Cosplayers as guests?

[palitoy]

OK, let me preface this with I have nothing against Cosplay. I'm a 44 year old man with a basement full of dolls, I'm not judging how other people express fandom.

I view it as a positive hobby and one that seems to be keeping local shows afloat, so i got no problem other than the occasional grumble when the 501st are posing in a crowded aisle and I've got my arms full.

However, a friend of mine was recently asked to be a guest at a kind of smaller show this year and I noticed the website claimed over "30 guests".

It contained two seasoned comic veterans, my friend who has been published dozens of times and 27 cosplayers. It seems that cosplay is now divvied up into territories or franchises, there was "Kitchener Judge Dredd" and "Waterloo Venom" (how many Venoms would this town have?) and the list went on and on. These guys look amazing and I admire how much they add to the show but I don't want their autograph.

To me, that's 3 guests and a lot of respect and love for Cosplay but not 30 guests. I have no doubt they brings folks to the show. I've seen it and if I were running a show, I'd cater to them heavy but something about the fact that "Montreal Joker" gets a table next to somebody who drew the Joker professionally seemed a bit weird to me.

The 501st are often advertised as an attraction. They bring people, do a lot of good and I get why they're listed as a special thing. It was always a big deal to my son if they were there, he wanted to join.

I don't know if others feel that way, it's not a slam. I felt much worse about so called "Scream Queens" in the 90s, who were just basically strippers with no film credits.

As a side note, nearby we have "Brampton Batman" patrolling the streets in character, he's a big dude. I once watched him do a toy deal in that Christian Bale growl, I am better for having witnessed this.

[cockyhoskins]

something about the fact that "Montreal Joker" gets a table next to somebody who drew the Joker professionally seemed a bit weird to me.

'Nuff said!

[Hedji]

What the 501st does transcends mere Cosplay (god, I hate that term). Their history, professionalism, their charter, and as you mentioned charitable contributions are not promoting themselves, but making the event fun for everyone. I'd say they are a draw, and deserve to be called Guests or at least, they earn their Exhibitor badges.

As for those who are trying to build a name for themselves... well that's just it, it seems to be for themselves.

Me? I just like to wear costumes. It's Halloween for me, and if I can be an ambassador of Joy, then hooray.

[palitoy]

What the 501st does transcends mere Cosplay (god, I hate that term). Their history, professionalism, their charter, and as you mentioned charitable contributions are not promoting themselves, but making the event fun for everyone. I'd say they are a draw, and deserve to be called Guests or at least, they earn their Exhibitor badges.

I agree, they're never a bad thing IMO. I didn't want to lump them in at all.

[samurainoir]

as a vendor/artist alley dweller, I've been sitting in on this debate for the past couple of years. I get all sides of the equation, I've heard from all sides... personally i'm versatile and "niche" enough to make hay in just about any kind of show I'm tabling at.

My personal preference is comics maker centric shows like TCAF, catering to the exact category of diverse alt-comics I'm involved with. There is not really a ban on cosplay at these type of Comics Arts Festivals in general, but it's not really encouraged as appropriate.

Oddly enough, my least favourite shows to table at now are the new throwback one-day shows catering to back issues and 40-60 year old men. Which any self respecting "professional" cosplayer would not be caught dead at, because, like "ew". I like attending them to dig through back issues myself, but there is also next to no interest given to the artist alley/alt-comix makers set up there.

This debate is generally fixated around the hugely growing "Comic Con" community... catch-all Pop Culture shows like Fan Expo and Montreal Comic Con. I look at it this way... I could grouse with the rest of the guys at the bar afterwards about how cosplayers block your table from potential buyers, or I can do a free doodle/sketch of the cosplayer, and sell stuff to the folks that spectacle attracts. Additionally, I've got a steampunk/scifi comic that I am now positive I can sell to just about anyone who walks by in Doctor Who Cosplay, since it's the simplest way to identify someone who might be into that particular specialized niche I'm catering to.

[SentientApe]

I have so many opinions about this, I hardly know where to begin.

First and foremost, I hate the term "cosplay", although I recognize that it is now an accepted part of our lexicon. Additional discussion on this would fill pages, so I'll move on...

Second, it would be relevant to mention that I am a member (6444) of the 501st -- which is the reason I was unable to attend the Saturday of Mego Meet 2015 -- as well as various other (non-profit) charitable costuming groups. For over 25 years I have been a Military Reenactor of several historical periods. I have also appeared as a paid costumed character in various professional (theatrical/party) events; not unrelated to these credits are my invited appearances as event emcee/host/judge, etc.

In addition, I am well-known (at least within certain circles, although I have often found my reputation to precede me!) for having created and worn specific/unique costumes at various costume-friendly conventions.

So, having laid those cards on the table.... I, too, view "celebrity costumers" (my term) with a certain degree of doubt. Granted, there is a wide spectrum of people within this area of practice. There are some outright celebrities who are simply costumed media characters (Elvira and Son of Svenghoolie come to mind), and these people deservedly draw their respective crowds of fans.

But I have become familiar with another highly-regarded echelon of personalities whose claim to fame is not much more than my own: they make and wear a variety of high-end costumes and have a degree of a fan following (admittedly larger than mine, it would appear!); some of them are bit players in low-budget films, web series or even television shows, which can add a degree of legitimacy to their "pseudo-celebrity" status.

