Talking about cosplay with "The Normies"

March 2016:

I’m sitting in the regional office of my employer. My boss’s boss (the regional manager) is looking through several social media posts offered to him by my boss (who came upon them by accident). The posts? Me being in cosplay at an Anime con nearby my hometown. My boss thought a “training opportunity” was abound when he came across them. “Why are you in this dumb costume? It’s nowhere near Halloween, and you look like a fool”. This proceeded into a laugh-fest between my boss and the Regional Manager for the next fifteen minutes. I never heard the end of it, and eventually took it in stride: I arrived to my exit interview in a full Ghostbusters cosplay. It was quite entertaining.

May 2017:

Spending the memorial day weekend with a great deal of my relatives, I decide it is time to tell them about my dream of becoming a professional Cosplay Photographer. Here I was, at family dinner in front of some of the most judgmental people I have met to this day. Cold sweat extruded from my pores like some form of quirk that manifested upon that one stressful moment. I could feel an anxiety attack coming on behind my eyes as my reptilian brain sent fight or flight responses to my subconsciousness. After what felt like an hour, I finally tell them. 

“Are you insane? You are a good photographer, but cosplay is dumb. You may as well say you are a Halloween Photographer” 

“You need to think practical. How are you going to raise a family while you are making nothing at comic cons?”

“This has to be a joke. This is a joke, right?”

“Come work for me at ABC corporation. You will make all the money you need and you get three weeks vacation!”

As you can see above, my family did not take it very well. Their nearsightedness nearly stopped me from achieving my dream of becoming a pro cosplay photographer. Thankfully, I found validation among the community, and now can comfortably say I have found success in the realm of Cosplay Photography and look forward to a lot more. 

This is a regular if not typical situation in our community. Although Cosplay and con culture is becoming more and more of a staple in popular culture, it has a long way to go. Especially with the Older generations. 

There are a lot of names I have heard throughout the years to separate those that are a part of the culture, and those who aren’t; Normal Folk, Normies, Muggles, etc. 

For the context of this blog, I will use the term Normie.

NORMIE ADJ. [NORM-EE]: 

slang term for a “normal person,” especially someone seen to have conventional, mainstream tastes, interests, viewpoints, etc. In this Context, it is used to identify those who are not a part of Cosplay/Convention Culture.

Because of previous (and insulting) times, Terms that we take for endearment are often looked at with discomfort. Terms such as Geek and Nerd were once much like badges of dishonor, where you were forced into a certain lunch table where those who did not belong anywhere else. These pariahs were shunned to the dark halls of VFW posts, Church basements, and other small venues for the occasional “Con” or Convention. These shunned once bingo halls had a handful of vendors, and maybe a local celeb or author. They were dark times, and most normies assume it is the same situation.

Cons and cosplay has come a long way since those days, and now the culture has reached near mainstream status. IPs such as Star Wars and DC comics have become household names. Like the pungent body odor lingering in yesteryear, the stigma remains.

When the day comes that you decide to announce your dream to the normies, be prepared. There will be times where you will get resistance towards your choice of dream. Remain rational, calm, and reasonable. They don’t understand that the cosplay industry is worth billions, and grows exponentially every year. There is magic behind all of the costumes, they just have to look a bit further down the rabbit hole.

Here are some of the aspects of cosplay you can arm yourself with when the naysayers come knocking…

It's an Artistic Outlet

Cosplay is, first and foremost, a form of art. Just like painters use brushes and canvases, cosplayers use fabric, foam, and their crafting skills to recreate the looks of their favorite characters. It's a way to exercise creativity, challenge oneself artistically, and develop new skills in sewing, prop-making, and makeup artistry. Invite friends and family to craft with you, sometimes having a second set of eyes helps.

A Celebration of Fandom

For fans, cosplay is a tangible way to celebrate their favorite franchises. It's like embodying your beloved characters for a day, a weekend, or even longer. It's a way to connect more deeply with the stories, worlds, and characters that have left a lasting impression on us. Just as hundreds of thousands of normies pack stadiums for their favorite sports teams. Swathed in enough oil paint to make a Van Gough, they show their pride in their fandom. At times, this analogy can assist someone in relating to your passion.

A Sense of Belonging

Cosplay fosters a strong sense of belonging. It's a community where people come together, share their love for a particular series or character, and find like-minded individuals who understand their passion. It's a chance to make lasting friendships with people who share your interests. Cosplay brings in people from every walk of life

Empowerment Through Transformation

Cosplay is transformative, both physically and mentally. Stepping into the shoes (literally!) of a character you admire can boost your confidence and self-esteem. It allows you to escape the ordinary and become someone extraordinary, if only for a little while.

Attention to Detail

One of the most captivating aspects of cosplay is the attention to detail. Cosplayers painstakingly recreate every aspect of a character's appearance, from the costume to the props to the makeup. The satisfaction of nailing these details is a big part of what makes cosplay so rewarding. 

It's Not Just Dress-Up

Some people might dismiss cosplay as adult dress-up, but it's much more than that. It's about crafting, problem-solving, and constantly pushing your creative boundaries. The learning curve is steep, and the journey is as rewarding as the end result.

Cosplay for a Cause / Charity

Most cosplay events either have a cosplay non-profit, or are affiliated with a charitable organization. Use your talents for good by participating in charity events, hospital visits, and fundraisers. It's a way to give back to the community while sharing your passion for your fandom.

Going Pro

Explaining to the normies your dream is that of a professional cosplayer can lead to some raised eyebrows. Invite the normies to an event and show them the level of skill that you get to show off to others. They will be surprised at the amount of attendees even at the smallest of events.

Cosplay is more than just costumes and conventions; it's a diverse and dynamic subculture that offers a plethora of opportunities for creativity, self-expression, and personal growth. By explaining these aspects to those who may not fully understand it, we can bridge the gap and help others appreciate the magic and wonder of cosplay. So, next time a normie inquires about your passion for cosplay, share your enthusiasm and invite them to explore this remarkable world with an open mind. 

Who knows? They might just discover a newfound appreciation for the artistry and camaraderie that defines the con and cosplay community. Turn a naysayer into a member of the community.