Continued from Of Perks and Pains at Local Cosplay Events.
This is the second on what is turning out to be a series of posts on the local cosplay scene. In the previous entry, we discussed the disturbing rise of the cosplay entitlement complex — with observations on cosplayers who see it fit to demand perks and privileges from organizers in exchange for their participation at their events. In this new post, we will discuss another alarming trend seen throughout the local cosplay scene: the cosplayer mascot.
Aside from conventions, private shoots, and club meet-ups, another venue where cosplayers gather in large numbers is the sponsored promo event. At these functions, cosplayers are invited by corporate events organizers to provide a degree of color and spectacle to an otherwise quiet event, in exchange for small perks like paid transport, swag bags, and meal allowances.
Cosplayers are usually asked to sign up on a volunteer basis by the organizers through major blogs and message boards. Most of the time, these events are adequately organized and do not mistreat their cosplay volunteers, however there are also cases wherein the sponsors clearly do not know what they are doing, and as a result subject their cosplayers to undue strain.
Several cosplayers have relayed anecdotes about events sponsor not being able to give their volunteers the perks they were promised, of cosplayers being asked to do tasks that were clearly not what they signed up for — such as dance, sing, or make fools of themselves for guests, as well as cosplayers lured to participate in contests for cash prizes that ultimately did not materialize.
Some local PR and marketing firms are under the mistaken impression that cosplayers are nothing more than unpaid mascots, who can be called upon to hawk their products in exchange for the chance to tromp around a major shopping mall in their cobbled-together costumes. And although I abhor and condemn this line of thinking, I also feel that they cannot be blamed for their wrong perceptions.
Many cosplayers — new and old alike, are so enamored with the thought of displaying their costumes to the public, or of taking part in a cosplay event in exchange for goodie bags and gift certificates, that they no longer bother finding more about the event they are about to attend. For them not to repeatedly fall into the trap of the cosplay bait-and-switch, cosplayers must learn to scrutinize event details for signs of shenanigans.
All cosplayers should learn to do a little research by visiting the event’s website or by messaging the organizers before signing up. If there is very little information both on and offline to go by, chances are the event is not trustworthy enough to bother attending. When in doubt, you can always ask fellow cosplayers if they are willing to vouch for an event before adding your name to the volunteers list. Last but not least, be aware of who the organizers are, as this is a very good indicator if the event is solid or just some unsavory gimmick.
Like I said in the previous post, cosplayers must learn to be accountable for their own actions. If they think that an event is not entirely what it seems, they should trust their instincts and just give it a skip. If they decide to push through with the event, they should learn to take responsibility for their misfortunes in the oft chance that things have gone wrong. Complaining after the fact never helped anyone, but preparing yourself before anything ever happens can save your skin.
As for the marketing and PR people, if you are considering inviting cosplayers to your event, please go over your plan make sure it sounds like a good idea. Do your research — don’t just run with the idea because you think it will bring the crowds in! If your company or product has absolutely nothing to do with Japanese pop culture (or other pop culture icons for that matter), you’d be better off hiring booth babes. You’ll get the same results, and not have to deal with bad press from disgruntled cosplayers if you get anything wrong.
Continued in Philippine Cosplay and The WCS
JPOP Manila 
Been ask one too many times to “recruit” my cosplayer friends to various “guestings”, “events” and such. Guess what? I never end up giving them any of my contacts, why? Because when I asked for the details, they are either very dodgy or just a waste of time. Why would I want my friends to get up very early in the morning and wait for a few hours just to get a few seconds of TV time as background objects and the only compensation that they could provide is breakfast and a ride to the studio from an appointed place somewhere in the metro?!
However, there were few rare occasions where I asked my friends to model for some companies because the pay is really good and i know they’ll be treated well and I also make it to a point that either me or another friend will accompany them just to make sure that the company is keeping their end of the bargain.
I would like to elaborate further but… this post is getting too long
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I would like to elaborate further but… this post is getting too long
no, please go on — this is fascinating stuff 🙂
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Ok. I’ll site a few examples then.
This in particular is what I hate the most. Cosplayers are often lured into going to TV shows as “guests” because of the “free TV air time”, who wouldn’t want to be on TV, right? Being seen on TV somehow provides an “ego boost” to the cosplayers and gives them the “K” to say “Hey, I was “featured” in this “blah” show!” and same goes for their parents. I remember my parents who were against cosplay but when they saw my pic on a broadsheet and an ad on TV they were so ecstatic that they sent copies to my relatives in the province. Anyway, going back, sure you have TV time, but come on, why would I want to wake up at 3 AM just to go to a morning show and only to end up as BG people, I’ll be lucky if I get a solo shot for a few seconds and a miracle if get interviewed. It’s just not worth it, viewers won’t get to appreciate your costume anyway because your spot is just way too short, and all i’m getting is free breakfast and a ride to the nearest mall!
So please for those who get invites to these types of events, or anything that will involve you and your costume. ask first what time will you be needed, and what you’ll get in return. And please do not forget to ….
GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING!
This is probably one of the most important yet most forgotten measure that a cosplayer needs to take. Have everything in writing, it could be as informal as keeping an the email trail or the SMS exchange to a formal contract with signatures of both parties. THIS WILL SAVE YOUR ASS! It should contain everything that both of you agreed upon such as the schedule, scope of work and compensation. So the moment something goes on that is not in writing you you can refuse and they don’t have a say about it. But remember this goes both ways, if you didn’t fulfill the end of the bargain , they also have the right to do something about it.
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i have a small bone to pick with tv shows myself. i was contacted via phone by one of the local networks to do a show, and the staff member tried to squeeze contact information to other people off me. they also had the gall to give me a list of tasks i had to accomplish before they’d have me on the show (all gratis, of course)!
when i refused to play along, they blew me off and said that they will contact me again to confirm the guesting, so i kinda got the feeling they were just using me for who and what i knew. they haven’t phoned since, and even if they do i don’t think i’ll be bothered to say yes to their invitation >.>
but that’s just me of course. at least i didn’t have to lug around costumes and props to do a broadcast — all i had to do was show up, so i really feel bad for these cosplayers being used as human background material for local morning and variety shows 😦
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