gatekeeping materials in the cosplay community and why it's dumb
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- Опубліковано 8 лис 2022
- I've made dozens of cosplay tutorials over the past few years and I've had my fair share of comments regarding the materials or techniques I use to make my costumes ... from hearing that 3D printing my costumes and armor is "cheating" to people being irrationally upset that I made armor with EVA foam when they were hoping for a tutorial about 3D printing and I'm here to tell you IT DOESN'T MATTER! Use the materials/techniques that you enjoy!
LET'S TALK SHOP
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I struggled for almost 2 years with EVA foam like a mental patient in a straight jacket that I concur with you that 3D printing was the way to go for me as well. I too have found a sense of elitism in the Mandalorian cosplay genre. I went as far as to create my own clan with backstory so that like a home owners association, I can do my own thing without having to subject myself to a committee.
That is AWESOME! I feel the same way about foam these days, I'll use it if it works for the project but most times I would much prefer to 3D print and just spend my weekends sanding ... i'm weird lol
hope you enjoyed this one because I am weirdly passionate about this topic (and obviously when I say no "right" way I am NOT advising you to not be safe while making your stuff!!!") there are just so many more important things to be worried about then how someone else chooses to make their costume that it blows my mind people actually get upset over this stuff! anyways, make stuff how you want to make it and use materials and techniques you ENJOY using!
That is a good term, "Bandwidth" to deal with a 3d printer....there is a certain amount of tinkering that goes with using a 3d printer.....and not just tinkering on the printer, also with the 3d printed parts with the sanding and painting and designing....it is a very time intensive hobby....but really worth it....
YUP, it's one of the biggest lessons I've learned from 3D printing as long as I have. I love it, but sometimes I am just not in the mood to fuss with them and that's OK
@@vaultfox some afternoons i just want to take a baseball bat to my printers...but after a quick walk with the pups and a soda...i am right as rain...well sort of...
There are several reactions to this topic. In general walking the halls at conventions, people have wanted to take pictures with my cosplays (Red Hood, Moon Knight) and even ask "how much did you pay?"or "where did you buy your cosplay?" Those are confidence boosters, and provide some measure of reassurance that I didn't just spend 100s of hours making something that nobody thought was very good. Side note, I know you talk about making cosplay for yourself, and while the process as a whole is enjoyable, I find people's reactions to my work to be equally, if not more rewarding. I previously made a Thor Ragnarok cosplay with EVA foam and people also wanted to take pictures and complimented me as well, but I know that it took me many more hours to make the Red Hood helmet and Moon Knight cosplay. Instead of focusing on what it started as (garage floor foam tiles vs a spool of plastic and a precise but easy to mess up machine), they should focus on the craftsmanship. I've seen 3d printed Mandalorians side by side and you can tell who spent 100's of hours sanding and prepping and who did what many people wrongly think 3d printing is..." just print it in Silver filament or just pull it off the machine and then hit it with some spray paint". So some of people's preconceived notions about 3d printing are based on ignorance. It's not cheating, and it isn't that easy. It requires tons of learning, calibrating your printer and post processing. Everyone can do what they want, and even with that disclaimer, the only ones that confuse me are people who pay $3k+ for fully commissioned Mandalorian suits, including armor, leathers and soft parts and then brag about finally being accepted into 501st legion membership. I mean it's cool to go trooping, but all you did was provide measurements and a credit card. I think it's the bragging that bothers me.
Phew, and you thought you were the only one who could ramble and rant 😉
oh, there is def a place for validation in terms of cosplay building! it's nice to hear people compliment your work or recognize what you've done so I totally get it. and I agree, a lot of the comments around 3D printing come from people who really don't understand it or think it's something more than it is.
I'm a bit late to the party - oddly enough, "the algorithm" brought me here because I'm a 3d printer/tinkerer, not a cosplayer. But here's the beautiful thing, I subbed to your channel for a plethora of reasons.. it opened my eyes to the possibility of maybe making a fun Halloween costume so I can be the dad who dresses up in an epic costume with his kids (gateway to cosplay, right?) - Gatekeeping and 3d printing is huge right now - I started playing "40k" to spend a bit more time with a family member who got into the game. No qualms from them to have proxies, but online it's a brutal battle ground of people defending having thousands of dollars in models to play with vs 80$ of materials and a few weeks of time to print.
