10 replies to this topic

[Kimberly]

Some have expressed a desire to push the site more toward cosplay and crossplay. Here's where you give suggestions on how we can do that.

My only idea would be something like cosplayer/crossplayer of the month. But these would have to be people submitting their costumes/photos specifically for this purpose.

A lot of the reason the cosplay content is lacking is a lack of interest/participation by the community. So if you can give me suggestions on how to get people to participate, and actually work with me to kick start something like this then it could work. But ultimately the community will make or break any ideas given here.

[neradanora]

maybe a contest? like the most original and waht not?

[Kimberly]

I've tried interactive content in the past, even after converting to this new forum. Only one person replied to it ^^; I can't afford prizes to make it worth people's effort... I could try again I suppose, but I'd need something interesting for people to do.

[hazumu]

the idea of a crossplay/cosplay contest to me, seems like it would likely turn into a popularity contest and/or circle jerk. considering these contests when voted on commonly just end up with the popular and/or cute person will always win. i am all for leading the forum back to more crossplay/cosplay like it used to be way back in the day though.

[Zipo]

Well, I've made this suggestion before, and I'll make it again...

We need a "Crossplay" subforum. Not "Cos/Crossplay," not "Transgender." Just "Crossplay."  Lumping crossplay discussion in with transgender topics simply serves to divert crossplay discussion away from cosplay and towards non-cosplay crossdressing. I haven't done a poll on a convention site forum, but I believe that most people who cosplay the opposite gender are more interested in cosplay than crossdressing.

Yes, people simply interested in constructing clothing normally reserved for the opposite gender can simply inquire in the general cosplay thread. But lumping all crossplay-specific questions in with the transgender discussion only serves to discourage people who are not TG from pursuing the subject at all.

It would be okay if the Crossplay-specific subforum were divided into MtF and FtM, but I don't really like the rift that has appeared between those two types of cosplayers. It would be more productive to simply add a tag to our thread titles, for instance a thread could be named "How do I look like I have a figure? [MtF]" or whatever.

I'm not sure how much this would increase our cosplay/crossplay traffic, but it would make it quite clear that any crossplay topic of discussion is welcome here. As it stands, if you look at the topic list at any given time, you'll usually think that TG discussion is the only reason people post on these forums.

[masami]

i think, contest are good idea, but not just one et not for just a week. i think about a permanent contest, with many entries. the list change every week, by the votes, like music charts. categories : mtf, ftm or by character (cosplay or crossplay)

the dynamic of charts thinks good idea for me. non ?

[neradanora]

masami, on 16 July 2010 - 05:50 AM, said:

i think, contest are good idea, but not just one et not for just a week. i think about a permanent contest, with many entries. the list change every week, by the votes, like music charts. categories : mtf, ftm or by character (cosplay or crossplay)

the dynamic of charts thinks good idea for me. non ?

yes that is what i meant

[Kimberly]

@Zipo
Cosplay and Crossplay already have it's own section. Cosplay & Crossplay, subforum Cos/Crossplay General Chat. Not sure what more you want, it's completely separate from Transgender since each have their own section. And if what you said is true, that "they" are more interested in cosplaying than crossdressing, then wouldn't the Cosplay & Crossplay section naturally see more traffic by default? People post where they want to, the Cosplay & Crosplay section has been there since the dawn of time and it doesn't get much use.

Maybe if I explain the separation, and my reasoning behind it, you will understand more. A costume (regardless of what gender wears it) is just a costume. Costuming has it's own section (Cosplay & Crossplay). If you want to learn to pass well as the other gender, go learn in the Transgendered section. Why don't I overlap these? Because we would have people posting in Transgendered asking for help making an Asuka plugsuit so they can pass, or asking in Cosplay & Crossplay how can they better pass as a girl to be Asuka at their upcoming convention.

People come here for a reason, they want to do well passing as the other gender. Whether that be for personal reasons, or cosplay reasons. I have no intention of merging or overlapping passing and costuming. I don't want to invite similar topics in either section. Now I will concede to renaming or re-describing to help make it more obvious the intent of these sections if you still think that'll help.



@Masami
I'm not sure what you mean by a permanent contest. By nature contests have an ending because to be a contest, there has to be a winner. Do you mean like an ongoing, monthly contest, where at the end of each month a winner is announced? Like... costume of the month or something? If not please describe it in further detail so I get what you mean.

I do like the idea of a "Costume of the Month" contest. But I fear no one'll really try unless there's a prize to be had each and every month. I know some people in the industry, and I can see if we can get a monthly sponsor, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one but I can try.

[BunnyChanAmy]

I would participate in a contest.
I think they are talking about a toplist more than a contest though, which may work as well...

[ZeroEnna]

First of all, I hate contests. Well it may be different in the "States", but in Germany, a contest is like a big gathering of nasty egoistic bitches to find out who has the biggest boobs. Sorry to say it in this political incorrect way. But either you are something or you are worthless. There is no admiration for the costume anymore, but a pure worshipping of a person! They even have their own fanclubs, and if you stick out a little criticism, your out of the circle.

As I said, it may be different in the United States, but as far as I can judge the whole thing, I definitely wouldn't take part in it.

The Second thing is the section discussion. I think I somehow get what Zipo tried to say. I also vote for a strict seperation of TG and Crossplay. Of course (as I suggested in a different thread) they fit together in a certain way. But on the other hand, there are as many "full time crossdresser" as "part time crossdressers", namely crossplayers who only wear clothes of the other gender on the convention grounds.
Also if I take a look into the "MtF"-Thread, about 50% of these threads imply a non-crossplaying content. They may be also a good help for crossplayers. But after all, I vote for seperating TG and Crossplay. It political uncorrect (again), but this would give a clear overview for new users, so they can decide whether crossplay is "enough" or if the want to dig into this a little deeper.

For me, I would classify myself somewhere between "passing without a doubt" and Sailor Bubba. That means, I take care of some details (hairy legs, beard), but some details I drop (makeup, breasts if not necessary, like Merle from Escaflowne). So I would appreciate an own category for this stuff. As it has been said somewhere in this BB: Crossplay doesn't necessarily mean to wear clothes of the opposite gender in your everyday life.

It is not that I do not admire persons who don't accept their gender and wish to be the opposite. I just say there should be a clear distiction, especially for new users who just want to get some hints how to fake a masculine shape for their next Naruto skit.

Well as our foreign secretary said on a fair a few years ago:

"Senk ju for juhr keind ättänschen" (transcription of what he SAID. What he MEANT was: "Thank you for your kind attention")

[ImNewHere]

I hate to necropost, but how about posting in other forums that this is here?