I think we can all agree on a few things. -Cosplay has changed

The issue is that people can't agree on what constitutes the "destruction" of the cosplay community. Where is the line of "fame chasing" drawn? Who gets to draw that line? At what point does self-promotion turn into a hunger for fame? Not even going to touch on the "softcore porn" angle you brought up, either.

The reason why the community won't "come together" to do any of your suggestions, is that there isn't even agreement on how bad the 'problems' in the community are, and if they're even problems at all.

Wtf is the point of fucjin focusunbg on the negative? Fu kin just love what you do aand kbock thatshit out like you the boss.
Ive got no timw for your shit

>>9048805
Are you having a seizure? Do you need help?

I don't really know how you could fix anything without policing how other ppl cosplay. Cosplay is such a large hobby that everyone interacts with differently. I think you would just be better off OP by surrounding yourself with cosplayers you think share your same mentality and ignoring as best you can those that don't interact with the hobby like you do.

For example I really love making costumes and seeing how other ppl make stuff so I spend a lot of time on Instagram looking in cosplay progress tags and finding/following cosplayers who post lots of progress photos and are really into creating high quality costumes. I was blown away with what I found. There are some amazingly skilled cosplayers out there that aren't on anyone's radar.

>>9048815
The only help I need is like, 3 hours of sleep and maybe muscle relaxers and bennies to make me feel like the world is worth living in again.

The way to fix it is to not give a fuck about others and do what you want with no fucks given. The e-fame stuff is just a bunch of people using other people to climb then throwing them under the bus. Don't bother with making groups, doing charities, selling prints and obsessing about what cosplay people will like. Just do what you want and love what you do.

Actively boycott and discourage the sale of Yaya Han's fabric and pattern line.
The reason why is because it's promoting the push towards perfection and an all-or-nothing cosplay culture. The kind of culture that promotes the thought "If you don't look perfect, don't even bother leaving the house, you unworthy piece of garbage."
What Yaya Han is doing (not by herself, using her as a stand-in here) is raising the barrier to entry into cosplay by promoting the mindset that you have to spend a lot of money on it; you have to look like a professional cosplayer or model; and you have to recoup your costs to keep going.
Another issue I see that's related is the prevalence of mass-produced costumes (more of an issue in certain series than others). Sometimes these are your best bet when cosplaying with a large group. Maybe don't buy them? Idk. I don't like it, though.
Rather than policing others' actions, be the kind of cosplayer you want to see in the world. Compliment others' progress. Show off your work if you are inclined to do so. Encourage sharing and establish safe "maker spaces" where people can share resources and create together. Don't throw people under the bus. Remember why you like it in the first place. These ideas might not work for you, but they're things that I kind of like. Just spitballin'.

I personally think people are too worried about what everyone else is doing. I don't care if someone wants to sell cosplay prints or get sponsored or sell fabric. They're living their life and I'm living mine. If you have to constantly worry about how other people are cosplaying, what they choose to cosplay, etc. then it's probably time to take a break.

I have seen a change in the community but I still enjoy cosplaying. I've learned a lot from more experienced cosplayers, met new friends, and improved my skills. I've always looked at it as an art so I'm more critical of myself already without having to constantly police what other people are doing. I think we should just go back to making this a community of creativity. Stop bashing people for buying things or for not getting something right. We've all been there. My first cosplay was atrocious but if I didn't have such a positive experience and support at my first con, I would've given up the hobby entirely. And that's where we're at now. Cosplay shouldn't be exclusionary.

Tldr; let people do what makes them happy and be supportive of those that need help. If you can't do that, ignore the ones that annoy you.

>>9048971
>policing others' actions
>Don't throw people under the bus
>Calls for Yaya boycott

Just go out an enjoy cosplay, anon. If you don't want to buy into the 'perfection and an all-or-nothing cosplay culture' then why pay attention to it?

File: 1284246327743.jpg (40KB, 387x417px) Image search: [Google]

40KB, 387x417px

>>9048971
>don't buy cosplayer-branded fabric or patterns because they promote unrealistic standards of perfection and raise the barrier of entry
>don't buy mass-produced costumes because I don't like them (even though they're cheaper and make it easier to break into cosplay when you're new)

??????

