Questions translated and posted by Kiratsukai in the Cosplay.com forums. If you can read this and everything makes sense to you, you’re most likely a cosplayer. If not, then welcome to the world of cosplay. Grab a cup of coffee and get to know me. If you like it, follow the link and take the quiz yourself! :)
General Cosplay Questions
1) What’s the best part of cosplay for you?
Being a judge, and asking detailed construction questions that contestants are required to answer. Which I then use to my own ends.
2) Do you use the term “kameko” (“camera-kid”)
In my head. But I catch myself before saying it out loud, lest I be deemed “weeaboo”.
3) Do you read event catalogs?
I go through them as soon as I can. I like to be aware of all the events I’m going to miss that weekend because I will be too busy cosplaying. Kind of makes cosplay more meaningful. Like it’s a sacrifice. Wait, no, it actually just bums me out. It is a rare panel or event that will wrestle me away from my precious cosplay.
4) Do you rsvp to events?
No. That way I don’t disappoint anyone when I don’t show up, which is 99% of the time. But then if I *do* show up, it’s like a special surprise. Win/win.
5) Do you want to attend more events? Or are you content to remain in your local area?
I demand more events, dammit! Someone make more events happen in Midwest U.S.! But I do attend many out of the way events every year.
6) Do you use color contacts?
Yes.
7) Do you make your own costumes or do you buy them?
Make.
8) Do you stick to one genre?
Yes. And that genre is “whatever the hell I feel like cosplaying”. Oh wait. I’ve done some outside that genre too, in the “whatever the hell my friends make me dress up as” to fill in groups. So I guess I’m multi-genre after all.
9) Do you think that when cosplaying, one should stick to the genre of a given event?
Yes. But I understand why people don’t, and it’s not hurting anybody. There are bigger issues in life.
For the record, I break this rule all the time, but only because I’m special. Everyone else should obey.
10) Does it bother you when people break genre?
No. And so many series nowadays cross over into different genres that I usually don’t notice.
11) Does it bother you when people know nothing about the series they’re cosplaying?
No.
12) Does it bother you if people only know a little about the series they’re cosplaying?
No. But I think some basic google research is required at minimum. It helps with posing and acting in character, which is a crucial part of COStume-PLAY.
13) Does it bother you if people are familiar with the series, but have no affection for the character they’re cosplaying?
No. I have done this many times to round out a group. LOOKIN’ AT YOU, YUNA.
But, as a cosplayer of characters I personally loathe, I feel a pang of guilt when interacting with fans. “I love this character! Can I get a hug? A picture? THIS CHARACTER CHANGED MY LIFE!” I feel like I’m harboring a dirty secret. D:
14) Does it bother you if someone else is cosplaying the same character you are?
No. I like to compare how we made different parts. It’s a great way to swap stories and learning experiences. And compliment their excellent taste.
15) Do you like posed shots?
Yes.
16) Do you like candid shots?
Only if permission is given before posting the shot.
17) Do you think cosplaying characters from adult games or pornographic material is in bad taste?
Many of the outfits are cool, so I see no problem. Unless you’re doing a striptease or reenacting sex scenes in a public area. Which is in bad taste for ANY series.
18) If there’s a problem at an event, do you jump to conclusions about the parties involved?
Innocent until proven guilty. With facts, not hearsay. And even then, I probably don’t care anyway.
19) How many times do you cosplay in one month?
I did the math, and it’s equal to pi. 3.1415ish.
20) Do you go to photo shoots?
I do photo shoots with trusted photographers. I rarely go to large, public series meetups because I take too long to get in costume and miss them.
21) Have you ever been included in a cosplay CD-ROM?
Yes! Many. Limited editions of 1. For myself. For backup. These days though, I’m mostly on limited editions of cosplay portable HDs.
22) Is casual cosplay okay?
I’ve been looking for a way to describe my every day attire. Thanks.
23) Are you okay with your face appearing on the internet?
Yes. I am proud of what I do.
24) Do you find yourself thinking people are “too old” for cosplay? How old is too old?
No. Too old? 100. Don’t cosplay past that please. (Because I want to be the first to do it.)
25) Do people who walk around in gothic lolita fashion bug you?
No.
26) Do you think Chinese dresses count as “cosplay”?
