Shows
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCoswars Part One Featuring Melbourne SupermanPART ONE of TWOThis week, we've been talking about Star Wars and we've been talking about Cosplay and the conflicts inside of us, and the world of Cosplay as we wind down this season which I've been calling #unitedI have with me @melbournesuperman whom you can find and follow at the links below:https://linktr.ee/MelbournesupermanYou may remember him from last season:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSU3jf4ok9QOf course, be sure to subscribe to his YouTube Channel!https://www...2021-11-2638 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryBut You Have the High GroundWhat do we do when we have the high ground in Cosplay – when we gain momentum? How do we use it? Do we wait, do we hope for someone to recognize our effort, or do we just stay the course?Where do the Prequels fit in the grand scheme of Star Wars? Do they really fit – besides giving Disney an easy segue into new content that can weave in and out of all the episodes?Are we going to see a complete Disney takeover of Cosplay – and have we already?Find us online:http...2021-11-2509 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryThe Return of the CosplayerJedi was my least favorite of the first 3 movies, but the one I watched the most. It was conclusive. Becoming a Jedi meant something back thenDoes becoming a Cosplayer now mean less than it used to? Is there less of a path, less meaning behind having someone teach you things – do Cosplayers have basically the same road map that Luke has?Crappy training, learn what you can, make it up as you go along – have good friends that encourage you to do the best you can – because you’ve all been through some stuff together...2021-11-2408 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplay Strikes BackStar Wars Episode V is the best, in my opinion. No main character deaths. There’s a massive plot twist – which generally we do not see in sequels – can you name sequels that have mega reveals or plot twists like Empire? What do we like about Empire? Is it one of the greatest sequels and stories of all time? Does it make an impact and has it stood the test of time? Will it be overshadowed by what Disney is coming out with now? Does Empire get forgotten because Disney wants the current titles to be more po...2021-11-2306 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryA New Hope for CosplayWhat can we symbolize and celebrate and do we or are we too busy trying to cultivate attention?This week, and next :) we're going to be talking about Star Wars. Everything about a Fandom that started for me a long time ago...What can Star Wars tell us about Cosplay, and was it the first time that Cosplay became mainstream? Everyone scrambled to theaters in 1977 to see this movie and some showed up dressed as their favorite characters. These days, you can expect to see any number of Cosplayers promoting premiere events for every movie.2021-11-2208 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryYaya Han's Book - Part Five - The Industry of CosplayWe’ve talked about Yaya’s book all week and covered the first 4 sections – feel free to listen to the Podcasts that summarize the bookBuy the book – Yaya’s really great about getting it to you right away. She signed it for me and even included a signed print. Above and beyond.In this final section, I think it covers the most ground of any section of the book. It goes over really how Yaya Han went from Cosplayer to Business Owner and developed partnerships, protected intellectual property, and in a short amount of t...2021-11-1915 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryYaya Han's Book - Part FourIn today's episode, we're talking about Yaya Han's book and the Duality of Cosplay that she covers in the 4th section.It goes over really how Yaya Han went from Cosplayer to Business Owner and developed partnerships, protected intellectual property, and in a short amount of time saw a lot of growth professionally.Results not typical – but it reinforces my statements on the show – there’s no overnight success, there’s no secrets to success – it’s work, dedication, consistency, and unfortunately, a fair amount of luck overall.It’s nice to know that the thing...2021-11-1808 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryYaya Han's Book - Part ThreeWe're continuing with our review and coverage of Yaya Han's book with the 3rd section which talks about the creative process of Cosplay. This is really the part where I "got it" and really started to understand Yaya's perspective on Cosplay. This is the part of the book that made me want to be better at creating my own works inside costume design, makeup, and characterization.And really, this is expression in terms of adaptation – your own version of something, replicating something, commissions , etc.Alyson Tabbitha is mentioned in this section as one of the grea...2021-11-1709 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryYaya Han's Book - Part TwoIn this episode, we're continuing our look through Yaya Han's book and covering the second part of the book which goes through the history of cosplay.She goes through her journey over the years and how she got started – all the ups and downsRecent history in Cosplay, but also a brief on costuming throughout history, which I thought was great to includeCosplay pillars – Sewing and Armor. This is in terms of being a