Group Cosplays can be a lot of fun if you have the right group of people gathered together!!!
1. If you have ever been in a Cosplay Group what do or did you like or dislike about them? I've been in a lot of Cosplay Groups. Some of them I started, some other's pulled me into, and yet others were completely impromptu. I think one of the biggest factors in a cosplay group is what type of people are together. I've been in groups where people were completely stressed out that the cosplays weren't "perfect" or that they weren't getting enough attention. The best groups I've been in have been with people who are just out to have a good time. So when getting a group together, make sure that the group is looking for the same outcome, be it attention, to hang out, or some other purpose.
2. How do you start a Cosplay Group? I usually start a group by first calling up my cosplay buddies and asking if they're interested in pulling together a group cosplay. After I garner interest, we figure out who wants to do what. I've learned that it works best to let the cosplayers choose their characters. It's no fun having a character dictated! Also, remember that it's okay if two people want to be the same character.
Next we set a time when we want to get the cosplays done. I've found that it's good to check in with my group to see how the cosplays are coming along. I like to make group-chat formats on Facebook or another server so that everyone can talk and help each other out. It really gets us all pumped!
3. Did you ever have photoshoots taken of your group? I'm curious about Cosplay Group photoshoots since I will be doing a photoshoot with a group later this year. smilies/icon_smile.gif I always try to organize group photoshoots when I get a group together! If it's a con event, we usually arrange a time together to run around or attend gatherings. We usually brainstorm the types of shots we want to get (action shots, couples shots, epic standing shots, etc). I try to utilize my environment so that each shoot is unique. With group shots, I try to get a secondary photographer, so that everyone can get into the picture.
During photoshoots, we all try to get into character and do whatever comes naturally. My photographers are really good at rolling with it, and if they see something good they'll tell the cosplayers to "freeze", and we'll work with the shot.
4. What was your favorite Cosplay Group that you were a part of? I have to choose
one? I have quite a few... one of my first groups that I was apart of (and created) was for a really obscure series called Dragon Knights. I was pretty proud of that one, because at the time I was the only one familiar with the series, but I was able to get my friends to read it and pull together an awesome group!
The second one I'll mention happened at Fanime 2013. My friend and I attended the Fairy Tail Gathering, and afterwards a bunch of us were milling around because we didn't want it to be over, so my friend and I pulled together a last minute group shoot later that day! As we were running around the con prior to the shoot, we were getting a lot of attention, so we were able to pull in more and more cosplayers to join us at the gathering. It was a really big hit and TONS of fun!!!! I made a lot of friends there that I'm still in contact with!
(I unfortunately do not have any of the full shots, but enjoy one of our impromptu shots)
5. What do you think about Group Cosplays in general? Group cosplays are TONS of fun, but make sure that everyone in the group is on the same page. In the same light, don't make just one person in charge of all the cosplays. This is a group effort, and it's more fun if everyone can get involved!
Have fun in your group this year! What series will you be doing? Be sure to post pictures!!!
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