Convention & Cosplay Etiquette

TL;DR -- Just be nice to everyone!
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Axceleration
4225-H Oceanside Blvd #352
Oceanside CA, 92056
✿ FAQ:
ARE YOU GOING TO ATTEND _____ CON? » My list of conventions is always changing. If you want to see me at your local con, request me as a guest and maybe I'll be able to go!
WHAT CAMERA DO YOU USE? » This video was filmed on a Canon Vixia RF600
HOW DO YOU EDIT YOUR VIDEOS » This video was edited using iMovie
WHAT SEWING MACHINES DO YOU USE » Sewing: Brother XR1355
Serger: Brother Lock 1034D.
Disclaimer ‣ All opinions and thoughts mentioned are my own. This video is NOT sponsored.

[@lavux4937]

"Compliment my cosplay, not my body." Thank you! This so much! I get soo paranoid when this happens. I love cosplay and conventions and making new friends, but I'm paranoid about strangers approaching me and this really freaks me out :'( (I have a tendency to assume the worst...)

[@hi-t6635]

Lavux ya me to every time I get nervous my voise gets stuck and gets into a were absent

[@steverogers3945]

Lavux me too

[@underthebookcover]

I had someone walk up to me, hit my giant gauntlets (Vi gloves from League of Legends) that I had worked really hard on, tell me I should have made it out of a different material, and walk off. I was so upset that they had no only touched my hard work without permission, but also insulted my hard work. It's so important to ask before you try and touch anything! It's also safer to assume you don't need to touch anything, prop, costume, or person!

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

Seriously. I really hate when people touch me or my stuff. So annoying and disrespectful

[@underthebookcover]

Would you mind if I linked your video in an article? I work for iCosplay Magazine and would love to take this idea and expand upon it for a website article. I will most definitely link any social media you have and give you full credit!

[@rhythmrainbow]

I was dressed in a cosplay and a lady kept checking me out over and over for like 5 minutes. A bit later she walked up to me and asked for a photo. She said she had to work up the nerve to ask because I looked too intimidating as Amon from Legend of Korra. That was an odd moment leading up to the photo, but it let me know how great a job I did.

[@gavm7075]

I never thought of blocking out my face or otherwise when people sneak photos, I'll have to remember that! ♡♡

[@ambrosia6655]

birb is the sweetest birb ever

[@KimberPrime]

I've had a really bad experience with one random photographer at a convention this year. He was super pushy (not even asking politely for a photo) and then super strict if you did do it (literally saying "don't smile" 3 times in quick succession for example sounding pissed off). I walked off cause he was honestly freaky but later he not once but twice also asked me for photos while I was half undressed sitting down somewhere. What makes it worse is that I saw his video he made of that convention since it got shared to a cosplay group I was in. The video had a ton of zooming in on girls's chests (sometimes the panning just froze there and didn't even show the cosplayer's face!), of children who didn't know what was going on (a parent commented they hadn't given permission at all for it), and cosplayers half in costume taking breaks. It was freaky! I am so glad the only moment he got of me to put in there was when I was up on stage for the cosplay contest and was just being myself and far away so he couldn't zoom in enough. What was wrong with that guy?!

[@Sarah-pt4fb]

I am currently in the process of accomplishing my first ever cosplay (eek. I'm so nervous) and your channel has become my cosplay/convention Bible. so thank you x

[@faith_the_fangirl2944]

Sarah Robertson how did it go? Did u dress up?

[@AlexRichardsonweirdo]

the one about asking pictures when you're having lunch. people always do that to me even photographers! it's so annoying

[@rhythmrainbow]

This alone could be an awesome panel for a con. ^_-

[@je4nz]

OMG YES

[@bojogaeee]

I was at a convention a few months ago and I was standing with my friend who was also in cosplay, but I had a big backpack on and a water bottle in my pocket, and we saw people trying to take pictures of us from far away! They weren't being discreet about it either - they had their flash on and we're taking multiple pictures! 😂 I seriously hate when people don't just ask; they could have gotten a much better picture rather than me with a big backpack on lol!!