maker – these are essential. There are more pillars in my opinion, but in this context – yes. Agree – you need to le...2021-11-1609 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryYaya Han's Book - Part OneThis week we're talking about Yaya Han's Book and everything that it contains. Every day we're covering a section of the book, which is broken into 5 main parts.Part one is called the World of Cosplay, and it serves as your introduction to Cosplay and to Yaya HanHer origin story is very unique, and definitely not what I thought. Learning that she’s from Germany and immigrated here was not what I expected.Advice sections throughout – and small tip sections, though it is not the focus of the book – not the main point...2021-11-1508 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryAvoiding Cosplay GossipGossip runs rampant in cosplay – especially online. There are groups. There are cliques at Cons – there’s a ton of high school behavior.Being authentic is tough – and definitely, we want to show everyone that we’re not about all of that drama, but I know in some cases, there’s a lot going on underneath in this world of Cosplay, but you know what?Those that keep to themselves and just create – aren’t always looking for collabs, clout, and what’s in it for them – they seem to do the best.What can we do and do...2021-11-1210 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryFailing Your Way Through Cosplay1 million subscribers – seems impossible and in many cases, for many niche channels, it is an impossible goal. 1000 is a lot. Can we fail our way to a Gold Play Button? What happens when we get one?Well…nothing. Nothing happens. You just get one.But can you fail your way to success? Many online talking heads seem to think so. Depends on your definition of failure.If an attempt at something that doesn’t result in what you wanted, or exceeded your expectation, then technically it failed. But that’s not always a bad thing.2021-11-1111 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplay Space (and YouTube)You’re going to need space.If you’re making content – how are you making it? Probably in a corner of your house or apartment in front of a curtain – we all start somewhere.Never worry about production quality – a little goes a long way, but you’ll want to make something that suits your brand and your personalityHow much space do you need? Can I even answer that?Some creators have a studio, a workshop, basement, spare room and others just film anywhere.My space is fairly limited, and...2021-11-1008 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryWhy I Like Seeing Cosplayers on YouTubeYouTube is the often overlooked platform for Cosplay - you prefer the "easier" platforms such as Twitch, Instagram, and TikTok. What if I told you that the easiest, or at least the platform with the best return and lowest level of competition in the Cosplay space is actually YouTube. Let's go over my thoughts on this and the numbers.Find HoCS online:https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary.comFind the Sanctuary on Social:With Co-Host @astravoidcosplayFollow Her On Instagram & Join Her TikTok Community!https://linktr.ee/AstraVoidCosplay...And Host ScottyBVero...2021-11-0916 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCamera Shy CosplayersOne of the hardest things for me to overcome is being awkward on camera. Roberto Blake says – you’re going to make 100 crappy videos. And that’s ok. What you don’t want to do is be too hard on yourself in the beginning when you get in front of a camera.A few things I’ve learned from years in theater, and in having nearly 100 videos on YouTubeAlso – some irony in making a Podcast about being good on Camera – so really, if camera isn’t for you – Podcasts are also an easy way to get started.2021-11-0814 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryPatreon for Cosplayers 2.0First of all, this is an episode about Patreon. We've had a few in the past, and in general, you want to know about putting content in spaces where you can make money.The good news is, if you have a YouTube channel, you're on the track to monetize your brand. It can be slow going, but at some point, you might want to get some return on what you're putting in.In 2022, we will have a Patreon for HoCS, and what that will entail will be determined next year. The tough part about Patreon is s...2021-11-0512 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplay and eCommerceIn this episode, I want to talk about eCommerce and a few things to consider when setting up a commerce website or platform for Cosplay. You may sell products you make, commissions, or have branded merchandise that you want other people to purchase and support your show. We have merch - if you'd like to check it out!If you're looking to get into Commerce, it's become very easy, and certainly at any size, you can offer your logo in a number of print-on-demand ways, set up links to different sites where you sell your p...2021-11-0411 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryPaid Search for CosplayAre we completely hung up on the algorithms and gaining organic reach? It's becoming harder and harder to curate attention based on what each of these free platforms wants. Yes, the platform is free, but is it coming down to having to spend money just to get reach online?Partly, yes. Today, I'm talking about paid search which I break up into two groups - Social Media and Pay Per Click (Your Google Ads). I'm also suggesting Neil Patel as a resource for you to take a look at and learn more about how each of these c...2021-11-0313 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryBranding Things for CosplayersThere are a number of misconceptions about branding, and there's a lot to it. I wanted to take an episode to share my thoughts on branding, developing a brand, brand standards and all things to consider as a Cosplayer looking to build a 'stand out brand' inside of the industry.Find us online:https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary....Find the Sanctuary on Social:With Co-Host @astravoidcosplayFollow Her On Instagram & Join Her TikTok Community!https://linktr.ee/AstraVoidCosplay...And Host ScottyBVero: @scottybofficialLike, Comment, and SUBSCRIBE to our YouT...2021-11-0215 min
Heroes of Cosplay Sanctuary5 Things to Know About Marketing for CosplayThis week, I wanted to come back to some of the roots that the show is based on, and talk about core concepts for building an online presence that brings you attention, leads to a larger audience, and ultimately helps you create a source of income.It's not the only thing, the most important thing, but here are some things to consider if you are looking to elevate your platform and your brand to solve problems for your audience and create income for yourself.Today I have 5 general Marketing tips for you to help you...2021-11-0121 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryIs This the Only Way?Is this the only way?It’s a straight forward approach to content creation. It follows basic writing principles for scripts – which you have – I’m reading a loose script. But, you don’t have to do it like this.Having a format is something that your audience can get used to. Being random, if it’s not your thing may lead to confusion – by viewers and YouTube. But make it yours.You don’t want to lead with saying who you are and why people should follow? Don’t.You’d rather give a...2021-10-2909 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryIs it OK to Outsource Cosplay?Outsourcing can be hit and miss – you may never get something, you may wait a long time, and it might not be what you want – hard to find trustworthy vendors in some casesAmazon Cosplayers – is it really outsourcing to not make everything from raw materials? Buying pieces and altering them – saves time and is kind of outsourcing, but not reallyProps, printing, makeup, wigs, sewing, foaming, painting, repairing, documenting, sharing – it’s a lot.Let's talk about the line between being a creator and promoting other's work by wearing their creations.Find us...2021-10-2814 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryWhy I Don't Share CosplaysDo these thoughts go through your head when you make a Cosplay?I’m not too good at CosplayI don’t have a lot of time for CosplayI don’t have anyone to edit or take photos right nowI don’t think it’s there yet – even if I did share, it doesn’t measure up to what out thereIf so, we may have something to talk about. I've had these thoughts too, and it keeps me from completing Cosplays. What do we do when we have these...2021-10-2713 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryWhen Cosplays StallI don’t know which cosplay to do...I run into brick walls making a Cosplay or buying one – takes too long – gets screwed up – I don’t think it’s good enoughWhat to do when a Cosplay stalls out?Let's talk about this in today's episode and learn about why I don't spend more time sharing my cosplays with you. I have some tips for you to stay the course on what you're working on instead of picking up yet another project only to half-finish it.Find us online:https://w...2021-10-2610 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryAre Composite Edits Cosplay?When you get your face edited into a background and a cosplay – is that Cosplay?Cosplay is Costume + Play (which I’ve never gone into why that is) acting out our fandoms in real lifeSo, if it isn’t real life. If we don’t have the costume. If we’re not actually anywhere but in our living room and in our jim jams in front of a green screen, and the only part of it that’s us is the likeness – is it Cosplay?Find us online:https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary....Find...2021-10-2516 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryMore Views for CosplayersIt's a complete 180 today as I'll be watching Dune! We're going to talk about one of the more standard topics today, which is the big conversation on getting more views and attention as a Cosplayer online.Over and over again, I hear about how Cosplay content is being suppressed by the algorithm on YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, and really just online in general. This video talks about views, getting views, viewership and the big part of what it's all about on YouTube: watch time.As much as I'm not a YouTube channel about YouTube - we d...2021-10-2212 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryLet's Talk About DUNE - The BooksToday, I doubt I will do the Frank Herbert series of amazing Sci-Fi space drama any justice. I just really think it's one of the greatest stories ever written in it's genre. I'm talking all about the Dune books and what we will hopefully see in the movie. There are a lot of spoilers, so sorry about that - although Dune has been around for a while, so really it's akin to spoiling the fact that Bruce Wayne's