TL;DR post of the day by Jna To some people who are curious on how did I get funding from doing all these cosplays. Thus far, my all my cosplays were not sponsored, except for the helping hand from Nex Concept Works that were priceless, the can of Silicone Rubber that my friend paid for me to experience on molding back in 2009 and a few other friends who came along to help with the parts. But as time goes by, it did land me quite a few commercial freelance jobs (though underpaid but at least my fellow cosplayers who got the same jobs were really happy and we enjoyed ourselves, which I always emphasize on the local event organizers not to mistreat us), some commission mini projects and a return ticket with accommodation to a local education convention as a guest. Many people often ask questions like do you get paid for doing these? must be earning back alot! what? for free? you should charge people for taking photos with you etc. Including my own parents would think Im wasting time, money and space that I should sell of my costumes (NO.JPG for now). If Im not here today, I could have spend my disposal income on other hobby that I could have forgone that may cost alot more time, money, space, health and also that is likely not generating any form of income too. Long story short, Im not any under sponsorship (although I wouldnt mind if someday someone would approach me an offer I couldnt refuse such as funding my Penitent Engine project) nor any cosplay body/supplier that comes with monetary/materials support in exchange as an ambassador. What about HOBBYCON? Its a event itself and Im just part of voluntary organizing committee to help promote various types of hobbies & enthusiasts and cosplay is just happen to be one of them. This event has positively to motivate me to even start cosplay, a hobby that I considered a few years before actually decided that I want to do it for as long as I live. Yes, some of my costumes looks expensive and some are actually expensive. But those were truly hard earned money and I am not from a well off background. Got a business degree work as an office admin by day and conduct kickboxing classes at night at Kinabalu Fighters - Martial Art and Fitness Centre. I wouldnt say I like my current day job but someones gotta pay the bills so Im grateful to still be working, I enjoy conduct fitness classes tho so its another lucky job I have not for the money but it helps abit with the bills too. :) I accumulate my budget for the cosplans I intent to do for the year and if I have a little more I could make adhoc decision to put in more cosplan for the year. I plan my cosplans and limit to less than 3 characters. Only one if its massive like how I did during St.Celestines year in 2010. Some of the costumes I made while some are not. Not because Im not willing to make my own, but there are artists deserve their credits to their skill and quality to make something that is more practical than building from scratch. Am a person who is particular with details, I always go for fine works so if I couldnt make it myself, I am very determine to find that person who can and credit the shit out of him/her/them. Be it materials or commission parts, youll need $$$ but if you focus mind too much on the cost then you should put on hold on your cosplan until you are prepared to have the budget. Not all cosplay requires alot of money, but you will need to plan and research well. So to the young padawans, you think you can skip school cause you cosplay good. Fools! Youll learn life is not bed of roses eventually anyway so Im not going into much details of that. Just dont do things like angry at people close to you like your parents who does not support your hobby. Everyone have different opinion but if you have a strong stand on what you believe in be patience and execute it whenever you have the chance. Let no one tell you that you cant. Study, learn, create and love. Will I accept sponsorship if people offer in the future? Maybe, maybe not, depends on whether the catch was it encourages a better/positive community or beyond my ethical context. Final note to everyone, thank you so much for your support. Cosplay is one of the things I do not for the money. I may not have attended any Comic Con or whatever-gigantic Cons out of SEA but still really happy that the cosplayers network here are showing positive impact and continuously growing together. The journey has been wonderful to me and gain all these sentimental values and love that are totally priceless. *HUGS SQEEZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE* P/S: If you feel generous to buy me a green tea frap, I have a link to my paypal via mestijna/ Why green tea frap? Because Im willing to spend money on materials for prop/costume than buying myself a cup to enjoy despite I love it so much from Starbucks. Little sacrifices such as this can made alot of difference.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 03:38:20 +0000