to finish it by this weekend. GAIZ! I AM MAKING PROGRESS!! :D (In terms of gaming, of course... *cough cough*)

Speaking of gaming, L4D is harder than L4D2. Why is it so? @__@