[@MeyLynn]

YES!! to alll of it XD especially the no taking pics while I'm eating! I usually look like a potato on the floor lol

[@caie5710]

I myself am a cosplayer, and like to go around with my mom bag in tow (not a mom lol just prepared like one) and when I see cosplayers with large wings ,wings in general or if I've seen a person touch the wings I will politely ask for a picture then offer them small paper sign that reads "PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH" I've seen one to many cosplayers crying heir eyes out bc some person decided to rip off a few feathers or even a WING and its sooooo disrespectful :( remember- HANDS TO YOURSELF UNLESS PERMISSION IS GIVEN

[@rubykozume2246]

That's really nice of you to do especially because that are strangers props to you 🙂👏

[@AsylumFreak19]

Gahh your bird is cute!!!! I wanna kiss him and I love this video and you're 100% right 💋❤

[@SuperKingNerd]

I recently went to Youmacon where someone offhandedly mentioned that the cosplay piece I had made myself from specific references was the wrong color and it broke my entire heart. Granted, it wasn't the wrong color, however, to hear critique like that at a convention when I'm wearing the piece really hurt me. I had to physically pull away from the con for about twenty minutes to regain myself and it showed.

[@C0rvidC0rpse]

Im okay with other cosplayers touching my props, if they have their own because that most likely means they know how to handle it, but they have to ask.

[@xhemmingsx2957]

When I was Harley I had "your face here" on my mallet so everyone would just come up and try to lean there face on it. It was so annoying because most of the time I was walking somewhere. Like I'm trying to get places don't lean on my props. This video was amazing in sending to everyone!!😆

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

+xhemmingsx i totally understand. Don't touch my things please!

[@S.S.Spirit]

I understand why people would think that they could do that, but like, it’s a prop that you made, not a place for your face. It’s something Harley would have on her mallet and makes sense for the prop. Like, it’s on the mallet as a joke since she hits people with it. You’d figure that people would figure that out.

[@lindseyreisker]

I love the bird. I also love going to conventions and cosplaying.

[@FearlessFighterAkida]

Thanks for the video! I've been on the cosplay side of it, and approaching the cosplayer side of things so to say and there have been so many offputting things on either side of it haha. I think the best thing out of this video is patience, especially when it comes to smartphones/technology because, for whatever godforsaken reason, the app may crash, technology may have a fart, etc. Been on the end of my smartphone derping when I was trying to get a picture of a cosplayer and was also the cosplayer having their picture taken when the person's phone had a derp. It happens and is pretty much uncontrollable. Just do a stretch, shift around a bit, and get back into pose when their technology has finally decided to cooperate.

[@deathbright107]

I really hate it when they take photos of me without asking. People can watch me get angry so they take a less than nice photo. But the way they make my day is by asking how I made it. Dude you'll be a new best friend, or at the very least I'll remember you. I agree wholly with this video.

[@StJimmyArmstrong1]

You're absolutely right, especially about the touching. When I wore my deadpool costume everyone thought it was okay to touch me, especially my butt..It was horrible, please everyone, don't be like that.

[@QueenShireen]

BE NICE TO STAFF AND CREW !!

[@sneekergirl1]

I love this me and my partner dressed as Harley and joker for our very first comic con, we used your hammer tutorial but changed the design a little bit, the pocket idea was so useful and it felt great not having to carry around a bag thankyou so much xx

[@morgankukovec2856]

By far my favorite convention etiquette video. I will always send this to my friends before going to cons with them, it's so important. This is a video that covers just about everything I can think of. Thank you!!

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

awe thank you!

[@Momoki]

I was really interested when I saw the title because I'm moving to the US for a year soon and plan on going to conventions there so I thought it is good to know what to do and what not to do. But basically it's the same Dos and Don'ts there as here in Germany where I am living. c: Go on with the great work. I really enjoyed the video.

[@rosegoldfandoms_5119]

I’m going to my first con this April and I’m trying to get as many tips as I can, so thank you!!

[@TeaforTinka]

All these are so true! Love this list!

[@marshiethe6th]

The no touching without permission is very useful. Some people might not like touching in general. I tend to get uncomfortable when people touch me in general(except maybe my close friends who are just joking around or are trying to get my attention) so in cosplay, it's worse because I don't know these people

[@ninjakat26]

The photo thing where people snap a picture without asking is probably one of the most annoying things. I have seen people doing it before and I just move to be next to someone to block their shot or I block my face with my hand like you do. Ask me for a picture.