If it wasn't for 3d printing I'd have never gotten into either table top gaming or (future?) cosplaying because the entry was too steep for time and/or money - and it allows me to spend more time with family and explore more hobbies, So Cheers for defending the hobby itself
Love 3D printing. As far as time management goes, it allows me to get something going while I’m doing other things. And coming from the aspect of owning and running a business, and just in general being extremely busy all the time it helps. And for those people that think you need to make it from scratch, you can still make those files from scratch if you feel the need. But it’s just extremely nice waking up and having an object fully printed and waiting for you. Like Christmas lol
THANKYOU! I actually got placed worse in a cosplay contest because i had 3d printed the majority of my cosplay, despite the fact that i had spent months on this cosplay and it was the kinds thing that i have no clue how i'd start making out of foam! I also have ADHD and 3D Printing is one of the things that has opened up the cosplay world for me because all my friends make stuff and i can finally join in cause this is how I do it!
ugh, I'm sorry to hear that :-/ I don't know much about cosplay comps/rules but *do* know that more and more are putting together better rule structures around 3D printing which at least is good to hear! but I am SO glad to hear you're having fun with it w/ADHD because dang, it's done the same for me!
@@vaultfox yea its always been an interest of mine because i 3d print miniatures for tabletop games and i'm a 3d modeller and animator, so i actually model some of my cosplay pieces myself so it just really stings when judges dont understand all the work that goes into a cosplay and that 3d printing is some kind of magic button you press to make a perfect cosplay. Thankyou so much for the reply, ive only just found your channel but you're a great resource for our hobby! 💖
Today will be my first actual Cosplay (not counting Halloween costumes) and I will be going to a May the 4th celebration as Captain Rex from Rebels, and my costume is both 3d printed and has EVA parts too. I had no idea that there was some kind of weird thing with some people between the methods used. I just used both because some parts of the armor worked better as EVA, and others used Printing. It seemed pretty plain to mix and match to me. Thanks for this video, and thanks for all the tips that I am using to print my wife’s Bo Katan costume. ❤
I have seen it from both sides and its a shame. When I 3D print, people have called it cheating (even though 99% of the time its my own design), when I use a different method, I have been told, 3D printing would have been easier. WTF. As someone that has been doing FDM longer than many even knew what it was, its just crazy to see the negativity to it.
yeeeeeep I'm right there with ya! it's funny cause when I started this channel I thought sharing my 3D printing stuff would be "boring" but it's actually been one of the more inspirational techniques I've picked up. that's impressive you can model your own stuff, I'm hoping to get into that more next year!
Representing the Samsung washing machine crew!
This is pretty close to my reality. No 3D printer = no cool stuff in many ways for me. Okay I’m terrible at finishing ANYTHING but it gives me joy until I abandon more part printed stuff in the abyss for later “oh yeah I started that” when it gets closer to being done.
gotta love that stupid jingle lol ... and yea I am big struggling with the finishing stuff at the moment but trying my best to just let myself "play" again. it helps having already finished stuff I can fall back on if I want to wear stuff but I am really trying to fall back in love with the process of making for next year and the first step is just making the stuff how I want!
After seeing some of the highlights of this year's Star Wars Celebration it has piqued an interest to get into cosplay. I have started formulating my plan for my first costume (Captain Rex from the Clone Wars) and I really enjoyed your tutorial on making your Captain Rex helmet. This video has reassured me that I am capable of putting together a great costume and the only opinion that is important is my own concerning my costume construction. It is going to be a while before I get started but when I get things going I will be sure to share the progress.
