#wizardworld2014

[blacknerdproblems]

#Repost @tshirtsandcosplay with @repostapp. ・・・ #cosplay #wizardworld #wizardworld2014 #comiccon #comiccon2014 #stevensuniverse #stevenuniverse #rebeccasugar #garnet #pearl #amethyst #blackcosplay

[rockandrolldude22]

I'M BACK from #wizardworld2014 Comic-Con I only stay for one day #anime #KingdomHeart #FreeIwatobi #SuperSailorMoon

[bestowtv]

Bonus Content brings the convention in montage to - Wizard World Ohio. We center around the cosplay spectacle from the Columbus Ohio area. Don't forget to check out our other Bonus Content episodes at www.bestow.tv/bonuscontent

[uncommonfolder]

Hey guys guess who was at comic-con?? And is anybody going to the after Romeo concert??🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 #yolo #yeahboiiii #carterreynolds #nashgrier #hayesgrier #magconguyz #theywerelike10ftaway #wizardworld2014 #wizardworld (at Austin Convention Center)

[caitrua]

Cosplay and some of its Hazards

As we all know costumes are things that take time and effort to put together from start to finish. It does not matter if you made your costume personally, supplied the materials, helped a friend or were helped by a friend, or if you bought your costume. Time went into selecting everything, into making it, working to pay for it, and effort and thought went into it from your make up to your shoes.

Any hobby is an effort, and to say that someone puts less of an effort is rude and uncaring. Lucky for everyone the cosplay community is generally a peaceful and happy “friendship is magic” and “love conquers all” society because of the very shows, games, anime, and characters we cosplay reflecting those values back onto us. I don’t think I’ve met a single rude Sailor Moon cosplayer yet and I’d like to at least partially contribute that to their personalities, the character they chose, and, obviously, the show had an effect on them since they’re cosplaying champions of justice and love.

Now, with that said, cosplay has some hazards!

Beyond the fact that cosplay is super addicting because it’s fun to be in costume, there are serious issues going on in the world and its people that affect cosplay! “Cosplay is not consent” is a huge issue still for poor men and women who get harassed on the street and at a convention. Each convention has strict policy against this, so be sure to read, educate, and prepare yourself in case you, a friend, or a bystander could potentially run into this. On the internet there’s a lot you can say, but very little you can do to stop it. In person you can always get help from staff and local authorities. Do not be afraid to speak up!! There’s no way a situation will be fixed if no one acts, and we shouldn’t let the world pass us by when someone could use a little help.

The next hazard I’d like to talk about is cosplay in progress. The work that goes into cosplay should be admired but before you jump into making things you should be aware of any health hazards that go into it. If you’re going to be using drills, tools, paints, adhesives, or anything really, you should look into the proper safety equipment for yourself. It’s very hard to afford most cosplay in the first place but a hospital bill later outweighs the cost of the safety equipment for the now. Be sure to have your respirators, thimbles, and first aid kits at the ready. Accidents happen and you should always be aware of your surroundings and the safety labels of the materials you’re using.

The next hazard is affording the costumes and props you’re working on. Everyone is allowed to spend their money the way *they* want, but you should always be careful that you’re not over doing it. There are a lot of people that have plenty of financial sense to understand what could go into the cost of going to convention, making a cosplay, building a prop, traveling, and food and still be fine and healthy before, during, and after. But I’d like to point out that I, myself, have once or twice gone hungry and thirsty at a convention because all of my money went to travel, hotel, and ticket costs and I spent the little money I had leftover on merchandise and not food. This is extremely unhealthy and can put yourself and others at risk if something goes horribly awry. If you’re feeling faint from not eating and you’re doing something at a convention, you could pass out on the spot falling and injuring yourself and others. It’s just not good and it worries the staff members and attendees because as people we generally care. Use financial caution when planning your trips, and if you can’t afford to go to a convention, you shouldn’t start a money campaign or fundraiser to try and afford to go. That’s like the people on the streets with the fake signs that they’re veterans needing help. It’s not good for anyone and perpetuates the bad behavior and health risks we should be stopping. Besides there’s always next year.

The final hazard is wearing these epic costumes, carrying these epic props, and being aware of your surroundings whether you’re the cosplayer or the person who just happens to be near the cosplayer. Accidents will always happen, but we can always do things to be proactive against injury and property damage.

 First, as a bystander you have to be aware of your surroundings. Many people are cranky from lack of sleep, hungry from lack of food and hydration, and are generally in a hurry or are in awe of the convention. Completely normal and expected and as such you have to get used to it and adapt. There are people with massive wings and weapons and they’re trying to see the con in their costume and buy their souvenirs like everyone else.

