With Virtual Crunchyroll Expo around the corner, we were able to get some questions in for Vampy Bit Me and Mario Bueno. They are both guests that will be judging the Crunchyroll Himes Cosplay Cup! Lets hear what they have to say about Virtual Crunchyroll Expo and cosplay itself.
For more information and for a FREE TICKET to Virtual Crunchyroll Expo, go to the website for more info and to register for a free pass here.
Amusingly, just being a part of VCRX in any capacity is the ultimate celebration in itself, hahah! It’s giving us as a very expansive platform to both further get the word out to the many people out there who’d be unfamiliar with DEE while concurrently reminding people who might’ve thought we dropped off the planet (due to lean content offerings between 2011-2016 when I was simultaneously at peak “solo work” and focused mostly on our ill-fated first-class Broadway concept project) that we’re still around and thriving.
That the fairly-recently launched anime discussion podcast we have, DEE Kai (会), is representing the brand in this capacity is, in a way, very fitting; while it is the newest wrinkle to DEE’s recent renaissance and ever-evolving nature, the brand owes SO much to anime (and anime convention) culture as a whole and the friendships/partnerships forged, and the panel presentation will commemorate that in full.
…Basically, we’re celebrating by doing some of our weekly work, but on a platform bigger than any we’ve been able to present on for over a decade because we’re all incredibly excited/grateful to be able to do that at all!
Granted, even before popular social media in general rose up in the late 2000’s, there were resources myself and MANY others in the community relied on (or made connections to each other through) such as Cosplay.com, CosplayLabs, A Fan’s View, and the site that helped me in my own career (which I spent close to 12 years proudly serving the industry through) ACParadise.com. Now however, we also have access to additional video platforms and consumer-friendly tools to maximize what would otherwise strictly require a traditional “photographer/subject” relationship without a more complex setup. Easy access to online shopping platforms also helps a bit for acquiring said equipment quickly and affordably as needed, hahah.
(To be EXTRA clear, there is still a benefit to having a dedicated photographer/subject setup, particularly for people who may be incredibly gifted craftspeople but not the best at capturing those works by themselves, so I still highly encourage people to go out and work with all the talented photographers out there once it’s properly safe to do so; I’m strictly speaking in terms of our present circumstances.)
Basically, what I expect we’re likely to see until further notice is just a more creative application of using, well…applications, hahah! And as someone whose production brand is literally build on digital media, let me tell you…it’s relieving to know how many resources people will still have to share/display things safely and virtually until we’re through this situation!
*I should note this is also not factoring in the current situation with that platform’s ability to operate in the US, but I’m just speaking in terms of its tangible impact thus far, hahah.
- The guests will appear as judges at Crunchyroll Hime’s Cosplay Cup.
- It’s going to be a showcase of fandom creations judged by performance, construction, and innovation like no other.
- Date/Time: Saturday, September 5 from 7:00-9:00 PM PT
- Stage: Crunchyroll Stage