Interview Kevin Porter

Actor Kevin Porter has won the geek world over with his portrayal of Batman in the fan films Seeds of Arkham and Batman: City of Scars. He has been hailed by fans as one of the best actors to ever wear the cape and cowl. Kevin took some time to talk to the Confessions of a Cosplay Girl Blog about how he got involved with Bat in the Sun productions, preparing for the role of the Caped Crusader, his thoughts on Ben Affleck and much more!



Victoria: How long have you been acting and are you trained in the arts?

 Kevin: I’ve been acting since college. I went to Newberry College in South Carolina on a football scholarship and was approached my freshman year to audition for the Robert Bolt play ‘A Man for all Seasons’. I fell in love with acting and theater at that point and it’s been a part of my life ever since.

 Victoria: How did you get involved with Bat in the Sun studios?

 Kevin: I first met Aaron and Sean Schoenke at the San Diego Comic Con in 2003. I was there making a Batman appearance for DC and Mattel. Aaron had a Bat in the Sun t-shirt on, and I was familiar with their first film “Batman Beyond: Year One”. I commented to them about it while on set, that’s actually caught on tape as Sean was filming all of this. They later reached out through a mutual connection and offered me the role of Batman in their next project.

Victoria: Are you a comic book fan?

Kevin: Always. I am a huge fan of the source material as that’s where the truth of the characters lies, in the intent of the writers. I have been an avid collector all of my life.

Victoria: How long does it take to complete a Bat in the Sun film?

Kevin: Well, for me, its pretty quick. I get the call from the guys and a specific date. That gives me lead time to get to where I need to be physically. City of Scars was an anomaly as it took well over a year and countless nights but mostly, with these mini-shorts as I call them that they are doing now, they are shot in a day or maybe two. But the true work comes after the shoot when Aaron pours over the footage and assembles the amazing edits that he does time and again. People don’t recognize Aaron’s genius editing as much. They all know what a great director he is, but the Schoenkes are the total package and have no weak spots. 

Victoria: What are your thoughts on Ben Affleck being cast as Batman in the Man of Steel sequel?

 Kevin: I think that he will do well. Hes older, wiser and the suit will do most of the work. I trust Zack Snyder.

 Victoria: How did you prepare to play the role of Batman?

 Kevin: Its just something that is within me. Its very natural to shift gears. I am not this way in my everyday life. My demeanor is much more upbeat. But there is something that is amazing about the duality. This double life and putting on this second skin that brings out some hidden dark side. You access your pain, anger, rage...Its cathartic in a way.

 Victoria: Why do you think Batman is such a popular character in comics and pop culture?

 Kevin: Batman is American mythology. Its a child’s character that also matures with us as we grow. There are various interpretations for each stage of development. It’s a human hero that endures, who is flawed but triumphs. His heart, his drive and yes that dark side that most people never admit to having. Bottom line, Batman is cool. Theres no arguing that! 

Victoria: What other film projects do you have coming up?

 Kevin: I just got word this week that I have been cast in a new film starring Jackson Rathbone. I play a biker and have a couple of great scenes with Andrew Dice Clay. It shoots in December and I couldn’t be more excited.

 Victoria: What does your convention schedule look like for 2014?


 Kevin: I’m not really sure. I have a few films lined up so my schedule may not accommodate many conventions. I would love to attend more as I love getting out and meeting people that appreciate the work. I will be at San Diego, thats certain! 

Victoria: Where can fans contact you and view a port of your work?

 Kevin: You can always reach me on the Fan page Kevin Porter Batman. You can also imdb me to find out what projects Ive done or the ones that I have coming up.

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Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con 2012 coverage

The Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con rolled back into the city of brotherly love with a new twist. The three day event was extended with its first ever Preview Night with hours operating from 5pm until 9pm. Preview Night is no stranger to shows such as the San Diego Comic Con and New York Comic Con but the additional half day was a welcomed treat to Philadelphians. The show took place May 30th, 31st, June 1st and 2nd and featured an impressive roster with celebrities from both the comic book world and Hollywood.

Comic Book legends Stan Lee and George Perez were in attendance as well as Avengers superstar Chris Hemsworth, Superman Dean Cain and cast members from Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and Spartacus. Private photo sessions were offered with numerous celebrities, the most popular being the "5 Captains" session where you could be photographed with Star Treks William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew and Scott Bakula. A full list of guests can be seen on Wizards website. Vendors from all over the country were present selling everything from comics to vintage toys.

I attended the show all three and a half days. The show room floor appeared much larger this year which was a welcomed change. There was more space  for fans to walk around and more options in shops and allies featuring artists and celebrities. The show was very well organized in terms of space and the employees were knowledgeable and helpful. The larger guest list meant that there was more people to meet and see than previous Wizard World Philly shows. Although the crowds were small on Preview Night, I was still impressed with the amount of people who showed up. Die hard cosplayers including myself, embraced the opportunity to strut the convention floor an extra half day. Ive always said that the best part of these shows is being with your friends and Preview Night was no exception. I saw some impressive costumes and also got a bit of shopping done. For Preview Night I attended the show as Wonder Girl (Cassie) with my friends in tow as American McGees Alice, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy (Arkham inmates variant).