>>9049181
>>9049339
SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR COSPLAY
WE DEMAND BAD COSTUME AND SUBPAR MATERIAL ACCEPTANCE

>>9048516
>MAKE COSPLAY GREAT AGAIN

Boy it sure is summer in here.

>>9049350
ikr

I think we should encourage the next generation of self-made costumers to develop their skills, but not everyone wants to go through the "shitty first costumes" stage the way we used to. There's nothing wrong with getting your feet wet by wearing something bought and seeing if the whole dressing up thing is for you. My only beef is with those trying to build up their online cosplay persona/reputation on the backs of uncredited commissioners or wholesale costumes. People often assume costumes are ALWAYS made by the wearer, so if they don't say otherwise, they'll soak up all the praise while hindering someone else's business.

>>9049379
I don't see anything wrong with buying a cosplay so long as you're being honest, which all of the cosplayers that I follow are. They're always very transparent about where they buy their cosplays. I know that not everyone does this but I get so sick of the made vs. bought debate. Buying cosplays doesn't make you less of a cosplayer. It's that kind of separation that's ruining the community.

>>9049907
I'm the same way when it comes to bought and made cosplays. There is nothing wrong with it as long as your honest about it. Most people don't care and if they do, then they are not cosplaying because they enjoy it. They are cosplaying for the attention. That's not a strong reason to cosplay, and usually those people are pretty bitter and stuck up any way. Typically they don't have true friends, but just friends they use to stroke their ego.

>>9048516
I have fun making my cosplays either every year or every other year, but I do it alone and I've never been part of any community only recently having come to /cgl/ once in a while
so long as it stays fun at all expect people to want to try it out
also talking to people I don't know kind of freaks me out so I expect there's a lot of people like me who are involved with cosplaying but not actually in the sense of joining a community focused on it

>>9048516
There needs to be a new social media platform for cosplay, especially one that promotes a helpful and sharing community where people talk about builds and sewing. It's too bad dA got really weird and coscom is dead

>>9050178
Cosplay Amino has a good community except for the hugboxing on some truly awful costumes.

>>9048516
I don't even give a shit about paid models anymore. At least it's a step-up from the 'i don't feel like even trying but im quirky' types.

I just wish those snooty girls at cons would stop asking people to join them and then immediately start only talking to other people and dragging the people they asked around like any stranger will enjoy listening to their boring conversations and being a mute arm accessory.
It's not even the paid models that bring in those types of people though, just typical spoiled fujoshit culture. yes im ass sore

>>9048947
>>9048805
Those are some mixed messages. Do you need warm waffles and a hug?

helping the cosplay community is as simple as being more social/inviting at conventions and actually being a community.
most of the non-normie bullshit comes from other cosplayers.

>>9050193
I agree. Cosplay Animo is pretty nice. The community is helpful and very encouraging. People do hype up some bad cosplays but I prefer that over nitpicking and petty drama

Actively give male cosplayers more attention

Men are by enlarge ignored for their cosplay efforts to the point where photographers have admitted to ignoring them. Only time a man gets a lot of attention is when he's used as a prop for a female cosplayer. We are shutting out an entire gender out of the hobby.

I'm serious, men get ignored by the community. In fact I feel that the easiest way to "improve" cosplay is to start giving attention to those who deserve it. Instead of just attacking sexy cosplayers, start giving attention, shares and donations to cosplayers who don't just buy Cammy leotards and shove their boobs in the camera.

>>9049181
Not that Anon, but if it's the predominant culture (And I honestly don't know if it is or not), then it's hard to not pay attention to it.

>>9050582
THIS! I'm a cosplay photographer and I go out of my way to get photos of male cosplayers at cons and meet ups. We had a con in Birmingham, Alabama, this past weekend called Magic City Con, and two of the coolest male cosplayer pics I got, were of a guy cosplaying Ming the Merciless from the 1980's Flash Gordon movie, and another guy cosplaying Flash.There was also a guy at the con who cosplayed Inspector Gadget with the stilts and the extendable arms.