Panels & Workshops

About These Lectures

Panels vs. Workshops

Panels and workshops differ in purpose, format, and interaction:

  • Panels: focus on sharing knowledge and insights, typically in a 1-hour format. Interaction is limited to Q&A. Access is free, but confined to a particular event like a convention.

  • Workshops: interactive sessions where participants actively engage in hands-on activities or live demonstrations. Workshops are longer, more participatory, and typically require a cover fee.

TLDR: panels are more for listening , while workshops are about learning by doing. All topics below can serve as either a panel or workshop format. Don’t see a topic for you? Email me to discuss how I can meet your needs!

Cosplay Topics

Healthy Cosplaying:

Balancing Passion and Mental Wellness

Cosplaying is a wonderfully creative outlet with limitless capacity for expression. However, it can bring challenges like body image pressures, social comparison, financial strain, and burnout. By balancing passion with self-care and mindful engagement, cosplayers can enjoy their craft without compromising their wellness.

  • Making Friends: Build a supportive network through positive interactions.
  • Controlling Comparison: focus on your unique journey
  • Managing Jealousy: deconstruct your jealousy, use it to fuel motivation
  • Using Social Media: Set boundaries, avoid toxicity, focus on healthy engagement.
  • Time and Financial Investment: avoid underestimating their expenses
  • Body Image and Perfectionism: the pressure to be “perfect” is ever-present
  • Avoiding Burnout: Set realistic expectations, take breaks, and prioritize self-care.

    • Cosplay on a Budget:

    From Concept to Completion

    Learn how to manage cosplay costs by setting a total budget, breaking it up into categories, and deciding what to buy, make, modify, or skip. This lecture also covers money-saving strategies such as thrifting, recycling, utilizing your network, and learning new skills. Attendees will learn to estimate costs, prioritize key elements, and track expenses, providing practical tools to create a cosplay without financial stress.

    • Why Do It: reducing stress and ensuring a smooth project
    • Accounting for Everything: don’t forget the small stuff
    • Determining the Essentials: what’s essential to the character
    • Setting a Goal: this gets better with practice
    • Research & Comparison: suppliers, deals, and discounts
    • Buy, Make, or Modify? Determining time expenses
    • Tracking Expenses: don’t look away!
    • Tips for Cutting Costs: thrifting, recycling, and found parts
    • Evaluating Afterwards: assess your budgeting process

    Pitch Perfect

    Sell Your Work with Confidence and Clarity!

    Want to dip your toe into convention appearances or company sponsorships? This lecture focuses on the essential skills needed to effectively pitch your work professionally. It guides participants through the key components of a successful pitch, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, engagement, and concise communication. Templates are included so participants can walk away with a pitch toolkit.

    • Your Audience: tailor your pitch for investors, clients, fans, or collaborators.
    • Your Story: determine and play to your strengths
    • Your Confidence: overcome nerves and present with authority
    • Your Tools: media kits, resumes, websites, social media, and branding
    • Clarity and Focus: simplify complex ideas
    • Responding to Questions: handling questions with professionalism
    • Cold Emails (and DMs): reaching out for your dream job

    Cut, Carve, Create:

    Foamsmithing with Rotary Tools

    Delve into the craft of foamsmithing using rotary tools with a comprehensive guide to shaping, carving, and detailing foam materials. Learn what all the tool tips do and how they can be utilized in cosplay, before deciding what to buy. See real life results with a dagger demonstration, and walk away with a useful prop (or pictures of one in the panel version).

    • Types of Foam: craft foam, EVA foam, and open cells
    • Types of Tools: for cutting, shaping, and gluing
    • Rotary Tool Versatility: the best cosplay tool
    • Tips and What They Do: sanding, grinding, and etching
    • Dagger Demonstration: irl results

    Securing the Fit: ​

    Cosplay Armor Harnessing & Attachment​

    A comprehensive guide to creating comfortable and secure armor/accessory attachment for cosplay. Discover the importance of selecting compatible materials and strategically place harnesses to ensure weight distribution and comfort. Explore methods for adjusting flexibility and size to accommodate different body types and movement needs. Navigate the con floor knowing your work stays in place.

