In the past few months, veteran convention goers and myself have been discussing the sudden change in the cosplay community on how it’s different for better or for worse. I love that I can get high quality wigs without paying EMS shipping from Cyperous and that it’s easy for a newbie cosplayer to purchase costumes online (quality may vary), but at the same time, there’s something fishy about this new culture. It’s typical for seasoned and older generation types to scoff at younger generations, but this is not an issue of age, but more of an issue of a difference in attitudes – particularly as veterans get older and newbies are younger.
In recent months, we’ve seen Forbes, HuffPo, and even Adam Carolla talk about neo-narcissism and entitlement culture. I originally wanted to publish this article back in April 2013 when I saw the rise of newbie cosplayers campaigning for likes and followers. I then reflected on a few points these observers of the millennial generation made. “You’re not special” is the counterpoint to the spoiled millennials. Even then, I see the traits of entitlement culture in today’s cosplay and convention scene.
1. Conventions =/= Frat Parties
Note: In the original draft, I used the word “normals” to describe people who were not there for the con, but rather for party crashing. I couldn’t find a word to describe these types of people illustrated in the image below. There has been talk on forums on people who aren’t there for the content of the con, but rather to get wasted like it’s MTV Spring Break.
Conventions are gathering spaces of like minded nerds and otaku to share and celebrate their love of fandom freely. This is a great way to relax and meet other like minded people from the same fandoms. Traditionally, there was always late night room parties, but they were typically tame and mature. At a recent convention, reports of questionable attendees and con crashers destroyed hotel property, threw glass in high traffic areas, sneaked in buckets of alcohol into the main lobby, etc. Though the con in question labels itself to be family friendly, this is not an event I would bring my kid to. In the original draft for the editorial, I mislabeled these types as “normals” because that was the word on forums used to describe these con party crashers. This changes up the environment of the con when you have a night life that is out of control. Having room after parties is not the issue at hand, treating the con space like a frat party is.
Consequently, this can lead the event to liability issues. While I was never quite clear what exactly happened at Anime Boston, the rave (aka “informal dance”) was shut down due to ravers sneaking in hard drugs into the venue. Not only they were caught and the rave had to be shut down, this made major news in Boston. It cost the Sheraton its entertainment license. Word of mouth also claims that this incident prevents any affordable venue to grant informal dance space to Anime Boston. Attitudes like this – to use a con as an excuse to go cray cray while putting others and the con at harm – is why we cannot have nice things. The Anime Boston dance has not occurred for the past few years.
2. Conventions are not free photo studios.
When Katsucon secured the gazebo for 2014 and whenever Anime Los Angeles announces the hotel pool is their’s, all hell breaks loose. Well, not really, but there is much whining and complaining when people who were not originally going to buy a badge all of a sudden are “forced to pay” for one. As someone who attends conferences in their professional life, yes, the hotel can hold space for events. Example, the Katsucon gazebo can be used for weddings and it can be blocked off from hotel registrants. I get that everyone has different reasons for attending cons – photoshoots being one of them, but if you love the location the con takes place at, support it by buying a badge. It shows that you want to keep the event there. Additionally, I’m glad that Katsucon took a stand by barring makeshift studios around the con – this has been a problem at larger events where it may block traffic and inconvenience other guests. If you could afford the wig and the lens, you can afford to pre-register. Hey, there might be even a panel or two you that might interest you. Is a badge too much money? Volunteer.
3. “Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.”
When I was living in Los Angeles, Little Tokyo had an annual Cherry Blossom Festival. While trees don’t grow in downtown LA, it’s a community event that I thoroughly support and enjoy immersing myself into the culture. I love to plug this event like crazy – Little Tokyo definitely needs monetary support. Even George Takei has had the Japanese American Museum as his charity of choice in The Apprentice.
Also during the same time of year, there’s the Sakura Watch event in Van Nuys. I used to attend it when I was living in the area, but as the years gone by, the attitudes that go to this cosplay meet up are downright nasty. “Why should I go to Little Tokyo’s Cherry Blossom Fest?! The real cherry blossoms are in Van Nuys!” Even if I was inviting cosplay colleagues to attend a cultural festival that had the name “cherry blossom” in it, it wasn’t worth it to them because it did not serve as their SUPAH KAWAII backdrop for their Japanese anime cosplays.
And enjoying a Japanese cultural event is not “weaboo,” it means you care about the community and want to learn more about a culture.
4. Photographers – Cosplayers are Not Objects
There were a few instances my friends from S|R got yelled at for just saying “hi” to friends or requesting a quick photo of a cosplayer during what we did not assume was a “private” photoshoot. Private photoshoots can be pretty vague. As a cosplay veteran who grew up in the height of Kevin Lilliards – photographers that would take single shots of everyone and try to get everything regardless of skill level and looks. It’s often hard to tell if it’s a private shoot in a public space.
