![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
LSCC stands for the London Super Comic Con which we attended.
For those of you new to the term Cosplay, it means the act of dressing up and acting like the character that you dressed up as.
According to Wikipedia Cosplay is short for "costume play", is a performance art in which participants wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Cosplayers often interact to create a subculture centered on role play. A broader use of the term cosplay applies to any costumed role play in venues apart from the stage, regardless of the cultural context.
It comes out of the anime convention circuit but has invaded just about every fandom convention you can name.
There has been a problem that some people think if you are dressed up as a character and acting like the character, they can take liberties since you are dressed “that way.” This has led to some rather unfortunate events at conventions and a lot of debate on the Internet.
Out of this has come the simple phrase “Costuming is not Consent.” You can find a good article on this subject at Geeks are Sexy which is a good website about a lot of issues in fandom.
Conventions are also being more proactive about harassment in its many forms not just in terms of cosplay and inappropriate behavior.
One of the first things I noticed as I walked into the venue was a very large sign with the harassment policy of the convention, which covered a variety of issues. It was stated that by purchasing a badge or wristband, you agreed to adhere to these rules and if you violated them, you would be removed from the convention and not allowed to return to this or any convention run by this organization.
This sign was in several prominent places all around the convention floor.
Another problem some cosplayers have is getting into costume. It is fine if you have a hotel room that is connected to the venue but try riding the tube in your Judge Dredd gear and see how far you get. The convention had a changing room for cosplayers that was off the main floor and had screens for the privacy for those who were changing. They encouraged the cosplayers to use the room during the convention but also seriously encouraged them to keep it neat. It’s a two way street here and more than one person has to use the room so I thought it was reasonable. They also provided water and a place to sit for the cosplayers.
In turn, the cosplayers were out having their photos taken with the convention attendees. There were a couple of groups that had photo set up with backgrounds and the like that anyone could use.
I noticed a lot of really high-end camera equipment being used at the convention. I have not seen so many bounce screens since my last puppet catalogue shoot. There were some serious photographers in the room and a lot of them outside the room. Walking the convention center both inside and out, I noticed all kinds of photo shoots going on with lots of groups of cosplayers. Everyone seemed to be having fun and I didn’t hear of any incidents during the convention however in observing I found a few of the angles a little suspect and I don’t know if the cosplayer was aware of the upskirting that seem to be going on. I don’t know for a fact that this happened, it is just my observation. Everyone seemed to be having fun.
I have to say that the London Super Comic Convention did right by cosplayers.
I did see some amazing costumes. I don’t have many (OK hardly any) photos of these costumes but they were great. I like that the kids were dressed up too in both manufactured and some kicking homemade costumes. Lots of little Doctors running around including one curly haired tot in a Capaldi get up. Marvel and DC was running about even. A lot of 2000 AD judges and the like running around including two Judge Deaths. Not many Battlestar or Star Trek costumes although the Ghostbusters had a table. Everyone was very friendly and I learned about some new materials and techniques from them.
I am grateful for conventions that pay attention.
For those of you new to the term Cosplay, it means the act of dressing up and acting like the character that you dressed up as.
According to Wikipedia Cosplay is short for "costume play", is a performance art in which participants wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Cosplayers often interact to create a subculture centered on role play. A broader use of the term cosplay applies to any costumed role play in venues apart from the stage, regardless of the cultural context.
It comes out of the anime convention circuit but has invaded just about every fandom convention you can name.
There has been a problem that some people think if you are dressed up as a character and acting like the character, they can take liberties since you are dressed “that way.” This has led to some rather unfortunate events at conventions and a lot of debate on the Internet.
Out of this has come the simple phrase “Costuming is not Consent.” You can find a good article on this subject at Geeks are Sexy which is a good website about a lot of issues in fandom.
Conventions are also being more proactive about harassment in its many forms not just in terms of cosplay and inappropriate behavior.
One of the first things I noticed as I walked into the venue was a very large sign with the harassment policy of the convention, which covered a variety of issues. It was stated that by purchasing a badge or wristband, you agreed to adhere to these rules and if you violated them, you would be removed from the convention and not allowed to return to this or any convention run by this organization.
This sign was in several prominent places all around the convention floor.
Another problem some cosplayers have is getting into costume. It is fine if you have a hotel room that is connected to the venue but try riding the tube in your Judge Dredd gear and see how far you get. The convention had a changing room for cosplayers that was off the main floor and had screens for the privacy for those who were changing. They encouraged the cosplayers to use the room during the convention but also seriously encouraged them to keep it neat. It’s a two way street here and more than one person has to use the room so I thought it was reasonable. They also provided water and a place to sit for the cosplayers.
In turn, the cosplayers were out having their photos taken with the convention attendees. There were a couple of groups that had photo set up with backgrounds and the like that anyone could use.
I noticed a lot of really high-end camera equipment being used at the convention. I have not seen so many bounce screens since my last puppet catalogue shoot. There were some serious photographers in the room and a lot of them outside the room. Walking the convention center both inside and out, I noticed all kinds of photo shoots going on with lots of groups of cosplayers. Everyone seemed to be having fun and I didn’t hear of any incidents during the convention however in observing I found a few of the angles a little suspect and I don’t know if the cosplayer was aware of the upskirting that seem to be going on. I don’t know for a fact that this happened, it is just my observation. Everyone seemed to be having fun.
I have to say that the London Super Comic Convention did right by cosplayers.
I did see some amazing costumes. I don’t have many (OK hardly any) photos of these costumes but they were great. I like that the kids were dressed up too in both manufactured and some kicking homemade costumes. Lots of little Doctors running around including one curly haired tot in a Capaldi get up. Marvel and DC was running about even. A lot of 2000 AD judges and the like running around including two Judge Deaths. Not many Battlestar or Star Trek costumes although the Ghostbusters had a table. Everyone was very friendly and I learned about some new materials and techniques from them.
I am grateful for conventions that pay attention.