      • Build breakdown: predicting what needs harnessing
      • Material Compatibility: choosing the right materials
      • Placement: evenly distribute weight and improve comfort
      • Flexibility & Size Adjustment: for ease of movement at any size
      • Examples: see how the principles come together

    DIY Cosplay Photography:

    From Setup to Shot​

    A step-by-step guide to high quality self-shooting without needing professional photography equipment or assistance. Set up a suitable shooting space, understand lighting techniques, choose the right camera settings, and frame your photos effectively. Walk through three different budget options and determine what works best for you and your cosplays.

      • Location & Lighting: how to choose the right space
      • Set Equipment: the essential gear for setting up a DIY studio
      • Camera/Phone Equipment: lenses and tripods
      • Image Settings: exposure, file types, and more
      • Mindset: stay confident, creative, and patient
      • Framing & Posing: embodying the character

    Cosplay Posing Secrets:

    Creating Dynamic Photos with Confidence

    Learn how to create striking, dynamic photos with poses for any situation. Discover the essentials for body language, facial expressions, and posture to bring characters to life. Develop a go-to set of poses by picking from tons of provided examples. Cosplayers will walk away with strategies to overcome nerves and feel at ease in front of the camera so they can showcase their costumes in the best possible way.

          • Photography Situations: adapt to different settings
          • Develop 5 Go-To’s: ready some signature poses
          • Framing: understand what’s showing
          • Facial Expression: add depth and emotion
          • Head to Toe Posing: from finger positions to toe-pointing
          • Talking to Photogs: get on the same page
          • Saving References: inspire your poses and help photogs
          • Mindset and Confidence: make each shot feel natural and powerful

    Photoshop for Cosplayers: ​

    Basic Editing to Enhance Your Photos

    Learn essential Photoshop techniques to improve cosplay photos, including color correction, removing imperfections, and adding basic effects. From changing eye color to adding a charming glow, cosplayers will walk away with the basics for enhancing their cosplay photos, all while remaining ethical and reigning in the urge to over-edit to “perfection”.

        • The Ethics of Editing: don’t change what makes you YOU!
        • Adobe and Alternatives: other affordable programs
        • Basic Adjustments: color and lighting correction
        • Fixing Imperfections: skin and body retouching
        • Background Editing: blurring and content removal
        • Changing Skin and Eye Color: if body paint is too much
        • Making Stuff Glow: shortcuts to glow effects
        • Color Palettes: work with HSL color settings
        • Export and Disclosure: keep it ethical

    Making Cosplay Ears

    Materials and Methods for Authentic Looks

    Attendees will learn how to craft their dream cosplay ears using a variety of materials, with a focus on fur. Learn to create patterns from references, or utilize Hendo’s wide variety of ear patterns. Learn advanced methods for ear structure that enables poseable shapes and large structures. Participants will walk away with their own set of ears (workshop-version only) and a comprehensive understanding of how to design, create, and refine their cosplay ears for an authentic look.

          • References & Patterns: research and create accurate ear patterns
          • Attachment & Structure: keeping your ears up and on
          • Picking Materials: fur, or something else?
          • Working with Fur: keep it from getting everywhere
          • Painting Methods: find the method for you
          • Comfort & Durability: ensure comfort for long wear

    Making Cosplay Horns

    Materials, Techniques, and Tips

    Learn how to create custom horn designs through pattern drafting, texturing, and careful assembly. The lecture covers how to securely attach horns to headgear, seal them for durability, and apply painting techniques to add realistic details and depth. Additionally, attendees will explore how to accessorize their horns with thematic elements and jewelry to enhance the overall look. Participants will walk away with their own set of horns (workshop version only) and the skillset to make as many pairs as they please.

            • Drafting a Pattern: create and save your own patterns
            • Texture: pick materials and add extra texture
            • Assembly: the process of shaping and gluing your horns
            • Attachments: decide how your horns will attach to you
            • Sealing: seal your horns for a durable, protective finish
            • Painting: painting techniques to add realistic details
            • Accessorize: add thematic details and jewelry

    Host an Unforgettable Workshop!

    Hendo can help you fit your needs within your allotted budget.

    Contact Me

    Looking for Other Services?

    Appearances

    Convention boothing, cosplay judging, event hosting, and more

    Sponsorships

    Product incorporation across social media like Instagram and TikTok

    Dedicated Vids

    10+ Minute Youtube videos centering your brand or product

    Shopping Cart
    Scroll to Top