Personal - First Studio Experience

Hi Blog,

I did not plan on writing a long post for one of my cosplay volunteering events, but I received a lot of photos and had to fit them all into a single date post in my monthly overview. So I hope I do not repeat history.

So, for today's volunteering, let me take an opening picture and document the progress while also keeping a few for a short monthly update.

What is up with this studio experience? I had enough pictures to make a long post.

Today was a simple volunteering event to highlight some cosplayers who volunteered and inspire some young Singaporeans who have dropped out of school due to life priorities and constraints, as well as show them that there are many job opportunities available if we put our minds to it. It also helped a well-known organisation (which will be present today) understand PFAC's mission and future collaboration.

Normally, I make pictures of myself smaller than the scenery (if you have noticed, and I overly criticise myself), but today it was about me, so it will be a large picture. Anyway, I apologise for digressing; this is my first time entering a studio and we were being told to do a catwalk in front of the audience. Honestly, I was nervous.

Many thoughts and voices were running through my head, telling me how much they would judge me for being short, fat, ugly, Asian, and not good enough to cosplay as Captain America... Oh well...

Since I was here... And cat-walking without my glasses... I will not feel so heavy... I simply deluded myself.

(Credit that Lady Photographer named K) I just realised a professional photographer was photographing and covering the event. She captured some lovely moments I appreciated as I prepared to pick my shield.

(Credit K) The first to arrive was Mario by Yaz, who made the audience laugh. What a professional!

(Credit K) After hearing our music, we were instructed to cat-walk to an assigned marking on the ground and strike a few poses before exiting. That sounds simple. After waiting backstage, I developed stage fright. I was trying to relax and did not want to get my costume from sweating, so I tried to engage in conversations with other cosplayers. And now it is my turn; here comes my big entrance. I have never had such a grand and epic entrance, and the best part was captured! I love it! The smoke, the light, the silhouette; I have never felt more like Captain America before!

(Credit K) I attempted to strike a pose, pausing for a moment to think about the next one, then pausing again. In fact, I became so nervous that I didn't stop to consider a third pose, which made my moment feel shorter compared to the other heroes. As a result, my pose was the briefest of all.

(Credit K) The third cosplayer was Rash as Batman. His dark silhouette and impressive costume made him one of the most epic cosplayers, perfectly embodying the idea of the Dark Knight.

(Credit K) Lastly, the arrival of D surprised the audience. They were asked to guess which superhero's theme music was playing to win a prize, but no one was able to guess correctly—except for one kid who had seen everyone backstage. The lighting beautifully showcased the colours associated with Spider-Man.

It was one of the quickest and shortest cosplay events, as well as the coolest (thanks to the air-conditioned studio). However, we were unable to leave because we needed to meet with the guests and the organiser later.

(Credit K) We had a lot of fun modelling in front of the studio lights. I had the opportunity to live like a model, like a sparkling diamond that shines when exposed to light.

(Credit R) The studio make-up lighting table helped to highlight both the positive and negative aspects of our unglamorous faces.

(Credit to D's staff) Let us take one last group photo before we undress. Thank you all. What a studio experience, I love it!

This was my first time holding a dry costume after having worn it, but it is recommended that I wash my costume after each use. Because of the frequent wear, the logo on my costume shoulders began to peel, so I applied some glue before putting it in the washing machine to ensure the logo patch lasted.

I reflected on an event, that was organized for the organisation of the Visual, Audio, and Creative Content Professionals Association (VICPA). This organization plays a crucial role in the creative industry, advocating for freelancers by raising awareness among clients about fairly valuing creative works and copyrights. VICPA also provides support through advocacy, guidance, and community-building, particularly in a sector that is often undervalued. Beyond this, they strive to inspire individuals—such as school dropouts, families in need, and those with special needs—to enhance and apply their creativity in the media industry. Though this might seem like a tangent, I feel it’s important to highlight the meaningful work VICPA does for the community.

Back to the event. D had high hopes for this occasion. He suggested to his boss to use the workplace's studio to showcase the photography industry and involve volunteers, like those from PFAC, to inspire others with a little passion for what they can achieve. For instance, photographers can not only make a living but also contribute back to society by covering community events. D, his boss, and the team worked tirelessly, setting up the space and rehearsing overnight to ensure everything was perfect. But when the day came, only three guests and five VICPA members attended. 

Most people had expected a large turnout, and the team was understandably disappointed. In contrast, I found myself feeling thankful that some people showed up at all. This perspective stems from my own experiences. I’ve been helping with classes for teenagers focused on self-cultivation, but attendance has often been low. Despite our team spending a year planning and months developing content and activities to engage the teens—and even following up with their parents—the turnout hasn’t improved much. For us, even having one attendee feels encouraging, as it means someone is benefiting from our efforts. However, reflecting on D’s event, I began to question my perspective. While I take encouragement from small victories, am I perhaps overlooking the practical realities others face?

On one hand, I truly believe that any turnout is worth celebrating. On the other hand, I now better understand why D and his team were disheartened. Their disappointment is valid. They invested so much energy into this event, hoping for a vibrant turnout that would affirm their hard work. When reality fell short of those expectations, it was natural for them to feel discouraged. Moments like these make me realize that my optimism needs to be balanced with empathy and practicality. I often focus on the silver lining, which keeps me motivated, but it’s important to also acknowledge the tangible costs and consequences others bear. So I remained quiet while others expressed their frustration in the chat. 

This experience has reminded me of the importance of aligning my ideals with the realities of those around me. Ultimately, this has been a lesson in balance—celebrating small victories while supporting those who feel demoralized. Gratitude and empathy go hand in hand. By understanding and validating the frustrations of others, we can stand together and find ways to move forward. Perhaps through this balance, we can all feel a little more connected and hopeful, even when things don’t go as planned.

Thanks Chat for helping me to organise my thoughts.

Jeff