What you need

• *Be cosplayer(1)

Steps

1. 1

   Background and Definition

   Here we talk about RolePlay in the cosplay; We're not here to become an actor or be a alike. Cosplay is to embody a character through costume and RolePlay. What is RolePlay? The RolePlay is the act of playing a real or fictional character by bringing together skills (behaviors) and gestures.

   
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   Subjective concept

   The notion of RolePlay is completely subjective; The behaviours and actions perceived by the same person may vary from one individual to another. (Example; Venti from Genshin Impact is seen as a god stylized by some, and as a fun barde by others) As a result, the most important thing is not to take the lead. No RolePlay is bad because it depends on the interpretation you have of the character you have chosen

   
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   Contents

   Here are the various points that will be addressed in this concept. 1. Inquire 2. Update 3. The gesture 4. The face 5. Special features 6. Training 7. Avoid Each game will be accompanied by tips to work on its role plays. These are basic tips that can be accessed even by new cosplayers.

   
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   Inquire

   You have to learn about his character to play it! Says like that, it's a bit silly and yet, it's an essential element. So how do we find out about the character? 1. Watch the series/Play video game The most obvious is of course to do so in order to ink the character into his universe and therefore to make his opinion. However, it is possible that you are not the time to do it...if you have a group planned in 2 days, necessarily you cannot X) But there are other tricks for you!

   
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   Inquire (2)

   2. Collecting Fans' Perspectives If you have friends who know the character, you can ask them how it is according to their vision. If this is a little unknown universe, there are also fanpages and forums! 3. Wikis wikis are intended to summarize the character. Be careful to read several wikis; Some may be incomplete or written with a very oriented view.

   
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   Information (3)

   4. Assess the complexity of the project. If you're a beginner, it's best to start with a character who is close to yours so you can learn step by step. It also serves to focus on a key point to work on. 5. The work of other cosplayers. Attention; inspiration Do not hesitate to watch what other cosplayers do; The videos are very good for that.

   
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   Inquire (4)

   6. Take notes Yes, yes, as in class. Watch the series several times, read wikis and forums several times... and note the essentials! The more you write what you see, the more you will remember! And so, the easier it will be to learn RolePlay

   
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   Update

   Once the information is collected, it's time to sort everything you know about the character in order to guide the way you're going to play it. Again, we'll ask ourselves a question; What should be retained for a convincing RolePlay? 1. Select Information We need to make the most important thing visible. To do this, we will keep what we prefer; For example, for Miku, I make a RolePlay close to the clip "World is Mine" because I prefer to put forward its "diva" side.

   
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   Update (2)

   Again, this selection is very subjective (aka the slogan) 2. List Once the direction of the RolePlay has been chosen, opportunities must be explored. I use an Excel board for this, with types of gestures and behaviors that I classify according to the character. You can also do it head-on, with a slate or even on a paper board. The next parts are precisely the categories of my own table

   
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    The gesture

    Let's fill our painting! We start with the gesture. For this, we classify them by "character clicks" in order to have a general vision and also greatly improve your photos and videos. 1. Cute characters Better to play with the fold of elbows and knees in order to give movement to the body without being "twisted". Bend the head slightly to the side can also give a softer look to the posture. Finally, the hands are usually joined or very close.

    
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    The gesture (2)

    2. The idol characters. Same as before, but more "theatrical" hand position; open your hands, play with your fingers (pose in V or heart) or bring them closer to your mouth. Take inspiration from album covers of real idols 3. The energetic characters. Show yourself great! For this, play with the extremities (finger and foot) and move them very regularly, in order to have a natural side to capture its aura. Bend your head more and move regularly.

    
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    The gesture (3)

    4. The lazy characters. Unlike energetic characters, lean the body and head slightly forward, with arms swinging along the body or hands in your pockets. 5. Aristocrat characters These characters breathe self-confidence. Here, keep her back straight, head straight/fee and take a noble approach; right foot, not raised and few leg folds to give the impression of floating. Here, I refer you to the labels lessons of the nobles.

    
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    The gesture (4)

    6. The badass characters. For warriors, play with accessories; for Fate Stay Night's Saber, I'm playing with Excalibur to give that look of power. Also, I keep the look proud/right but with a heavier and direct step. 7. The "robotic" characters. We're taking the move. You move your head and your body "buck by bit." We will also bend the elbows, fingers and knees straight in order to make the posture less natural.

    
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    Tip of gestures

    So, of course, these are cliché categories. In addition, each character is different; The criteria must be combined. Finally, it is also important to look at what has already been done. To do this, we draw inspiration from the photos and videos of the cosplayers of the character but also from the reference images! Do not hesitate to train in front of a mirror, the camera of your phone or in front of your most benevolent friends with the image next to you, several times.

    
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    The face

    After the body's position, we're going to attack our ball! Facial expressions are super important for capturing attention. That's what's going to give life to the casting. This time, we put them away with emotions. To make it simple, we'll take recurring emotions and assign them characteristics. 1. Joy Lightly pleated eyes going with a soft smile

    
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    Face (2)

    2. Madness Eyes wide open and smile with apparent teeth. 3. The surprise Eyes wide open, eyebrows raised, mouth slightly closed. 4. The anxiety An open eye, a slightly pleated eye, eyebrows alike. Here, you can use the false smile (diverse visible on one side).

