I'm so tired of how there seems to be this mindset of "I'm a fan, therefore the creator/celeb/etc I'm a fan of OWES me." It's insane how people feel like they're entitled to photos when they've stalked the public figure to get it, to know every little private and personal detail (who they're dating for example), to receive kind replies to creepy comments all because "I'm a fan. Without me they'd be nothing. They OWE me more." And without them you'd be bored out of your mind soooo... >.>
Just no. A creator/celeb/etc produced content you consumed (whether or not you enjoyed it doesn't really matter, you choose to consume it). They created something, you consumed it, they got the views/money/positive ratings/whatever they wanted as "payment" for it and you got your entertainment/product/etc. That's it. That's all. The transaction was finished with that. They don't owe you every second of their life or a positive reaction when you're acting possessive, obsessed and creepy. You don't go to a grocery store, buy a banana and then say "LOOK! I supported your store now give me all you oranges!" And comments where you're using a person's Instagram/FB page like it's tinder is creepy af. When you stalk someone and wait outside their hotel, demanding a photo, is creepy af (triple creepy when it's a child and you're a grown adult). When you take photos of someone from far away, while they're eating too, like a stalker, is creepy af. You don't get to be upset when they don't respond the way you want. You are NOT the victim here. You are the predator. And saying "it's the internet" or "that's what you get for going into their line of work so get used to it" is NOT okay. People should learn to behave themselves and the people who can't should be treated like exactly what they are: a sex offender, a stalker, an abuser, a predator , not some "internet troll" or overzealous "fan" who's harassment gets laughed off or excused because it's online or "apart of the job". Their job is to act, sing, product content, etc... things THEY choose to product. Not what YOU choose. That's it. If they decide to share more it is a choice that should be up to them, with no pressure. Their job is not to keep you entertained in their personal time or respond positively to your inappropriate comments or behavior. I don't care what kind of content they produce, whether it's family friendly or lewd af, they do not owe YOU any sort of reaction or more of their time. You. Are. Not. Entitled. To. Another. Living. Being. No matter how much time, money or "support" you give them. And when it comes to many internet creators (youtubers, cosplayers, instagram peeps) who often have things like Patreon or donation platforms set up: Donating does not mean they OWE you more. Supporting them, donating, is a CHOICE you decide to do because you like the content they produce and don't mind spending a bit on it. If that isn't enough for you then DO NOT DONATE. If you are going into it with the mindset of "If I donate, they'll owe me their time, a conversation, flirty responses to my come-ons, their phone number, personal info, etc etc" you are, frankly and bluntly put, a delusional loser. You are a predator and you are looking at an individual like they're an object you can possess, buy or own. You and your mindset/reason for donating is sickening and disturbing and you are not a real "fan". Being a "fan" of someone does not give you the excuse to stop behaving like a normal human and start acting like an obsessed, possessive, perverted psychopath. Dont. Be. A. Creep. These people are human, living beings, not objects, and deserve to be treated with the same respect that you'd show any other person you interact with on the daily. And if you're just someone that has zero respect for anyone and has no boundaries, then please, just go fall off the face of the earth (OR learn some manners and basic social skills). There's enough assholes in the world already. Don't be another one. Incidents I'm referencing: The photo incident with Finn Wolfhard (who's a child, mind you). Another photo incident with Lili Reinhart. And pretty much every social media person's/content creator's/celeb's comment section .-. and just a lot of what celebrities/public figures deal with on a daily irl~ ~Positive Outcomes Only~
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So there's been many articles and statements come out from and about Comic book authors/creators and their dislike of cosplayers.