parents were shot in an alley...I think enough time has gone by to know how this goes for Bat...2021-10-2121 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryLet's Talk about DUNE - The Video GamesToday, I want to focus on DUNE again, but the video games this time. I spend a lot of time as a kid playing Dune II and Dune 2000 on my computer and it took up a lot of my weekends. I'm going to explain what I liked about the games, and how they were unique and set the stage for a lot of downloadable games that are popular today. Of course, I do talk about the original DUNE game, which is based on the 1984 movie in it's look and feel. I didn't play this one as much be...2021-10-2017 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryLet's Talk about DUNE - The Original MovieToday we're talking about the 1984 movie, DUNE. It's definitely a massive contrast to the new movie out at the end of the week. I want to talk about the good and bad of the movie, what I thought was missing, and really why I was so drawn to the whole concept of Dune in the first place. The games were a big help, but that's a story for tomorrow. For today, let's focus on what happened with the first movie, and what I hope they do differently (and the same in some cases) in the latest reboot. Here...2021-10-1917 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryLet's Talk about DUNE - Movie Trailers ReviewThis week on the Podcast, I'm talking about DUNE - the movie coming out on HBO/Max on October 22nd. We're going to spend a show each day this week talking about the trailers, 1984 movie, video games, and the books. Dune is one of my favorite, if not my favorite fandoms. It's awesome, and I've loved it for around 30 years. Today, we're going to dive into the trailers and talk about where we think the movie will go. There will be some spoilers as I'm very familiar with the old movie and the books, which I'm using for...2021-10-1821 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryOverproduced Cosplay ContentToday, we’re talking about how to produce a video without over-producing it.Does everything you create need to be as good or better than what’s coming out in the MCU today?How do you expect it to be when you’re just one person with a camera phone?We hold ourselves to really high standards and even higher bars in cosplay.In fact – I rarely even release or share that I’ve finished a Cosplay, because I never think it’s good enough or done enough to share.It’s a comparison t...2021-10-1611 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryYour Inauthentic SelfWhen you get on camera, who are you? Are you the way you are all the time, or are you developing a persona?Does getting in front of an audience actually allow you to be more of who you want to be – which is also not necessarily who you are.Inauthentic usually means pandering to likes, follows, and asking for people to send you money for existing - which is not something that we care for on the showOffering a skill, a service, or a product – that doesn’t make anything genuine, it’s sa...2021-10-1410 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryWe All Start At ZeroWe all start somewhere, and most of the time it's at zero. We're all beginners at something and that is where we all start. True statement? Does it ever matter how many followers you have? Does it matter how many you gather and does that validate your ability to create and portray fandoms? Today's talk is aimed at showing you some perspective and reminding you that there is no overnight success. We might have mentioned this in yesterday's episode :)Find us online:https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary....Find the Sanctuary on Social:With Co-Host @as...2021-10-1309 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryIt Takes 10 Years?!?10 years is a long time to do anything. The more I talk to Cosplayers, the more I realize that there’s no ‘overnight success’ even in the look-alike realm of CosplayIt all starts with Halloween. Or in my case, theater.Why does it take so long to “get good” at Cosplay and why is the average time in Cosplay a decade?Find us online:https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary....Find the Sanctuary on Social:With Co-Host @astravoidcosplayFollow Her On Instagram & Join Her TikTok Community!https://linktr.ee/AstraVoidC...2021-10-1210 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryBrand Planning for CosplayersWhat goes into your Brand? The decisions you make on color, inspiration, or where the focus goes are all strategic choices made inside of Cosplay behind the scenes to get you the attention for your platform that you're looking for. That's a long sentence.Overall, today we're talking about choices in branding - self-branding or creating a business centered around what you do and your bigger picture. A few minutes for you to think about how to go about planning your goals and strategy not just with the Cosplay itself, but with taking things to another level...2021-10-1109 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryKnow, Like, Trust with Noble PorpoiseThis week's guest was so much fun to talk to and I found out that we're both fans of someone who has been a major help to YouTubers in every industry. Finding a fellow #Boss in Cosplay is awesome, and you can tell that she's all in on her YouTube Channel #YT4BossesAn amazing YouTuber, and Cosplayer, super smart and talented, we discuss many topics related