Tag: cosplay

Episode 66: Creating a Cosplay Book with Zonbi’s Workshop

Episode 66: Creating a Cosplay Book with Zonbi’s Workshop

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Grace Herbert from Zonbi’s Workshop, cosplayer, YouTuber, and author of “The Cosplay Handbook: A Book of Costume and Prop Making Techniques”. Zonbi shares her experience from nearly 15 years of prop and costume making in over 150 YouTube tutorials. She was also a contestant on SyFy’s Cosplay Melee along with former guests KnowOne’s Designs and Marty LeGrow.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • 3:00 How Zonbi got started in cosplay and YouTube
  • 5:00 Monetizing a cosplay brand
  • 8:00 Writing “The Cosplay Handbook”
  • 10:00 The book publishing process
  • 15:00 Growing the Zonbi YouTube Channel
  • 20:30 Engaging with the cosplay community
  • 22:00 Filming SyFy’s Cosplay Melee
  • 28:00 Promoting Zonbi’s Workshop

Head to Zonbisworkshop.com to learn more and follow Zonbi’s Workshop on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 59: Building a Cosplay Prop and Costume Business with Givewave Studios

Episode 59: Building a Cosplay Prop and Costume Business with Givewave Studios

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Castro Yves from Givewave Studios, a prop and costume making studio offering tutorials, patterns, kits and commissions. His work has won cosplay contests and he is the Cosplay Shop Captain at Lowell Makes, a collaborative maker space in Lowell, MA.

You can find Castro in Episode 57: Fan Expo Boston Panel – Turn Your Geeky Passion Into An Entreprenerd Business

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • 5:00 Getting started in cosplay
  • 10:00 Tips for pricing work
  • 14:00 Lowell Makes studio space
  • 22:00 Marketing and finding new clients
  • 26:00 Offering different product tiers for different budgets and needs
  • 30:00 Creating cosplay tutorials for YouTube
  • 37:30 Future plans for Givewave Studios
  • 41:00 Don’t be discouraged because someone has done something before you

Be sure to follow Givewave Studios on Instagram and YouTube and check out his shop at GivewaveStudios.com If you’re in the Lowell or Boston area, come by Cosplay Fridays every Friday 6pm-2am at Lowell Makes.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 57: Fan Expo Boston Panel – Turn Your Geeky Passion Into an Entreprenerd Business

Episode 57: Fan Expo Boston Panel – Turn Your Geeky Passion Into an Entreprenerd Business

Greetings entreprenerds!

If you missed our panel at Fan Expo Boston last weekend, we have the recording for everyone to get some great info on building their geek brand!

Why was Wayne Enterprises so successful? How did Ollivander make fine wands since 382 BC? If you’ve ever wanted to start a business, blog, podcast or other brand around your nerdy passion, this is the panel for you! Our group of geeky entrepreneurs will share the marketing, social media and branding tips needed to turn your geeky passion into a real business.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

Check out all our Boston Comic Con panelists:

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 54: Assembling Cosplay Groups with Strange Porcelain Cosplay

Episode 54: Assembling Cosplay Groups with Strange Porcelain Cosplay

Greetings Entreprenerds! My guest this week is Amy from Strange Porcelain Cosplay. She is a great cosplayer and member of cosplay groups Northeast Avengers, Northeast Ghostbusters and Asgardians of the Galaxy.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • 10:00 Joining the Northeast Ghostbusters and Northeast Avengers
  • 13:30 Advice for starting a cosplay group
  • 19:00 Creating video and social media content for cosplay
  • 30:00 Organizing Cosplosion Cosplay Family Event
  • 42:30 Why you should do what makes you happy

Be sure to follow Strange Porcelain Cosplay on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Here are the links to everything else discussed this episode:

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 46: Marty LeGrow

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Marty LeGrow, cosplayer, comic book artist and professional party princess. She was a contestant on Cosplay Melee in Episode 3: Angels and Demons. Her most recent comic book work, Toyetica, is currently available on Amazon and Comixology.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • 2:00 How Marty got started in cosplay
  • 8:00 Trying out for SyFy Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and Cosplay Melee
  • 14:00 Process of filming Cosplay Melee
  • 21:00 Tips for becoming a Party Princess or other party entertainer
  • 37:00 Creating Toyetica comic book with Action Lab
  • 46:00 Interacting with and representing fans of Toyetica
  • 49:00 Importance of being genuine and not focusing on growing a following

Be sure to follow Marty on Facebook, Instagram and check out her weekly Twitch stream on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9PM EST.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 42: The Crooked Feather

