I really want to start cosplaying, but my parents just don't understand the concept of it and I can't seem to get their permission to take me out and buy supplies, any tips?
How would you explain cosplay to your best friend? Most likely it would be different than explaining to a person on the street. Parents, like regular people, are all unique and you need to explain things in a way that works for them. I can’t tell you how to explain cosplay to your parents and get permission, but I can give you information and resources that can help you out.
Cosplay is fan costuming. It’s the act of dressing up, and sometimes acting, as a specific character from media such as television, anime, comics, videogames, books or movies. These costumes can be purchased but are often homemade by the wearer, who is often a fan of the character or series. It’s kind of like Halloween, but dressing up as “Captain America” rather than “Witch” and usually the costumes are a lot more accurate.
It is believed to have been started in 1939 (at least in the west) when Myrtle R. Douglas made and wore costumes alongside Forrest J. Ackerman at a convention called Worldcon. It grew in popularity over the years and is continued to this day! You can learn more about cosplay’s history here, here and here.
(Image from http://www.fiawol.org.uk/fanstuff/)
There are so many reasons, which are unique to each person! Here are some of the common reasons:
They love the character or love the series
They love making things, they love the construction challenges
They like meeting people who are into the same media / icebreaker
They wanted to try it out, because it’s so popular at conventions
They like to compete in the masquerades
They like to get photos taken, or their work admired
They have fun running around in costume or acting in character
It adds to the convention experience and they don’t want to give it up
They like to dress up with their friends
They always wanted to be a princess, and now this is their chance
Who Participates in Cosplay?
People all over the world (there is even a world championship).
People of all ages. (Even Grandmas)
People with various career choices.
Pretty much anyone can join in!
Cosplayers mainly do their thing at events called conventions. These are large gatherings with a focus on a particular media (such as comic books, like San Diego Comic Con) or multiple media (FanExpo focuses on Anime, Gaming, Horror and Comics). Sometimes cosplayers will host meetups, like a cosplay picnic or cosplay skate. Some cosplayers also choose to do photoshoots with a photographer outside of conventions and meetups. Some cosplayers will wear their costumes to other local events, like Free Comic Book Day, or during Halloween.
How is Cosplay Beneficial?
Community: Both online and offline, cosplay allows you to connect with a community of fellow costume makers and nerds. It’s a great way to make friends and connect with people who have similar interests.
Useful Skills:Through cosplay you can learn about wig/hairstyling, makeup, sewing, embroidery, engineering, tools and construction, painting, circuits, stage performances, budgeting, time management and even photography.
Career Choices and Side JobsCosplay could be the introduction for a future career or just an interesting side job to fall back on: cosmotologist, hairstylist, makeup artist, pattern designer, tailor, photographer, costume designer, fashion designer, party princess/hero, photographer, prop maker or engineer.
Self ConfidenceSo many cosplayers find that the hobby has helped their self esteem, or motivated them in some way. Some even say that cosplay saved their life or helped them battle depression.
Cosplay can be an expensive hobby, it can also be done on a budget. Part of cosplaying is knowing how much money you have to work with and trying to work within that budget.
But is it a waste? No. I don’t consider it a waste any more than any other sort of hobby or pastime is, or any other personal purchase. I spend my money on costumes, my boyfriend’s sister buys concert tickets, my friend buys books, my boyfriend buys videogames, another friend goes to sports games. It’s all good in moderation.
Yes and no. It’s not a very mainstream hobby and so there are lots of people who might view it as weird because they don’t understand it or know what it is. However, it’s steadily growing in popularity; Cosplay has been featured on television, regularly makes it’s way into the news and has even been discussed in magazines. For the public, it’s not as ‘weird’ as it once might have been considered. Are “Party Princesses” weird when they show up to to a birthday party they were invited to? Is it weird to see costumes on Halloween? Is it weird to wear a costume to a costume party? Not really, those are situations where the costumes are appropriate to the situation. Cosplay is a part of the convention event and convention attendees expect cosplayers to be there. So it’s not weird, it is appropriate for that setting and it can be explained as such. If weirdness is a concern to you, you can always change into the costume at the event to avoid the general public.
How Can Parents Be Involved?
Getting parents involved is a great way to show them the hobby and get them excited about it! Here are some ways you can get your parents involved
Have them help you choose a character to dress as.
Have them help you break the costume down and figure out how to make it
Get them to help you sew or construct a costume or prop!
Ask for their advice when you get stuck
Have them join you in cosplay or just join you at the convention
Ask them to take photos of your costume when it’s done
Show them your photos of the convention and tell them about it
Your parents might also be interested in checking these out:
Confessions of a Cosplay Mom
Parents’ Responses to Cosplay
Hope this helps you to talk to your parents about cosplay! - Cosplay Tutorial
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