[@RoseCurry]

I was in line for a contest and the girl behind me told me I should have serged my gloves instead of using a zigzag stitch.... >.>

[@isabellaxof6293]

your bird is so cute! Also this was an amazing video im going too my first con this year (hopefully) and im dressing as Levi from AOT

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

+isabella xof super cool! Have fun

[@nightwatcher1650]

Years ago at the local comic store, I was just looking around, some guy asked if enjoy dressing up for a Halloween, obviously who doesn’t. He suggested that I try making an original costume for whatever character, and possibly go to a cosplay con, not exactly those same words and order. Now I am wondering if it’s too late to get the outfit started.

[@moonlight2566]

I'm sending this to everyone I know😂

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

[@fayefinlay14]

thankfully so far the only bad experience I've had in cosplay was when a kylo ren and a bunch of storm troopers started to follow me around the con when I was dressed as rey (tbh that didn't bother me too much it was the fact that they pretended to interrogate me and put their hands on my shoulder which made me pretty nervous), this was a really helpful video tho! I'm still pretty new to cosplay so I'll keep a lot of these points in mind, thank you

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

Oh yeah. When I'm in costume I love to interact and roleplay with other characters. But there is a point of taking it to far. Thankfully, for the most part everyone is respectfully fun

[@aure1699]

thanks! I am going to a convention this year and I am very nervous

[@Voinamainen]

All excellent advice. One I learned was to not be ashamed to say no to a photo. Last comic con I was at in my Darth Vader suit I had to use the restroom and it took me 45 minutes to get to one due to the mob of kids wanting a Vader picture.....it was brutal.

[@thejokerclub8175]

Soooo good! 😃

[@grimsonsouls855]

I know this video is old but to go along with the eating part- I would suggest for people to not ask for pics while someone is in line for food. It can 1, be inconvenient to either get a pic in the line or move past people to get out of the line for the pic, and 2, it can cause someone to lose their place in line if the person requesting a pic is taking too long- the line must go on. I know it might seem like your last chance because they’re going to be sitting down to eat and you don’t want to wait until they’re done, but chances are you’ll see them around later!

[@adrielperez5971]

I was suicide squad Harley at sdcc and I saw a girl taking a photo of me without asking and I just turned around so she couldn't take a pic. Just ask me for a pic

[@2DeathComesSlowly1]

lol, you should have started to pose at her directions to let her see you have noticed her 😂

[@xielianobsessor]

MotivatedAngel but they didn’t want a photo at that time cause they didn’t ask.. why would they start posing for someone who didn’t respect them?

[@HighDesertReporter760]

Great advice. Appreciate your hard work.

[@caesarsalad1520]

I remember I was in a Kanna cosplay and I was eating at the time and this person tried to sneak a picture of me literally right in front of me and when I noticed I immediately covered my face to ruin their pic

[@tabatha3005]

I made the neo queen serenity costume but I ulttered it to my liking it didn't win at the costume contest cause of it but I received many complements about the ulterations I had done to the original design. :) I really thought I would have received negative feed back. do you enter cosplay contests?

[@taoyakaprincess]

How do I send this to all the creeps at the convention without actually sending it to them

[@RavenSteele17]

I have a small question so I watched the Victoria secret wing tutorial if you would to spray paint them what would it be like after wards would it be stiff or still wavy

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

Spray paint doesn't flex well. So it'll crack on feathers that are long and/or flexible

[@winxcat93]

your bird is so cute

[@jitterbugged6986]

Is it ok to say "you look really good!" To acosplayer?

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

Yes it is! What is not ok is saying: your butt looks great in that costume. Or: your body shape is perfect for that cosplay. Just don't comment on my body. Comment on the hard work I put forth on my costume. Thank you for asking! But generic 'you look great' comments are great to receive ♥️

[@sofialpaca2563]

Well... The last time I went to a con, kids broke up my Harley hammer. I just ran after them with a mad look on my face, which a the time was kinda funny...for everyone else! ಠ◡ಠ

[@taylorkohn9999]

Hello? This may be a weird question, but what camera would you recommend for a beginner con vlogger. Also m, I'm planning on recording my cosplay making process.

