SyFy's Heroes of Cosplay

[Art Andrews]

Pretty sure Riddle is, and I think the others use the forum regularly for research. I think also, that they wouldn't want their names published right now. Would be kinda disheartening having a great wealth of knowledge, and feel like these are "your people" and then find a thread trashing you.

Yup. Only about 1/10th of the people who visit the site on a daily basis are registered members.

I do agree that people bear responsibility for their actions- but just like was said, we wouldn't walk up to someone at a convention and just berate them...at least I hope not!

Pshhhha... I don't know what you are talking about. I tell people all the time they are losers and their stuff looks like crap. I thought everyone did. Maybe that is why no one talks to me at cons any more....

 

[CommanderHolly]

Yup. It's garbage. And the people who appear on them in some pathetic attempt for fame who sell themselves out to portray something they aren't on 'reality' shows are the real problem here.

If you'd like to ask me about the show I'm right here. I'm on the show. I'm a cast member. I've also been a member and lurker here since 2010. Please, ask away. I can assure you it was not "pathetic" and the fabrication and everything we did on the show was real, and I believe it brought our hobby to a larger audience.

My name is Holly Conrad. I'm on the show, I'm a fabricator, I've worked in FX shops, I cosplay for fun, and I'm reading this thread. Before you talk about things you don't understand or assume or have read rumors about, please, consider this.

We're here to make props and have fun, and this thread has been anything but that.

I send people who ask me how to make stuff and want to get into cosplay to the RPF. I've mentioned the RPF on the show, even if it didn't make it in. I want this forum to be a safe place to send new people to this wonderful hobby, and when I see all of this negativity it really, really kills me.

 

[The Mad Professor]

Pshhhha... I don't know what you are talking about. I tell people all the time they are losers and their stuff looks like crap. I thought everyone did. Maybe that is why no one talks to me at cons any more....

It's nice to know that someone else's G.A.F. meter is broken...

 

[Zendragon]

No truer words James!

Before the show aired, we were all so excited.

Then we read the early reviews, and we took out the pitchforks.

After the first episode, we thought it was going to tear our hobby apart.

Now we know the only thing tearing us apart is ourselves.

What a rollercoaster ride.

 

[Astrokid248]

Thanks for that, I now have a better understanding of what you meant. But wouldn't the show (i.e.: the Production company) be responsible for those disruptions? How does it help anything to make hurtful comments about members of the cast? Did the show represent reality? No. Was it scripted/contrived? It has to be to be viable as a product. Does it take away from the skill, dedication and enthusiasm of the cast members: I don't think so. I'm not expecting to win anyone over to my POV, nor am I trying to say that HoC was a great/accurate/definitive work on what Cosplay is or should be. It was entertainment, it let me look into people's process and watch a show about my hobby. That's about it. There were parts where I rolled my eyes at what I saw or heard, some parts I thought looked a little more obviously scripted, and some parts where I wanted to throw something at the TV set. But at the end of the day, I enjoyed it more than a little and I got some ideas and motivation, too.

It sucks that those disruptions made things unpleasant for some Con attendees. But once again, I'm not clear on how the cast was responsible for that? Really, since most Cons usually consist of barely contained chaos scheduled over a weekend, there's bound to be disruptions whether a film crew is there or not... Where disruptions become a hazard, well, Con organizers or the venue management should step in to ensure everything remains safe for all... Once again, neither Becky, R1ddle, Holly, Jessica or Jessie (or anyone else in the cast) could have done much to affect that one way or another.

I have no problem with people not liking the show at all. It's a matter of opinion and personal taste. But going around calling someone "psycho" because they were on that show (especially when the comments are about alleged behaviour which did NOT occur on the show) goes well beyond opinion...

I dunno... But I've lurked on here for years before I registered and started posting. The RPF has been a goldmine of ideas and learning opportunities for me, and I've always thought that it was nice that the vast majority of comments seemed to be of the constructive and positive kind. I just find it unusual to see so much muck being flung at these people because they were asked to be on a show about their hobby.