First off, super jealous you got to go to Celebration this year! Hope you had a great time. Thank you so much for the kind words and EXCELLENT choice of first costume, I know a few people on UA-cam like @Ryzer who has a lot of resources for making foam clone armor if that's the route you go ... but yeah, after doing this for almost 8 years now I've realized the fun of it comes from discovering new materials and techniques and experimentaion, and through that I've found stuff I'd rather not do again (like wig styling lol) and stuff I LOVE, like modeling/sanding and finishing 3D prints. It's all about what YOU enjoy doing in the end. Best of luck on your build!
@@vaultfox I apologize for the wrong interpretation but I did not have the opportunity to go to Celebration but when it is back in the states I am making plans to attend. When I mentioned seeing highlights from this years event I was referring to looking at images on instagram from various cosplayers and watching videos online covering the event. I apologize for giving you the wrong impression. I was not clear regarding what I was referring to.
“It’s cheating to use 3D printing!”
Oh? I guess I have to tell the people in actual tv and film production that they’re cheaters then!
Like seriously, do people really think in the actual production they still do it the old fashion way? (They still do for certain things but that aside)
Like VFX, they use the right tools for the right part of the job to help speed things along or make it easier overall to make a thing happen
I think people in general are just wiiiiildly uneducated when it comes to 3D printing and how it all works. There's this weird "attachment" to things needing to be completely hand made or they're soulless or something but there is so much work from beginning to end that gets a model from inside a computer to a physical prop used in a movie! Honestly the whole thing is so sci-fi/new tech to me I don't get why people aren't fascinated by it lol
I have used every medium similar to you. and regardless the starting material the finish steps are 100% the same. Fill, sand, prime and Repeat. 3d print yes easy to hit print but the added maintaining and up keep of the printer is similar to the hand crafting (cut and glued together) of the base material. Every material has its place , Enjoy your building how ever you decide to create it.
exactly, right now I am just ... not in a place where I want to work with foam. I don't want the mess or the stink of contact cement and especially can't be bothered with patterning things.
Grats on the 10k!
thank you!
Firstly, congrats again on the 10k. Massive achievement and totally deserved (oh and if you thought this is slow growth then my channel is snails pace! haha).
So many truths in this video. Having only been into cosplay for 3 years (and most of that lockdowns) so I have definitely found lots of shaming in different methods. It should be all about having fun and just enjoying the fandom. I recently did a video on making versus buying your cosplays as I feel it gets the same sort of treatment if you buy your cosplays you aren't considered a real cosplayer. 3D printing for me is fun. I have made stuff from foam as well however I do find that it just doesn't turn out as detailed and clean as I hoped and I get frustrated. Some people are AMAZING with foam but its going to take me a lot of practice to get that good and I just don't have the time with a job, kids, life etc. 3D printing has allowed me to enjoy the hobby more and it still requires so much work to get it actually looking good. Each to their own methods, just have fun!
thank you so, so much :) you've been here since the beginning and don't think I don't notice that!! so much of your comment resonates with how I'm feeling these days about cosplay ...this feeling that we arne't "real cosplayers" if we do things one way or the other when it's really all about FUN like you said!
Thanks a lot for bringing this up, I have felt with people commenting on my personal creations because I use 3D printing, foam as well as casting in resin, this video really speaks to me , I love your work and I just want to thank you for making this video.
Thank you so much, that means a lot! To me that's the whole fun of cosplay/prop making because we all have our favorite materials/techniques to use.
@@vaultfox thanks a lot, your're a huge inspiration to me and my art and that message just made my day!
I love 3D printing. I'm working on my own Mandalorian cosplay right now. And your videos have really helped my journey. I think that 3D printing is just he next step in evolution in Cosplay.
aw thank you! I'm glad my videos help. I agree, 3D printing has opened cosplay up to a whole new group of people and has me excited for what people are gonna think up next!
@@vaultfox Completely agree. I had attempted, horribly, at a Nightwing Cosplay years ago and didn't like how it turned out. But being able to 3D print, has opened that door again.
