How to make money as a cosplayer
Participating in cosplay events can be fun, but won’t it be awesome if you could turn this expensive hobby into a money-making venture, too?
Pablo Bairan, one of the founders of the annual Cosplay Mania, shares pointers on how to do just that.
First, as a cosplayer, your goal is to become a celebrity—just like Italian professional cosplayer Taryn, who was one of the guests of honor in the recently concluded 16th Cosplay Mania earlier this month (See related story).
“Taryn is able to travel all over the world through cosplay,” Bairan told Lifestyle. The Italian star specializes in bringing to life popular male anime and video game characters using detailed costumes and makeup. Some of his known works are impressions of Geralt (The Witcher), Arataki Itto (Genshin Impact) and Ryomen Sukuna (“Jujutsu Kaisen”).
Aside from getting an all-expense paid trip to Manila, Taryn also received a talent fee and was granted permission to sell his own merch during the three-day event held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
“There are other ways for him to make money. He would sometimes get hired by Genshin Impact to promote its shows or games,” added Bairan.
Making costumes
Another way is to become a “crafter” like Bairan. After all, cosplay is all about wearing costumes and accessories to represent a specific character.
“While I used to be an active cosplayer, I also made costumes for other people—sometimes for celebrities, most of the time for shows. I also create props, like aliens, for movie productions. That’s one area of cosplay that you can explore,” said the executive of Cosplay PH, which hosted the event.
Other cosplayers get paid for producing online shows, engaging in busking or doing stage performances.
“It has really become an industry,” Bairan declared. “Some cosplayers eventually become entertainers like Myrtle (Sarrosa) or Alodia (Gosiengfiao). Cosplay led them to that path.”
Others choose the music route. “Some become really big in other countries because they are performers,” Bairan said. “This is also why our ‘Cosplay Karaoke Cup’ is very popular here. There are always so many people signing up for it.”
The “Karaoke Cup,” which features 12 winners from around the country, “tests one’s vocal skills and RNG luck,” explained Bairan.
You can also try to make it big as a virtual YouTuber, or VTuber. They livestream with avatars generated using computer graphics, and regularly discuss certain topics or play video games using fictional characters. Since their rise in popularity in 2020, some VTubers have already appeared in huge advertising campaigns.
Bairan added: “It’s exciting that some of these popular VTubers are Filipino personalities who got hired by foreign producers,” like Holostar En’s Octavio and Jurard T Rexford, who were also commissioned to participate at the 16th Cosplay Mania.
Cosplay PH’s next event, “2024 CosMeet: Verdant Story,” promises to give participants “a live CRPG adventure.” It will be held Oct. 26 to Oct. 27 at the Cove Manila of Okada Hotel in Paranaque City.
Tickets are available at ticketmax.ph.
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