SYDNEY COSPLAYERS WANTED FOR 3RD YEAR DOCUMENTARY
ATTENTION ALL SYDNEY COSPLAYERS.
PLEASE READ THIS.
The short version;
As some of you may or may not know, I'm in my 3rd year of college, studying film and TV. For my final year project I've decided to do a documentary on COSPLAY. My aim is to show the world that does not know cosplay, what it is, how big it is and what goes on in the minds of those that do it!
To do this; I NEED COSPLAYERS.
It doesn't matter how often you do, how often you've done it for, if you're still doing it or if you've hung up your sewing machine for good!
What I am mostly looking for right now is
1. Expressions of interest to be interviewed, mostly likely in June-August and in the city. Will take between 30-60 minutes in total.
2. A group photo shoot some time in June-August where myself and my crew (will consist of 2 or 3 more people) can film what an average shoot is like. i.e. Getting to you location, getting dressed and the actual shoot itself.
3. ONE OR TWO PEOPLE ALLOWING ME TO FILM THEM AT HOME. I understand this may step on some toes but I would really like to get some footage of a)Sewing progress. b)Costume/wig collections.
If you are at all interested, please leave a comment, send me a message or contact me in whatever way you find easiest for you. Obviously things will change between now and June so I do not expect anyone that leaves their name to be cemented in as clashes occur, things happen and people have to cancel. That is why I am looking for AS MANY PEOPLE as I can, should such a thing happen.
Guys this is a really important project to me, I like making documentaries and I LOVE cosplay, I would really appreciate your help! I will most likely be at SMASH or Supanova this year with my crew to shoot footage for this project.
MOST IMPORTANTLY. This is a STUDENT PROJECT. It will NOT be broadcast anywhere without your consent. It will only be shown anywhere for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES (i.e. Screened to future students at my college if my lecturers think it's good enough). I won't even put it on Youtube without checking with everyone that it's okay first. Mostly it will be shown to me, my classmates and my lecturers. Anywhere else, I will ask for your permission/consent and you will ALWAYS be fully credited for your contribution.
UPDATE: As a part of my assessment, I am expected to get my project OUT INTO THE WORLD. Of course I seek everyone's consent before putting this anyway, but please be aware that I aim to get this onto YouTube and as many other mediums as I can, including screening at cons, festivals and television if I can.
NOW THE LONG VERSION.
So I want to do a documentary on cosplay. I really want to show the world what cosplay is because FAR OUT there are some really talented people out there that are going by unknown because they are only recognised in a tiny, but growing, community. Cosplay I find it very interesting both visually and in terms of telling the story of this community resting in the heart of Sydney- and hardly anyone knows!
Trekkies get made fun of all the time on shows like the Big Bang Theory (which I love by the way), conventions and cosplay are stereotyped and portrayed in a disapproving light and I want to show people that cosplay is SO MUCH more than that. That is the purpose of my documentary. People know conventions exist, but I don't think they know just how BIG an audience they draw.
What I need are volunteers to be a part of this documentary. The documentary is on cosplay as a whole, not on a particular con, person or series. I want to look at cosplays from anime and Western fandoms alike, looks at cosplays for cons, competitions and photo shoots alike.
I need FOUR cosplayers for interviews that will most likely last 30-60 minutes. I'm aiming at 15-20 questions in regards to cosplay; why you do it, what got you into it, what's your favourite of your costumes etc. These interviews are mostly likely going to take place at my campus, 5 minutes from Central station. HOWEVER THIS IS NOT CONFIRMED. I have only just started planning and production is not due to begin for another 3 months.
I would PREFER to shoot somewhere more interesting that my college, but again, these are early days.
I also need a PHOTO SHOOT to tag along to. This is to show that cosplay is not limited to conventions and also that it is a fun way to hang out and meet new people that share your interests. I know I've met a good majority of you on my F-List through cons, shoots and gatherings. This is mostly more b-roll footage. I want to express how fun shoots are but also how much work goes into them. AND ALSO HOW AWESOME OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE. We all know at least one awesome photographer (because again, a majority of this F-List falls under that umbrella) and I want to also show that these guys have TALENT by showing off some of your photos in the documentary :p
MOST IMPORTANTLY, I'd like to invade someone's house!
Now when you watch a documentary or even shows like Better Homes and Gardens, the audience gets a peek at the life of whoever is being featured on the show. I don't want to invade anyone's privacy, but it would be really beneficial to me to get some footage of
1) Costume/wig collections
2) Sewing/costume/props in progress
3) Who you are! You're a cosplayer but you have a life outside of that too.
I know this is a big ask, that is why I am throwing it out there to EVERYONE, rather than picking someone out and pressuring them to say yes. Preferably this person is someone that has been cosplaying for at least a year and has a great passion for it. The bigger your costume/wig/materials/props collection is the better because REMEMBER, this is FILM, image is everything! I know this describes a LOT of you, and if anyone is willing to give me half a day to tour their cosplay collection, I would really appreciate it. The more expressions of interest I get, the less I have to film of each person because I can mash together a bunch of stuff.
I'm not asking if I can invade your bedroom, show off your posters and merch and make you look like a stereotypical weeaboo.I will only show what you allow me to, if there is particular merch or a part of your room/house you don't want on camera, we will avoid it. I am mostly looking for cosplay related images!
ADDITIONALLY, I know a lot of you are artists/have different hobbies. If I could show off your talents a little bit as well, I would love to. For example drawing/CGing, editing for those of you that are also film makers, even studying for anyone in school/uni- because you're a student like the rest of us! If you're already in the workforce, maybe you have a favourite sport? Cosplay is one part of us, I want to see the people behind that too. Just a little bit, not going to go into your family history and daily routine!
At this point, that's all the info I have. I'm only in week 2 of pre-production and there is a LOT of work to be done. I am Producer/Director of this project so you will only be dealing with me (although you may meet my camera and sound guys). That is why I am reaching out to you guys. If I have to, I'll go onto the forums and look for volunteers, but I know you guys, I know you are passionate and you are good (this matters because i need to know you look good on camera, which all of you do xD I'm sorry! As Director, that matters!) and you guys are my friends. I am much more comfortable working with you guys than I am with strangers I meet on forums... plus I trust you guys more with my final year project than i do said strangers on forums.
At the end of the day, I hope this isn't asking too much (the house I want to invade is asking for maximum half a day, 3 randoms in your house but I promise it's for educational purposes!). I would love your help guys, please let me know if you are at all interested!!!
Final note, as I pointed out above, this is my 3RD YEAR PROJECT. It's a school thing, it won't be shown to a wider public without your consent, not even Youtube. [UPDATE: I aim to send this to Youtube, festivals and other public screenings however will not do so without your consent. I'm not making money of this, NO ONE is. I will only present you in a way you are comfortable with, I won't twist your words or edit footage in a way that shines you in a light you do not wish to be shone in. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT YOU GUYS ARE COMFORTABLE AND SHOWN AS WHO YOU ARE.
I am currently in pre-production phases, but the sooner I can lock in names, the more I can keep you up the date with my progress and the sooner I can let you know how much of your time I'll need etc.
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, I SINCERELY HOPE YOU GUYS WILL REACH OUT AND LEND ME A HAND.