Beginner's Guide to Cosplay Contests | Competitive Cosplay: Up Your Game!

Are you a cosplayer thinking about jumping into your first cosplay contest? This video was made with you in mind! This is the first video in my Cosplay Contest series, where you can learn everything from how to start competing, what makes a good judge, what to do in prejudging, cosplay contest etiquette, to what YOU can do to improve your odds of taking home a major award! Be sure to subscribe and turn that notification bell on so you don't miss a single upload in this series! :)
One major thing I forgot to mention - HALL COSPLAY.
Hall Cosplay Contests are different from Mainstage Contests - in a Hall contest, you don't go on stage at all. These contests can be as simple as basically, a photo contest (judges pick the best hall cosplay based on photos taken of the cosplayer) - or as thorough of judging as is in mainstage, just without the stage presence. Hall is great for cosplayers who don't want to go on stage but are still interested in competing. You'll have to read up on your convention's competition to see if it is offered, and if so, in what capacity.
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PS Im sorry about the light glare! It's always something with me, huh? haha
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[@maskedfoxx7173]

I clicked on this curiously thinking I wouldn't learn much since I've entered my fair share of cosplay competitions but holy moly was I blown away by how informative and well made this was. It really needs more views, it was just AMAZING! I'm definitely going to be tuning in for the rest of the series.

[@actaelios]

Thank you so much for the tips!!! I entered my first cosplay compitition last november and it was such a thrill! I managed to get a special prize for crafting but next time i really want to aim for an actual placing!!! 💜 💜 💜

[@SynergyCraft]

I'm so glad you found the video helpful! Congrats on your prize for crafting, that's fantastic! 😁😁😁

[@alaskacosplay]

I love cosplay contests that are allowing you to perform in skits. I have joined cosplay contests since 2018 and I have yet to go back to cons and competing again. I have a plan to cosplay Christine Daae from Phantom of the Opera and singing opera, live in the contest and I hit the high notes of "Think Of Me" almost like an Off Broadway singer. I'm actually nervous of Craftsmanship competitions because my cosplays aren't exactly made of high quality of materials since it's made of mainly stretchy fabrics and use historical methods and patterns and silhouettes for my cosplays and I'm not sure if they want to see my hand tacked seam allowances as they weren't serged back then (no serged yet so my edges would be considered raw) and I would probably lose points because my seams would not be serged and would just be zigzagged and hand tacked for easy adjustment. I am incredibly guilty of my cosplays looking unfinished on the inside but I'm technically historically accurate in terms of how gowns were looking on the inside (yes I do my extensive research to see how clothing was made and I've seen raw edges on a lot of couture gowns just loose).

[@sterennpiga-chavigny6003]

If you explain that it is a historical accuracy choice, it can be a very positive point!! It's one of those little things that can set you appart

[@MyFictionalChaos]

Always present your choice in a positive light, regardless of what decision you make. As long as you explain to them " Mine is sewn from a historical lens!" As opposed to saying some thing more negative like "I know my stitch and seam choices aren't perfect, but they're more historically accurate this way..." Cosplay competitions are very much about promoting yourself and your skillset, much like a presentation or job interview. You always want to point out the best parts of your cosplah and not say anything negative ^-^ and explain why you chose the things you did

[@fantazee5917]

i want to try on my first cosplay competition with Miya Atsumu cosplay,,, but im very anxious to see my opponents are wearing a crazy huge armor, wings, blade, etc (It's rare to see a competition classified by a class (newbie, intermadiate, pro),,, but there are 2 different competition: cosplay competition (You perform longer and do whatever you want), coswalk competition (more like a pageant competition)

[@lauras4638]

This was really informative! i can't wait to see the rest of the series :D

[@thechin8494]

i’m participating in my first contest in october!! i am so so excited!! thank you for all the tips :)

[@sabrinavogel2601]

I am more into the part of cosplay shooting and showing off the character in front of a camera, but I really love cosplay contests as they motivate me to always reach for a higher level of cosplays

[@kurababucosplay]

I just competed in my first contest this past saturday on a whim and wow was i wholly unprepared for it. Like I had read some tips and tidbits before out of curiosity but it didn’t really prepare me in a way that would have helped me be more calm the day of. Granted I did do it last minute (like decided to go a few days before so hey concrunch 👋🏼) and i did still git a judges choice award. But the entire time backstage I was literally having an anxiety attack and my prop had a really important detail broken on it before pre-judging and i had no photos to show the judges of it and my “stage walk” was something i decided as i was literally crossing the stage. Just overall it was a bit of a mess and while I did have fun, i could do without all the added unnecessary stress. I said all that to say that this video was Super informative! Like wow I wish i had seen this sooner. But it definitely gave me a lot of info that i’m absolutely going to be using for the next contest I enter. I subscribed and am looking forward to your upcoming videos because you seem to do a Thorough job of covering all the bases. So thank you so much 💜

[@hollydolly5532]

Love the video it was super helpful and I hope you will make the reference photo video soon because that's something I need help with.

[@Dreammelikearizz]

I have my competition this Wednesday. I'm cosplaying as Aki pls give me some ideas guys

[@emilymarshall1327]

But how does one determine what percent of there cosplay was made. Like what does 75% vs 40% look like

[@MyFictionalChaos]

It's a general jist of the outfit. So like, when you look at yourself wearing the cosplay, how much of it (surface wise) did you make. You can also do it on a "piece by piece" basis, as in, "I made 5/10 of the pieces, so I made 50%" However it isnt always accurate as you can have an entire garment that covers 60% of your body, for example. So in a general sense, the % is based off approximately how much of your cosplay, surface wise, that you made.

