Inside the Industry: AnyaPanda
Interview Conducted by Aesthel
Inside the Industry: The Cosplay Realm team has sat down with a few different creators to talk about the business side of both cosplay and photography. We hope that the Inside the Industry series can help cosplayers and photographers who are looking to break into professional work learn some valuable lessons from the creators who are already working in this capacity.
In today’s Inside the Industry feature we are talking with AnyaPanda! Anya has been featured in previous issues of Cosplay Realm Magazine, and was on the cover of our Magic issue in September 2018. Anya is known online mostly from her YouTube channel, which is mostly cosplay focused!
Cosplayer: AnyaPanda
Photographer: @queenofthelostboys
CRM: Hello! Can you briefly introduce yourself to the CRM audience and tell us a bit about what you do?
AnyaPanda: For sure, my name is Anya and I’m a cosplay YouTuber! I’ve been a cosplayer for 10.5 years and a part-time YouTuber for just over 3 years. Over on my channel, I post weekly videos related to cosplay, fashion and nerd culture.
CRM: Are you a full time creator or do you have another full time job as well? If so, what is that job? Does it help with cosplay at all or does it vary?
AnyaPanda: I do have a full-time job while I do YouTube part-time. I work in retail, so my dayjob has no relation to cosplay.
CRM: What has it been like taking something that you are passionate about doing and turning it into something more professional where money could potentially be involved?
AnyaPanda: It’s been a really exciting and rewarding experience! It’s definitely a long road, though. Like I’ve said, I’ve been working at it for over 3 years now and YouTube still only makes up a small amount of my income. If this is a road you want to go down, it requires a lot of patience, dedication, hard work and above all, passion. Your love for what you create and share really needs to be the main reason you do it.
CRM: The internet consumes media so rapidly. How do you maintain your creation output when we live in a time where content gets consumed so quickly? Do you have any tips for artists struggling with that?
AnyaPanda: That’s an excellent question. I think recognizing when to pull back is just as important as pushing forward and releasing content. If you find yourself in a place where you aren’t excited about what you’re making or are lacking inspiration and motivation, then it’s time to let yourself take a break. In my experience, once you allow yourself to pull back, you’ll return with a new breath of motivation and inspiration and will be better able to put out new content.
CRM: We all struggle with burnout sometimes. What are some things that you do to bring that spark of inspiration back to your work when this happens?
AnyaPanda: Content creation takes up a huge part of my headspace and lifestyle on a daily basis, so often I recognize that I just need to completely drop it all and focus entirely on something different. In particular, I’ve found that unplugging and going out to focus my attention completely on the world around me is an incredibly grounding and refreshing experience.
CRM: Do you have a project or creation that you find has identified or solidified your brand? Is there a cosplay that has been particularly pivotal for you?
AnyaPanda: I think I’ll always look at my Cosplay Storytime series as being what truly solidified my brand when it comes to YouTube. The first video I ever made when I set out to become a part-time YouTuber was a Cosplay Storytime video, and I really owe it to the series for helping me grow my channel.
As for cosplays, most recently I think my Charlie Magne cosplay was quite pivotal as it lifted me out of this major cosplay funk I was having and pushed me to try new techniques and take pride in my work again. Plus the response to her online has been amazing, I am truly grateful.
CRM: Being self employed and being your own boss can be incredibly difficult. What are some things you do to maintain that discipline while being your own boss?
AnyaPanda: Unless I’m sick, I’m always very strict with myself about upload days. When it comes to doing YouTube seriously, consistency is key, so I always push myself to stick to my upload schedule as best I can so I can keep growing my channel.
CRM: What is a mistake or place where people can go wrong when they’re trying to turn their hobbies into a profession?
AnyaPanda: I think the biggest mistake most people make, particularly when it comes to doing YouTube, is prioritizing equipment over content. By that I mean thinking that having a fancy camera/mic/lights/etc. Is the most important thing when getting started. People often put off making videos until they have the “right” equipment. My philosophy, however, is that just starting your channel is key, no matter the capacity. Don’t worry about having the “right” equipment, but rather, use what you have handy and focus on making things you find interesting and are passionate about. Fancy equipment will follow.
CRM: What would you find to be the most rewarding aspect of being a content creator?
AnyaPanda: Definitely knowing the kind of impact by creations can have on other people. It’s hard to imagine that the dumb videos I film in my room could positively affect so many people, but I regularly get comments from people saying how my videos have inspired them to start cosplaying or have helped cheer them up during dark times, and honestly there’s nothing more humbling than that. I am truly grateful.
CRM: What is the biggest milestone you have felt in your cosplay career so far?
AnyaPanda: I’m gonna be honest, probably getting featured on the cover of Cosplay Realm Magazine, I am still so shook by that. As a young 14-year-old beginner cosplayer, it was my dream to someday be in a cosplay magazine, and now a decade later I’ve been ON a cosplay magazine, it’s crazy!
CRM: How do you as a cosplayer go about getting a sponsorship or brand deal?
AnyaPanda: I do occasionally contact companies about sponsorships, or apply through websites like Famebit which serve to set influencers up with brand sponsors. However, I’ve found that the best way I’ve gotten sponsors is just by seeing who reaches out to me through my business email. Anyone out there without a public business email address who is wanting sponsorships, absolutely go and make one, it’s a game changer.
CRM: What are some goals you have as a professional in this industry? Are there any things that you would like to see change in the world of professional cosplay?
AnyaPanda: I think my biggest goal right now is to hit 100,000 subscribers on YouTube and get my silver plaque! It will be so surreal when that happens.
As for things I’d like to see change, I would really like to see BIPOC cosplayers be supported and represented the same way white cosplayers are. There’s a huge imbalance that really needs to be addressed and changed. One way we can all help with this is to request that more BIPOC cosplayers be featured as guests at conventions. Pressure events and brands to be more inclusive.
CRM: What do you personally think is one of the best ways to succeed as a content creator online? Are there any specific social media channels you have had luck with?
AnyaPanda: I’ve had the best luck with YouTube, personally. That’s the platform that really helped kickstart me to where I am now (though Instagram has played a key role too). But like I keep saying, the two main pillars to success are passion and hard work. Above all, be passionate about what you do and let that motivate you to work hard to achieve your goals.
CRM: Thank you for sitting down with us to talk about the industry of cosplay! Is there anything else you would like to add? Please leave your socials or websites where our readers can find more of your work!
AnyaPanda: Thank you so much for letting me chat with you guys, it’s always an absolute pleasure!
Readers can find me at the following:
Cosplayer: AnyaPanda
Photographer: @haro_street_snaps