HYDERABAD: The city gears up for a cosplay workshop this weekend. Cosplay, a short form of the words costume play, is a performance art that involves a fan dressing up as their favourite comic, movie or video game character, especially one from the Japanese genres of manga or anime–picked up pace in 2013 during the Hyderabad Comic Con. Cosplay events are common features of fan conventions, local competitions.
The idea of cosplay is a trend that has been catching up in the country in the last few years. Anybody following this art will know that cosplay is not merely ‘dressing up’ like your favourite character. It involves serious time, effort and in-depth work to get every detail of the character right. Making it easier for you is Comic Con India (CCI) that is hosting a fun cosplay workshop this Sunday (September 17), at Heart Cup Coffee, Jubilee Hills. In association with Hyderabad Cosplayers Club, this one-day event as a precursor to the Hyderabad Comic Con that is scheduled in the second week of October.
For the uninitiated, cosplay, a short form of the words costume play, is a performance art involves a fan dressing up as their favourite comic, movie or video game character, especially one from the Japanese genres of manga or anime—picked up pace in 2013 during the Hyderabad Comic Con. Cosplay events are common features of fan conventions, local and international competitions, as well as social networks.
Hosted by Indian Cosplay Champion of 2017 Sameer Bundela, the workshop will take members through the entire process of crafting one’s own costume. “It will educate the fans on how and where to obtain costumes, props, wigs, and more for that perfect costume. It will also give budding cosplayers the confidence that they are part of a larger cosplay movement,” says Jatin Varma, founder of CCI, adding that the session will teach people fun easy hacks on how to cosplay and make an impression. The annual workshop aims to encourage cosplay enthusiasts to express their artistic side and promote it as a form of art.
Talking about the cosplay competition to be held during Comic Con Hyderabad, Jatin says, “The biggest attraction is that cosplayers will receive `50,000 per day if they win the contest. Additionally, we also have a Cosplay Medic on hand to help participants with all their costume related issues and emergencies that they might face at the show. We are expecting an even bigger turnout this year.”
The workshop will focus on fabrication and building, which is the most important aspect of cosplay. Apart from this, there will also be sessions on makeup, costume and presentation. “We will demonstrate ways to make fancy props that people have always dreamt of having. Stage antics, photography, the ‘play’ part of the cosplay are also a few topics we’ll talk about. I will talk about my experiences and share tips based on that,” says Bhopal-based Sameer Bundela, who is also a freelance filmmaker and photographer. He is also popular for his ‘Chewbacca’ costume at last year’s Comic Con in the city.
“We’re getting some of the best cosplayers in the country, who are a bunch of crazy people I’ve ever met. We have also planned quite a few surprises,” says the 27-year-old, adding that the three grand prize winners last year were first time cosplayers.
Trivia:
n The term “cosplay” was coined in Japan in 1984.
n It was inspired by and grew out of the practice at science fiction conventions, beginning with the 1st World Science Fiction Convention in New York City in 1939.
n Cities where Comic Cons are held usually have a cosplay workshop conducted by experienced cosplayer to introduce newcomers to the art form.