If the character wears a cheongsam, then it counts. I bet that most purchased cosplays are technically “Chinese” dresses…..
27) What bothers you the most about cosplay?
Travel and luggage. Packing and unpacking. Tedious.
28) Do you think it’s important to be “in character”?
In photos, it’s a must. Outside that, if you’re feeling it, then go for it. Just remember that manners exist in the real world.
29) Does it make you nervous to be eyed by regular visitors at a public event?
No. They were warned there would be freaks there, right?
30) Do pre-scheduled cosplay appearances by popular cosplayers annoy you?
No. I wish there was more of it, actually.
31) Do you tell other people your best locations for shoots?
Yes. Except for one, which I was sworn to secrecy by the photographer.
32) Do you put on your makeup before your wig or after?
Before. Otherwise I overheat, or get makeup in my wig.
33) Do you know a lot about the series’ you cosplay?
Yes and no. I do series I know very well. I do series I know nothing about. People cosplay for so many reasons. They love the series or character. They like the design, or they want to be recognized. Some people just like wearing costumes, some just like making costumes, some like attending events, some only like private shoots. Every way is “correct”. It’s a matter of personal preference.
34) Do you wear costumes only once or many times?
I can’t think of a costume I’ve worn more than 5 times. I just always have something new to wear.
35) When you’ve decided what costume to do next, do you share that information with other people?
Not usually. Every time I’ve done that, I feel like the project was jinxed. It’s a superstition. I tell the people who need to know, but I don’t make a public announcement to the world.
36) Do you want to be in cosplay magazines?
I never had it as a goal, it just happened to me a few times. And I think it’s neat. My parents are more impressed than I am. I think it validates my weird hobby in their minds.
37) What’s the most important part of cosplay for you?
Getting good photos. My cosplays are nothing to me without good photos for posterity. After all, I’m not gonna look the same in these costumes 30 years from now! (But crosses fingers just in case?)
Event Participation Questions
38) How active are you cosplaying in your own community?
My cosplay activity meter is like at 10% of maximum potential. I had a period of time where I went all out, multiple new costumes to every con, and lots of groups. Last year was very hectic with traveling to many cons, and I’m a little burned out. I’ve put cosplay on the back burner to save my sanity. But I’m already feeling ready to get fired up again…
39) What do you wear on the day of an event?
I wear a smile for every stranger and a warm hello for all my friends!!!
Second smart ass answer: An extra 5 lbs of imaginary fat that didn’t magically melt off 2 weeks before every con. Dammit.
40) Do you eat lunch on event days?
There’s NO TIME, man! I’m always so excited to be in costume and meet people and run here and there and be ridin’ my own little utopian cosplay high that I just can’t be bothered with mortal issues like eating.
41) Do you eat breakfast before attending events?
Always.
42) How long does it take you to change?
At least an hour, no matter what. Complex costumes take over 2 hours. I like to take my time and make sure everything looks its best. (Cross reference with all answers mentioning to me running late to everything….)
43) Do you think it looks geeky to attend an event with a big SLR camera?
No. Actually, I would put “attend an event with a big SLR camera” as #1 on the list of “How To Pick Up Hot Cosplayers”. They will flock to you.
44) What camera do you use? A compact? An SLR?
I have a compact camera that is easily concealable within a costume.
45) Are you afraid of cameramen? Are you cool with them?
This is a bell curve. I am cool with the middle majority of the bell. I am afraid of the two extremes – creepy photographers, and god-tier photographers. I am either nervous for my safety, or nervous to meet someone I admire.
46) Are you one of the first to line up to get inside?
I somehow always manage to avoid the lines….
47) Do you not mind showing up late?
I hate being late. But I usually am. This is a deep rooted flaw of mine that is always on my New Year’s Resolution list. I’m running late on getting started on that resolution.
48) Do you have a small after party or a huge get-together?
I try to have small after parties, but they have been known to snowball into huge get-togethers where everyone invites a friend who invites a friend. There is a threshold where I slip out unnoticed without saying goodbye, because saying goodbye to everyone would take forever. And I want to be gone, fast. Classic move I picked up from my dad, who attends many family events but is never seen. Go dad. No one has called me out on this, but it is kind of rude.