[@ArmyofDarkness41]

I hope I am not bothering you but how did you get into sewing? I'm fairly new into cosplaying but I like the idea of sewing, do you have any tips and tricks? Any suggestions? Thank you so much for reading this when ever you get a chance to. I figure you may be busy but when you get a chance, if you could help? Thank you so much. Your videos are amazing by the way, helps me to make sure I don't do things to upset anyone who cosplays and how to react too.

[@Seedtail]

I'm about to go to my first convention (I'll be in cosplay). This video is helpful, cause my social skills are very... lacking. Thanks!

[@CaptainDoesMinecraf1]

What about saying your the best in that category. ie: you're the best harley i've seen today!

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

thats fine, its flattering. as long as its not a direct comparison to someone else

[@GXedits0]

Then if you're sitting down can I then approach and start a conversation even if you're on break?

[@kokoootje]

When I was as Harley I had a hammer with "your face here" painted on it. And how many people just randomly put there face in my hammer and then just walked away like wtf!?

[@peytonbowers9444]

I was at a con with my cousin and she didn't make my costume and some guy came up to us and started telling my cousin how amazing her costume was and mine was commissioned and he started insulting my costume I was 8 at the time and dressed up as Alice from Alice and wonderland while my cousin a video game character I don't remember which one .This grown man just told a actual child that they shouldn't come to a con if they aren't going to put effort into there costume.

[@beecos_2308]

quick question: what if its because we're just not confident enough to come up and ask for a pic, but we want one so we try to sneak one? is that any different in your book?

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

you still need to ask permission before you take someone else's photo. try working up that confidence and just asking "photo?". or try waving and just pointing to your phone or camera, most cosplayer's know that means you're asking for a photo.

[@Liz-di9yg]

So the praising thing as a person with a very low self esteem I full on praised a cosplayer and told them it was a lot better than my attempt they proceeded to rant about how I was just getting started and that I shouldn’t put myself down :3

[@amadvegan122]

this is a public service announcement.

[@wadeparker6499]

I so understand the bought vs made it thing, when it comes to costumes, bought usually means it looks like crap

[@TheRealLilah]

So many children wanting to touch the hammer! gah!

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

the sad part is that is not even children. Its usually teenagers or adults. >~

[@Sigmagigachadthetwentythird]

I can't believe people are rude enough to do that stuff shouldn't all of this be common sense but sadly people still do this stuff 😪

[@hanhpham]

I have a question (I know this isn't a Q&A video but it kind of goes with the subject of this video): what should you do when you see someone snapping a candid, somewhat pervy shot of a cosplayer (as a fellow cosplayer yourself)? I was at a convention and I saw a dude snap a photo of these two girls on the escalator that were a couple steps in front of him. He most likely got a panty shot from the angle he was at. I was going down the other escalator when I saw and was too tired to properly think (going back to the hotel after cosplaying all morning) but almost smacked him with my prop cause I was so disgusted. Obviously I didn't cause that's not the right way to deal with that kind of thing but it left a bad taste in my mouth, and a sense of paranoia that it would happen again, the entire weekend. I'd like to know what your opinion is on how to deal with these kinds of things in case it does happen again.

[@frangipane-]

What I think you could do if you see a person taking a pervy picture is to first take a picture of the photographer (do it without him noticing, it's not really allowed but it's a just in case and you can delete it later) then, approach the photographer and ask him if you can see the picture he made of those cosplayers because you think it was inappropriate. There are two answers he will probably give you, he will either deny and it will make him look super suspicious and it usually means he did make a pervy picture, in that case, use the picture you made of him and tell him you will spread the word if he won't delete it. If he says yes and he shows you the pic, ask him to delete it and tell him it's not right to do such things. I'm pretty sure you could always find some security at the convention and if you see the guy doing it a lot, go to them and tell them the photographer is bothering cosplayers. (and you could use the picture of him to identify him) That's my advice, anyways. c:

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

I guess I would make it super obvious. I would say really loudly: "omg what you you doing? It looked like you were taking pervy pictures. Did you even ask for a photo? Does anyone see a security guard around because that's not right." I would say that so loudly. Everyone around would hear especially whoever that person was wrongfully photographing. You don't even have to address the pervy dude, just make sure everyone around knows what kind of scum they are. They might get discovered, kicked out maybe, but at least they'll be embarrassed and hopefully stop.

