The Mumbai Comic Con is only a little over a month away, so it’s right about that time the local cosplayers should be knee deep in their costume preps. And in order to do justice to what is arguably the largest event at the Mumbai Film and Comics Convention (MFCC), the organisers have put out a few guidelines to follow.
The organisers seem to be acknowledging one of the major concerns at any convention - female cosplayers and their safety. One of the entries in the FAQs section points out the MFCC’s zero-tolerance harassment policy, directing victims to identify troublemakers as soon as possible. A laudable attempt, although only time will tell if there is a sincere follow-through.
But nestled in the middle of those FAQs are a few entries that make you snigger, and a few others that are outright baffling. Try these on for size:
You may dress as any character you choose provided it's "family friendly".
Family friendly eh? Avengers had a certain redheaded spy kicking bad-guy behind in her evening attire, The Amazing Spiderman had a pretty shocking death for the cinema-going kids to deal with and, (let’s be real for a minute) X-Men’s Mystique has been sauntering across the entire titular movie series in her birthday suit, to name a few. I suppose “family friendly” means a “My Little Pony” getup then?
Please note, you must wear shoes at all times in the convention center regardless of your character’s footwear.
I don’t fully understand this one, but I’m sure there’s a good reason. Maybe because people are disgusting; they litter everywhere. Seriously, this one is probably for your own good.
If your costume is too revealing or offensive, you will be asked to cover up or change.
Now look here, I worked hard on my metal bikini Princess Leia and I’m not about to cover up without a bit of peacocking first.
No real weapons, functioning or not (firearms, blades, bows, crossbows, explosives, nunchuks, etc.)
No metal props, stick to plastic or, better yet, foam.
No chains, whips, spikes, leashes, etc.
I completely agree with the no metal policy. Even though my totally real katanas at home would look so much better with my costume, safety is just better for everyone (okay, so a samurai Leia in metal bikini costume then). And obviously chains and spikes would fall into that category. But why whips and leashes? It’s beginning to sound less like a security precaution and more like there was a gang war between the cosplayers and the 50 Shades of Grey fangirls next door.
On a completely unrelated note, this song is now stuck in my head.
No hardwood props (baseball bats, bokken, etc.)
It only takes one “Superman is stronger than Goku” comment to bring out the hockey sticks. Let’s leave that kind of metaphysical debate to the pros. We’re all clearly thugs who love to “settle a disagreement like men”
Nothing that emits smoke, flame, etc.
Okay okay, but how cool would it be to feel like a firebender for a little while?
All fake/toy/prop guns must have an orange tip, whether glued plastic or painted. And if it shoots projectiles (ie discs, pellets, liquid, etc) it must be made non-functional and irreparable. This applies to fake/toy/prop bows as well.
Anti-harassment measures again, especially where water guns are involved. But I’m not entirely sure having orange-tipped prop guns would do a lot to stop violators. Then again, time will tell.
See you at the Mumbai Comic Con in December!
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