And then there are the others, much more numerous, who are shameless(?) self-promoters who seem to still be working on their "fame" only through their convention appearances -- becoming celebrity guests simply by fact of being a celebrity guest. Granted, some are artisans... but I am confused by those who are not even that. I know of one locally respected costumer (at least she used to be, before her recent turn to porn), who resented being labeled as a consumer or even a cosplayer because, in her own words: "I am a model." To me, that's basically a mannequin, as she doesn't even make the outfits she wears...

Considering that conventions typically must negotiate an appearance fee, usually offset by guaranteed autograph sales (but that means they must meet that guarantee), it makes complete sense for cons to stretch their budget by padding their celebrity list with low-cost names. Often, this means low-fee Wrestlers, local celebs and D-listers, but I completely agree that the increased use of common (is that derogatory?) "Cosplayers" to increase the number of alleged "celebrities" to be a disturbing trend of misrepresentation.

But we are entering a new era, where a fan can achieve celebrity status simply by being a fan (Felicia Day, to mention a respectable example). The same end can be acheived through no contribution at all to society but merely appearing in a porn film (Kim Kardashian) or being related to someone of despicable notoriety (all the other Kardashians). Now people who wear costumes at conventions are being invited as "celebrity guests" -- I am similarly unhappy with this trend, although my opinion may change when someone offers me a check...

[WannabeMego]

something about the fact that "Montreal Joker" gets a table next to somebody who drew the Joker professionally seemed a bit weird to me.

Ditto!!!

[huedell]

Interesting, but essentially pointless debate. This whole hobby --- ALL comic related stuff --- is largely disposable. Ultimately, its all about the Benjamins... and there's no reason it shouldn't be. I'll collect my check as a stripper, standing next to a cosplayer, sitting next to an artist, who are all tributing/creating the same character. That's Entertainment !!!

[cjefferys]

Special guest "Ridgeway George Lucas" will be signing autographs at Mego North this September, but please....no hugging.

[Brazoo]

Special guest "Ridgeway George Lucas" will be signing autographs at Mego North this September, but please....no hugging.

My new goal in life is to hang with you at a show and witness "Mississauga George Lucas" get up in your face for trying to steal his turf.

[palitoy]

My new goal in life is to hang with you at a show and witness "Mississauga George Lucas" get up in your face for trying to steal his turf.

Oh yeah, you just see this plaid covered arm start knocking over stuff on your table.

[Brazoo]

The way I see it, nothing stays the same forever, and EVERY form of publishing related industry has been massively changed in the last 20 years. Some times I feel like the ire about cosplayers is just finding a target to gripe at for the changes in the comics industry.

I have seen valid complaints too though - at the last show I was at some dummy walked around in character all day screaming something like "LOOK OUT" at people. Annoying the dealers who were working all day, scaring customers and little kids. But blaming cosplayers as a whole for one dumb-dumb is a bit silly to me.

One of my nieces is a HUGE Walking Dead fan, and I know I'm going to take her to FanExpo this year. She's going to flip out when she sees all the costumes and meets all the stars of her show - and I think that's awesome. I just hope we can avoid the porn stuff. I'm no prude, but if young women want to walk around in vinyl underwear and pasties they should set up an adult room or something.

Personally, I'm more excited about comics and toys than "fandom". I don't get celebrity autographs and I'm not into cosplay (though I appreciate the creativity and skill of some). My favorite comic show is TCAF, because it's totally comic and artist related.

[palitoy]

Funny you should mention Fan Expo, when I was walking around there last year I noticed a Cos Player had rented a booth. I had no issue with that, but it's sole purpose seemed to be so men would photograph her in her store bought (children's) Wonder Woman costume and well, business was good.

I steered my daughter away from it, not because of the woman in the revealing costume but more the army of creepy dudes leering at her.

I'm often appalled at how the people not in costume act as opposed to those that are.

Anyway, the point of this thread was not to make hay with cos-players, I don't have issue with them by and large. Just the notion that they get celebrity treatment is strange to me. Accomplishment has value to me.

[thunderbolt]

Interesting, but essentially pointless debate. This whole hobby --- ALL comic related stuff --- is largely disposable. Ultimately, its all about the Benjamins... and there's no reason it shouldn't be. I'll collect my check as a stripper, standing next to a cosplayer, sitting next to an artist, who are all tributing/creating the same character. That's Entertainment !!!

I better not ever see you cosplaying as a stripper.

[Confessional]

not[/U] in costume act as opposed to those that are.

This is exactly what I wanted to comment on, but didn't want to derail your original post. What I've been observing out here in the west, at all shows… comics, toys, anime, and cons is a population of young cosplay kids emulating the overtly sexualized behavior and trappings of the pop-porn adults [TM sic]. Those kids, a majority of females, are being eyed and photographed at every angle by a hoard of warped creepy men who can barely keep the drool in their mouths. They also chat up the girls, push against them, touch them while taking selfies and who knows what they do with the photos. There's something dark happening and no one seems to talk much about it.

Otherwise, no issues with cosplay which melds into the maker culture. That's a redemptive and creative movement.