Programming with Cosplay Workshop

1. Programming with Cosplay
Ellyssa Kroski
http://ellyssakroski.com
http://giallogirl.com

2. Agenda
• What is Cosplay?
• Discussion: How Many of You Cosplay?
• Cosplay Tools of the Trade
• Where Does Cosplay Happen?
• Libraries Embracing Cosplay
• Discussion: Tell Us About Your Own
Library Cosplay Events!
• Cosplay Programming for Libraries
• Host a Comic (or Anime!) Con in Your Library
• Host a Cosplay Contest
• Host a 3D Props Making Event
• Host an Armor-Making Event
• Form a Cosplay Club
• Budget Cosplay: Create Papier-Mache Minions
• Host a Themed Cosplay Lock-in

3. cosplay, n.
Etymology: < cos- (in COSTUME n.) + PLAY n. >
-Oxford English Dictionary

4. Discussion: How Many of You Cosplay?
Please tell us what you cosplay in the Chat!

5. Cosplay Tools of the Trade, or…

6. Fabrics and Trim

7. Repurposed Clothes

8. Commissions

9. Thermoplastics – Worbla and Wonderflex

10. EVA Foam

11. Craft Foam

12. Paper - Pepakura

13. Paper - Cardboard

14. Paper – Papier Mache

15. 3D Printed Cosplay

16. Wigs

17. Makeup

18. And now a word about safety…

19. Where does Cosplay Happen?

20. Types of Cosplay Events
• Comic Cons
• Anime Cons
• Convention Directories
• Upcoming Cons
• Convention Scene
• Local Events
• Cosplay days
• Cosplay photo shoots
• Cosplay parties

21. Connecting with the Cosplay Community
• General Facebook Groups
• Cosplay - 21,776 members
• Local Facebook & Meetup Groups
• NY SciFi & Fantasy Meetup - 2,393 members
• Event-specific Facebook Groups
• Dragon*Con Cosplayers - 2,155 members
• Format-specific Facebook Groups
• The Replica Prop Forum - 17,109 members
• Genre-specific Facebook Groups
• Star Trek Cosplay - 1,014 members
• Charity cosplay groups

22. Libraries Embracing Cosplay

23. Mid-Pinellas Comic and Maker Con
• St. Petersburg College and the
Seminole Community Library
• https://www.facebook.com/PC
MCon
• Date: August 9, 2014
• Cost of the Event: $500
• How Many Attendees: 3,500
• Estimated Number of
Cosplayers: 300

24. ELANCO After Hours Teen Fandom Event
• Library: ELANCO Library
• https://www.facebook.com/pag
es/ELANCO-Library-
Teens/415155415829
• Date: Ongoing, every other
month
• Cost of the Event: $60
• How Many Attendees: 40
• Estimated Number of
Cosplayers: 40

25. ToshoCon
• Library: Salt Lake County Library
• https://www.facebook.com/Tosh
ocon
• Date: 2014
• Cost of the Event: $2,500
• How Many Attendees: 1,500
• Estimated Number of
Cosplayers: 60+

26. Chesterfield County Library Comic Con
• Library: Chesterfield Public
Library
• http://library.chesterfield.gov/ev
ents/comic-con
• Date: March
• Cost of the Event: $500
• How Many Attendees: 2,150
• Estimated Number of
Cosplayers: 1,000+

27. Salt Lake County Library Harry Potter Yule Ball
• Library: Salt Lake County Library
• http://tinyurl.com/q8h75gv
• Date: 2013, 2014, 2015
• Cost of the Event: $1,500
• How Many Attendees: 1,500
• Estimated Number of
Cosplayers: 1,500

28. Discussion: Tell Us About Your Own Library Cosplay Events!

29. Intermission
Check out these cosplaying librarians and ask questions!

30. Cosplay Programming for Libraries

31. Host a Comic (or Anime!) Con in Your
Library
A one or multiple day event filled with pop culture programming, guests,
exhibitors, and fun!