One of the biggest thing that bugs me about some of the things were said is blaming cosplayers for profit loss and the comic book creators not getting recognized. If your products aren't selling, that's your fault. You're obviously not marketing your products well enough, even if it feels like you are. Media is so huge, so many things are popular, so it's going to be a lot harder to bring attention to these things that used to be incredibly popular but have since died out a little (or have never been/are new). Revamp it, jump on different marketing strategy band wagons, make yourself relevant and important to mainstream media. As for the recognition part. Really, you just need to sell yourself better. I am going to hate myself for this example, but look at Kim Kardashian. Whether you love her or hate her she keeps herself in the spotlight, maybe not always in the best light, but still in the spotlight. She keeps her self relevant and knows how to draw attention, making her a household name. If you're really that desperate for recognition learn how to sell yourself, use the media and social sites. To be honest though, there are plenty of readers and fans who don't really care to learn much about or even who the author/creator is. There's a good portion who just read and enjoy the story and don't bother with all the "little" details. Example; there's a lot of people who are fans of the Marvel movies, but that's about it. They like the movies, the superheros but don't bother with the comics or the writers because they just want enjoy the "entertainment part". I understand, you have to share the spotlight now with people who were once just fans. Yeah it's difficult to adapt to. But things change and either you learn to stay relevant, open-minded and change with it or you simply get left behind --life isn't meant to be fair or stagnant. Another honesty thing here: there is a lot of people (both non-cosplayers and cosplayers) who just don't care to meet anyone at conventions. Guilty! Yes I don't really bother with meeting any of these guests at cons and if that was all cons were, I probably wouldn't care to go. But they're not, cons are so much more than they used to be and it's a good thing. It brings in a bigger crowd and allows for this community that was once shunned and frowned upon to grow and let people become more open-minded to it. Cosplay gives fans a chance to be apart of the action and enjoy the con (and character/comic) in a different way, instead of just being another guest (which some people are happy with that, and that's okay). Cosplay is an art form though, and it allows so many people to mix two things they're passionate about (a fandom and art form) into one. Side note: Why do I (and possibly others) not care to meet guests? Because waiting in those lines just isn't as fun and would be much less fun, for me personally, in everyday clothes. Now, I will try to meet people who are my favorite voice actor, illustrator, animator, etc etc... But I don't try to meet everyone from anything and everything I'm a fan of. I'd rather meet other fans, look around the dealer room, interact with other cosplayers and go to different panels. Like, I really don't want to pay the couple hundred (ticket + hotel room prices) it takes to be there to just stand in a line for the whole weekend to get a picture and autograph with and meet a guest for about 30 seconds. Here's a good tip for you (the authors); instead of fighting against cosplayers, how about working with them. Think of how YouTubers do collaboration videos to boost up their own fanbase/views. Work with cosplayers. Example: companies in the past have hired cosplayers for promotional gigs. Try befriending some and interacting more with the ones who cosplay characters from your comics. They're obviously a big fan. And if they're not, well this is my next topic: One said something about getting angry after a cosplayer mentioned that they wanted to cosplay a character they didn't know much about because they enjoyed the design and it was relevant. First lets note: cosplayers cosplay certain characters for a lot of different reasons and it's not always because they're a fan. Sometimes they just love the outfit, sometimes it was something easy and affordable, other times it's something someone else suggest or requested and so many more. That's okay. Yes I said it, it is okay to cosplay a character for a reason other than you're a fan. Gasp, I know. Alright, so what the author/artist decided to do after being told that by the cosplay was throw him out of his booth/panel. That is the worst decision you could have made. You had the chance to educate him on the characters/comic, and gain a new fan and consumer but instead you risked turning him off to this entire community and made yourself look like an ass. Congratulations. Now here's a better option you could have went with, especially since you're so worried about profit margins: Told him more about the character. Offered him merchandise, comics, draw him in and try to sell him products. Even if he didn't buy it right there and then you could have told him where your products could be found elsewhere --like online. How hard would that have been, you would've had a new fan/consumer and the guy would've probably became an even bigger/loyal fan with how much effort he felt you put into the conversation--even if it's a short one. And this brings us to our next topic: Cosplayers don't buy anything. Or at least someone stated at their booths cosplayers are usually the ones to just look but never buy. I'm going to let you in on a little secret: they buy things later, when not in cosplay. GASP! Yes, they actually dress like normal people at some point during the convention, shocking! Don't believe me? I'll explain why and how this works as simply as possible: Cosplays are heavy. There's usually not a lot of room to put something as small as a cellphone and wallet, let alone figurines, books or swords. Why not carry a bag? Because unless you've customize it--and sometimes even then--it can take away from the cosplay, and you don't always (or even anytime) put down your bag in a crowded hall every time someone wants a picture --which can happen a lot, like every other second, or you're standing there for a few minutes at a time. People work hard on their cosplays, like it to be as accurate as possible, look good and don't want to lug around extra baggage. Also, some cosplayers have giant props taking up both hands, making the cosplay really heavy --they don't need the extra weight. So here's what they do instead. They wear their cosplay happily around all day or a few days and either for a part of everyday or one or two days out of the convention they don't wear it. They put on their everyday clothes and those things they were looking at earlier when you got mad because "cosplayers don't buy anything", they go and buy them. Alright, so what if they don't buy them. They spent all their money making the cosplays. Yeah, okay, that happens. But they also spent all their money in order to go to the convention --they aren't cheap, and only getting more expensive. It doesn't mean they won't buy any of your products ever. In fact, a lot of people (both cosplayers and non-cosplayers) don't buy anything at cons. They'll look around, find what they like and later look it up online. Why? Because some booths like to bump up their prices at conventions, it's much easier to find it at stores back home or online for a better price. Don't over price items just because you're at a convention (like those nearby food places, darn them) and try giving out business cards to those who are just looking so they know where to find you if they can't afford to buy anything right then. At the end of this all, cosplayers aren't what is bringing down your business. It's your inability to adapt and bluntly put, asshole-like attitude that is. Things are changing. Things are always going to change, in every aspect of life, and there's nothing you or anyone can do to stop it. It's just how life works. So adapt to it and learn to use it as an advantage instead of letting it be your downfall. If you didn't look at it all in such a negative and bitter way, placing all the blame on everyone but yourself, maybe you wouldn't have this problem. So try and learn some better marketing skills (and communication skills), work with your fans instead of attacking them, and keep yourself ever-adapting and relevant, and maybe you'll end up doing just fine... And you'll have to hope that what's a big part of the community, can forgive your ever-so-salty comments. ~Positive outcomes only :) Comments like "why'd they donate to this when you can be donating to this? How selfish, messed up, stupid, etc..." I mostly see this on anything charity-related on YouTubers' videos.
