A Beginner's Guide to Cosplay Modeling

I've been a cosplay model for the past 4 yrs. I've done everything from Japanese magazines to working for companies like Anime Network at "industry-only" conventions. I've watched cosplay slowly invade the modeling industry every passing year. There's more cosplayers now than there have ever been before. And think it's only fitting that they should have guide to help them find out how to get into cosplay modeling.

What You'll Need

-A headshot, full body shot, and list of all your previous model and/or acting-related experience in resume format with partial contact information. If you took acting classes in high school or college, list it. If you've worked with other photographers before, list it.

-To be is a minimum of 18 yrs old, unless you have a consenting parent or guardian. A lot of gigs require you to sign legally-binding modeling contracts so you have to be of legal age, or have a parent or guardian who can sign for you. Most gigs require you to be of legal age because the work they're offering.

I don't recommend anyone under 16 yrs of age try to pursue cosplay modeling.

-Proof of citizenship or right-to-work in the US. This means a legal picture ID.

Optional, but Recommended:

-Calendar or Planner. This is so that you can keep track of any days you're "booked" ("booked" means already working), or just plan busy, so that you won't have any schedule conflicts.

-Pictures of all your currently completed costume projects.They don't have to be professional, they just need to show what the costume looks like incase someone asks.

Type of Gigs

Promotional

A lot of cosplay modeling is promotional modeling.Promotional modeling requires you to promote a product, which can be virtually anything--a movie, soda, etc.Sometimes you might be asked to be a "crowd gatherer" (stand in costume and attract customers), "hostess" (welcome clients to a booth or store), "street team" (hand-out or promote a product on the streets), "brand ambassador" (representative of the product), "convention mascot" (representative of the convention), "booth babe" (similar to a "hostess"), and/or a "demonstrator" (someone who shows how to use the product).

Many Japanese cosplay models are involved in promotional modeling on some level.

Print

Print modeling is considered modeling specifically so that your image can be used in either magazines, books, or some other form of printed media.As cosplay has become more and more mainstream, more magazines have begun to feature cosplayers in them. The majority of anime magazines, like Newtype and Animerica, have atleast some portion dedicated to either featuring a single cosplayer, or cosplay found at a convention.

Many photographers have also begun to develop books to either specifically feature cosplayers, or the construction of cosplay costumes.

TV/Film Appearances

These gigs are rare to come by, and generally require that you live in an area known for tv or film. Often these gigs will already be spoken for by cosplayers with more experience. Should you land one, expect the same things you'd expect on any film set.

Live Performance

If you're a member of a successful group, you might be asked to conduct a live performance. This could take place at a convention, charity event, or any number of venues. Sometimes these gigs offer pay, or trade, but often they'll just be offered as promotion for the group.

Other

Sometimes cosplayers are hired more for their costuming skill than the fact that they're cosplayers. Many cosplayers are branching into wardrobe, make-up, or hair styling to off-set the costs of their costuming.

Where to Look

Cosplay.Com

I've found a lot of gigs through Cosplay.com's main page (announcements) or in their spamforum. Sadly, at this time there's no place for legit photographers or companies to post on the site other than the spam forum as the site doesn't want to be viewed as endorsing the photographer or company.

Cosplaylab.com

Cosplaylab's main page every so often will advertise that they're looking for cosplayers for various 3^rd or affiliated party projects.

A Fan's View

Kevin Lillard, a photographer, attends most of the major US anime conventions. His site often partners with magazines like Newtype and Janime to provide convention coverage. If you see him at a con, ask him if he's shooting or accepting pictures for a magazine.