to her Channel and her journey through fitness and cosplay. It was a great time, and I think we lost track of time, but with so much knowledge and helpful t...2021-10-0955 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryThe Most Important ThingThere's no big reveal here. I'm talking about what's most important about Cosplay, and really anything you do. You need to be happy with the things you do - hobbies, job, people you're with, relationships, family, routines - happiness.It's hard to find. We spend too much time not enjoying what we do, but working really hard to either do what we don't want to or what others want us to do. If that's not making you happy, then really take a long look at your approach.It's also hard to believe we're on Episode 50 of...2021-10-0706 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryBecoming a Full-Time CosplayerThinking about becoming a full-time cosplayer? In this episode we dive into a financial perspective of when it may be the best time to jump in to becoming a full-time creator. It's not easy to make the leap from hobbyist to business owner. There's a lot to unpack, and we get into some of the details of what you may want to think about before quitting your stable job and starting down the path of becoming a content creator in the World of Cosplay.Find us online:https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary....Find the Sanctuary on So...2021-10-0616 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryWhy We Love to Hate CosplayWe love Cosplay, but we hate Cosplay.It’s a mess. There are many barriers to entry. Expensive. Hard to keep up. Involves a lot of camera work, editing, and constant upkeep.It gets political. There are clicks. Alliances are formed and dissolved. It’s very competitive.And there's always some drama...But, we still want to keep doing it. Keep fandoms alive and express our creativity through representing the characters that we love. It's a lot of work, for most of us, but in the end there are many po...2021-10-0506 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryShameless Self PromotionIs it shameless to create content and work to have others pay attention to it? Today's episode uncovers the thought process to producing content at scale as a Cosplayer and the 'so what?' of putting so much effort into what we create online and the work that goes into creating an Influencer platform using Cosplay as the medium.Find us online:https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary....Find the Sanctuary on Social:With Co-Host @astravoidcosplayFollow Her On Instagram & Join Her TikTok Community!https://linktr.ee/AstraVoidCosplay...And Host Scotty...2021-10-0407 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplay Isn't EverythingWe talk about taking breaks, not going crazy constantly with Cosplay, though it is obsessive and can be an unhealthy escape if it is allows to be so – just like almost anything else.But, it’s not the only thing, and it doesn’t have to be.What are we talking about and is it talking in circles?We’ve talked about going all in on Cosplay or focusing on the “one thing”, which if it’s Cosplay, you’ll be focused on it.But there’s more to life than pushing into a space, bein...2021-10-0214 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryThe Next 4 Years of HeroesIn this episode, we're talking about the future of the show. I bring this up every so often, usually once a season in order to provide you with a roadmap of where we've been, and how we're steering the ship right now.We have come a long way, and we've got a long way to go. The Podcast has been out for just over 2 years at this point, and has done ok overall. We're looking at some major projects, collaborating inside of the YouTube space, building a Streaming platform, Patreon content, and working next year to produce so...2021-09-3014 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryKeymasters in CosplayThis one doesn't really have a large trend going for it. I'm taking the term from Ghostbusters - the Keymaster finds the Gatekeeper in the movie and they come together to bring forth the end of the world - which they do. There's a lot going on.A 'Keymaster' is someone that holds the key. They have the information, and they are the masters of that information. That's my take on it. What they do with that information inside of Cosplay is up to them. Many document and create amazing content to help others. I think the best...2021-09-2918 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplay GatekeepingThis has come up on my show before, we have a couple of episodes that mention gatekeeping in the Cosplay community.So what is Gatekeeping, and why is it important to work to both understanding and avoiding in Cosplay? Let's discuss the gatekeep issue in Cosplay and then tie it to one of my favorite themes - Ghostbusters. The Gatekeeper and the Keymaster (which we'll get into the in the next episode) are two main points to the plot. Is gatekeeping necessary to the plot of Cosplay? Let's explore where it comes from and how small and la...2021-09-2808 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplay Cancel CultureI thought I would take today to talk more about the cancel culture inside of Cosplay. We rage, we have our issues, and we get involved with accounts online and with people that we do not know too well in an unfortunately negative way. It's fairly toxic. We're not just raising awareness, but also