[@Borzai]

Con horror story: I was in uraraka cosplay about to take a picture for my Instagram and dropped my phone some guy behind me was taking pictures and when I bent over to pick up my phone HE TOOK A PICTURE, my friend angrily stomped up to the perv and told him to delete the picture he started playing the “idk what you’re talking about?” She then mentioned that I was 14 and that she would call security and the police if didn’t delete the pictures, she sat there watched him delete the pictures and walked back to me.

[@jennaelise1824]

Yes yes and yes, especially with the break thing. Last convention I went to I was sitting down eating in the food court area, sandwich still in hand and literally had a mouth full of food when someone just walked up behind me and asked for a photo. When I asked them to give me a minute they copped an attitude. Um....what? I really dont get the nerve of some people or what could possibly be going through their heads.

[@gorillafunnyuniversal8995]

My first "con" i asked a cosplayer for a pic while she was eating but luckily she was super nuce and allowed it but still i feel bad for doing it

[@bruceWaynexx]

i was cosplaying jason todd from the outlaw series (the new one people dont like so much) and this girl cosplayed as a BNHA character she came over and said "ugh u know jason has a white streak in his hair right?" for this little brainless girl jason shaved his head so no he doesnt in this universe. it ruined my con i was so sad and felt to bad about myself. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT BE MEAN ABOUT PEOPLES COSPLAYS IT CAN RUIN THEIR TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@celestegreen9789]

well, the word "iphone" doesn't apply to me cause i don't have a iphone. i have a ps4, 2 controllers, lots of clothes, some i use for cosplaying, 3 of my games have game cases, but not the rest, a acer chromebook(that i'm currently on), a old-as-f*** samsung s5 that i confinscated from my mom, lots of art supplies, lots of headphones and earphones that ALWAYS get lost, but i don't have apple products. the words "camera" and "yourself" and "permisson" and "cosplay" and "nice" do apply because i will gladly compilment anyone's cosplay and ask for a picture with someone who is cosplaying a character i favor. i favor these characters, i will sort them into the fandoms they're in. DC: Batman-hero, Red hood-litarally dc's version of the punisher, only different origin, scarecrow-somewhat anti hero?? Mattel: skeletor-arch nemisis of he man. Marvel: punisher-anti hero, ghost rider-anti hero(he hunts sinners, it's logical), spiderman-hero, deadpool-anti hero, black panther-hero.

[@athghost2256]

does your bird ever poop on you?love this video, was just curious...

[@AxcelerationDesigns]

+Opal Angel all the time. Lol 😅

[@Colorful_Mess]

Omg, it happens all the freaking time!! Why do people think it's okey to take picture when somebody eats. 🙄

[@umbreon545]

I like your dinosaur

[@MedousaChan]

Whenever I spot someone taking a sneaky picture, I either give them the stink eye, or I make the least attractive facial expression possible so their photo is ruined. It. annoys. me. so. much.

[@StarlightBeloved]

also if you want't take a photo off an underage cosplayer please ask their guardian first because even if the cosplayer is ok with their photo on the internet the parents or whatever adult they are with might not be ok with it. PS: sorry for my crappy English.

[@ItsKateLive]

The first thing I notice: THERE IS A BIRD ON UR SHOULDER

[@BaronOfHell666]

Do same rules apply when people are live stream or recording video? I see a lot videos of people just walking around and they will sometimes stop someone and ask if they can talk to them on camera. Obviously if the person doesn't want to be on camera it is to late. If haven't seen anyone say no but maybe some did and the camera person edited them out. But then there are many more people that you see that haven't been asked to talk. Are these cosplayers being violated the same way as if a stealth photo was taken?

[@juliemendez2511]

Hello!

[@user-re7po]

Julie Mendez do you remember posting this 3 years ago?

[@laurae3379]

Kawaii :3

[@maddalinp6903]

I have a cute face 😌😌

[@thejokerclub8175]

Sooo good!😃