Problems with non-con goers harassing con-goers

[siredgar.livejournal.com]

Were there any this year? We've all heard or seen the problems in the past few years that prompted the heightened badge checking. This year I haven't heard of any conflicts, which would be great if true. Anyone?

Comments

[elvishtard.livejournal.com]

GIRL! *snaps fingers* WURK.

I hate when people do that -_-. That's not creative or helpful, that's just petty. Unless someone is ASKING for the help or they're at a costuming panel, don't go up to someone. That's just rude and makes you look chauvinistic.

[halafax.livejournal.com]

One of the things Ive noticed is that some cosplayers seem to think that their costume is some kind of classified project. You ask them where did you get that or how did you make that and they get snotty. If someone asks me how I made something or where did I get this or that I'll share. I look at it as trying to help out a fellow cosplayer. I mean when I started I had to figure things out on my own. Also some cosplay sites are full of useless info.
Just seems to me that there were a lot of snobby cosplayers this year. Thats a trend Ive noticed is on the rise.

[saynotoinertia.livejournal.com]

It does seem like that's the direction that some cosplayers are going... it's happened in just about every hobby I've been in. As it grows more popular, elitism becomes more of a problem. It's driven me out of several hobbies (at least the social aspect of them).

I can understand the "classified" aspect of the costume if making/selling cosplay costumes or accessories is your source of income. Someone saying politely, "I'm sorry, but selling these steampunk hydraulic-powered wings (random example) is how I make my living, so I can't tell you how to make them. But you're welcome to order some from me," - that wouldn't offend me. But if you're just a person making the costume for the fun of it and your response is, "none of your business", it comes off as rude.

If someone asks me "how did you make that?" I'm happy to share. I wore a headpiece for one of my costumes this year made out of Fosshape, and I had a handful of people ask me what it was made out of. I was flattered, and happy to let them know how it was made. (If they asked nicely, I let them touch it to see how the material felt).

But I'd never go up to someone and say "that's all wrong, you should have done it this way". That's just rude and mean-spirited, not to mention presumptuous. Not everyone has the same priorities when it comes to costuming. For example, I'll often sacrifice screen-accuracy to make something that seems more realistic and wearable to me. (Especially since I like to cosplay video game characters, whose clothing sometimes defies all reason and laws of physics). So yes, I may be aware that the character actually wears a strapless top, but I added straps for comfort. Others would rather go all-out on the screen-accuracy instead. Everyone has their own preferences.

[halafax.livejournal.com]

When playing characters that have odds and ends that defy physics and reality there is a certain level of creative license one has to take with a costume. 100% screen accurate tends to be impossible. I have never sat there and said hey your costume is wrong due to this that and the other. Thats just mean and you can really hurt someone's feelings in that regard.
When talking cosplay with someone I will offer other suggestions for making things. You would be surprised what some people come up with when it comes to making things. Or I might tell them about something I used that is just a god send when making this or that. Also I might advise against using certain materials. You would be shocked how many people do not know you cant spray paint foam.

My gungrave is the biggest costume Ive ever made. The whole this is one of the most ridiculous things Ive ever put together, the bayonetta costume I did two years ago for a friend is pretty in depth and close to screen accurate, but I had to for go a few things here and there for the sake of my sanity and due to no feasible way to make it happen aside from anti gravity pads on the ends. I dont have anti gravity pads. So they got left out.

Another thing that has come up more than once is people who buy their costumes, and then will go around telling everyone and their brother that they made the costume. There is one guy who cosplays dante from Devil May Cry, he told me more than once he bough the costume, but when someone else asks him he tells them he made it. I ended up leaving where I was set up due to him really pissing me off with lying to people.

Im always willing to help people out in cosplay other wise there are going to be a lot of sanitariums that are going to be full of cosplayers.

[songbirdsews.livejournal.com]

Small thing? You can actually spray paint foam, as long as you treat it first. To treat it, all you have to do is put on a coat (or 3) of glue. More coats if you water it down, less if you don't. It's easy to tell when you've put on enough glue--it has a smooth, slick feel instead of the slightly rough one of untreated foam.

I make a lot of solid foam armor that way, and it's light, cheap, and easy to remake when armor inevitably gets smashed at cons. And no one can tell what it's base material is unless I tell them.

[halafax.livejournal.com]

Exactly, but a lot of people dont know that you cant spray paint foam. Craft foam you can spray paint with no issue, but insulation foam or any other kind of foam.

I usually just cover it in gesso, or if you want serious durability use bondo.