Creepers To Avoid At Comic-Con (And Elsewhere)
San Diego Comic Con is the biggest convention in the US, and I always look forward to seeing what amazing cosplays and cosplayers will be showcased there, either in photos or in video form. And most of those videos I see online tend to fall into two categories; either the cosplays are showcased to show their artistic merits in a serious or humorous way or… sigh… being made fun of. And the latter come sometimes across harsh and cringe-worthy.
At other conventions, it is becoming a major problem. At the New York Comic Con 2012, a Black Cat cosplayer was degraded by a video reporter. At PAX East 2013, Meagan Marie dealt with a video reporter who was asking Tomb Raider cosplayers extremely inappropriate questions. Cosplayers in the last few months have been working hard to promote the idea that because someone wears a costume, skimpy or otherwise, does not mean they make themselves targets of verbal or physical harassment. If this is the case, then maybe we should take a closer look at certain media groups that are portraying cosplayers in a very negative way. Here is my list of groups to keep away from.
Kassem G
They call Kassem G a comedian…
Kassem G: So traditionally Wonder Woman right?
WW Cosplayer: Right.
Kassem G: Busty up top, not as busty below. You flipped it. Talked to me about that.
WW Cosplayer: (Shrugs) I’m a superhero, I can do whatever I want.
Kassem G: That’s true. It is all about what’s up here [points to his head].
WW Cosplayer: Exactly.
Kassem G: Cool. I’m going to find some chicks with some bigger tits.
WW Cosplayer: Okay
Kaseem G: Alright, thank you so much.
Ummm… ha… ha…? The sad thing is, Kassem G does have talent and can do good, funny interviews. And if you enjoy his type of humor then that’s fine, but if you do get interviewed by him, know that 90% his questions will not be about your craftsmanship.
Mediocre Films
If titles like Trolling the Girls of WonderCon 2013, Boobies & YouTubies at Comic-Con 2011, and Comic-Con Douchebaggery does not give you a cause to be wary of Greg Benson and his style of comedy, then I guess nothing will. On his youtube channel he does all sorts of video pranks and when it comes to the cosplayers, he seems to have a particular focus…
Machinima’s Batman
Machinima has all sorts of programming, but one of their worst is a few videos of a Batman costumer going around the convention and rating other attendees’ cosplays. What could have been a funny video ends up instead coming across as rude and at times creepy.
If you are trying to be funny and the person you are making fun of is not laughing at or with you, it is not comedy, it is bullying, not comedy.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, never blindly trust that a video crew or photographer, (who may or may not look professional and who may or may not be a cosplayer or costumer,) has your best interests at heart. Find out first what kind of content they produce. Fortunately, most of us have smartphones where we can view anyone’s work online. Don’t be afraid to tell a video crew or photographer no, even if it’s us.
Again, I don’t want to seem that I am condemning anyone that chooses to work with this type of group. Everyone, I repeat, everyone has a right to exploit themselves anyway they want. My point is that many of us make costumes and props for the purpose of having fun. Last thing we need is to have some idiots demean us on camera and take our joy away.
Remember if anyone creeps you out or harasses you, find a security guard immediately.
What do you think? Do you know of any other video groups that go too far? Let me hear your thoughts in the comment section below!
Good watching out. I wasn't aware of the 2nd or 3rd guys, but I definitely can't stand that first fucker. Not sure if I could keep my cool around him, as I really want to kick his ass.
Great post. I agree that people can act however they choose but they don't have to disrespect other people in the process. I really enjoy filming Cosplayers at various events. I've always treated Cosplayers with respect and choose to create videos that shine a positive light on this art form. My friends and I create content for Beat Down Boogie and sister channel Distractotron. We love showing the beauty and diversity of the costumes and people at the cons we attend. We've meet so many incredible people over the past few years creating event videos. Sure, people can create Boobies & YouTubies at Comic-Con videos and probably get some views on their channel but is that really what people want to be known for? It's definitely not the type of content I'm interested in creating and it's certainly not what I want my daughter to associate with me. There's nothing wrong with showing a person in a revealing costume in a video but you can choose to do so in a respectful way. Cosplayers have a pretty tight community and being an ass to people will catch up to you sooner or later. Kind of like it did in this post. Great idea about checking out people's content online before agreeing to photographs or video. Fully support that idea.
