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[Seismogenic]

So, I'm currently working on a cosplay that cracks me up. I find the character himself to be incredibly amusing, and the idea of me cosplaying him falls into the realm of, "Bahahah ahaha I can't believe I'm doing this ahaha!" The fact that I'm already having this much fun with it makes me only look forward to wearing this at a con even more, but there's this little issue of how I can't even try on various costume pieces or do a makeup test without laughing.

So, I ask you, experienced cosplayers, how might I go about curbing this urge to laugh at myself and the situation? I don't necessarily need to be acting in character all the time, but training myself to not have a ridiculous about-to-break-into-giggles grin at all times would be really useful. Do you have any tips?

Thanks!

[AmandaShotgun]

But that's the best kind of grin!

Making yourself not laugh/giggle is really hard. Especially if you have people around you that are laughing (I assume others might find this funny too?) and it makes you laugh with them. Try closing your mouth and curling your lips in a bit. Once you get yourself a bit more under control, relax your lips and take a few deep breaths.

[Asezuna]

Sounds familiar! xD But if it works for your character, do not fight it. If it does not... Well... Try to imagine that you're biting into a lemon or smelling something really bad?

[StarsCASSiOPEiA]

I find clenching your teeth together a little (not a hard bite down, just a little pressure) helps you keep from making a big, goofy grin. You can smile a little when you do that, but it's a much more subtle expression!

[Amanita]

Okay I'm curious, which character is this? I've seen some of your other cosplays and I love the ideas!

[sam vimes]

Trigger warning, I guess.

SPOILER: (highlight to read)

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While applying the makeup, read stories online about abused animals or children killed in Syria.

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[AnimeAndMusical]

The way I do it is I focus on the task at hand as opposed to it's purpose; in other words think of putting on make-up, not the character it is for (although, that may not be particularly useful if the make-up is the funny part).

[ChatNoir]

I love that this thread exists. I'm easy to make laugh/giggle and when doing some photos while cosplaying it's been hard to keep a straight face! For example one time a fellow cosplayer said "I have an idea!" and picje me up and told me to pretend to be dead. I was so socked by being picked up that I couldn't stop giggling the whole time I was "playing dead". I probably looked like a very happy dead person.

The only trick that ever seems to work for me when trying to be serious in pictures is to block out any silliness going on around me and focus on the serious face. But that's usually pretty difficult. ^^

[Ithlia]

Honestly, as you cosplay as the character longer you will just stop laughing. You'll be in cosplay for a few hours and just get use to it. As for photos, be AS IN CHARACTER AS POSSIBLE! Honestly just try to pretend that you actually ARE the character. However, if that makes you laugh more just think of something extremely serious until the photo is taken.

Trust me, once you are wearing the cosplay for a while you'll just get use to it ^^