Don’t ask for pictures in awkward areas, ask if they’re willing to move aside to a safe area to snag a few pics OR if they’re going to be available for pictures in a bit. Perhaps they’re already on their way to the photo ops areas and you’re only delaying them further. Another thing is that you have to be careful not to harm them or their costume by carelessly bumping into them. It’s a common courtesy and could save you from injury as well. I went to PAX Prime and almost got an eye poked out by a Taric (league of legends) and his crystal shoulder guards when he wasn’t paying attention and side stepped into my walking path. I tucked and dodged and kept walking. Simple enough, right? I’ve seen people get angry and impatient and instead of asking the cosplayer to move, in this case a Karin (Naruto, paper ninja) and they busted through impatiently and damaged her cosplay severely. They duct taped her wings but the damage had been done and she was a bit distraught. It was a well-made cosplay and her wings were gorgeous, but because of someone deciding to be physical instead of verbal her day and costume had been nearly ruined.

These things should be avoided because a convention experience is for everyone. The cosplayers and casual attendees both pay for their badges, the clothing they’re wearing, and the positive experience a convention and its staff strive to achieve. It’s quite literally in the policy of buying a badge that you adhere to the rules of being polite and that you don’t put yourself and others in risk. Antagonizing, bullying, damaging property, and all sorts of other things fall under those policies. Be aware, and be careful, but most importantly, have fun!

Second, as a cosplayer you have to be aware of your surroundings. As previously stated everyone is cranky, hungry, in a hurry, and in awe (perhaps of you and your cosplay!) Again it is completely normal and you have fun as the day moves on. But you should be cautious of your bubble of space. When I cosplay HellGirl I go to lengths not to touch items and people for fear that my make up will rub off and stain, when I do touch something I ask or find another way to deal with the situation. I have my best friend as a handler to hold things, grab things, take pictures of other people for me, and so on. Generally it’s common sense, but in the excitement it’s very easy to forget to be polite sometimes.

The reason why I bring up this particular hazard is that a prominent cosplayer, Yaya Han, and her handlers were at DragonCon and a gentleman had been physically pushed and was injured. It wasn’t directly her fault, as she was in enormous stilts and wasn’t pushing people, but the people around her were creating the hazard in addition to her.

I love cosplays on stilts, but they’re very dangerous! The people around her were in awe and asking for several pictures. This is where the waiting and getting appropriate photo ops comes in. If people hadn’t crowded her and waited for her to move from one end of the hall to the other the accident could have been avoided. Because people crowded her and her handlers got aggressive. This is where things got out of control in my opinion. As staff it was their responsibility for no one to get hurt, but they got too aggressive. To make sure Yaya didn’t fall they were aggressive, in their aggressiveness they hurt the people who essentially paid to make sure the convention happened. It was an accident, but, ultimately, a bunch of bad behaviors and hazards attributed to this. Stilts, aggressive behavior, and negligence.

As I stated before stilts are awesome! At Wizard World the Sauron that won had amazing stilts and skills and was epic. I also saw a chewbaca and he was super cool since he was so accurate. Yaya’s Enira is no less awe worthy with the craftsmanship and detail, but I will point out that her Enira costume has caused problems on more than one occasion. She is a “Hero of cosplay” and is part of the show and its cast and that is where she debuted her costume. On the show you don’t see the problems that actually occur and with very little searching you can see the complaints that the show has stirred. What happened was because of her making the costume change in the middle of the competition she caused great discomfort and many problems for the attendees. They paid money to go to the convention and participate, so the convention is partially at fault for not providing satisfaction. But because of her careless actions people left and had difficulties. There was even a mother who decided to forfeit her spot and make different arrangements when the extremely long wait was beginning to affect her autistic son. Part of the long wait was because Yaya refused to go on stage without a smoke machine. That’s just silly, and whether or not it was scripted is a moot point.

As a judge she should have been thinking of the contest in other aspects that showing off *her* costume since she was there *as a judge,* not a contestant. Moving on from this, it’s obvious that this costume has had some problems for Yaya. Not that I’m saying she should stop cosplaying or wearing that costume, but I truly think she’s an example of what not to do in an elaborate and complicated costume.

Harassment, property damage, dehydration, poor financial risks, cosplay etiquette, personal injury, and just general awareness of other people and our surroundings at conventions. All of these are situation based problems, but they happen frequently and they should always be something we guard against. As cosplayers and convention attendees, staff, and volunteers we should strive to create a positive image so that everyone will feel welcome to attend conventions without fear or risk. After all, wouldn’t it be cool to positively affect our culture further to the point that conventions become more common in *every* state? No one wants to perpetuate the negative behaviors and models, but it’s up to us actively being aware and preventing these crazy things in order for us to have a big impact on cosplay and conventions.

[yurifurryintheshadows]

#icebucketchallege#ALS#comiccon#wizardworld2014#cold#bikini (at Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites O'Hare)