[@casandraoconnor7888]

Thanks this video was helpful I think intermediate or beginner would be fine since drag performers I can really help with my skills

[@magnuslightwood2128]

First I have to say that this video is really useful! Second I wanted to ask you (even if you posted this video 6 months ago) what category I should choose to bring my Tristana cosplay at a cosplay contest. I'm making it all by myself, except for the trousers, but I will edit them for make them looking used.

[@SynergyCraft]

Hii! I'm glad you found the video to be helpful, that's awesome! Definitely check with the rules for your contest, but if you've never entered/won in a cosplay contest before, most likely you will want to enter as beginner/novice. :)

[@magnuslightwood2128]

@@SynergyCraft thank you very much! 💕

[@ArmouryTerrain]

I am terrible, I break all the rules. I created my first ever cosplay in 2017, entered my first competition and won the $500 first prize. This is a fairly comprehensive video.

[@SynergyCraft]

Congrats, that is great! ❤ and thank you!

[@ArmouryTerrain]

@@SynergyCraft no, it was a shocker because I was basically blackmailed to enter. Imagine me wearing a costume that I made? I do costumes for other people

[@SynergyCraft]

@@ArmouryTerrain I'm sure the cash prize was more than enough to make up for it! 😂 but how were you blackmailed? That sounds wild

[@abbymika3206]

I’m entering my first cosplay contest and I’ve saved hundreds of dollars for fabric but when I enter, can they reject my application? I’m scared I’ll spend so much time and money on this project and not be able to even compete so I don’t know. Pls help :)

[@cherrizen668]

In my country they can reject you for multiple reasons. Not being in the guidelines, too many people or someone cosplaying the same character as you. So it is possible but not very likely.

[@Cloudprint-]

Where have you been :(

[@milafries]

I JUST JOINED MY VERY FIRST COSPLAY COMPETITION 😭😭 it will be next month and im looking for tips😍 TYSM FOR THIS

[@MissSpaz]

Euuurggf. So I'm planning on entering the craftmanship and as someone who does commissions, I guess I gotta enter as master. Problem is that I'm disabled and struggle with mobility. I'm planning on walking on stage without any mobility aids... but I will not be able to physically do that if they're gunna make me stand too much. I use knee scooters and a wheelchair at conventions.

[@Nazunabee]

m not sure if this is mentioned in the video, but does alot of people have to know the song your using for your skit? because i do want to join one, but not meny know the song i kinda wanna do.

[@ms.pirate]

I need to ask, will judges deduct points if your costume emblem is kroked? (Excuse my spelling mistake, idk how to fix it other than leaving it there)

[@aprilsanimals6287]

omg i so needed this! I'm going to my first ever con/cosplay contest nest year and im starting my costume right after halloween. (its a genshin cosplay, need i say more)

[@jojeauxhagen7933]

Is there an age limit or can anyone get into cosplay. It looks cool I'd love to try. But I don't want to make it weird for my self or anyone else if that makes sense.

[@ellej3112]

Hi, Thanks for the video You said Beginners should make 40% to 50% of their costume but doesn't include foot wear like boots/shoes and Wigs/extentions?

[@sakura851]

did you make a video of make an build book tutorial

[@akidavalos]

how do you know if theres gonna be a contest

[@SynergyCraft]

By reading the convention's website

[@BlackDawnYaoiLover]

I've usually only lost a couple hours for contests 🙀 I can't imagine spending so much time dedicated to a contest

[@seekercosfur]

I wished i had been sent an email prior explaining how to enter and when to enter because i entered last minute for mcm birmingham 2021 and its my first time ever entering a big comp. I really hope i got in, mo ones sent me a time i was just sent an email back saying they arent responsible for peoples props ect.

[@TheFlauschig]

I'm so jealous that american conventions have these skill devisions. In Europe, you are basically up against the "masters" in every contest.

[@solenediridollou5550]

Yeah , it's kinda discouraging when you want to start the contests

[@glitter.and.cosplay]

THANK YOU!!!

[@allelitesenpai6034]

Hi and do we need to enter in the cosplay contest cause I'm going to my first time anime con in Florida in January 2024 and I don't want to enter the cosplay contest. 😔

[@SynergyCraft]

cosplay contests are not mandatory at all, if you dont want to enter then just go and enjoy the event :)

[@martinballadares8897]

Are weapons allowed at mega con/comic cons?

[@smolmage316]

1y later and i still fear you

[@ignitusxiiiproductions]

untill ya loose 🤣🤣🤣

[@SynergyCraft]

Losing is part of the experience - it provides the opportunity to learn from your mistakes, get valuable feedback for future improvement, and helps you learn humility. Plus you can then connect with those who did place and get inspiration for future creative growth! :)

[@ignitusxiiiproductions]

@@SynergyCraft yea u could ... or u could be a evil A**hol like me and start spreading rumours of sleeping with the jury😈...(joke this is a joke i need to point it out)

[@SynergyCraft]

Oh god 😂 unfortunately that kind of craziness happens too, I like to stay faaaarrr away from it all lol

[@ignitusxiiiproductions]

@@SynergyCraft here in italy its so common

[@SynergyCraft]

😥😥 that is so sad!

[@retribution.__]

thank you so much for these! i entered a contest in february next year and i hope these will help! 🫶

[@yall_fruity]

Small Question: Must one make their own costume to enter cosplay competitions? I have a commissioned costume and I want to enter a comp but I'm not sure 🥶

[@SynergyCraft]

Most of the time, you have to have made a certain percentage of the costume for a craftsmanship competition. You'd have to read the rules of the contest you're trying to enter to know for sure

[@yall_fruity]

Are there any other competitions other than Craftsmanship?

[@sean-nd6ke]

cosplay wolf Sega video game pro wrestling virtual fighters. 3 Canadian