TAMD Cosplay Project
Hello, my name is Ashley Schandelmeier and I run a promotional website for alternative models, The Alternative Model Directory. I started TAMD in September 2010 as a hobby, but quickly I realized I could do a lot of awesome things with what was just a fan page at the time. This realization came to me after my first big contest on TAMD, which took place in December 2010. I enlisted the support of a few independent designers & merchants in order to make the contest happen, honestly something I didn't think I could do being new to the industry.
Fast forward to 2013, TAMD is now 3 years old, we have our own website, and TAMD is used & respected by some of the biggest industry professionals, I feel we are ready for our next huge project. I want to use the approach I did back in 2010, but this time I want to fund my project with the help of the masses instead of seeking out individual donors. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do, but I, with the help of a few close friends, decided upon a huge cosplay project for the interested models listed on TAMD.
For those who are not aware of what cosplay is, the simple definition would be dressing up as your favorite character from a book, tv show, video game, anime, cartoon, etc. Now a cosplayer may or may not dress in the complete manner the character does, some adapt the character to fit their personal style. (Some may not consider this real cosplay, however I do.) Cosplaying can get expensive, and most cosplayers pay for their outfits out of pocket and make the costumes & props by hand. That is why such a project for so many models, created by a website that is solely independent, needs funding.
Why should you help fund to our project? Well if you're a fan of alternative models, you'll be supporting not only TAMD, but the individual models as well. You'd also be helping models be able to go to conventions dressed in their respective cosplays, in some cases you'd be helping them in their burlesque shows in addition to the resulting photo shoots. If you're not a fan of alternative models, well then you'd be helping someone with a dream make it a reality.
What do you get for donating? Well that really depends on how much you donate! As little as 5 USD gets you a shout out on our page, which currently has 65,000+ fans, however any amount is welcome. If all of our fans donated 1 USD, we'd be so over funded that maybe we'd be able to do other projects in addition to this one. Of course their are additional levels with amazing perks such as: prints (various sizes), posters, books, behind the scenes photos & videos, and much more.
Finally, if you have questions or you'd like to sponsor a specific model's expenses, contact me via Facebook.
Expense Breakdown (where your money is going)
(UPDATED 4/29/2014)
The following list is in order of who gets funded first. Again, if you would like to fund an individual model's cosplay please contact me personally, do not donate to the fund before speaking to me first.
1. J. Michael Kent ~ TBA (FUNDED)
$200 - Photographer (Unseelie Allure)
$200 - Costume
Total: $400
2. Ivy League Ink ~ Xena
$350 - Costume/Weapons (Necro Leather)
$300 - Photographer
$50 - MUA
Total: $700
3. Christa C. ~ Black Widow
$50 - Costume$285 - Photographer (Harlow Pinup) & MUA
Total: $335
4. Mija Lou ~ Catwoman (1960's version)
$196 - Costume
$37 - Mask
$17 - Claws
$18 - Belt
$20 - Necklace
Total: $288
5. Kyris ~ Hazama (Blazblue)
$170 - Photographer (Blue Eclipse Photography) & MUAH
$20 - Wig
$20 - Contacts
$20 - Props/Weapons
$170 - Costume
Total: $400
6. Candida Valentina ~ Crimson Viper
$80 Costume
$200 - Photographer (Meg Schutz Photography) & MUA
Total: $280
7. Faylin Lynx ~ Morrigan (Dark Stalkers)
$350 - Photographer (Quarter Past Curiosity)
$175 - Costume (Not Quite Defined)
$15 - Whip
$50 - Boots
$15 - Wig
$75 - Wings (Elven Creations)
$20 - Eyepatch
Total: $700
8. Miss Jezebel ~ Rogue (X-men)
$801 - Photographer (Richard Knightly Photography)
$122 - MUA
$405 - Costume
$98 - Shoes
Total: $1,426
9. Countess Havok ~ Silk Spectre II (Watchmen)
$250 - Costume (Lady Allura's Latex)
$30 - Wig
$184 - Photographer (Frank Moody)
Total: $464
10. Kathtea Katastrophy ~ Poison Ivy (Own version)
$210 - Costume (Artifice Clothing)
$25 - Wig
Total: $235
12. Tristin Vitriol ~ Amber Sweet (Repo! The Genetic Opera)
$200 - Photographer
$321 - Corsets
$30 - Sequined Shorts
$90 - Boots
$25 - Cage Skirt
$40 - Wig
$22 - Bra
Total: $728
After we fund each model's cosplay we will need to raise a total of 1,340 USD for the limited edition books, this price includes design, printing, & shipping/packing materials. The books will be limited to 121 books, of which myself, & each participating model will get a free copy...the cost of shipping the models' copy & shipping is included in the above price.
Models who are a part of the project, but not in need of funding
Rose Noir ~ Purgatori
Lily Black ~ TBA
Once again, if you'd like to sponsor a model's complete cosplay, please contact me via our Facebook or email FIRST!
In the event that we are overfunded (which would be amazing), I will open up the submissions for cosplay expenses to those who have missed my announcements or missed the deadline. I may also come up with my own cosplay, I know have a few characters I wouldn't mind playing.
Banner Credits
Models: Misa Rose (Cornwall Modelling Photography) & Vesmedinia (self portrait) Edit: Ai Image Editing