Posted in: Comics | Tagged: comic con, Comics, cosplayer, entertainment, san diego, san diego comic con, sdcc, sdcc2016, spock

SDCC '15: When Cosplayers Charge For Photos At Comic Cons

Friend of Bleeding Cool, Paul Nicholasi noted a new trend at this year's San Diego Comic Con, cosplayers walking the aisles and charging for anyone who wanted to take a photo of their costume.

He writes,

Nicole Marrokal has been photographing events with us for some time now, and is not known for exaggeration. She is very pleasant, patient and, prone to wearing costumes herself, is understanding of the trials of this hobby. One thing she'd never thought she would hear is a dollar amount in reply to a picture request…

"One just flat out said it was $1 for a picture. Another cosplayer dressed as Spock would only let you take his picture for a $2 "donation". I was in costume and had no money on me, which I expressed to him and he told me he was there the whole convention, find him later. There was a Hulk who was collecting money as donations for a children's hospital. We also spotted a Groot cosplayer with a sign that said "Tips make Groot grow". At least this one let you take pictures of them anyway."

Nicholosi sees a danger in this of convention organisers cracking down, issues with copyright as cosplayers charge for dressing as characters owned by others, and media organisations avoiding cosplay reportage rather than risk post-publication charges.

An official quote from Comic-Con International's David Glanzer reads,

"Any sales or money transactions occurring at Comic-Con must be in accordance with California State law and conducted from an area/location that has been designated for that purpose and is prohibited in aisles, lobby's and public spaces on Convention Center property."

It's not something I came across, but there did seem to be a reduction of cosplayers at the show this year, and a greater diversity as the dominance of Harley Quinns, Deadpools and female Lokis seemed to be somewhat reduced..

Did anyone else encounter this activity this year? Is it growing?

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