49) Do you like karaoke?
EFF YEAH.
50) Are you tolerant of bad singers?
Usually the bad singers make up in spirit what they lack in vocal skills. Which to me is even more entertaining. I’m more than tolerant. I embrace them.
51) Do topics unrelated to animation and manga bug you? Or do you think it’s okay to talk about anything at all?
I’m not a fan when a panel gets derailed and random. It’s like watching a movie on cable TV. All the scenes you wanted to see get edited down and there are too many commercials. It’s irritating.
52) Do you eat lunch while inside event areas?
Lunch?
53) Can you handle the cold?
No. I keep warm by complaining a lot, using wild, exaggerated, heat-producing gestures.
54) Do you buy doujinshi at events?
No.
55) Do you make doujinshi to sell at events?
Live action impromptu doujinshi. For the cameras. But I don’t charge. :B
56) Do you have a group that participates in group events?
No. And glad I don’t. I like being free to participate in many groups without an allegiance to one. Too much drama potential.
57) Are you a member of a cosplay circle/club?
No. I am a lone wolf.
58) When the event is over, how late do you stay out?
Depends.
59) If a new face approaches you at an event and takes up a few minutes of your time, are you annoyed?
No.
60) Do you go to cosplay dance parties?
“Con raves” – yes. But not as an event to dress up for. Usually just for a few moments to guffaw at the kiddos. Then it gets old. And fermenty.
61) Do you think your Layer status is higher than others if a lot of people want to take your picture? Does it bother you not to have your photo taken as much as you think you deserve?
Yes, I frankly think that lots of attention at an event is part the definition of popular. If you are talking overall popularity, no, I don’t think number of pictures at any one event is an indicator of waxing/waning popularity, and could be due to a variety of factors.
I do not think I deserve photos. I think I earn them through hard work. They are a privilege not a right. :)
62) Do you get jealous of other cosplayers having a lot of pictures taken of them?
I’ve had lots of pictures taken of me before, and I know the pros and cons. I think “I bet they have to pee right now, but they can’t move because of all the people taking photos. SUCKS TO BE THEM!” Then I go to the bathroom, just because I CAN. And lock myself in the stall and cry, because I am not as cool as them.
63) You’re asked for a picture but have something else to do, do you refuse?
Yes. I politely decline, apologize profusely, and say I’ll be around later for photos, and please keep an eye out for me.
64) When you take pictures of people at events, do you give them all copies of the prints or data?
They have to find me, and then, yes.
Photo Shoot Questions
65) (at a studio or shoot) Do you give a copy of each photo to all of the participants in it?
If requested.
66) How do you approach photo shoots? As a chance to gather with friends and goof off or as a meeting to take nice pictures?
If it’s a casual open shoot, then most likely I’m there to goof off and not interested in the outcome at all. If something turns out, then great! If it’s a private shoot with a controlled group, then it’s business mode.
67) Are you particular about how you look in the test shots before the shoot? Do you mind how you look in general?
I do like to see some photos as they’re going along. It’s like looking in a mirror. “That pose looks awesome” or “don’t make that face again” or “my wig is messed up”… seeing these things allows me to correct them before I regret it later when I get the photos back.
68) When you take photos, do you prefer shots from the front or odder angles?
I like a good full body shot – front and back – for documentation purposes only. Everything after that is all fun, and are usually the ones I prefer in the end.
69) Are you bothered by receiving lots of photos? Are you happy?
I am only bothered at the prospect of having to upload them myself to my crappy outdated website that I HAND CODE for every pop-up. This is why I dread “lots” of photos. (This has been remedied.)
70) When you take photos, do you photograph only people you know personally and like? Or do you look for other people with great costumes to photograph too?
I really only like shooting my friends. When I become a photographer, I get kind of shy to ask strangers to do things for fear of inadvertently violating their comfort zone.
71) Do you wander around to meet people at events or do you keep to your own group?
I love bumming around alone and meeting new people. It’s one of my favorite things to do at events. Lone wolf syndrome.
72) How many photos do you usually take with your own camera?
None. I usually carry one on me, but I’m too lazy to take it out if I am cosplaying as well.
I always justify it as “their costume is really good and they’re getting lots of photos, and my camera is crappy. I’m sure I’ll find pics of them online later for my cosplay folder….”
