This document provides guidelines for respectful and considerate behavior when cosplaying at conventions. It outlines dos and don'ts for before, during, and after conventions regarding asking for help, interacting with other cosplayers, taking photos, and using social media. The key messages are to appreciate all cosplayers, obtain consent before interactions and photos, be respectful of people's space and time, and avoid harassment, judgment, or making people feel unwelcome due to their cosplay choices or personal attributes. Cosplaying should bring people together through their shared interests rather than divide them.
2. It is as simple as ABC
• A is for Appreciation
• B is for Being Nice
• Cis for Chant my name when I come on the stage• Cis for Consent
Cosplay is for fun.
It is not categorized by race, caste, creed,
religion, politics or any kind of system that
discriminates against anyone.
3. Before the Convention
• Asking for Help:
• Send a facebook message or an email, being very specific as to what kind of
help you need.
• If they agree to help you out, they deserve a treat.
• If they do not agree, they don’t deserve your hate. They just have a lot of
work to do and/or have other commitments.
• Give them enough time.
• Do not triple text.
• General Talk:
• Do not triple text.
4. At the Convention
• Do not do this without prior permission:
• Touching a cosplayer’s props
• Touching a cosplayer’s wig
• Touching a cosplayer’s costume
• Touching a cosplayer
• Taking a picture of the cosplayer, unless they are posing for the cameras
• Wait:
• If the cosplayer is in conversation with someone, in person or on phone
• If the cosplayer is taking a picture with someone (No photobombing, unless
you are close to the photobombee)
• If the cosplayer is eating
• If the cosplayer is fixing their costume, props or wigs
• If the cosplayer is relaxing
5. At the Convention
• Talking Dos:
• Ask which character is the cosplay about
• Ask about the version of the character (Comic Book, Movie, Animated Series)
• Ask about the costume, props and wigs (They’ll answer only if they are not
swamped)
• Talking Don’ts:
• Ask why the cosplay is not true to character
• Ask why the cosplayer chose that character (Unless you are interviewing them
and the question is being asked for information)
• Talk about how much you love the other version and how their version sucks
• Talk about how other cosplayers are not good enough
6. • Do not run around chasing each other saying “We’re just being in
character”
• Ask friends to make space for your skits but don’t take too long
• Make way for other cosplayers
• Be nice to volunteers and convention staff
• If your costume/prop gets damaged by someone, politely ask for
compensation from that someone if it cost you big bucks. If it can be fixed
immediately, move on.
• If you are the someone who damaged it, offer compensation.
• Don’t place your stuff on an artist’s/kiosk’s space. Ask permission.
• Adhere to all rules of the Comic Convention
At the Convention
7. At the Convention
Common Hyderabadi terms to NOT use:
• “Yeh kya toh bhi ban ke aaya re”
• “Kaiku re aisa kapda pehni ino”
• “I can’t believe people are dressed up as minions.”
• “That is so lame”
• “He/She is obviously doing this for attention”
• “He/She is obviously gay because he/she is doing crossplay”
• “Do you even read the book/watch the series?”
• “This place is full of “Jokers”. They are so unoriginal”
9. After Convention
• After Parties: You have the right to say No.
• Don’t implore/beg the other cosplayers/attendees to come to
after parties.
• Don’t stalk the cosplayers
• Ask for the convenient time to speak to them.
• Ask for a business card or a facebook page
• Don’t triple text.
12. Social Media
• Do’s
• Show your love on their web page but don’t overdo it.
• Post photos but ask for their consent firsthand (Probably at the convention).
• Provide constructive criticism without being condescending.
• Share pictures but give credit
• Don’ts:
• Ask inappropriate questions
• Shame a person for their cosplay choices
• Call someone a bad cosplay. Stop using those terms
• Call out someone for the difference in the skin color or ethnicity.
• Harass cosplayers through private messages (be it sexual or distasteful)
13.
14. • Cosplaying is about the love of getting in the shoes of a character YOU like.
• Don't worry about how good other people are at their cosplays. Rather get inspired
by them. Don't be jealous.
• Don't worry about how many other people are going to do the same cosplay as
yours. You are all individuals. Individuals who love the same thing. This should unite
you. Not divide you.
• Everybody has different priorities in life. Everybody has different talent, different
skills, different ways of putting in effort into their cosplays. As cosplayers it should be
our goal to ensure that everyone loves each other's cosplay and encourages more
people to cosplay.
Philosophy
Silent Amora
