Article: My Day As a Cosplay Model

My Day As a Cosplay Model: 

Many of my colleagues are fascinated by my cosplay hobby. It is not just about running around trade shows in ostentatious get-ups. A lot of my time is spent in front of the camera doing photo shoots to document my work and have something cool to show the world. Both cosplay and non-cosplaying friends have asked me what goes into the photo shoot process. In this 3-part series, I’ll take you through what a typical day as a cosplay model is like. ...

I want to touch back on something I just mentioned: the responsibility of the model and the responsibility of the photographer. In most cosplay photo shoot situations, it is a TFP (trade for print). No one is exchanging money. Hopefully, what you get is an amazing set of photos that showcases your craftsmanship and love of your character. The photographer gets a unique piece to add to their portfolio. It does not give you the right to show up and act like a diva, or put unnecessary demands on the photographer. I’ve heard horror stories of cosplayers who expect the photographer to edit out every blemish and self-perceived flaw;  some cosplayers even contact photographers in the middle of the night! Others have a strange self entitlement that the photographer is at their demand, and that they are the true star of the photo. They even will tell the photographer when and how he can display his art. This is ridiculous.

 Source: Geeks are Sexy

Article: In defense of Fat Cosplay

In defense of Fat Cosplay:

I feel a great disturbance in the force. As if a million voices cried out in entitled indignation at having to see a fat person enjoying their life and were suddenly not silenced. Indeed, they won't shut up about it.

Its a disturbance we feel every July coming out of San Diego and sporadically the rest of the year at conventions around the world. Pity the poor convention goer who must endure the sight of fat people doing stuff. I mean, don't they know they are fat?!?

I know I shouldn't be surprised. These are issues of privilege, after all, and privilege means never having to have the slightest iota of self-awareness. As a geek/nerd/etc., though, I find it especially disappointing when my fellow geeks wallow in what entitlements they do get. Thus we get the positively absurd sight of people angrily lashing out to protect the sanctity of adults dressing up as cartoon characters.

Source: Red No. 3

Tutorial: So you want to Cosplay

I came across this tongue-in-cheek article the other day while surfing for comic news. Make sure you click through to see the excellent lead photo.

You wake up in the morning, practically vibrating in excitement, with the thought in your head: Today is the day. What day is it? Why, the day of your first convention of course! As you approach the front of the convention center, wearing your favourite superhero's logo proudly across your chest, you suddenly are struck with a strange sense... because standing before you in the long line waiting for passes, is the living embodiment of the superhero you so love. For a moment you pause, unsure if you actually woke up that morning, so striking is this person before you. But after a swift pinch on the inside of your arm, you realize you are not dreaming and that very much is a flesh and blood rendition of your hero. This phenomenon is called "Cosplay deja vu", a term I just coined about five seconds ago. But if you are not familiar with the sensation that has been sweeping the Western geek world for the last ten years, you are soon going to find out more than you ever thought you needed to know. Cosplay is short for costume play, and as with most ridiculous things, it originated in Japan.

Read more at iFanboy

Times Magazine talks Cosplay

Time Magazine ran an article on Cosplay last month!  It's actually not all that bad.  Most profiles of the coplay culture make fans sound like they suffer from a mental disease, but this one was fairly neutral.  To read the article and browse the photo gallery online, hit Time's official website.