Heroes of Cosplay Sanctuary

There’s a lot going on and staying on top of your cosplay means that you need to produce content at scale. Production, shoots, negotiating, the rest of your life, expenses & budgeting, branding, marketing. All of this leads to OVERWHELM – Never mind everything going on in the world, and that many of us have had to dial back due to on-going concerns with the economy and Covid-19 What do you do?...

Managing a project – your project – your cosplay shouldn’t be rocket science (unless there are rockets involved...) Why we procrastinate, run into crunches, and aren’t consistent or hit walls may be how we are approaching the hobby. Golf is also a hobby, I’m told – there’s a lot to this game, but it’s still a hobby. Cosplay is somewhat like this – there’s a lot to it, and there can be some strateg...

This is an approach to deal with changing requirements and many unknowns with incremental work on projects. Think of a ladder that breaks down a project into phases and steps, but also offers flexibility. The idea is to have a framework that allows you to see all the pieces going into a project and adjust as you go. Not just building the cosplay – think larger because that’s one component. You can...

It is – where you are and the space you create can limit you or provide you with all the creative energy you need. If you are in a toxic environment – think about this because it’s different for everyone : do what you can to remove yourself from that environment when you need to be creative This could be people, or a space – whatever is shaping the environment – it can be a location on earth too –...

You have to decide – this is really the tip because being consistent is a choice. Decide what you want to do and how you will do it, and then take steps at regular intervals. This is not easy to do – which is why it has to become automatic – whatever it is that you’re doing – posting, writing in a journal, or recording or editing – you need to tell yourself to do it – and then make it something yo...

Here are my thoughts on a concept that will keep you creating content online. First, make sure your Phone out is of reach - this is the #1 distraction there is. Here is a method that works for me if I'm stuck or just can't think of any new ideas for Cosplays, for content, videos, Podcasts, or what to offer to you in this space.  Maybe this will work for you too! Set a time limit – 10 min...

The fastest way to 100 subs on YouTube is How to Content. Does it translate to other platforms besides YouTube?  Not always – but it does translate to virtual and actual (if we get them back) Cons and it can help you learn – it’s also relatable. There are any number of How-to YouTube channels in the Cosplay space, but I would say – never so many that there couldn’t be one more.   Will I have a how...

Will Cosplay die out? Are we getting bored with it? I doubt it, but I do have concerns about the popular interest diminishing because of the shift away from Conventions for the rest of the year. How to keep interest in Cosplay?                 Take breaks                 Immerse yourself into new genres and Fandoms – try a few different things out                 Re-purpose your boredom from quara...

The end of Cons as we know them? Or the end of Conventions entirely? What will we do if Cons do not return and will Cosplay change or will the focus move from venue to virtual? I talked a little about virtual cons earlier in the week, but the other side of that is how to adjust to what could be a permanent shift away from Conventions. There are a lot of options, but the virtual venues will be very...

Tips on Live – I don’t prefer live because things can go south fast – there are ways to control this but with everything there are technical difficulties, signal loss, things come up, and there can be curve balls – it’s a type of performance Be prepared – and practice.                 I’ve been recording for a while, and even if I have improved (which makes me more efficient) I’m still not great l...

Will Virtual Cons replace Conventions entirely, and if they do…will enough people bother? I think it will be mixed in from now on. It’s way easier on celebrities and the venues although the whole point of Fandom is connection If I’m a Cosplayer, Virtual cons can make it a lot easier to coordinate a panel – the venue does the marketing (or in theory they do) and this can get you to a larger audienc...

3D printers, Sewing machines, any number of workshop items (most of which I am not familiar with, nor could I fit them in my apartment), and anything you can plug in that gets you a step closer to finishing your costume – the other things My tip here is not to let it stop you – you don’t have a printer, it doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to make the piece you need.  Getting a piece of equipme...

You don’t have to be someone else, or try to recreate things that everyone else is doing.  Do what you want to do – your pace, your creations and asking for help on things is actually free.   What you bring to Cosplay that no one else can is You – what you want to build, learn, create, share, and be a part of – that’s all you.  No one else can duplicate that – and trying to duplicate what someone...