Who was the guy/crew that harassed Mandy Caruso last year? they seem like they'd be good folks to avoid.
We should make a list of people to strike up a conversation with if you see them. I would totally want to be on that list.
We should make a list of people to strike up a conversation with if you see them. I would totally want to be on that list.
Sneaky Zebra, comic shop TV, go-girl-con group. People to enjoy and interact with.
Sneaky Zebra, comic shop TV, go-girl-con group. People to enjoy and interact with.
Aaaand the point is missed. Good job.
Kassem G might be tolerable if he only made 'jokes' like that once in a while, but it's pretty much a consistent schtick with him. Makes me wonder how nobody's broken his nose yet.
Anthony Jacoway and Tiffany Lewis from @Productions here. It is a little frustrating to see people abuse video and give we craft a bad reputation. It's also insulting to not treat cosplayers with decency and respect no matter how revealing his/her cosplay may be, considering the cosplayer is the focus of our fan videos. So why abuse that relationship with being disrespectful.
you seemed to have missed the entire point of the post here Chris, the first guy wasn't slamming her for sexualizing her costume She was dressed as wonder woman and he was criticizing her because her thighs were a little thicker and her breasts were a little smaller than he thought they should be. She wasn't sexualizing it he was and there's no room for that from anyone at places like this. especially scuzz like that and yes he was Scuzz if he is going to treat a woman who did nothing wrong aside from not fit into "His" idea of what she should look like to wear her costume.
you seemed to have missed the entire point of the post here Chris, the first guy wasn't slamming her for sexualizing her costume She was dressed as wonder woman and he was criticizing her because her thighs were a little thicker and her breasts were a little smaller than he thought they should be. She wasn't sexualizing it he was and there's no room for that from anyone at places like this. especially scuzz like that and yes he was Scuzz if he is going to treat a woman who did nothing wrong aside from not fit into "His" idea of what she should look like to wear her costume.
Actually that's the problem here… MAle programers and whatnot have the characters in skimpy outfits and a lot of girls know shit about comic/games/anime/etc. (shocker shocker) but we all get slammed for being us and wearing the outfits of our favorite character.
so if you'd rather not see girls like that, make Videogame characters wear more clothes.
point of the article is the SHAMMING OF ANYKIND should NOT be tolerated at all at cons. a lot of people have insecurity issues and being put on the spot and saying they suck at cosplay just drives more females away.
and all you will ever have is PAID models that you will never get to meat or form a relationship with whether it be friend or otherwise.
so next time you see a female cosplayer, be sure to tell her she doesn't know jack shit about whom she is portraying and see how many slaps to the face you get.
there are more girls out there who are fans as well as guys…but you really don't want to see a male in a Sailor moon/starfire/ wonderwoman cosplay now do you.
so shut the fuck up.
I love you I love you I love you. Thank you for putting a face to the name of some of these folks.
There are many young girls are just getting into cosplay and need to be made aware of people like this (especially younger ladies that don't travel in groups of friends).
We need more positivity in the community and brotherhood and less sarcasm/criticism and creepers. Best way to start is by making one another aware of negative experiences brought on by other con-goers.
Again. THANK YOU <3.
Let's see some of your videos then.
Here is a video in which we did interviews at Awesome con DC 2013. We were very gracious to all those we interviewed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFovSNxYeoY
Cosplayers shouldn't be harassed for having fun, no matter how they look. Most of us do this out of fun and not for the attention, it's for the love of a character or anime, not because "we should, like, look hawt and stuff". I do this because I want too, because I find it fun and challenging but lately the fun has been done due to idiots.
We shouldn't stand for that nor allow it to happen to others, Cosplayers need to unite against the idiots and support each other.
Women/girls trying to play up to sexual archetypes…which let's be honest…is what the majority of these characters are designed for, (Tombraider? Hello!) Should learn to expect attention from pigs. Same goes for the 'outside' world.