Why? Because different people have different priorities. And just because they donate or raise awareness for one thing doesn't mean they don't care and will never donate to other things. Everyone leads different lives and have lived through different experiences and due to those they'll prioritize and want to donate to things they've personally been affected by. Myself, for example. I'll probably donate more and want to raise awareness more for things like animal rescue organizations, animal cruelty, there's a few more "feminists" (maybe you can call it that) or rape-culture focused ones (like cosplay does not equal consent-related projects), wounder warrior projects and different military/soldier focused charities. Does that mean I'll never donate to things like cancer (the typical go to one people use in their arguments -why don't to this when you can be donating to cure cancer?-)? No, I have before and I will later. Obviously it's not the only thing I'll donate to or be willing to participate in. Ice bucket challenge for example. Toys for tots. Homeless charities. Third world countries & children there. Etc, etc. It just means if given the choice, chance, I'll lean more towards those first few charities and organizations over others, just due to personal experiences. Also remember, this is subject to change. As life continues on people will go through more and different experiences that can change their priorities and add to what organizations and charities they feel more connected with and passionate about. People should just be happy that at the end of it all, they're still doing something that'll help out others and putting money towards a good cause. So many people complaining. Commenting about how stupid the ice bucket challenge is. Why not just donate? Stop wasting water. So here's a few thing.
Why not just donate? Because sadly, just making some text post or even one with a photo attached won't get very much attention. It's just how things work. At this point, deal with it, because you trying to change that honestly won't do much. People want and need something that's different to draw their attention. You're taught this in grade school when you're taught how to write an essay. They always tell you to make sure your first paragraph is one that'll grab the readers attention and make them want to read more. Same thing applies here. It's a challenge/video that grabs the viewers attention and will actually make them listen, they'll want to know why, even do it for themselves. Tag videos, challenges, they're huge. Everyone wants to do them. Some hope it'll bring attention to their channels, blogs, social sites, etc. Some want to join in the fun. Some want both. But no matter what the reasoning is, they're just plain popular. Everyone wants to join in the trending challenge. And that's why you make a challenge out of it. It draws so many people in and at the end of it all, they've donated and learned about ASL. Stop complaining about how it's been made a challenge. It's done great things. Within this same time period last year they hardly made 2 million in donations. Because of this viral challenge, they've brought in over 30 million, and more's still coming. It's even grabbed the attention of major celebrities, who all probably donate a lot more than the average person because of the obvious reasons. And lastly, it's not really wasting water. I highly doubt anyone's actually using bottled water. The most it's wasting for anyone is money, just because it'll play a very small, almost unnoticeable part on their water bill. Oh and if they paid for a bag of ice and new bucket. But that's just helping out stores and business, so it's still got a plus side. That water was going to be used one way or another. Most of the time they're outside, so it's watering the grass, something that would've happened either way. It'll get evaporated, turn into a rain cloud and rain back down. It's a reusable resource. Or it's in a tub, going down the drain and back into the water system. Something that'd happen for a bath or shower or washing dishes, etc. To those comparing it to other third world countries. There's a difference. What third world countries are missing is clean water. Like I said, I highly doubt anyone's using bottled water. Most people are probably getting it from a hose or faucet. Tap water may be cleaner than straight from