Title: Suggestions for Cosplay
Description: What you'd like to see this year!
Description: What you'd like to see this year!
nyaonyaoneko - January 13, 2007 09:34 PM (GMT)
Well, AP is less than three months away and since things are getting organized for this year, I'd like to make some suggestions before things are finalized. Hopefully the rest of you will have some suggestions to add too!
The Masquerade/Craftmanship:
1) Please make sure the judges are well experienced with making costumes. I don't believe this was a problem last year, but all too often smaller conventions have rather random judges with little or no experience. There's nothing worse than judges who don't know what they're doing or what they're looking for. Again, I don't think this was a problem last year, but I just wanted to put it out there.
2) Please, please let the cosplayers watch the masq! Last year we were stuck in some little room with almost nothing to occupy us. If we're entering the masq or doing skits, we want to SEE what's going on! If you can't have a section roped off for us (seat the cosplayers in one section first?), at least let us watch it in the green room?
3) Judging people in experience levels makes for a better event. Honestly, it's not fair to judge the brand new cosplayer who has just made their first costume against the kids that have been doing it for years and won various awards already. Most competitions use Novice, Journeyman, and Master, but even two distinctions in level is better than none.
Swimsuit
1) Most importantly, please limit the creepy fanboys who are taking pictures. That was REALLY awkward last year... I know you couldn't do anything about the pool issue, but man...those 'photographers' were all guys and it was a little much. You don't know how young some of those people entering will be so... >_< It's better to just be careful, you know? I know Mike said there shouldn't be such a problem this year, and I thank you for that!
2) Require references--If someone can't show you the swimsuit design they're working from, I would at least have them bring a reference of the character they've changed. If someone's cosplaying a swimsuit version of Utena, have them bring in a picture so you can see what they've done! If they've made a swimsuit from an actual swimsuit the character has, have them bring a pic of that!
3) Have people fill out forms to enter. First of all, you'll have a better idea of who's entering, etc. You can refer to the forms later. Secondly, people can enter in groups, etc. Last year, my friend and I wanted to enter together but weren't able to. I ended up winning something and she didn't
That kinda sucked for her, you know?
I think this is about it... These are just suggestions of course, please use them or don't, but at least consider them! Hopefully if anyone else has suggestions, they'll post them here too! Last year's AP was the last con I've had a lot of fun at, so I want to see if continue to be as awesome as possible! Thanks!
The Masquerade/Craftmanship:
1) Please make sure the judges are well experienced with making costumes. I don't believe this was a problem last year, but all too often smaller conventions have rather random judges with little or no experience. There's nothing worse than judges who don't know what they're doing or what they're looking for. Again, I don't think this was a problem last year, but I just wanted to put it out there.
2) Please, please let the cosplayers watch the masq! Last year we were stuck in some little room with almost nothing to occupy us. If we're entering the masq or doing skits, we want to SEE what's going on! If you can't have a section roped off for us (seat the cosplayers in one section first?), at least let us watch it in the green room?
3) Judging people in experience levels makes for a better event. Honestly, it's not fair to judge the brand new cosplayer who has just made their first costume against the kids that have been doing it for years and won various awards already. Most competitions use Novice, Journeyman, and Master, but even two distinctions in level is better than none.
Swimsuit
1) Most importantly, please limit the creepy fanboys who are taking pictures. That was REALLY awkward last year... I know you couldn't do anything about the pool issue, but man...those 'photographers' were all guys and it was a little much. You don't know how young some of those people entering will be so... >_< It's better to just be careful, you know? I know Mike said there shouldn't be such a problem this year, and I thank you for that!
2) Require references--If someone can't show you the swimsuit design they're working from, I would at least have them bring a reference of the character they've changed. If someone's cosplaying a swimsuit version of Utena, have them bring in a picture so you can see what they've done! If they've made a swimsuit from an actual swimsuit the character has, have them bring a pic of that!
3) Have people fill out forms to enter. First of all, you'll have a better idea of who's entering, etc. You can refer to the forms later. Secondly, people can enter in groups, etc. Last year, my friend and I wanted to enter together but weren't able to. I ended up winning something and she didn't
That kinda sucked for her, you know?I think this is about it... These are just suggestions of course, please use them or don't, but at least consider them! Hopefully if anyone else has suggestions, they'll post them here too! Last year's AP was the last con I've had a lot of fun at, so I want to see if continue to be as awesome as possible! Thanks!