encouraging people in Cosplay to avoid being a part of cancel culture. In the long-run, if someone's doing something that isn't upstanding, that is negative, and that brings other people down or has the wrong message - it will catch up with them. It's...2021-09-2712 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplay TimeoutWe’re on time out today. And that’s ok. For everything you do in Cosplay, and all the stuff that’s constantly going on, sometimes you just really need to take a break.I see that one thing Cosplayers really think they need to do is stay in the space they’re in – they have to post a lot – they have to create a lot of content – especially on Instagram and they have to grow every day.Part of this is due to the platforms and their addictive qualities. We crave attention and we want to be social –...2021-09-2518 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryToo Much Information!Are you sharing too much with your audience? Sure, we like to see what’s going on with your Cosplays – the work in progress, the Con-going, the photoshoots, but do we want to know about your relationships, the battles you’re getting into online, the controversy, and some of the other grit that people share with their communities in the name of attention?I do not.What you choose to share is your business, but I find that the version of what we are online – often even the drama is fabricated. You have to be careful...2021-09-2310 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuarySetting an Example inside CosplaySet an example in the community. Be that person that isn’t causing trouble – going behind people’s backs, or discouraging someone from doing something that they want to. Being a beacon in a community is not easy. In fact, it can be an uphill battle.Building a presence in Cosplay – in a positive way – takes a lot of resources, energy, and is a long journey. Many Cosplayers I talk to have been at it for many years. 10 or more in many cases. I’m actually quite new to the scene in that respect – only 3 years or so inside of the Co...2021-09-2205 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryGetting Angry in the Cosplay CommunityOutrage culture. We get upset about a lot of things that do not directly affect us. In fact, we might get more upset about something happening on Twitter related to a Fandom than we do about anything that happens directly to us.There are too many people online trying to build a fan base or gain attention by pointing out all of the wrongness in things that do not affect them in any way.Yes, spelling mistakes are annoying. Yes, we have opinions about celebrities and the movies we watch, the quality of presentations and a...2021-09-2110 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplay BackstabbingThis week let’s talk about something that plagues the community in the two-facing that exists online and inside of the Cosplay community.Something to watch out for – as there are too many examples of Cosplayers going after other cosplayers, talking behind their backs, starting rumors, and spamming allegations. In a sense, backstabbing.What do we do about this behavior?Unfortunately, adults learn this and it is a survival mechanism. If we build trust just to betray it, there can be an incentive to do so. At work, you’ll befriend someone just to later...2021-09-2010 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplay Best Practices for CollabsToday, join me and my co-host Astravoid Cosplay as we talk through some of what we've found to be best practices in Cosplay Collaboration.Collaboration is just that – mutual agreement to work on a common project – might be big, might be small. Astra and I collaborate on this show.The Rules we know about. Pick someone about your same size (following wise)Don’t get pushyEstablish a relationship first before sliding into DMs and making what look like demandsKeep it simpleWrite things down and...2021-09-1819 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryIs Cosplay also Modeling?Are Cosplayers Models?Sure – Cosplayers can be models and vice versa – but what kind of a model is a Cosplayer and is it really what Cosplay is all about?We take a lot of photos and share them. We share the cosplay, the work around the cosplay and much of that is photography and in some cases – digital art.So, it requires some work with the camera and there’s photographer involved.Modeling isn’t always Cosplay, but it can help.Can Cosplay be thought of as alternative modeling and do you...2021-09-1710 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCreating Cosplay Content Like a JournalistJournalism – why talk about it?If you have a show, as I do – you want more than just opinion to drive your content. Sure, there’s some opinion, but it’s also storytelling. Journalists do a lot of work behind the scenes – they write, they orchestrate, practice their presentations. Journalism is very helpful in terms of presenting yourself – you learn on and off camera skills, how to speak, how to handle an audience – so many of the skills we see needed to be online (it seems) – have a Channel, or grow a following.But I was never a...2021-09-1507 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplay Skills : Do I need to be an Actor?Do I want to be an actor – no, not really. There’s a lot of rejection and politics. Do I want to create films, art, drama, and see where Cosplayers can fit into that mix – I sure do. But for fun and as part of a