MelCosPho's Present and Future
It was a dark and stormy Wednesday. Three days before my brother's wedding, I had bought a flash to have an attempt at indoor photography. Using the momentum of the two previous CrackCon cosplay meets, I organised a practice session of friends and friends' friends at short notice, and I called the Facebook event "Melbourne Cosplay Photo Meet - June 2010". This became MelCosPho 1.
Until the end of 2010, CrackCon pioneered the idea of Melbourne meets with sequels. MelCosPho filled this need thereafter. There are many stories to tell, and many of them are about good times, bad weather, and that one time that we had to call the police. I hope to tell you those stories at a future time. More topical is the future and today.
Late last year, I announced that MelCosPho 13 would be the last one that I personally would organise. It was a decision made after a lot of thought and plenty of hesitance. There are many reasons for it to keep existing, and I've tried to make it the kind of event that I would most like to attend, but my primary reasons are that I'd like to take a step back from the pre-event worries and due to my partially reduced interest in photography.
I was not sure what kind of reaction I would get. People genuinely enjoy these events, and I felt as though I was telling them that their favourite television show was cancelled. But they were very supportive. I want to do my best to help someone else to run these meets so that people can continue to enjoy them. If there is some way to make MelCosPho 14 happen with me in a reduced role, I will do it.
Today was MelCosPho 13. We had perfect weather, almost a full turnout of every active photographer in the Melbourne cosplay community, and I cosplayed in public for the first time in seventeen months. After the group photo, some people had secretly organised to get me gifts. There was a signed canvas board and poster full of photos and handwritten messages, as well as a framed photo of congratulation, and a handmade medal. I was pretty close to being overwhelmed. I loved it all, and I read all of the messages when I got home. I don't really feel like I deserve the praise I got today, especially not when I'm stepping backwards. Though it's not possible to run the cosplay competition and liaise with people without using my name, I have always tried to downplay my involvement. People should be able to attend without knowing who I am. Many strangers thanked me today, and I felt over-appreciated. But over-appreciation still feels good! Thank you to those of you who coordinated and participated in this clandestine gift creation. I will treasure them.
I want to thank all of you guys. I may have made the meets, but you made them. When people were expressing eagerness on the Facebook wall before MCP3, I was terrified; could I possibly provide enough to satisfy them? I learnt that day that people attend and create the meet themselves with a positive mix of conversation and photography. All I do is encourage you to stand in the same place with the allure of each other and a photography competition.
Until the end of 2010, CrackCon pioneered the idea of Melbourne meets with sequels. MelCosPho filled this need thereafter. There are many stories to tell, and many of them are about good times, bad weather, and that one time that we had to call the police. I hope to tell you those stories at a future time. More topical is the future and today.
Late last year, I announced that MelCosPho 13 would be the last one that I personally would organise. It was a decision made after a lot of thought and plenty of hesitance. There are many reasons for it to keep existing, and I've tried to make it the kind of event that I would most like to attend, but my primary reasons are that I'd like to take a step back from the pre-event worries and due to my partially reduced interest in photography.
I was not sure what kind of reaction I would get. People genuinely enjoy these events, and I felt as though I was telling them that their favourite television show was cancelled. But they were very supportive. I want to do my best to help someone else to run these meets so that people can continue to enjoy them. If there is some way to make MelCosPho 14 happen with me in a reduced role, I will do it.
Today was MelCosPho 13. We had perfect weather, almost a full turnout of every active photographer in the Melbourne cosplay community, and I cosplayed in public for the first time in seventeen months. After the group photo, some people had secretly organised to get me gifts. There was a signed canvas board and poster full of photos and handwritten messages, as well as a framed photo of congratulation, and a handmade medal. I was pretty close to being overwhelmed. I loved it all, and I read all of the messages when I got home. I don't really feel like I deserve the praise I got today, especially not when I'm stepping backwards. Though it's not possible to run the cosplay competition and liaise with people without using my name, I have always tried to downplay my involvement. People should be able to attend without knowing who I am. Many strangers thanked me today, and I felt over-appreciated. But over-appreciation still feels good! Thank you to those of you who coordinated and participated in this clandestine gift creation. I will treasure them.
I want to thank all of you guys. I may have made the meets, but you made them. When people were expressing eagerness on the Facebook wall before MCP3, I was terrified; could I possibly provide enough to satisfy them? I learnt that day that people attend and create the meet themselves with a positive mix of conversation and photography. All I do is encourage you to stand in the same place with the allure of each other and a photography competition.