1. BASICS OF COSPLAY Presentation by

2. KNOW WHY. GOOD REASONS • Expression of Fandom / Fan Art / Art Form • FOR FUNNNNN! • Meeting new & awesome people! • Crafting Challenges and Levelling! • Form of Income. • Gaining Confidence. • Collaborating with others.

3. KNOW WHY. BAD REASONS • Instructions / Suggestions from others - Unless Sponsored! • Consider the investment and how worth it it is! “A creative man is motivated by a desire to achieve, not by a desire to beat others”. • Personal Competitive Issues. • To ‘take ownership’ of a character or concept (no such thing as shotgunning a cosplayexpression – impossible due to our uniqueness!)

4. HOW TO CHOOSE • Choose something you love (sponsorship or friends/groups may affect this). • Remember you have freedom of interpretation! • There are no rules (unless competing)! • Gender doesn’t have to matter (gender bending or crossplaying).

5. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH! • Don’t be one of those people who come across as expecting to be spoon fed! • Google for the win! Try that first! • Besides that, our community IS a friendly and helpful one so if you are really stuck don’t hesitate to ask for help!

6. ESSENTIAL PARTS OUTFIT • When creating it yourself remember your great freedom to adapt it to suit your body, budget or capability (be it an existing or self created character/design). • Does not matter whether you create it yourself or not. Can get help from other crafters, sometimes paid for. • Buying a whole or most of a costume is perfectly fine & does not make you any less of a cosplayer or raging fan than the rest of us. • Keep practicality in mind (weather, comfort, etc. – know what you are getting yourself into)

7. ESSENTIAL PARTS WIGS • Reliable suppliers are available to us here in SA. • Local – pro’s and cons. • Online/Importing – pro’s & cons. • Important Extras: Hairspray, Bobby pins, hair net. • How to wear/put on – see demonstration. • How to care for – see demonstration. Washable & heat treatable.

8. ESSENTIAL PARTS LENSES • Reliable local and overseas suppliers available to us. • Block lenses > • Diameter options. • Prescription is available. • No rules (remember) state lenses are a requirement (but it is next level). • Keep expiration in mind!

9. ESSENTIAL PARTS MAKE-UP • For next level visual effect any cosplayer should value make-up, even guys! • By taking advantage of make-up you can make yourself look more like a character.

10. PHOTOS • Practise in-character poses and expressions in the mirror for photo opportunities that may arise. • Photos are a great way to capture your cosplay artwork in time. • Really think about your posture. Practise.

11. MORE SERVICE • You can make your investment more worth it by re-using your cosplay. • Building up an repertoire of cosplay options for the future will prove very useful, in terms of having options to choose from and saving oneself crafting work for events/instances.