Kamiokande - January 14, 2007 02:41 AM (GMT)
It took us about 1-2 minutes to decide the awards for the skits. For the rest of that very long intermission, we were trying to read the names of people who won craftsmanship awards. We should have made sure we could read the cosplayers' names during prejudging.
I don't think we should change the formula for the awards. The purpose of the contest is to draw attention toward the cosplays we think deserve more attention, not to separate winners from losers. 6 or 7 cosplayers who were considered beginners won craftsmanship awards last year.
Instead of just picking up a DVD and walking off the stage, the cosplayers chosen to receive awards should get 30 seconds to give director's commentary on the skit or to say how they made the costume.
Make a fourth cosplay contest as one of the events in the you-know-what. Creepy fanboys will be encouraged to take pictures.
I don't think we should change the formula for the awards. The purpose of the contest is to draw attention toward the cosplays we think deserve more attention, not to separate winners from losers. 6 or 7 cosplayers who were considered beginners won craftsmanship awards last year.
Instead of just picking up a DVD and walking off the stage, the cosplayers chosen to receive awards should get 30 seconds to give director's commentary on the skit or to say how they made the costume.
Make a fourth cosplay contest as one of the events in the you-know-what. Creepy fanboys will be encouraged to take pictures.
Vincent - January 14, 2007 03:09 AM (GMT)
Damn.. I was looking forwardto taking more pictures. I got good money for those.
Kaisermikeb - January 14, 2007 05:43 AM (GMT)
I have read your reviews and will address them as best as I can,
1) I think we'll handle judging like we did last year, with one or two experienced cosplayers to judge quality, and then one of our guys to make sure that awesome is judged accordingly as well. Like last time we're not judging people in a first, second, third kind of way, but rather on intrensic goodness. (As Kamio says above)/
2) We're doing what we can to make sure they can. Last time we were blown away by how many people signed up for cosplay (over 100 people, 10% of the con!!). This time we may do things differently so that everyone can watch.
3) Since quality and craftsmanship are not specifically what we are judging, nor are they the sole measure of judging, so there is no need to seperate cosplayers by skill level. Remember, this isn't a competition, it's showcase of talents. If you consider yourself competing with the other cosplayers then you have already lost. This is an exhibition of personal skill and expression, so if you're going to compete with something, compete with your ego to give control of your soul to the character that you cosplay!
Swim stuff
1) We'll probably still allow photos, but maybe quarenteen them to one or two photo shoots, rather than completely free press.
2) People BETTER bring referances!
3) We had forms last year, I think they just got ignored, and there wern't enough people for it to matter. As for entering as a pair or a group, do so as you wish, but there is no promise you'll be judged as such. We pride ourselves on conforming our awards to you, rather than conforming you to our awards, so we don't even know what the prizes will be before the judging!
Does this answer your post? Any new comments or questions?
1) I think we'll handle judging like we did last year, with one or two experienced cosplayers to judge quality, and then one of our guys to make sure that awesome is judged accordingly as well. Like last time we're not judging people in a first, second, third kind of way, but rather on intrensic goodness. (As Kamio says above)/
2) We're doing what we can to make sure they can. Last time we were blown away by how many people signed up for cosplay (over 100 people, 10% of the con!!). This time we may do things differently so that everyone can watch.
3) Since quality and craftsmanship are not specifically what we are judging, nor are they the sole measure of judging, so there is no need to seperate cosplayers by skill level. Remember, this isn't a competition, it's showcase of talents. If you consider yourself competing with the other cosplayers then you have already lost. This is an exhibition of personal skill and expression, so if you're going to compete with something, compete with your ego to give control of your soul to the character that you cosplay!
Swim stuff
1) We'll probably still allow photos, but maybe quarenteen them to one or two photo shoots, rather than completely free press.
2) People BETTER bring referances!
3) We had forms last year, I think they just got ignored, and there wern't enough people for it to matter. As for entering as a pair or a group, do so as you wish, but there is no promise you'll be judged as such. We pride ourselves on conforming our awards to you, rather than conforming you to our awards, so we don't even know what the prizes will be before the judging!
Does this answer your post? Any new comments or questions?