Jennifer Bentley is a fashion designer who is combining her geekiness with the power of good. Using cosplay and the Internet, she is raising money for Japan's earthquake relief efforts. She's having an eBay auction and the two lucky winners will get custom-made costumes. Then she will make not one but both costumes in just one day, broadcasting the frenzy on Ustream, and donating the money.
1. To start, explain to our readers what Cosplay for Japan is.
Cosplay for Japan is a 24 hour live event with the challenge of making 2 costumes in 24 hours. This is all to raise funds for the Japanese tsunami and earthquake relief.
But what I expect the event itself to be is a very otaku type event. so I expect that we should have fun and interesting conversations on all types of Japanese pop culture and really all things nerdy. The event will also bring insight on what all goes into creating a costume and people can take the opportunity to ask their questions. Kind of like a cosplay how to question and answer!
I hope this event to be insane and fun and in that also bring a small hope to Japan.
did you choose it?
I think the deadline has to be crazy for it to work. I can’t see this project working any other way. One costume in 24 hours is too simple but, 2 costumes over a weekend is also. Cosplay for Japan has to have some intensity to draw people in and want to be a part of it. “Can this be done?” “Will she be able to do it?” these are the ideas that come up and catch peoples interest when they first hear of Cosplay for Japan.
design?
I have had the basic experience with eBay of bidding on items. I don’t know for other people but it is my go to spot to find cosplay items. In the past when I bought costumes I got them off eBay. Now I use when I’m looking for props or accessories. I even use eBay to what costumes are being soiled and get ideas on how I can improve them.
I have worked with Ustream before although it has been a year or two. But the internet and the technology out there make it very simple for anyone to put themselves out onto the internet. It is fun to learn new skills from the basics you have. So I am enjoying learning how I can improve video quality and such.
I’m going onto forums of communities I’m part of and asking for people to help me spread the word. I am going to be at Anime North handing out flyers. And I plan on using social media (FaceBook, twitter, YouTube) a bit too! I am really hoping that the few people that find out about this event will pass it on and spread the word.
world but don’t have a lot of money with which to do it?
It depends on the situation but, if you can volunteer to an organisation or event that is close to what you want to make a difference in. do it! It makes a big difference having more people then less helping out. But if you want to make a difference and you can’t seem to fit in anywhere take a good look at what you can do and think up ways you can use that to make a difference.
I think the more we think we can help make a difference the better the world will be.
creations?
June 25 2011!
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cosplay-for-japan
More information on the event and where you can donate!
http://cosplayforjapan.wordpress.com/
The auctions will go up June 8th and all the links and information will be
available on the main site when it is available!
Thanks, Jennifer. Good luck.
And… if anyone out there wants a custom-made cosplay for their next con, you know where to look.
-Tamara Hecht