Modeling Websites

Listing yourself on a modeling website is a great way to gain a broader range of exposure and meet with industry professional photographers. This is also a great idea if you're looking to do more than just cosplay modeling. Many semi-professional photographers are interested in shooting cosplayers for their portfolios because of our creative and dynamic costumes. Some sites to try are:

www.onemodelplace.com

www.modelmayhem.com

www.musecube.com

www.retrokitten.com

www.freelancemodels.com

www.onetalentsource.com

What to Expect

Photographers

If approached by an unfamiliar photographer who'd like to shoot you, ask if they have a portfolio you can view. If possible, try to speak with some of the girls who the photographer has worked with before. Ask if this shoot with be for TFP/CD ("time for prints or cd-rom" means your time for the photographers time, or a straight trade), trade (food, gas money, etc), tear ("tearsheet" or "tear" means a page in a magazine or book), paid or a combination. As you're just starting out, you can expect to be offered more TFP/CD than paid gigs.

I suggest you bring someone with you the first time you shoot with any photographer for your own safety--an "escort". A photographer might request that you don't bring a boyfriend, but if they won't let you bring anyone, I'd avoid working with the photographer. Some photographers like to meet before an initial shoot in a public place, like a coffee house or fast food restaurant, to "break the ice".

Should unfortunate circumstances occur, please try to cancel with the photographer atleast 24 hrs ahead of time, if not sooner. You do not want a reputation as a "no-show".

Keep track of all the information about the shoot. This helps you avoid getting lost since you'll have the photographer's phone number on hand. And it'll also help you if you get to the studio and the photographer requests you do a type of photography you did not agree upon, like nudes. Should the latter occur I suggest you leave immediately! No real photographer will ever force you to do a type of photography you're uncomfortable with.

The photographer will more than likely ask you to sign a "standard model release". You should throughly read anything you sign. In most modeling contracts I especially look for clauses that protect the model from the pictures being used for "defamation of character". If this isn't included in the contract, or you're worried about a clause in the contract. Talk to the photographer about it, until you sign it, they can't do anything legally with the photos. Should you chose not to sign, the photographer should dispose of all the photos taken-whether negatives or digital media.

Clients/Companies

You will be required to sign standard independent contractor forms such as a W-9 and/or I-9. These forms let you know that you're not a permanent employee, but a freelance worker. You will also need to provide adequate ID when requested. There might be other waivers/releases involved, again, read everything carefully. Some events might also require you to file a report of how the event when afterwards. You're responsible for making certain that this paperwork is sent in when it's needed. Failure to do so might result in delayed, partial, or no payment at all.

Make certain you know about all necessary details of the event. What's required of you, when you need to arrive, where can you park, etc. The client will often send out an information packet via email or snail mail to you outlining everything that will be going on. Occasionally you might have to attend a "dress-rehearsal" ("dress-rehearsal" is a stage term for run through of what will occur on stage) or training, both are usually paid. If you're not sure, ask.

Make certain you have your contact's information, so that should something occur, you can let them know. In some contracts, you might be required to give notice of unavailability, or "call-off", as much as 72 hrs ahead of time so that they can find a suitable replacement. In some cases, you might be required to supply a suitable replacement if you're unable to attend/perform, so don't agree to anything you can't do.

Getting the Gig

-Be professional. Arrive on-time and ready to work. This is a job!

-Leave the attitude at home. Again, this is a job, whatever happened at home needs to stay there. Likewise, being rude or snotty will just guarantee that you won't get any follow-up work.

-Early bird gets the worm. If you know of a gig that hasn't been listed yet, or a friend just mentioned it to you because their company is doing it, contact them ASAP. Clients are looking to book out gigs quickly so that they don't have to stress about staff.

-Update your portfolio often (ie. every 6 months). Nobody wants to see pictures of you from 5 yrs ago.

-Search for work on a weekly, if not daily basis. This way you'll always know what's available.

-Cover letters matter. If your client is looking for someone for a specific anime, it's a good idea state that you're a fan, and therefore, familiar with that series.

-Be versatile. If you're willing to do more than one type of cosplay modeling, then you're much more likely to get gigs.

-Follow Directions. If they ask you to put what location you're apply for in the subject line of your email, or they ask you to put your contact number in the body, etc. Do it! Clients know that if you can't follow simple directions then you're definitely not worth hiring.