Guide To Being A Txantsan Cosplayer

[Fiyerwall]

The tips listed below are from a our fellow cosplayer, MOMS Ball Avatar. He sent these to me in an email and I'm now posting them so that anyone who strives to be an awesome cosplayer can become one. Enjoy and irayo, ma MOMS!!

1. Exercise and diet until you don't think you can any more.
It's the hardest thing of the whole gig. But it will see how mentally tough you are. All of the battles in your life are won and lost in your head. I start 3 to 6 months out. The holidays just left and I gained about 10 pounds. Mardi Gras is less than a month a away. I cranked down hard and have lost 3 pounds already.

2. Think 3 to 6 months ahead what you will need.
It takes that long to find, buy, order, plan for the whole thing. I like doing this. It's fun.

3. It will take longer to put everything on than you think.
I will start 6 hours ahead and will still not get it exactly the way I want it. Start 8 hours ahead

4. You will find out who your real friends are when you need your butt painted. People say they will help you, but when they need to get up at midnight to 3 in the morning to start and spend 6 hours on you that's when you know that you can count on them.

5. Be VERY NICE to the people who help you.
You can't do this without them, really. You can do the diet, exercise, planning. buying, but you will need help along the way and especially at the end. Tell and show them how much you appreciate their help.

6. Don't eat much two days out, but eat just enough the night before.
You don't want to look or feel bloated when you dress. Also going to the bathroom is a bitch. Eat enough (light) food the night before. You will need the energy. Also make sure you get enough sleep, you will be up a longgggg time and you will need it!

7. Have a human "purse"
You can't carry anything on you. No camera, keys, phone, ect. and there's only one place to keep money. Also have your "purse" take pictures.

8. ENJOY!!

It is such a big rush to do this. YOU are the performer, YOU are the center of attention, everyone will want to talk and take pictures with you.

Be polite and patient. It sounds like you already would know this but when you getting dragged from person to person to take pictures, and they all want to talk to you it can wear you down.


PUT YOUR CONTACTS IN FIRST!!!!! Your hands will have stuff all over them enough said.

Many people from all walks of life, countries, ages, backgrounds, what have you will want a piece of you. You've been up since midnight standing naked for 6 to 8 hours painting, adhesive, putting on prosethics,wig, ears, teeth, ect. You may be tired. That will turn into pure adrenaline when you go outside.

Look people in the eye, smile, tell them not to touch the paint (politely), (they want to touch you to connect, perfectly normal but after about 30-60 people your paint comes off to nothing). These people want to take pictures with you because you are so unusual and many deeply like (love) Avatar. I've held babies from people that couldn't speak English, and had cops salute me, people stop in cars riding by and get out and want to take pictures. People yelling at you from cars, bars, on the street, buildings.... I've got asked out, offered jobs (at MOMS) people offer to buy me meals, and more. Crazy isn't it? Some how Avatar and your craziness to do this, brings out the best in people and they want to take pictures with you, talk to you about their life. I had a few show me pictures as they were dressed as Avatar.

At the end of the day you are tired, thirsty, hungry, and more. But the adrenaline is still running... After the 60th plus picture. James of Terra was my "purse" and he said their was over 500 pictures taken of me. I think that's a little high, but he counted all the people who just snapped a picture from where ever, not just the ones I stood with. I took at least 70-100 with people.

REMEMBER that you are an ambassador to TOS etc. and AVATAR!! You represent not just you, or TOS but an idea, teaching, belief, AND MESSAGE OF AVATAR. People will remember you and their experience. Before I even went into the building where MOMS Ball Halloween party was I heard 3 times, "There's that guy that dresses as an Avatar, how cool."

Leave people with a good impression of you and Avatar. You want that don't you? Of course you do. So when it's late in the day and you are tired, hungry, thirsty, need to go to the bathroom and somebody stops you for another picture be gracious. Smile, look them in the eye, listen to them and tell them thank you. They are helping spread the Avatar philosophy.

It's VERY VERY addicting!! :O You will want to do this again, and again, and again. All of that dieting, going to the gym, planning, etc will be worth it, and then some. I usually do this twice a year. This year I will do it 4 times. You will show up in someones photo album, Facebook, the paper, and probably YouTube.