Why I Decided to Get Involved in Shows

"Egotism is the drive to maintain and enhance favorable views of oneself, and generally features an inflated opinion of ones personal features and importance."

I think its safe to say that we have all known someone who was an egotist. Sadly, in the world of costuming more and more egotists are popping up. Some people believe that they are better than others, certain costumers are competing with each other and many are caught up in racking up the most "likes" on Facebook as if their very lives depended on it. Ive personally known people who got involved with conventions for one reason and one reason only; to see their names on the Guest List and brag about it to high hell. It has nothing to do with helping the show as a member of the staff or meeting with people interested in our craft. Its to be a "Cosplay Celebrity" or a "Professional Cosplayer." Because of the behavior Ive personally seen live and in person, I had sworn off getting involved with shows in an effort not to be like the Cosplay Egotists but all of that changed at the 2013 Pittsburgh Comic Con.

Im going to be blunt; there is no such thing as a "cosplay celebrity" or a "professional cosplayer". Every time I see or hear that term, I laugh myself silly. I truly believe that that is the most idiotic term I have ever heard. Cosplay is a hobby, not a profession. If you make and sell your own costumes and props, then you are a costume maker/seamstress/designer or a prop maker. Would you put "Professional Cosplayer" on a job application? If you did, Im sure you would be laughed out of the office or they would look at you like you had three heads. And what makes a person a "professional or expert cosplayer"? If you have experience then you can just as easily say "veteran cosplayer". Throwing in "professional" or "expert" is just a BS way of making someone appear glamorous and important. Now comes the title of "cosplay celebrity". True, there are certain costumers who are more well known than others but that doesnt necessarily mean that they are the best or celebrities.



A cosplayer is a cosplayer. Plain and simple. The fancy titles are smoke and mirrors.

I never wanted to become a costumer who sought the spotlight. I got into costuming to express my fandom, not to seek fame. Ive seen people change in their search for cosplay stardom and I was afraid I would be following down the path of egotism if I got involved with shows. But then I was asked last minute to be one of the judges at the Costume Contest at the 2013 Pittsburgh Comic-Con along side Freddie Nova. Although I was bewildered, I accepted. It was truly a learning lesson for me and completely changed my perspective. A lot of that has to do with the gracious Freddie Nova. Freddie is beautiful and very talented. Her liquid latex Venom photos went viral and she has an enormous fan base. Everyone from comic creators to comic fans and cosplayers knows who she is and yet she is very humble. She treats everyone with respect and was incredibly encouraging to every person who took the stage. I saw for the first time someone use their position to spread positivity and it was beautiful. I learned from her shining example and was sure to smile at all of the contestants, encourage them and even spoke to a few of them afterwards and online. Many were first timers in costuming who had many questions. It felt wonderful to help others and I want to continue that.



Im currently scheduled for 2 more local shows. Im not doing it to see my name in lights and I actually make it clear that I do not want to be credited as a professional cosplay celebrity". Im simply a cosplayer who wants to reach out and support the community. So think of me as a Goodwill Ambassador of Cosplay, if you will. But never a professional cosplayer. *laughs*

Read More..

Awesomecon 2014 Coverage

The Awesomecon 2014 show took place April 18th-20th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Guests in attendance included Doctor Who actress Billie Piper, Lord of the Rings Star Sean Astin, The Walking Deads Danai Gurira, Once Upon A Time star  Raphael Sbarge and many more. Comic guests included the legendary George Perez, Dan Parent and Jamal Igle. For a complete guest list, please check out the Awesomecon official website. The show offered exclusives such as t-shirts and exclusive issues of My Little Pony, Skullkickers, and Monster & Madman. Photo Ops with celebrities were offered as well as plenty of panels and an official after party Saturday night.

My photographer (Brian Green of Green House Photography) and I attended the show Saturday and Sunday. After arriving at the nations capital in the mid afternoon, we checked into our hotel. We were booked for a Superman/Lois Lane photo shoot so I immediately changed and we headed to the lobby to meet our Superman (who bears a strong resemblance to Christopher Reeves). We walked to a small courtyard in the back of the hotel where we conducted our shoot and the images came out stunning. After the session was over, we made our way back to our room where I changed into Ariel (Kiss the Girl variant) and headed to the convention center. After picking up our passes, we made our way to the convention floor with a group of friends.



The crowds were massive on Saturday. There was a large number of impressive cosplayers portraying everything from Comics, Disney, Video Games and Anime. Many vendors were there and the celebrity signing areas were located in the back. Artist Alley (my favorite area of any con) featured many talented artists with beautiful artwork. During Saturdays show, we squeezed in an Ariel/Ursula photo shoot. We ended the day with a group dinner where George Perez joined us.

On Easter Sunday I dressed as the Disney version of Snow White. We attended a church service performed by Fans for Christ in one of the panel rooms with our friend Cosplay Jesus. After the service, we went to the con and immediately noticed a difference in the crowd. Whereas Saturday was wall to wall people, Sunday was very laid back and had less attendance, most likely due to the Easter holiday. I met up with my friend Jacky of Evil Queen Cosplay who was dressed as the Once Upon A Time version of Snow White (yes, we planned it that way).  We went to say hello to actor Raphael Sbarge who gushed over our costumes and asked to take a photo with us. After some shopping and conversing with friends, we did a joint Snow White photo shoot before saying goodbye and making the long drive back home.




This was the first time I cosplayed Disney Princesses all weekend at a show and I absolutely loved it. The reaction from kids and adults was wonderful and princess costumes are much more comfortable than super hero gear. I think in the future I am going to be leaning towards more characters from the fairy tale world.

I was very impressed with the Awesomecon Show. For an event that was only in its second year, it was well organized and had plenty to offer in terms of shopping, exclusives, comic talent and celebrity actors. Now there has been some complaints regarding ticket lines and Saturdays crowds. First I want to address the Saturday crowds at Awesomecon. Based on observation and my 11 years experience going to conventions all around the country, I know and am always fully prepared for Saturday crowds at any show. Thats con life and thats the way its been for several years. Its never going to change. In fact, now that comics and geek culture are mainstream, you can expect more people to be in attendance. I find that the people who complain about crowds are the ones who are new to conventions and who quite frankly, dont know any better. I feel that it is unfair criticism in Awesomecons case.

In regards to ticket line complaints, that is something that I did not experience but I am happy to report that the president of Awesomecon released a statement via their official website and Facebook Page addressing fan concerns. This move is to be applauded; whereas most cons just shrug off their fans, Awesomecon is reaching out and is striving to make next years show even better. The statement can be read HERE.

Next years show will be taking place May 29th-31st, 2015 and I look forward to returning. My thanks to everyone at the Awesomecon convention for a great show.

Please be sure to check out images from official shoots on Green House Photographys Awesomecon 2014 Folder.  For my complete gallery, check out my folder on my Official Facebook Page.

Read More..