    
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    Face (3)

    5. Slaughter An open eye, a slightly pleated eye, eyebrows alike. Eye roll, little smile. 6. Disgust. An open eye, a slightly pleated eye, similar eyebrows. Mouth stroke pulled down. 7. Questioning. An open eye, a slightly pleated eye, similar eyebrows, lips glued and close.

    
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    Face (4)

    8. Fear. Eyes open, eyebrows raised up, lips glued and close or mouth closed. 9. Anger. Eyes open, eyebrows close and down, lips glued, close and teeth tight. Swell your cheeks. 10. Sadness. All facial features are pulled down. Lightly moistened eyes (Not too much for make-up)

    
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    Face (5)

    11. Trouble and apathy. Pleated eyes, eyebrows and right mouth. With an optional nose blow. 12. The envy. Eyes open, mouth closed. Be careful, do not confuse with flirt; Here, we will instead use the corner smile with closed mouth and long and direct look. Again, these are generalities but it allows to make an overall picture of your character.

    
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    Emotional advice

    To work on facial expressions, I advise you to imitate key scenes in your series but why not also imitate the actions made by other cosplayers in front of your mirror (TikTok and reals in particular)

    
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    Special features

    There! Our general sorting is over! However, we still have to fill in a box in our table; the character's particularities! In this column you will put his cult replicas, his mimics, his interactions with the other characters of his license...bref, all that makes this character not another. Once this is done, the painting is filled!

    
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    Example: Dia

    1. Gestural: Type idol (bending elbows and knees, head slightly to the side, opening hands, theatrical pose, right back) 2. Face expression: Emotional dominance = Joy (Slightly pleated eyes and a soft smile) 3. Special features: Dia says "desu wa" at the end of her sentences + sure of her + haughty side Sweet side with her sister Ruby This may seem long but not; 15 to 30 minutes on this one.

    
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    Training

    We have a road map... All you have to do is train over and over again to achieve perfection But here's more advice! 1. Travall the elements one by one. Focusing on one point at a time makes it easier to see things on which to improve. Start with the point on which you are most comfortable (if it is the body, your gesture, if it is the face, your emotion)

    
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    Training (2)

    In gesture, film yourself during your tests to review the images several times. This makes it possible to observe the position of the members and to reposition themselves correctly, according to your will. To help you, you can use a dance mat or a Twister game for the position of the legs (I promise it works!)

    
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    Training (3)

    In facial expression, the objective is to make it true; therefore, I advise you to imitate the actions of the scenes of the series. Think also of a moment of your life corresponding to that of the character also helps. You can film, do your action in front of a mirror and for the less shy, in front of trusted and caring friends (I insist on this point) Personal advice; play back on movie music; you layer your emotions on the singer

    
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    Training (4)

    Finally, specifically for cosplayers who compete, remember that the scene is also a training! Take into account the opinions of the juries in order to improve the performance for the next few times. But above all, it's no big deal if you didn't master everything at first glance; we learn the RolePlay in the same way as sewing, craft, hairdressing and make-up, i.e. little by little

    
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    Avoid

    As with everything, the RolePlay also has its limits. Better know how to thrive at best 1. Cosplay is not consent It also concerns the RolePlay! That's to say, if you're making a character with inappropriate behavior, that doesn't mean you have to have those same behaviors with the people you meet. It is also valid for visitors who cross a cosplayer who "does not make like X character"...we remain human; Sometimes we need a break and we're imperfect.

    
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    Avoid (2)

    2. RolePlay... yes, but when? It depends on the context and character you embody. For example, if I do Kenny from South Park, I don't say rudeness in convention because there are children. The RolePlay is practiced in competitions, free play or catwalk, shooting and interaction that are requested by visitors/other cosplayers.

    
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    Avoid (3)

    3. Don't force yourself. The RolePlay is an underestimated part of the cosplay because some think it's easy to do. Deceive yourself; It is a very difficult exercise to play comedy when you are shy and/or inverted. It's okay not to succeed. The important thing is to feel good in his body and head. Take care of yourself

    
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    Avoid (4)

    4. Errors in competition When you do a contest and don't know what to play, you can make an easy performance to focus on the costume part (a trend dance for example) Which is a fatal trap! In fact, the public doesn't necessarily know your character so you have to try to do something that isn't too far off. I advise you to write a little note with everything the character would probably never do.

    
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    Avoid (5)

    5. Original Character Small point for CBs in competition; You're sure the jury and the public don't know. The primary objective will be to discover your character. That means you have between 1 and 2 minutes to explain your lore. So, I suggest you make a brief presentation of your character. Here are the 5 main errors in RolePlay that must be avoided as much as possible to have a good time in convention and in the community

    
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    Clap

    Normally, you have the main elements to work on your RolePlay! Again, I recall that these are general tips that are accessible for beginners I hope you enjoy this RolePlay tutorial and take care of yourself! "Love you all cosplayers"