body of work that builds other skills.Where do Cosplayers fit when it comes to acting. Some Cosplayers are actors. Costume design and playing a part go hand-in-hand. Cosplay is character depiction. Many go to TikTok or Reels and create skits of their favorite fan films – depending on the audio they can find fr...2021-09-1410 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryHow to work with Sponsors as a CosplayerPeople will approach you when you have a following. It does happen. I approach people to be on my show, to collaborate on larger projects, and really just to talk to them because it is supposed to be Social media after all.So – what do you do?We’ve talked about some of this on the show before – vet vet vet your SponsorsIf you’re not used to making deals – and most of us are not it pays off to be choosy.As I’ve learned, you do not have to say yes to...2021-09-1311 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryBe Kind, Cosplayers! Featuring Special Guest: CarrinaBeeRounding out this week, my guest is a considerate cosplayer who brings positivity to the community and creates a lot of buzz around those fandoms she supports :)We go deep on fandoms, many of her builds, and talk about what brought her into and keeps her in Cosplay. Such a fun episode, and so much to discuss with @CarrinaBee! Follow her on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/carrinabee/ You can find all of her other links here:https://www.flowcode.com/page/carrinabeeFind us online:https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary.co...2021-09-1034 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplayers and Twitch - Part 4It seems, as we’ve been talking about Twitch this week, that it’s all about how much time you put into being on your channel. There are minimums, but there’s no batching content on Twitch – you show up and spend the time with your audience. No uploading and batching content has to be done in no less than 7 instances in a month in order to stay monetized as an affiliate.This is a lot of work. Can you leverage time on Twitch?Don't forget to visit our website: https://www.heroesofcosplaysanctuary.com/ Find th...2021-09-0911 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplayers and Twitch - Part 3Today in part three of Twitch and Cosplayers, we're talking about the differences between YouTube and Twitch and why Twitch may be the better platform for the Cosplay community. It depends on your audience, and many other factors, but I wanted to spend this episode getting into pros and cons for each.YouTube doesn’t require you to be there when your video uploads, but it does have a streaming component. You can also post Shorts to promote other content. The search is very different – the reach does not necessarily cater to only the popular channels – YouTube fits th...2021-09-0809 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplayers and Twitch - Part 2With Cons non-existent for almost all of 2020 and part of 2021 – Cosplayers found that circulating on social media alone was very difficult. Many of us started live streaming, going to virtual events, and building channels around Fandom. Much like Heroes did, the online content accelerated as Cosplayers looked for new ways to reach their audience and connect with their fandoms.Many chose Twitch, but are all Cosplayers gamers? Do they have to be?Cosplayers are designers, or at least, we like dressing up like our favorite fictional characters and putting it on display to generate attention in...2021-09-0712 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryCosplayers and Twitch - Part 1This week, I'm talking about Twitch. If you're new to Twitch, it's a streaming platform that has seen a lot of growth since Covid, especially in the gamer segment of the Cosplay community.This week we're talking about all things Twitch and comparing it to my choice to continue with content on YouTube instead of Twitch. Will HoCS end up on Twitch? Possibly in the future, I'll be looking into being on the platform as I move further away from the mainstay of Instagram.We have a lot to cover this week, so be sure to...2021-09-0610 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryFantastically Geeky with Special Guest Fant4stically Geeky CosplayMy next guest comes to us from her own epic Channel, where she showcases her talents as an artist and cosplayer, as well as talks to many Cosplayers from all over the globe. One of the most genuine people you will ever meet in the community, she is supportive, informative, and creative – adding a geeky flavor to the fandom, cosplay, and comic community, listen to our discussion on Comics, Cosplay, and her many talents & fandoms that she shares on her channel to go deep on Geek Culture, Cosplay, and much more! Visit her Website htt...2021-09-0426 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuarySupporting CosplayersFor Cosplayers and those who want to support Cosplayers, it can get very overwhelming in a somewhat crowded space what you should do as an enthusiast or even as a Cosplayer to support the Cosplay community.Almost everyone has a linktree which goes to Websites, Patreon, Etsy, and many other spaces where products and services can be sold. There are also links to charitable sites, places to crowdfund, and of course any number of additional spaces for you to follow your favorite Cosplayers/Creators. There’s also the products they promote – anything from shoes to comic books