a river or something but it's still dirty and still not recommended for drinking, unless you have a filter on your tap. It was meant to be able to be something that was good for summer. A fun challenge to cool people off, perfect for the summer heat. Just another water activity, like running through sprinklers, water balloon/water guns fights, or swimming in a pool. It's like, well now they have this instead of that or can do it at the same time and it's for a good cause. It's a fun challenge, perfect for summer, and spreading a lot of awareness while raising a lot of money. Stop complaining and trying to turn it into a negative thing just because the world doesn't work the way you wanted to, and just learn to accept it and be happy that it's doing something positive for a lot of people. P.S. If you don't have money to donate don't feel bad about it! You can still play a part if you really want to and do the ice bucket challenge yourself anyways and/or share videos of others doing it. Please bare with me guise! ;^^ It's not as much to read as it looks! ><
I have decided to change my name for all my stuff. Why? Because I didn't want to keep using what was originally a gamer tag with no real reason behind it. I really enjoy cosplay and when I share it with people I'd like for it to be as me, with my actual name. So if I'm going to go by anything might as well be my name, right? Wolfie Rose was just a gamer tag I made up because I liked the name Wolfie but that of course was taken already. So I just threw something to the end of it which was Rose (and mostly because roses where sitting in front of me). But even that gets taken like everywhere ;-; And I really don't like having 0's in my name >< So I'm changing all but a few sites (DA, Storenvy, Cosplay.com~only because I either can't or it costs to change the url) from Wolfie/W0lfie Rose to Arlena Fae. ~No Fae isn't my real last name (it'd be totally cool if it was though!), but I decided I didn't want just Arlena and I'd prefer not to use my real last name as much as possible. So I improvised something, and that something happens to be my favorite word ever! Fae :) Now it has a couple different meaning, like in French it means confidence, trust or belief... but I picked it because it also means fairy or fairy-like or is a word for a fairy-like creature. Basically it deals with mystical and fantasy stuff so it's perfect! Plus fairies are small and I am short (and an old nick-name of mine was Pixie, so hey, close enough). So this means I'm changing my watermarks on all my photo. But I'll leave whatever I have up as is. I'll just be bulk changing stuff, like the albums here, on Facebook and DeviantArt, and of course any future stuff will be changes as well. It may be a bit of work but I'm never going to change my username stuff again, I promise, so it's okay! I'd just much rather use my real name on everything rather than a gamer tag, especially one that's not and has never been a nickname ;-; It's too strange for me (no offense to anyone who does so, it's just not my thing!). So bare with me. Once this is all out of the way and Facebook has finally done the name change (may take a couple days ;-; ) I'll have that give away for my prints up and open up my shop :) I'll be ordering a couple more prints and do another small give away shortly after that as a "Sorry I pulled a stereotype and was an indecisive woman but using my actual name makes me much happier, because the gamer tag just bugged me so much because I have OCD or some shit when it comes to this apparently, but thank you so much for sticking through even though you probably don't give two bumblebees anyways, but here let me throw some prints at your face and it'll make everything all better okay? Okay. I love you!" (Now read that ~what's in the quotes~ as fast as possible and it'd be exactly like I said it in my head --I should've taken out the spaces xD ). I figured it's best to get it done sooner than later though. And before I sell any prints so that if I sign any it'll be with my name and the name I shall forever go by in the cosplaying world! :D Okay, I love you guise! Thanks so much for the 300 likes on my facebook page. That's so much! ;^^ (At least to me it is >< ). And thanks for sticking through all my girly-confusing-ness. ~Positive outcomes only! :) I've seen so much... controversy, I guess, on sexy cosplays.
