A special feature REPOSTED from Administrator of Cosplay.ph, Sir Pablo Bairan (with his permission). THIS IS NOT MY ARTICLE! I would just like to share this article because I strongly believe Cosplayers today esp. newbies, seriously need to take heed of those who have been through it from the start, not from anyone random..

Introduction

The Cosplay community in the Philippines has grown massively in recent years with an incredible influx of new Cosplayers ever since the local media has embraced the quirky hobby that we’ve all known and loved. With this growth, it seems inevitable that misunderstandings will occur between Cosplayers as the interpretation of Cosplay has become more varied and influenced by the myriad backgrounds of the ever-growing community.

Besides, the classic Wikipedia definition of Cosplay (which the media has quoted over and over), I believe that we should all have a personal code of honor or a Cosplayer’s Creed if you will. These are by no means law or rules of conduct that a person must have to Cosplay. Instead, they are personal goals and guidelines that serve as inspiration in order to have the right attitude during Cosplay events.

You are free to personalize your own Cosplayer’s Creed in order to suit your own personality. My only request is that, if you do decide to create your own Cosplayer’s Creed and publish it online, you would also leave a link to the original one posted here.

The Cosplayer’s Creed

I am a Cosplayer. I am dedicated to emulating the characters I portray to the best of my abilities through not only craftsmanship but performance as well.

I respect the characters I Cosplay. While in costume, I will never act in a way that will demean the character I am portraying nor will I mar the image of that character by acting in a shameful manner. I will also learn as much as I can about the character I Cosplay so that I can portray them faithfully.

I treat other Cosplayers with respect and dignity. I will neither belittle other Cosplayers nor will I act superior to them in any way. I will not encourage or condone other people belittling other Cosplayers even if it is to praise my own Cosplay. I will act with humility despite any attainments or rewards that I may receive. In competition, whether I win or lose, I will do so graciously. I will never attack other Cosplayers even if I do not believe in the contest’s results. I understand that they did not have anything to do with the judging process.

I criticize only constructively. I will always back up my criticisms with suggestions on how to improve the Cosplay of others. I will use terms that are informative and not hurtful, and I will readily offer detailed advice when asked.

I assist other Cosplayers to the best of my ability. I recognize that sharing knowledge and expertise is important, but that spoon-feeding is detrimental. I will share information when I feel it has been earned and only to those who will use it to develop their own abilities and who will, in turn, help others as well.

I prioritize properly. Health, family, work and education come first.I will not risk injuring or losing any of these things by placing Cosplay first. I recognize that Cosplay is still a hobby and that it must always be put in its proper place.

I compete honestly. I will never engage in sabotage or use a technicality to destroy the chances of other Cosplay competitors. I will not try to influence the judges outside the contest with favors or goods, and I will never use threats or coercion to affect the scores. I will read the rules and guidelines carefully and follow them to the best of my ability when I decide to compete.

I walk on the path of perpetual self-improvement. I will continually learn from other Cosplayers and develop new techniques through creative thinking to constantly improve myself as a Cosplayer. I will hone my skills by challenging my abilities at every opportunity.

I take pride in being a Cosplayer. I will not allow the image of Cosplay to be tarnished and will promote it as a healthy hobby. I will never use my status as a Cosplayer to harm others or as an excuse to engage in reprehensible acts. I will invite but never force others to Cosplay. I will abide by The Cosplayer’s Creed, regardless of the actions of others, because I place the well-being of Cosplay above any amount of fame, wealth or personal gain.

Katz- Now I have personally included motivational photos for a reason. Yes, to motivate and show you how much Cosplay can change a single idea.. as well as your life. And that’s how it’s done. *bow* You may post your comments, thoughts and suggestions.

Original link here: http://www.cosplay.ph/cms/content.php?126&s=b35eb95052b249ea0dd4cfef3f478c16

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