73) How many photos do you usually take for others?
As many as requested.
74) Do you mind if people resize or crop the pictures you’ve taken to make them look better?
If they mentioned they edited it somewhere, then it’s fine.
75) Do you crop and resize pictures others have taken for you?
Resize, yes. Crop, seldom.
76) Have you ever set up a photo shoot by yourself?
Only progress photos.
77) Do you check shoot information beforehand?
Yes.
78) Do you like it when there are a lot of people in the shoot area? Or do you prefer small events?
Smaller gatherings means less people in the background of photos.
79) What size (how many people) is the best for a shoot?
……………………….well, at least two.
80) What time of day do you like to take photos?
I like late afternoon. Nice natural lighting, sure. But mostly because this is the soonest I can manage to get my costume on.
81) Do you prefer indoor or outdoor shots?
If it is a choice of a two-star motel along the beach of Florida – outside. If it is a choice of a majestic cathedral in Germany in winter – inside.
82) Which do you dislike more – hot weather or cold weather?
Cold. But. I’d rather be cold than hot when cosplaying. No sweat marks and runny makeup in the cold.
83) Do you know any cameramen?
Yes.
84) Do you eat in the photo area?
No.
85) Do you like taking parts-shots? Or do you dislike them?
I love detail shots of parts of costumes, or thoughtfully set up “prop” photos. I wish I saw more of them.
86) Do you retouch your photos?
Yup.
87) Are you annoyed by people who don’t retouch their photos?
I feel that most photos benefit from some retouching. I appreciate the rare photo that isn’t retouched on purpose and adds character to the photo.
88) Do you use reflectors?
Only one photographer has ever used them on me.
89) Which is worse ~ breaking the rules and getting great pictures, or following them and getting poor ones?
If you risk bending a rule, don’t get caught. And if you do…. aw, man. Play the dumb innocent weirdo in a costume card. Yeah, I said it.
Disclaimer: Breaking the LAW is bad. You can get access to most places if you talk to the right people beforehand. TIP: When the big man closes the door, the maintenance man opens a window for $20.
Friend Questions
90) Why are your friends your friends?
Because they can keep their literal and figurative mouths shut. I run, don’t walk, from drama mongers.
91) If you hang out for one day, do you consider yourselves friends?
No.
92) Do you give copies of your photos to others?
…..for a fee. A high, high fee. Thanks for the idea. Rent will be PAID this month, aw yeah!
93) Do you want to make more friends?
No. Mine are still in perfect working condition.
But I would like to meet more local crafty cosplayers. Come over to my place and use my sewing machine while I sand some armor. We’ll watch some anime and put some cookies in the oven next to the baking sculpey. So if you’re around Chicago, hit me up.
*end personal ad for cosplay workshop friends*
94) Do you at least remember the names of people you meet at events?
Not all of them. What is this “at least” guilt crap?
95) Do you find yourself adjusting your behavior to that of the character you’re cosplaying when dealing with people dressed as characters your character knows?
I was going to say NO, that’s SILLY. But now that you mention it… maybe not my behavior, but my mood and internal thoughts… this is getting weird. Next question.
Home Page/Websites
96) Do you recieve permission every time you post a photo of someone else online?
No, but I give them credit. Most cosplayers are fine with this in the west. If I feel iffy about something though, I will ask first. (Unflattering pic, their job might find it, etc.) And if they want it removed, I will do so. No questions asked.
97) Do you get angry if a foreign site links to your page? Or are you flattered?
I love it! But stealing and re-watermarking images isn’t cool.
98) Are you happy to get mail from Layers overseas or does it scare you?
I would say I am happy to get any letters at all.
99) Do you try to increase your web sites’ contents/hits? Or doesn’t it matter to you?
No. It’s just a portfolio to me, that doesn’t rely on the outside social networking site of the moment. It’s a constant place for me to update my projects.
100) Do you not particularly care who links to you? Or do you ask people not to link without permission?
I don’t care one bit whether or not they ask. But I do feel bad that I haven’t taken the time to link everyone back.
101) Do you credit the location or studio when posting photo shoot images?
Yes.
Final Question
What do you think people who have “good cosplay manners” are like?”
”Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” -Emily Post