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Alexis Noriega from The Crooked Feather, a costume maker specializing in realistic feathered wings for cosplayers, models and actors. In addition to custom commissions, Alexis also has a YouTube channel where she helps guide others to make their own articulating wings. Her work has been featured by People, Insider and others.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • 2:30 How The Crooked Feather got started
  • 9:00 How her wing design has improved over 10 years of cosplaying
  • 13:00 Creating tutorial YouTube videos to help other cosplayers
  • 14:30 Getting new opportunities with press and new clients
  • 20:30 Guiding how you would like press to cover your brand and use your content
  • 22:30 Creating viral videos
  • 29:30 Future plans for The Crooked Feather
  • 32:00 Keeping with your project through the tough times

Be sure to follow Alexis at TheCrookedFeather.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 31: Quest of the Muscle Nerd

Greeting Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Matthew Young, director of the film Quest of the Muscle Nerd, which chronicles the first ever bodybuilding/cosplay competition. The feature length documentary follows the competitions founder and two competitors through their physical training, costume construction and event preparation, culminating in the first ever Muscle Nerd Competition, held at Dragon Con 2017.

The film aims to tell the story of what it is to be a nerd and how the competitors and event coordinator overcome personal struggles to achieve goals and become something more. You can view the first trailer for Quest of the Muscle Nerd below.

Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, or on YouTube:

In this discussion, Matt and I talk about:

  • 4:00 Working with Dragon Con
  • 5:00 Why nerdom and fitness aren’t mutually exclusive – avoiding reverse discrimination
  • 8:30 Defining what a nerd is
  • 14:30 How cosplay and bodybuilding serve as backdrops for a more personal story
  • 19:30 Logistics and challenges of filming a live competition at Dragon Con
  • 25:00 How the Muscle Nerd competition fits in at Dragon Con
  • 30:00 Planning the 2018 documentary
  • 33:15 Process of editing the documentary
  • 36:00 Promoting Quest of the Muscle Nerd and generating interest through the teaser trailer
  • 41:22 Stories in the nerd community
  • 42:30 Advice for first time filmmakers

You can view the trailer for Quest of the Muscle Nerd below and be sure to check out more about the film at QuestoftheMuscleNerd.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 28: Kazplay

kazplay cosplay

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Laura aka Kazul from Kazplay. She is an amazing cosplayer focusing on beasts and creatures. Her Hogger cosplay was recently the Blizzcon 2017 Costume Contest Winner. She details all of her creations in helpful video and picture tutorials.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • 7:30 How Kazul chooses new projects
  • 8:20 Competing in cosplay competitions like Blizzcon and tips for first timers
  • 12:30 Turning Kazplay Into a Business
  • 17:45 Creating Cosplay Project Hashtags and Promoting Kazplay on Social
  • 23:30 Creating Quality Youtube Videos
  • 29:00 Running Cosplay Panels
  • 36:30 Monetizing Kazplay through products and patterns
  • 44:05 One piece of advice for someone just starting out

Here are the links to everything we talked about:

Be sure to check out Kazplay on YoutubeTwitterInstagram and Facebook for cosplay tutorials and information about upcoming conventions and view the items she has for sale on her Etsy.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

 

 

Episode 23: Pre-NYCC with Past Guests

Episode 23 Pre NYCC

Greeting Entreprenerds!
This is a special pre-NYCC episode with advice from bloggers, cosplayers, panelists, exhibitors and other past guests that will be at New York Comic Con this weekend. Hear from:
Rob Salkowitz – @robsalk
Friends of Comic Con@friendsofcci @alyssafranks
Everyone’s Hero@everyonesherocosplay
Khepera Cosplay@KheperaCosplay

Convention@conventionfilm

I’ll be at New York Comic Con Friday and Saturday. I’d love to meet up!

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 20: Khepera Cosplay

Under the Capes Episode 20 Khepera Cosplay

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is cosplayer Khepera Von Stitches. Khepera is an award winning cosplayer at many cosplay competitions, has judged competitions and has over 25 years of costume making experience. She is best known for her award-winning Evil Lyn.

This weekend Khepera will be a cosplay guest at Granite State Comic Con! Be sure to stop by her table if you’ll be attending.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we cover a lot of great topics including:

  • Her first cosplay competition experience
  • Plans for Granite State Comic Con
  • Her secret project being unveiled at New York Comic Con
  • Setting commission rates and understanding what you’re worth as an artist
  • Managing your time
  • Working with new materials such as electronics, worbla and more
  • Organizing an annual cosplay competition on Free Comic Book Day
  • Using your brand’s reach to spread a positive message
  • Why you should avoid comparing yourself to other artists or entreprenerds

Look for Khepera at Granite State Comic Con this weekend and at NYCC next month. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. You can also buy her prints on Store Envy.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!