Photographers, if we just want to say a quick “hi” to a friend that we don’t see often, don’t take it personally. Do not yell at us. We do not mean to interrupt a shoot, we just have friends too. You do not own them. They are not your property. It’s very vague to tell when you’re in private shoot in a public space. I’m beginning to see more of this type of attitude from photographers that think they’re special snowflakes because they own a DSLR.
5. Look At Me! vs. Community
Note: In the original text, I talked about how Comic Con attendees (circa 2012) were boasting and bragging online and on social media about getting exclusive access to a con that has far strayed from its original roots. At the time of publication, Comic Con changed up their badge policy and even we don’t know how it’s going to go. Time will tell.
While cosplay is a “look at me!” kinda of hobby, it can be done with humbleness. Cosplayers work hard to either save up or build the skills needed to create a dream costume. While facebook pages are harmless on the surface, it creates a sense of isolation. Major communities are irrelevant – cosplay.com serves as a cosplay meet up corner for newbies. While one can argue that Facebook groups create community, I see more focus put into cosplay fan pages and self-promotion. Though I do dive more into this in Point #6, I feel like I’m not really getting to know people and finding people in my area to collaborate with on projects if it is all “look at me!” While one can argue that you can still message people on on Facebook pages and you can respond to comments directly, it is still a one way street. Commenting as you – your facebook profile – onto a Facebook page is not as personal and you don’t always get updates if you respond.
Additionally, there was recent discussion if cosplayers should accept tips at their artist alley table. I really don’t see a point in tipping cosplayers for a photo – if you are really crushing on the cosplayer, a buying print should suffice. Tipping waiters, hairstylists, massage therapists, etc is cool because they are providing you with personalized services catering to your personal needs. A cosplayer tabling at a con shouldn’t need to be tipped because they are not providing a personalized service other than just getting a photo taken.
A colleague brought up a friend-turned-e-fame-hungry’s panel regarding “cosplay networking.” At first glance, I thought it was use-your-costuming-skills-and-network-with-professionals-in-the-industry or even how to make friends and collaborate with skilled cosplayers. As I was reading through the description, it was all about cosplay self-promotion, which leads to…
6. E-Fame: Does it Really Matter?
“Don’t let it bother you” and “it does not effect what you do, so stop giving a shit” are easier said than done. It saddens me when newer, humbled cosplayers, assume that the number of likes reflect the amount of support and quality as a cosplayer. While there are so-called “famous cosplayers” out there, this assumption that one can achieve instant e-fame and a “cosplay career” is blind sighted. It’s also easy to say “cosplay is fun,” but “fun” is a vague term with multiple interpretations. Shows like “Heroes of Cosplay” assume that top tiered and skilled cosplayers have followers to satisfy and reputations on the line. If I have one major critique of this reality docu-series it’s that this is a misleading reason why cosplayers do their thing. It never was for followers or to gain fans – it was always for the love of fandom. It pains me when I see new cosplayers talk about wanting to get cosmetic surgery just to jumpstart a cosplay career.
Perhaps the most deluded supporting point to this was when I attended a panel where a (famous?) cosplayer was giving out suggestions to curb creepers. The cosplayer suggested to reply as if you were your “representing agent” to the creeper and they’ll leave you alone. Last I checked, there is no such thing as a cosplay agency that books cosplayers at cons. Mind you, this was said in an audience of average joe cosplayers. To assume that cosplayers have agents is very delusional and so out of touch.
At the end of the day, E-Fame doesn’t amount to anything. For female cosplayers seeking this route, I ask you, what do you see yourself doing in 10 years? 20 years? Even popular cosplayers like Yaya, J.Nig, Vampy, etc have a shelf life; careers based on pretty looks alone are hard to come by and do not guarantee a career for life. The amount of “likes” – whether bought or legit – does not measure one’s self-esteem.
Conclusion: Do it for the journey, not the check ins
A good friend of mine mentioned that there’s Lolitas, cosplayers, otaku, etc that are part of this trend to vicariously live through social media. In other words, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc are used to boast about where you went, rather than what was your takeaway from what you gained from that experience. Did you learn something new about a culture? Did you discover something about yourself you didn’t know? Are you suddenly interested in XYZ and want to learn more? Life is not measured by how many check ins, cosplay photos, photoshoots at Katsucon, page likes, guest of honor status, etc. It’s measured by hat you learned about yourself through these hobbies – what connections did you make and how many memories you will have to treasure for years.
So, as we begin the 2014 convention season, let’s think about in what ways can our nerdy hobbies help us to become better contributors to fandom and modern society. All special snowflakes must fall to the ground at some point, and get melted over by reality’s salt truck.
– Scarlet, Editor in Chief
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