Thank you for this ,I’ve recently started 3d printing because of this channel. This community is awesome. 3D printing has really helped me cope with depression and the real world . When I’m printing or working on a project it’s like all the weight of the world floats away. ❤❤❤ THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO!
aw man thank you SO much for your kind words, that means a ton! 3D printing def helped me throughout 2020 onward with similar struggles. It's just nice to have something else to focus on when the world is just ... as it is LOL
This was great to watch! thank you! Just got a 3d printer and have been working on a Cyberpunk cosplay, and I love it! 3d printing helps me work around my work schedule.
thank you so much, I really enjoyed filming it! glad to hear you're having a great time with 3D printing, it def works well with my schedule as well
It’s in every hobby and groups of people. Lego groups can be pretty toxic at times too. Do what makes YOU happy.
Firstly let me say that I have just recently got into 3d printing and have come across your channel and have found it very informative and enjoyable and have learnt a few things from you and others and have now begun to really enjoy using my printers. Secondly, I'm in Australia and if i maybe blunt and to the point with those muppets that like to criticize we say Fuck em. As you stated its your costume so you make it how you want to make it. Those people sound pissed because you come up with idea first or you have done it better than them and when you mention 3d printing and their lights go out, well, that's because they don't know how to make use of the tools that are out there. A saying I have had repeated to me many times whilst i served in the army was, KEEP IT SIMPLY STUPID so if a 3d printer helps keep it simple them I say use it and those people just need to keep their shit opinion to them selves unless you can share ways how you have done something and share ideas amongst others in the hobby. Again i have enjoyed watching and learning a few things with your tutorials so keep it up and well done and you have another Sub.
hahah the 501st. (and little bit the mercs) says otherwise. and who will I troop with then? I have no star wars friends. I'm really unsure if I'm going Bo-katan or an Ursa wren orangey-yellow custom based on a Bo-Katan build, but then how elaborate do I want to do it?... the flight-suit, the belt, details so on.... Guess I'll just print first, pick later :/
(luckily denmark has TFC "troopers for charity" which is less picky, but still.)
Literally was just gonna say the mercs 💀💀💀
Its 150$ for a decent ender 3 that can print great out of the box with minimal effort. There’s also tons of places online that will print things for you if you don’t have the aptitude to figure out 3d printing. Anyone who’s material shaming is just jealous they don’t understand how easy the new technology works.
i've always found this incredibly stupid. they use 3d printing in movies which is the ultimate form of cosplay and the same people seem to have no problems with that. so why is it any different that we also print our costumes.
same, it's such a weird response???
Thank you. 👍🏻
Glad to see you are getting the workspace set up. That was a massive undertaking. My kids are equally excited to receive 3D printed superhero masks as well as ones made from milk jugs and foil. We should all try to be a bit more like kids and enjoy having made something at all.
thank you! it really is and I've been trying to keep a good perspective on that. feels like I should have it all done by now but ... woof it's so much. and that is SUCH a good sentiment, we seriously gotta get back to the "play" aspect of cosplay!
Before I got a 3D printer I had a friend print a couple small accessory parts for me for a cosplay and felt a little like it was cheating. Now that I have a printer and am learning to use it I have realized how much work still goes in to those parts and it is definitely NOT cheating
when I first started back in 2016 I remember being really put off by 3D printing, especially because I was making something out of foam and figured since I was "suffering" more (especially with it being my first foam project!) it meant something? I have no idea, it was a weird way of thinking about it but now I look back and realize I was simply uneducated on what all went into 3D printing.
“people can be a little bit elitist”. You are a kinder and classier person than I am, I have a shorter descriptor for the woodworkers who look down on everyone who would dare use power tools instead of hand cutting dovetails for every joint.
Thanks for all your videos, they are really helpful and you are a great cosplayer!
HA! Yeah, I am just ... tired of people critiquing how others make their stuff. Life's short, do what you want with the materials you like to work with. and thank you so much!! glad you enjoy them (and for what it's worth, I am impressed by ANY variant of wood working, I made a dungeon master screen out of wood for my husband a few years back and wow ... very different beast working with wood opposed to my usual cosplay stuff!)
Great video, you are so awesome and inspiring especially for me
aw thank you so much, I really appreciate that!!
thanks for sharing
true words vaultfox, we shouldn't be shamed or be put down for what material to create cosplay. cosplay is an art and there are many ways to bring that vision into reality.
yes! I always tell people that cosplay is like wearable fan art, do it how you want!