It's quite silly actually. There are no rules to cosplay. Everyone should be allowed to cosplay who they want and how they want regardless of gender, body, skin color, etc. It is cos-PLAY after all. It's for fun. It's a hobby and passion for many even, so their genetics, appearance and whatever else shouldn't be a reason for them not to cosplay or create costumes of characters the love--whether it be for the character themselves or the costume design of that character. And since there are no rules to cosplays, then sexy cosplays aren't an exception. They allow a lot of people to design their own creative and unique take on a character. It's also no a bad marketing strategy and let's be honest, people know it'll sell or get attention (everyone loves boobs right?). And that's not a bad thing. These people put a lot of time and work into their costume and it takes a lot of confidence to wear it in the first place, if they want attention for their work and/or know it'll be a way to draw in more viewers of for their other work, so be it. They deserve it! You don't have to look at it if you don't want to anyways. And if you do enjoy their work, even if it's not that specific cosplay, you shouldn't complain. If it's what brought you there and made you discover this awesome new cosplayer, then it's a good thing right? If it's not, but it's bringing in new admirers, then yay! The community is growing. You have a lot more people that share a common interest with you, socialize. And then there's other people that do sexy cosplay just because they love sexy cosplays and they're awesome and boobs are great. No shame in that. I feel a lot of people that have a problem with sexy cosplays are angry about it out of jealous. This happens a lot either way though. A lot of people get jealous because "they're prettier", that cosplay got more attention and they may feel theirs was better or more deserving, "they only have so many likes/fans/whatever because of the boobs/butt/whatever." And yeah that happens. Someone does a sexy cosplay and draws in a lot more attention than someone who might have done an incredibly well done accurate cosplay or even someone else who also did a sexy version. Then people get mad and angry due to jealousy and the fact that they feel they may have tried harder on their cosplay or don't understand why they didn't get the same reaction. Sometimes the people don't cosplay, and are just upset and mad because maybe they want to and don't have the confidence to or feel because they don't look like that or whatever there's no point (have more confidence, though!). But life isn't fair. Everyone says that and it's true. This will always happen, in every aspect of your life. And yeah it'll suck. Put a lot of work into something, get these high hopes that it'll do great and so many people will love it, then it doesn't work out quite that way and you get sad, hurt even. Then you see someone else who may not have been accurate to the character or you feel didn't do as well getting so much more attention and you get jealous. But to be fair, you honestly don't know just how much work they did or didn't put into it. You also don't know how hard it might have been for them to put on the cosplay. A lot of people aren't comfortable with their bodies but are trying to be, or just found the confidence and made the decision to be proud and this is one way of tackling it. You can't hate them for it. It sucks, yes it does. But you'll just have to work harder, keep trying, try new things, whatever... just don't quit. Things won't always be fair. A lot of things will be harder for you then it is for other people, and you'll have to try harder and put more time into it than someone else. They have their own struggles though, so it's not like their life is absolutely perfect and they have all the luck, you probably just won't ever get to see or hear about it. You're always going to find someone better, more popular, etc etc. Don't let that stop you and don't hate them for it. Just keep doing your own thing and you'll get there. People have the ability to love, admire, be fans of, whatever as many people as they want, so I'm pretty sure it's not like there won't be room. And of course, then there's the people who are like "they're just doing it for attention, they probably don't even play video games/watch anime/etc". But come on, is there anyone out there who is really going to put all that time and money, sweat and tears into cosplaying someone or something they have no idea what it is or is from? No. Now they may not be an expert, knowing every little detail or even finished the game/series but they'll probably at least know something. They don't have to be a know-it-all on the topic just to cosplay it. In fact, some cosplayers will cosplay a character they have never seen before just because they love the costume design. The closest you're probably going to find to a sexy cosplayer who knows nothing and is just seeking attention is probably some sexy Pikachu (comic relief people, keep that in mind xD). Buuuttt... even then, I'm pretty sure they've all had at least some experience with Pokemon or at least Pikachu since it's usually a part of everyone's childhood. You can't keep judging a book by it's cover. And if they really are doing it purely for the attention and no absolutely nothing of what they're cosplaying, so what. Just let them be. Let people who wanna admire it and be a fan of it do so and you can just choose to ignore it. They probably have other reasons or hope this will lead up to and help them achieve larger goals, so good for them. They're doing something that probably makes them happy and will help make them more successful in some way. They're obviously doing something right too, so it's not like they don't deserve the attention they're getting. I think the only time they wouldn't is if they were lying about being the creator of the cosplay or the cosplayer themselves (fakes on so many different social sites) and other situations along those lines of course. Sexy cosplays aren't a bad thing or something to rage over. I honestly never saw a problem with it. Yes, I've seen some cosplays I've found to be meh by but either I get over it or just ignore it. I don't smite and hate them for it though. I just say/think well it's not my cup of tea but good for them, and go about my way. If you don't like it then ignore it. It probably doesn't directly affect your life and it's not like it's hurting you that they're cosplaying this. You may be "the biggest fan ever" but that doesn't entitle you to being the gate keeper of the fandom. If you don't like sexy cosplay, my advice to you is just to ignore it. (I'm also wondering how do you not like boobs?? Like whaa? xD). But no really. Just ignore it. No need to dwell on subjects and topics that make you angry or unhappy. At that point you're just bringing unneeded negativity into your life and it's no one's fault but your own. And trust me, dwelling on the negatives won't get you anywhere's and will only leave you miserable. So ignore these things that don't affect you and focus on things you do enjoy. Most of the time you see these cosplayers on social sites or at cons. It's very simple to just scroll past it or keep walking. ~Positive outcomes only! :) |
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