Steps

1. 1

   The results of the cosplay contest

   You participated in a cosplay contest, you gave the best of yourself, but at the award ceremony you were not called•e. First of all, it is normal to be disappointed. You have worked hard on your costume and on your performance, and nobody doubts it. A cosplay contest rewards the best cosplays at a given time. If you didn't win a prize, it wasn't that your costume wasn't worthy of having one, it was that there was just better than you at that particular time. Each person has different reasons to do cosplay contests: it can be to overcome his shyness, to seek validation from the audience or other cosplayers, or just for fun. All reasons are valid, but identifying what yours is can help you take a better step back. No matter what your reasons, in order to get some improvement, you have to ask the jury for a return.

   
2. 2

   Request a return jury

   This is the best way to get some improvement on your costume or performance. Return can be requested after the awards are delivered live, or by private message on instagram (with the agreement of the jurors). First of all, the jury members are human and may, because of stress or fatigue, say things a little clumsy. They were chosen for their technical skills in cosplay, and not necessarily in diplomacy. Remember that it is not you who are judged as a person, but it is your work that is. You may be tempted to defend yourself against the remarks and reproaches of the jury, which is normal, but the jury will not be able to change the ranking. You have the right not to agree with what is said or how it is said. Stay cordial•e at all times, the jurors are not here to take you out on them either.

   
3. 3

   The return jury (cont'd and end)

   A good jury will point out the defects of your costume and performances as well as the qualities. Sometimes it can give you ways to improve, do not hesitate to ask if you wish. In any case this must be constructive. You have the right not to find certain relevant comments. Hear them but save them in your memory as "not to take account" so that it doesn't work your head too much. Examples: "you didn't win because you didn't put enough in your suit." > point not relevant because not constructive "You've got some nice beautifications but you've got some patronage problems in this place that made you lose points." > relevant and constructive remark A good return jury is a return that encourages you and helps you, not a trial that aims to lower you.

   
4. 4

   Red flags

   Sometimes jurors can make statements ... limits by malfeasance (again, it is recalled that they have not been selected for their diplomatic skills) or not. Grossophobic, transphobic, racist or discriminating statements are included in the list of unacceptable. Cosplay is for everyone, no matter your morphology, gender or ethnicity. Jurors must evaluate your work, and not you as a person, the remarks about the physical are therefore displaced and undesirable. Some comments remain unacceptable and should be reported to the competition organizers.

   
5. 5

   Next?

   You've had your return jury, you've written down your guidelines for improvement and jury advice... and now? Do what you like best. Do you want to go back to the stage as soon as possible? Do it. Do you want to take your time to better prepare for the next contest? Do it. Do you want to take a break in the cosplay contests? Do it. In any case, you can be proud of yourself for having managed to stage, because many are unable to. Practice cosplay as you like. No one forbids you to participate in the cosplay contests, but no one forces you either!