Cosplay Information Hub
Ever wondered about the inner workings of the Cosplay Activations we piece together for events? This is a guide to the behind the scenes of Costume and Play Zones, Masquerades & Getting involved!
Cosplay Information Desk
Our information desks are the central hub to the cosplay area and will always have helpful staff on hand to check through your application, ask any questions and explain the activities available at the events themselves. We are always happy for visits from cosplayers and non-cosplayers alike to ask questions and engage in the community!
Cosplay Repair Station
This is the place to visit to make costume repairs, please be aware the stock of the desk changes depending on the 
event, but we will always have helpful crew on hand to help with any costume needs!
Cosplay Facilities
Depending on the event, you may also find a series of cosplay facilities available, its always worth asking at the information desk:
- Cosplay Changing – Changing facilities can vary per event from bathrooms to dedicated areas, having a changing plan prior to the event is always worth it!
- Cosplay Refreshments – As a minimum we always aim to provide water to masquerade entrants, but the desk, event or venue may also have a water refill point, a location to get water from and/or a person to visit for access to water and refreshments.
- Cosplay Storage – This could range from a dedicated cloakroom, event cloakroom for all attendees (not just exclusively cosplay) but at smaller or niche events this facility may not be available. Always plan for comfort and personal carry capacity! Consider bringing a spare pair of sensible walking shoes and make sure all props follow the event and venue rules and are covered for safety when travelling. Asking a friend to help provide support while cosplaying is also a consideration!
Cosplay Zone Area
Cosplay Zone Areas may be called ‘Cosplay Village, Zone Area or simply Cosplay Area’ depending on the event. Usually the area will contain a minimum of an information desk to answer questions and organise events from (such as the cosplay masquerade) the zone area may also contain guests and displays depending on the event itself. We always recommend visiting this area (at your earliest opportunity if you have signed up to participate in an event such as a masquerade)!
The Prep Area (Backstage)
It is highly likely you will see a backstage area for preparation for the events across the convention. This area can be small or rather large if we are also running a large selection of activities! Unless instructed to interact (such as with music checking) it is always worth leaving this area be so they can prepare all the awesome activities for you. Remember, you can always speak to someone at the information desk at all times and we will have plenty of staff on hand to help.
Content in the Zone
We always attempt to make the cosplay as interactive as possible, however when items are displayed we would always suggest asking permission to make sure it is safe to handle! A lot of cosplay items are provided by community members and it is up to there own descretion for the items to be handled. Chances are if you can’t handle a particular item we will be able to direct you to an activity you can get directly engaged with (or use it as inspiration to make your own version!)
Cosplay Guesting & Crewing
Guesting
Guests at events are ways for cosplayers to give back and engage with the community, this could be by judging
masquerade events, providing advice and help through panels, workshops and offering the opportunity for direct interaction, questions and work presentation at a guest table or zone area.
- Cosplay Guests & Guest Judges – Guests may feature as masquerade judges and/or feature within the zone area and/or appear in content across the convention.
- Cosplay Coaches & Mentors – This could range from a dedicated sewing coach leading a sewing area within a cosplay zone and/or someone in the community that wishes to share a particular type of knowledge, passion or specialism with the community.
- Cosplay Creators – This could range from a dedicated photographer, videographer and/or someone happy to shout about events to there own community to help encourage them to visit the convention!
Crewing
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- Supporting the cosplay community behind the scenes such as on hand to give out water to masquerade entrants to helping run content in our zone areas
- Helping us setup and packdown events (Sakura trees don’t build themselves sadly!)
- Helping us prior to the event to prepare all the event materials, from processing application forms to publishing content like this!
- Helping at all stages of the event to collect and publish everything awesome at the events themselves such as on social media!
- A helpful voice to guide, support and provide customer service to cosplayers and non-cosplayers alike!
Crew give up free time to come and make what we do awesome, so if you see any hard working crew and fancy saying thank you for the hard work they put in this is always appreciated!
If you are interested in crewing for Costume and Play please get in touch with us at cosplay@costumeandplay.co.uk
Cosplay Masquerade
Ranging from championships to community masquerades, the landscape to engage and take part in cosplay directly by entering a masquerade continues to develop and evolve! Regardless of your skillset you will likely always find a masquerade you can enter (even if your costume is a completely brought one!) Always make sure to read the rules of the competition you are entering!
Even if you are a little nervous, consider entering into a masquerade anyway, you will make friends with fellow cosplayers, be looked after by our team and have the opportunity to show off your costume!
Get Involved
Usually the cosplay area will feature other activities throughout the event such as meetups, card exchanges, opportunities to chat to guests etc. so there will absolutely be something to do to enjoy cosplay together as a community!
Media:
Join the Discord & Follow our Socials: https://linktr.ee/costumeandplay