32. Host a Comic (or Anime!) Con in Your Library
• Elements of a Comic Con Event
• Exhibitors
• Special Guests
• Food Vendors
• Featured Cosplayers
• Panels and Activities
• Panels
• Classes and Workshops
• Gaming
• Screenings
• Kids Crafts
• Cosplay Contests

33. Host a Comic (or Anime!) Con in Your Library
• Elements of a Comic Con Event
• Cosplay and Photography
• Photo Booths and Backdrops
• Cosplay Photo Shoots
• Planning a Library Comic Con
• Costs and Funding
• Security and Fire Planning
• Space Planning
• Weapons Policy (yes, you’ll need one!)
• Signage
• Staff and Volunteers
• Communication
• Promotion

34. Host a Cosplay Contest
Highlight the hard work and creativity that cosplayers put into creating their costumes.

35. Host a Cosplay Contest
• Elements of a Cosplay Contest
• Event Promotion
• Categories
• Skits
• Individuals and Groups
• Costume Specifications
• Prejudging
• Rules
• Judges
• Prizes

36. Host a Cosplay Contest
• Elements of a Cosplay Contest
• Registration and Permissions
• Backstage
• Stage setup
• The Event
• Alternatives

37. Host a 3D Props Making Event
3D Props-making events are sure to inspire cosplayers and makers alike!

38. Host a 3D Props Making Event
• Planning
• Inspiration and Patterns
• Tinkercad & 3D Modeling Software
• Encouraging 3D Culture in the Library

39. Host an Armor-Making Event
This is a sure way to attract cosplayers and curious non-costumers alike!

40. Host an Armor-Making Event
• Materials Needed
• Plastic wrap
• Masking tape
• Permanent marker
• Scissors
• Worbla
• Craft foam sheets
• Hot air gun
• Gloves to protect from heat
• Spray primer
• 80 or 150 grit sandpaper
• Black spray paint
• Gold, silver, copper metallic spray paints
• Acrylic paints, various colors
• Paint brushes, various sizes

41. Host an Armor-Making Event
• Ordering Worbla
• Preparation
• Creating Armor Gauntlets
• Creating the Pattern
• Working with Worbla
• Creating Details
• Priming and Sanding
• Painting

42. Form a Cosplay Club
Clubs help build community, bring in new patrons, and promote your collections.

43. Form a Cosplay Club
• Audience
• Communication and Promotion
• Logistics
• Staffing
• Food
• Icebreakers
• Activities
• Plugging the Library
• Waivers and Permissions
• Club Officers
• Fund-Raising

44. Budget Cosplay: Create Papier-
Mache Minions

45. Budget Cosplay: Create Papier-Mache
Minions
• Materials Needed
• A stack of newspapers
• Flour
• Water
• Paintbrushes
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Glue sticks—$4
• Optional: an old sheet and white glue
• Premo! Sculpey polymer clay—$3
• Masking tape—$1
• Latex or acrylic paints in various colors—$5–$15
• Total cost: $13–$23

46. Budget Cosplay: Create Papier-Mache
Minions
• Creating your minions
• Papier-Mache
• Making monster teeth
• Assembling the monster
• Cloth Mache
• Painting

47. Host a Themed Cosplay Lock-in
After-hours library lock-in events are a big draw for teens!

48. Host a Themed Cosplay Lock-in
• Permission Slips
• Theme Ideas
• Snacks
• Activities
• Sample Schedule of Events
• Avengers Assemble! A Marvel Comics Library Lock-In
• 6:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Teens arrive in Marvel Comics costumes
• 7:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Icebreaker Name That Superhero trivia game and snacks
• 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Teens build Infinity Gauntlets with craft foam
• 8:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Cosplay parade

49. Ellyssa Kroski
ellyssakroski@yahoo.com
Cosplay, Comics and Geek Culture in Libraries: http://ccgclibraries.com