and...2021-09-0215 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryThe Worst Ways to Make Money in CosplaySome may disagree with the subject of this Podcast and say – these are actually good ways to make money. They are ways to make money online, but I’ll tell you first what I believe is the best way to do it.Or really - today we're taking about how to avoid some suggested ways to make money in Cosplay that don't always work out too well.Amazon wish lists do not really pay you, and any site where it’s just set up as donations may also not be the best method – many users do not su...2021-09-0116 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryTop Reasons We DON'T Monetize in CosplayMaking money with Cosplay is not easy. Many see it as a hobby, and at it’s core, it is heavy on costume and graphic design. So if you just want to have fun with it, that’s completely fine. Many of us do.But for those of us who do want to monetize, what’s getting in our way of really making something out of it? Let’s look at 5 reasons why we do not focus on monetization and instead try to gain attention on platforms that don’t really offer us much incentive to continue to product...2021-08-3108 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryMoney for CosplayCosplay costs money. I want a proton pack, and they’re like $2500 dollars. Even if I could build one myself, it would still cost a lot of time and hundreds of dollars. How do you finance it? And all the things that surround it.In general, thinking about money – you need to thank it, and pay yourself first. That’s what I’ve learned. Money presents options, so the more you have, the more options you have.Don’t be afraid to create avenues for paid content – digital art, prints, and services (even commissions) can get you started...2021-08-3013 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryTriumph Over Tragedy : Batman of San AntonioToday friends, I have the pleasure of welcoming a cosplayer who has turned tragedy into triumph. A truly selfless individual, his story matches those characters he portrays, most notably a symbol of light coming out of Darkness.Listen to his inspiring story, a victim of a hit and run, who took something tragic in his life, and created a way to give back to the community and become a symbol for others who have been through tough times, have terminal issues, and who may just need a kind word to see light at the end of the...2021-08-2834 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryFinding Your Tribe in CosplayThis is not the episode where I tell you who to follow, support, collaborate with, or what fandoms you SHOULD be a part of in order to grow your following.This is about who you gravitate towards, and those parts of the geek culture and fandoms that you already enjoy – its more about how you share it than engineering an Instagram feed.You Cosplay, or you Podcast, or you are a creator on YouTube or another space – probably TwitchWhat you do in those spaces should give you an idea of who to look...2021-08-2609 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryFinding Space for CosplayWhen you don’t have creative space, you can feel like you want to quit.On the other hand, if it takes over your whole house, that can be overwhelming too, and probably will make everything look really messy – clutter everywhere – hard to find things – stuff on top of stuff on top of everything else you use to cook and clean – never mind having non-cosplay people over to visit and trying to clean everything up.Let's talk about some space-saving, time-saving, and stress-saving ways to bring Cosplay into your spaces at home without taking over.V...2021-08-2508 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryFinding Time for CosplayWe are limited most by time. Everyone online is telling us to quit our jobs, follow our passions, work less, do more, be productive, and stop trading time for dollars – create passive income and live with passion.Just to find an hour or two to make a costume and a weekend or two to go to a convention.But it’s very true – it’s hard to find time and energy to do anything – work out, hobbies, visit with friends/family, post to social media, write, create – where do the weekends go?As I’m recordin...2021-08-2410 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryFinding Cosplay TutorialsWhere do you go online for cosplay tutorials? Do you hit up people in their DMs or just look around for videos on YouTube?Chances are YouTube has something you’re looking for, but are you motivated to figure out where you need to go and what you need to do to make a costume?There are so many places to look - some of my favorite channels to watch to figure things out:Tiffany Gordon CosplayCosplay ChrisOdin MakesPunished PropsRey...2021-08-2310 min
Heroes of Cosplay SanctuaryWomen Supporting Women in Cosplay with Adi RodriguesA phenomenal Cosplayer and Model, this week, we're talking to Adi Rodrigues on many of her accomplishments, cosplays, and really just catching up. We also talk about an important topic inside of Cosplay - Women Supporting Women.As I've spent some time in the World of Cosplay, I've seen a lot of women tear others down, bully, and ridicule other women in this space. It's much more fantastic to see collaborations, unification, and strong women support what others do. Why not build someone up and encourage their work, instead of bring them down? What impact does that hav...2021-08-2129 min