Thank you for this. There should be no shaming for the way that someone makes their own cosplays
exactly, we all have our preferred methods + resources available to us. who gives a crap how you make your stuff?
People are just mad that they can't have and do what you are able to. Stay strong
yeeep, a lot of these comments come from a place of ignorance. I guess I'll just never understand not being curious about other techniques/materials
People judge to elevate themselves. It comes from some level of insecurity. There is no uniform procedure for creativity. I have had to deal with some of those elitist groups as well. It does come down to certain groups wanting a social conformity of sorts.
every last bit of this comment is TRUTH
there is supposed to be no shaming in cosplaying. This is a community of people who are all about fun . If I wanted to be attacked for my stuff I would have stayed in the military and go to bad places. Costumes and cosplaying is an outlet for my crafting side. Not for someone talking down to me or anyone else. I rock 3 working printers right now to make helmets and I make xmas ornaments . I am also one of those people who loves to be challenged by others. oh and lets get something else out there. If you dont 3d print you have no idea the amount of sanding goes into it. After the 15th hour you start singing the sanding song ,there is only one word in the song and you can put to any music type. Sanding sanding sanding sanding sanding . Be nice to each other .
PREACH. I'm all for being challenged as well but sometimes people really be using their "shop talk" to talk down on the way others choose to make stuff.
AMEN!
thanks dude! knew you would relate :)
@@vaultfox For sure. You don't get extra credit for doing things the hard way. It's all about the finished piece.
10k subscribers! That is incredible. (I'm pretty sure I was your 69th subscriber...)
YOU WERE, wouldnt have wanted anyone else
A tool is only as useful and creative as the scope of the user, 3D printing included. You want to print your costume? Go for it.
Gatekeeping is all over all fandoms. You cosplay. Do it your way.
I went to NYCC one year wearing fairly ratty clothes and a 3d-printed arc reactor with LED's glowing through my shirt. Total shlub of a costume. Got a few respectful nods from the young SERIOUS iron man cosplayers with actual "working" iron man suits which obviously cost thousands of dollars. That's how cosplayers should treat each other IMHO.
Nobody uses Twitter correctly.
especially now LOL
3D printing like EVA foam building has its pros and cons
exactly, it's all about using the materials/processes you like
Yeah creativity is done however ya see fit
You’re so cool 🥲🥹❤️
If a person has spent tons of money and effort into finding the BEST techniques and materials possible why do you think you’re entitled to that? Why can’t you do the same thing ?
As i already told you on twitter, congrats on the 10k - It is really deserved :)
On the topic 3d printing is cheating, people should just stop and appreciate the work put into the cosplay. I would never had done my Mando suit if i didnt get a 3d printer.
I also feel really lucky / very few people cosplay in Denmark, but i have only got praise for my efford and finish. Even a local newspaper came to my home to take pictures and wrote a story about my 1300 hours i put into it.
In my mind, people hating on 3d printing is people that didnt put in the work it take to finish
thank you! and yeah, that's all I really want is for people to just ... take a step back and remember that behind every costume is a person who put in tons of hours to wear it. methods and materials shouldn't matter
I think you made several great points. To those that comment how others make a costume and put people down on their methods to building a costume, I think they are jealous. Often when someone can't do something, they tend to be negative about it. Instead of being negative about how someone else's built their costume(s), try to learn from them and incorporate it into your arsenal of building methods. I had a Martial Arts instructor tell me once, if you have the opportunity to learn something else, go for it, you may need it in the future. Also, you may not know what limitations someone else has in regards to building a costume, or what they are comfortable using the list goes on and on. Like other things that we as people experience in our short time on earth, we all have to start somewhere. Remember, there was a time that Michael Jordan didn't make every slam dunk. All in all we can learn from each other and have fun doing it. I would like to add that I am always amazed at what people make out of EVA foam, Worbla, Sintra, Wood and 3D prints.
10000000% agree with this entire comment, thank you! especially talking about limitations individuals have when it comes to costumes.