Many of us in the GeekDad community have experience with makerspaces and DIY work, including cosplay. The cosplay I have seen over the years simply boggles my mind. When people are given the right tools and have the push, the cosplay results can be spectacular and bring fandoms to life. A Kickstarter campaign, Studio Cosplay, seeks to give more people access to those tools. There are several Kickstarters that I have backed quietly, but this is one that I have not only pledged my money towards but also want to spread the word.
The Studio Cosplay campaign is an effort to develop a makerspace specifically designed around the resources a person needs to bring their creations to life, with tools they may not have been able to access in the past. Based out of Fairfax, VA, the group intends to open a Studio Cosplay makerspace within the DC beltway, but the larger goal is to develop a model for a successful cosplay based makerspace–allowing for growth to more regions and supporting the larger cosplay community. Some of the stations they plan to provide include:
- Sewing
- Painting
- Fabrication
- Wig Styling
- 3D Printing
- Photo Studio with Green Screen
Additionally, Studio Cosplay intends to bring in educators to provide classes on cosplay topics. The team has established themselves as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit, which I believe underscores a key component of their vision: this effort is about community. Stretch goals are designed to expand the capabilities of the workspace and bring more opportunities to the community. The studio will be membership-based, with the option for one day passes up to year long memberships.
While this Kickstarter may appear to be something of interest only to those of us in the DC/Baltimore region, it is actually a chance for cosplayers around the world to show their support and not only bring this space to light but build the fire for more cosplay-based makerspaces. Several of the reward levels are wonderful for the larger community. Some highlights include:
- $15 Pledge Level – The Foamsmith Trilogy and Foam Armour, Fast ebooks from Punished Props.
- $25 Pledge Level – Workshop admission for a intro-level class, but, if you can’t make it to the studio’s location, they will send you the recording of the class.
- $50 Pledge Level – This is one of my favorites. This level allows you to donate a one month membership to a disadvantaged DC youth in addition to some of the other rewards.
If you live in the DC metro area, possibly one of those gathered en masse at Katsucon the other weekend, there are many more pledge levels that provide access to the makerspace. This is a great campaign that, I believe, is truly focused on the spirit of the cosplay and DIY communities.
This is awesome! Pretty much a techshop for cosplayers! Would definitely love to see this (or even start one) in the LA area! 😀
I am curious as to how this went, as I am doing in the process of start a for profit workshop.