Oh well. Back to building/planning/researching. My soapbox just started to look good for the base of a TARDIS... :cool

I fully agree that it doesn't justify calling them names or harassing them, but I don't think we should pretend those things didn't happen. Edit: I personally don't blame it on the cast. But I can understand why people are, and having been treated as the face of an organization while getting blamed for crap I didn't do, I can say that it's just one of those things that always happens, but the truth is nice. (I can't imagine what a reality show about my robotics competitions would be like, but I'm at least certain it'd be cattier than this show.)

On a more show related note, Holly, where'd Jessica get that Hungarian recurve bow?

 

[Art Andrews]

not sure he wants his name out on the forum tho

He doesn't want to post yet due to NDAs but he knows I am "outing" him.

 

[Art Andrews]

It's nice to know that someone else's G.A.F. meter is broken...

My sad attempt at levity.

We now have Holly here, fully willing to chat about the show despite some of the negativity thrown her way. That is pretty awesome. Let's see if we can manage to express ourselves in a way that doesn't place the responsibility of the show's success or failures solely on her shoulders as she isn't the creator, producer, studio, , director, exec or anything else.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Holly, I've learned you can't argue with Kerr because no matter how wrong he is, to himself he believes he's right and he'll never stop showing you that he can't see why he's so unbelievably wrong. He just goes on and on spewing.

Lots of people on the RPF you can have spirited debates with. With Kerr, I've learned to just walk away and let him live in his dreamworld.

 

[Apollo]

Hey Holly,

I thought you and Jessica came out looking the best imo.

 

[The Mad Professor]

My sad attempt at levity.

My apparently sadder attempt at responding in kind with more levity.

 

[Zendragon]

At the end of the day we are all human beings and have opinions. Some will watch the show and some won't. Some will like the show and some won't. Some of us have pretty strong opinions on what WE THINK things should be or not be but we should always respect those that don't share the same opinion.

James Kenobi 1138 said is right, we are the only thing tearing the hobby/community apart. We are. Not HoC, not Fake geek whatever, We are.

There are positives that can come from everything if you really take the time to look at it. In the case with HoC, it's brought Cosplay/Costuming/Prop making to a whole new audience. Many of which want to get into the hobby. Many want to make things and have been inspired. That's a potential of new people coming to the RPF and becoming part of this family. Personally, I think that's a good thing.

I am not sure how HoC has done in the ratings, during the first week it was number 30 out of the 36 shows on during that time slot.

 

[Astrokid248]

I am not sure how HoC has done in the ratings, during the first week it was number 30 out of the 36 shows on during that time slot.

Ask and ye shall receive.

Lead-In
Face Off (9:00, 90 Minutes) - Syfy
1.270 million viewers, #23; 0.726 million adults 18-49 (0.6 rating), #19

Episode 1
Heroes of Cosplay (10:30) - Syfy
0.762 million viewers, #33; 0.451 million adults 18-49 (0.4 rating), #30

Lead-In
Face Off (9:00) - Syfy
1.366 million viewers, #20; 0.838 million adults 18-49 (0.7 rating), #14

Episode 2
Heroes of Cosplay (10:00) - Syfy
0.871 million viewers, #31; 0.538 million adults 18-49 (0.4 rating), #25

Lead-In
Face Off (9:00) - Syfy
1.585 million viewers, #20; 1.064 million adults 18-49 (0.8 rating), #8

Episode 3
Heroes of Cosplay (10:00) - Syfy
0.999 million viewers, #28; 0.731 million adults 18-49 (0.6 rating), #21

Lead-In
Face Off (9:00) - Syfy
1.546 million viewers, #16; 1.080 million adults 18-49 (0.9 rating), #7

Episode 4
Heroes of Cosplay (10:00) - Syfy
0.841 million viewers, #29; 0.660 million adults 18-49 (0.5 rating), #19

Lead-In
Face Off (9:00) - Syfy
1.475 million viewers, #18; 0.878 million adults 18-49 (0.7 rating), #12

Episode 5
Heroes of Cosplay (10:00) - Syfy
0.707 million viewers, #29; 0.462 million adults 18-49 (0.4 rating), #28
Ratings: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5

After Episode 3, Syfy stopped re-airing Heroes of Cosplay multiple times throughout the week.

