I've said my beef with this show with friends/on other posts. It's just... disingenious.
And alot of the hobby is. There are a literal TON of people in this hobby that treat others like crap, beat them down, have unneeded competition between them. It's ridiculous. Too many people already have an inflated head. If you have someone going around crowning themselves with false titles, that doesn't help the problem.
Yes, yes, I'm the Mayer of Model Airplane Painting!
I'm the Duchess of Crochet!
*major eye roll*
Yeah, yeah it's a reality tv show. With all the tripe out there on tv, why in the HELL would you want to exacerbate the issue?? Granted parts of the show...and a very small part, show case amazing craftsmanship, the PBS documentary really showcased that best. No drama, no competitiveness. Just people working in their homes. That's the jist of it. Of course the crazy, getting ready in a hotel room is a perfect representation of what really goes on, but the competitions aren't.
Turning the hobby into a sport is kinda stupid. I get that people love to compete, that's cool, but alot of people don't. Having a show surrounding the competitiveness in costuming, like I said, isn't really helping the problem. That's what people have beef with the most, I think. Too many people are getting down trodden by the competitiveness in making and wearing costumes. Instead of seeing a wonderfully put together costume and thinking:
"Oh man that's beautiful! I really want to learn how to do that, what an inspiration!"
Too many people are really thinking: "That bitch, I made that too, and now I have unneeded jealousy and hate! RAGE!QUIT! THIS IS THE THUNDERDOME NOW."
Granted that's been a gradual shift for the past 10 years in conventions anyway, but now people don't know the difference between a stage and a con floor.
And the dinner where they're slightly bashing people? Chloe was the only one who got it right. Who cares wtf you look like! I look like literally NONE of the characters I make costumes of. I'm not their body type, height, eye color....wtf ever. Don't care. I want to create a costume for the sake of creating it. The learning, (and grieving) process that goes into it.
I get that some kids might be excited to get into costume making by watching the show, but they're also going to be looking at a few false idols on the show. Again, what alot of people fear, is that kids with costuming aspirations will see what some of these girls are saying and think: "Well I have to act like them, have fake boobs and center all my costumes around sex appeal."
Yes, half of it's SyFy's editing, but most of it IS real life. Just look at alot these girl's portfolios and you'll witness it. Is there anything wrong with being sexy? No, but there's also beauty in mystery. I guess I'm one of the few who thinks a fully clothed piece, that has had months of beading, embroidery and sewing into it, is far more interesting than a boob-centered costume. THAT'S more costume porn to me.
"Oh god...look at that cartridge pleating. UNF."
Another thing that really bothered me, was the girl doing Merida, that had to go work out....to portray a chubby teen??
Just...that's not the reason why people protested the "sexified" Merida several months back. Of course it's good to be healthy and work out and what not....but really? REALLY??? That was...I just....can't.
Anyway...besides the point, I still don't like the word "cosplay". I still associate it with anime, as that's how I learned about the word. Maybe that's a huge reason I don't like the show, either? Eh.
I'm not doubting the talent of some of the people on this show, they've clearly displayed it. But you can't sit here and keep blaming it being a reality show, and that the editors are at fault.
You signed the contract. You can't tell me you've seen at least one reality tv show. You knew what to expect. And despite what they edit together, what came out of your mouth, came out.