Systems are expensive. New gaming consoles, computers are obsolete as soon as you buy them, and you could spend $1000s upgrading your computer or buying into gaming systems.   What does your system have to do with Cosplay? It really depends on what you want to do – my tip here is to really do your homework and figure out exactly what you want to do with your computer. Many gaming systems are also...

Are you streaming? Do you do a lot of live shows? Do you have a Podcast like me, but may prefer to not show the world your living room, spare room, or dining room table? Let’s talk about set ups.                 For my cast, I really just wanted a good computer for editing where it would be easy to read off the screen while either streaming or on a call for the Podcast. For that, I don’t need much...

This week we’re talking about what you need and yes, it can add up fast! Right now, you can do just about everything with a single piece of equipment – your cell phone. I’m not going to tell you which phone to pick, or how often to update – that’s up to you. I’ve had the same phone for a while and it does what I need it to.  If it has a camera, you can do just about everything you need for Cosplay...

The cost of getting into cosplay is one thing, but now you have to feed the social media beast, and continue to create more and more pieces as time goes on.  Each has its own expense and it seems that as soon as one is done, you’re already thinking about the next (or everyone else is suggesting which you should do next) I keep a list of those I want to do [which you know]. Some Cosplayers focus on...

There are barriers to entry in Cosplay Yes, Cosplay is for everyone, but Cosplay is also expensive for everyone The first few can be scary, discouraging, and you may not think much of them yourself (the more you do it, the better it gets – different topic, we’ll cover later). There is already a lot going on, and some groups are not as inviting as others.  There’s a lot of vetting, there are many c...

Posting is free, but circulating can be expensive too - and by that I mean, actually going out in public and being among other Cosplayers, as well as continuing to post on many different social media platforms and create content. However – we’re a little off topic because circulation is really hard this year with a lot moving to live streaming because most of this year’s Cons were cancelled. But,...

Cos PAY week continues as we talk about the cost of Production. Videos, photos, digital art, memberships, audio, editing, software – it all costs something.        This can get really expensive if you’re creating fully produced videos or fan films.         Maybe you’re using it for other things – that’s not really a  tip, but if you already have Adobe CC because you’re doing design, [of have a stu...

Cos PAY which comes up a lot – today we’re talking about costume design costs. Supporting makers – commissions can be anywhere from 100s to 1000s of $$! Every pieces can be separate – a Cosplay can cost thousands to put together (and then you wear it to a Con…which can ruin it in so many ways) Having backups in a good idea – your Con props and your “good” props that you use in photoshoots. Even be...

In terms of Marketing, what do you do or what do you want to bring attention to when you start Cosplaying – and do you have to?                 You can just go to a Con (when there are Cons to go to again *sigh*), try a costume, be a fan – you really do not HAVE to post anything or bring any attention to yourself.                   Start small and steady – consistent content wins every time – and...

How to be authentic and speak your truth? What is your truth? Is this as simple as it sounds? Get comfortable with what you do and how you do it. Start small and simple – one platform that you like and go all in with that one – TikTok, Instagram, YouTube – wherever…you could even start with Podcasting (I did)!                 Truths are easy to remember and repeat.  It’s also ok to repeat your mes...

What is Cosplay for Marketing? CosPAY Do the industries Cosplayers support care about their efforts in marketing? Cosplayers promote movies, toys, streaming services, comics, and Cons, and they don't get too much for it.  Millions, or more coming into the big studios and companies, and zero for Cosplayers. Do you reach out to companies? Is it worth getting worked up over?  We’re borrowing the...

Social Media is a set of tools that are used for marketing.   That’s how I see these platforms. Marketing tools.  Bring people’s attention to something you do – let them know about something. It generates interest and funnels to your programs and brand. It doesn’t make it evil or inauthentic.   It just means I understand what it’s for and what it can do. It also doesn’t mean you need to be a busin...