 

[NeobiZero]

If you'd like to ask me about the show I'm right here. I'm on the show. I'm a cast member. I've also been a member and lurker here since 2010. Please, ask away. I can assure you it was not "pathetic" and the fabrication and everything we did on the show was real, and I believe it brought our hobby to a larger audience.

My name is Holly Conrad. I'm on the show, I'm a fabricator, I've worked in FX shops, I cosplay for fun, and I'm reading this thread. Before you talk about things you don't understand or assume or have read rumors about, please, consider this.

We're here to make props and have fun, and this thread has been anything but that.

I send people who ask me how to make stuff and want to get into cosplay to the RPF. I've mentioned the RPF on the show, even if it didn't make it in. I want this forum to be a safe place to send new people to this wonderful hobby, and when I see all of this negativity it really, really kills me.

Holly, I cant agree with you more. I have refrained from posting in this forum due to the "open and accepting" nature of a large amount of these posts.

Art is correct, I talk to him often and gave him my user name here. I cant get in to the details behind some of my costumes due to our NDAs on the show so I was waiting until after, but I wont let Holly stand alone in here. Getting the opportunity to be on the show and meet so many other passionate people so involved in building props has been unlike any other experience. If asked, I would do it again in a heart beat. The amount of people we have sent this way to research more and start making costumes has been huge.

I have no problem with anyone hating the show, the edits, the producers, and even my costumes. I have read through the entirety of this thread and wow.. the assumptions made here are astounding.. if you could have only reached out and asked us questions.. its not like our twitter handles were on the show or anything so I can understand how it would be hard to get a hold of us. From a community that spends so much time researching props and costumes to perfection, I expected a lot more facts to be researched about the show and us.

None of us were aware on the full level of how the show was going to paint us. I dont really like some of the edits I personally got. However, the results to the public have been rather positive and I have inspired a lot of people to pick up this hobby.



Sorry for the rant, but I had to get that off my chest.

If you have questions, we are available. Please ask us.
I have listed out the build information of my costumes for the show on my Facebook page - Facebook.com/midnightarmorinc
my twitter handle is here - @MidnightArmorInc

 

[Astrokid248]

None of us were aware on the full level of how the show was going to paint us. I dont really like some of the edits I personally got.

Thanks for showing up. This is what I personally wanted to know, and I feel a lot better about watching the show now that I know it.

 

[Apollo]

Well no one said psuedo celebrity is'nt a Bitch!

Bottom line and I know you don't need me telling you this but if you are out there you better be prepared for all the likes and dislikes you well get.

The accolades and the slams go together, you can't be everything to everybody and not all are going to like you or what you do.

I will give you this you have character because some in this thread including my self though it was not my intent held your feet to the fire.

I still stand by my statement although looking back I could have perhaps expressed it a little different.

Holly, I cant agree with you more. I have refrained from posting in this forum due to the "open and accepting" nature of a large amount of these posts.

Art is correct, I talk to him often and gave him my user name here. I cant get in to the details behind some of my costumes due to our NDAs on the show so I was waiting until after, but I wont let Holly stand alone in here. Getting the opportunity to be on the show and meet so many other passionate people so involved in building props has been unlike any other experience. If asked, I would do it again in a heart beat. The amount of people we have sent this way to research more and start making costumes has been huge.

I have no problem with anyone hating the show, the edits, the producers, and even my costumes. I have read through the entirety of this thread and wow.. the assumptions made here are astounding.. if you could have only reached out and asked us questions.. its not like our twitter handles were on the show or anything so I can understand how it would be hard to get a hold of us. From a community that spends so much time researching props and costumes to perfection, I expected a lot more facts to be researched about the show and us.

None of us were aware on the full level of how the show was going to paint us. I dont really like some of the edits I personally got. However, the results to the public have been rather positive and I have inspired a lot of people to pick up this hobby.



Sorry for the rant, but I had to get that off my chest.

If you have questions, we are available. Please ask us.
I have listed out the build information of my costumes for the show on my Facebook page - Facebook.com/midnightarmorinc
my twitter handle is here - @MidnightArmorInc

 

[JMChabot]

I can tell you guys that there are 2 wee geeklings at my house that are HUGE fans of the show. My boy (he's 11) is a major Fallout fan, so Jessie's armor was a big hit, as was his Steampunk Stormtrooper (I raised the kid right: he's a Star Wars fan too!!). My daughter (she's 7) thinks that Holly and Jessica are awesome because "she wants to make things with her best friend" too. She was so worried when Jessica got sick in the Cats episode. Both of them are really excited about Cosplay and are looking forward to making stuff for upcoming Cons that will go beyond what we've done up to this time. Their excitement was boosted by what they saw on the show and to me that is a huge plus to our community. And the fact that I can pursue a hobby I love and have loads of fun with my kids at the same time is truly priceless.

Our entire family is really looking forward to the Finale tonight (on Space in Canada...)! We can't wait to see how things turn out!!!

l8r!

 

[Emmabellish]

I can tell you guys that there are 2 wee geeklings at my house that are HUGE fans of the show. My boy (he's 11) is a major Fallout fan, so Jessie's armor was a big hit, as was his Steampunk Stormtrooper (I raised the kid right: he's a Star Wars fan too!!). My daughter (she's 7) thinks that Holly and Jessica are awesome because "she wants to make things with her best friend" too. She was so worried when Jessica got sick in the Cats episode. Both of them are really excited about Cosplay and are looking forward to making stuff for upcoming Cons that will go beyond what we've done up to this time. Their excitement was boosted by what they saw on the show and to me that is a huge plus to our community. And the fact that I can pursue a hobby I love and have loads of fun with my kids at the same time is truly priceless.

Our entire family is really looking forward to the Finale tonight (on Space in Canada...)! We can't wait to see how things turn out!!!

l8r!

That's what I like to hear. We on the forum can gripe and moan and whine about the show all we want, but despite all the drama and editing, it's inspiring people to get in to our craft and be creative. :thumbsup

I think that's the best reaction anyone could hope for.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

I really am a huge fan of the show.

I think because so many of us are so passionate about props and costumes we had an expectation for what the show was going to be, and expecting the show to be what we thought it should be, putting our expectation on it instead of letting it be what it is was our big mistake.

I think we all over-thought the show, over-talked the show, overdid the show.

I've enjoyed the show and discovering these costumers has been the highlight for me. I'm very happy to be able to follow costumers and prop makers that I would have never known about before the show.

 

[Zendragon]

You know what the worst part about the show is IMO? It's not targeting us. It's not intended for this community and I fully understand why.

To the outside world, it paints a picture of what Cosplay is, good bad or indifferent.

To us on the inside, that know a lot of what goes on behind the scenes, many of us see how the show embellishes the truth, how it portrays people we know to be one way or the other, how it makes something seem more glamorous or dramatic than it actually is, or how it actually puts the drama that we actually have on display for everyone to see. We see the dirty underbelly of something that is really just smoke and mirrors.

I think for some, they are angry about it, because they are like "hey, that costume was already made and worn years ago" or "this isn't how this story really happened" and we forget that it isn't meant for us. It's a reality TV show. People may be edited poorly, others will have something said taken out of context, and someone else may have had something captured that they never intended to see the light of day. The show glorifies some things while downplaying others...

For me, I have a number of friends that are on the show and that are part of the community. I support them first.
After the first couple of episodes I decided to put the idea out of my mind that the show is for us and just watched it as a viewer and event thought sometimes I cringe at the way certain things are presented, I am still enjoying many aspects of it. Ok mostly I am enjoying Jin Yo and the fact that he manages to get all sorts of costume elements into the show. He is a walking billboard lol

 

[TheStig]

Really all the problems or concerns I have with the show purely come down to editing and what the producers like to focus on. The cast is great and I would actually like to spend more time with them showing how they made something instead of focusing on the panic attacks when something breaks. But I can sit and watch a YouTube video of how someone makes something and be fascinated. But that's just me and Syfy doesn't make shows for me. I do find it odd that they make the show like it is a competition and keeps trying to raise the stakes, but nothing really happens. Some of the cast with win something or none of them do. No one leaves or gains anything.

I will say that I've watched it when my brother and future sister-in-law and it got her interested in making costumes and more so in conventions.