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On Friday I had the pleasure of working with Superhero Photography and Superhero Stuff at their booth as Elektra with famed photographer Adam Jay. The Elektra costume was on loan and made by Ally Cat. Fans were invited to take a picture in front of a green screen with cosplayers. Carlos Blanchard, the infamous "Midevil Batman" was also working at the booth along with stunning model Alexia who wowed the crowd as Poison Ivy. For a small fee, your photo was edited with a background and printed on the spot as a keep sake (a digital copy was also emailed to costumers). A screening for the fan film "Legion of  Injustice" by Together Brother Productions (in which I star in as Supergirl) was held later that evening. After the movie screening we headed back to the convention floor for a Marvel photo shoot with Stan Lee.

Saturday was the day to debut an original cosplay months in the making. I was honored when Han Pan and Lucid asked me to be part of their 1950s Gotham Girls group as Catwoman. The dresses were designed and made by both Han and Lucid. Months of sewing  as well as research into the style of the times, hair and makeup were needed to pull this off. Our cosplay was met with praise from con goers, friends and celebrities alike and we took home second place aka Honorary Mention in the costume contest later that evening. DC Comics George Perez (whom I had the pleasure of meeting at Megacon during my Lois Lane/Superman shoot) stopped us as we passed his table for a photo. I attended a DC shoot where Mr. Perez was our guest of honor. I also met actors Dean Cain and Amber Benson that day and was pleasantantly surprised to see Bryan Nguyen at the show, one of my favorite cosplayers.

The final day of the show was a bit more relaxing for me. I had no obligations and was able to stroll the convention floor at my own pace with my companion. I decided on Zatanna since I have not worn that outfit for over a year and purchased new pieces such as a hat and bottoms. I completely forgot that I never replaced the bow tie and decided to search for one at the show. I purchased a red one which wasnt my first choice of color but is one of the variants Zatanna wears. I was quite pleased after adding it to my ensemble. The final day was filled with friends, meeting Walking Dead star Norman Reedus, artist Eric Basaldua, Ken Haeser of The Living Corpse and ended with friends over Philly cheese steaks. Id like to thank everyone at the Wizard World organization for a superb and well organized show this year. As always, I am very much looking forward to next years event. A complete photo gallery can be seen on my official Facebook Fan Page.

       

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An Open Letter to the Wizard World Philadelphia Organization

There was a lot of controversy surrounding the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic-Con and for good reason. Complaints were made regarding the ticket prices, guest list and lack of comic talent, among other things. Before you brush this off as just an angry geek girl rant, Id like to point out that I have been attending the Wizard World Philadelphia show for the past 10 years. It was my very first convention and takes place in my home town. I attended it long before I was a cosplayer, Blogger or a professional model. I have many fond memories but in the last 5 years, the show has been decreasing in quality. I am speaking my mind and writing this open letter to the organization based on my 10 year experience and observation. I am expressing my opinion as a fan (a title that is probably best described as "former fan" these days). I certainly am not one of those cosplayers who think I know how to run a multi-million dollar organization simply because I cosplay. There is no ego here. Just an opinion based on my experience at this show and attending other shows such as the San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic-Con, Dragoncon, The Baltimore Comic-Con and Megacon. Below are 6 major problems with the show.

Problem #1: Over Priced Tickets

The Baltimore Comic-Con 2 day weekend pass is on sale for $40.00 on their website. New York Comic-Con is charging $65 for a 3 day pass ($85 for a 4 day). The Megacon Convention is charging $60.00 for a 3 day online pass. A one day Wizard World Philadelphia was a whopping $50, $85-$95 for a three and a half day pass. The ticket price is absurd.


Problem #2: Lack of Comic Talent

While other shows feature such guests as George Perez, Gail Simone, J. Scott Campbell, Adam Hughes and many others, Wizard would rather focus on booking actors who charge for photos and autographs. Im not saying that actors should not be permitted. I like seeing Hollywood celebrities and if you have the extra cash to "meet" them, go for it. But it appears that Wizard has lost its roots. Its not about comics anymore. Its about Hollywood. At this years show, Stan Lee was the big comic draw and.....thats it.


Problem #3: Missing Publishers

It appears that even the publishing gods have abandoned Wizard. Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Top Cow, Aspen and other major publishers stopped attending the show roughly 5 years ago.


Problem #4: Zero Exclusives

There was a time where you could purchase exclusive statues, comics and toys at the Philadelphia Show. Hunting and buying exclusives makes any show more enjoyable. Now the vendors consist of items easily purchased at Toys R Us and Target for double price.


Problem #5: Denying the Press Access

This year Wizard denied press passes to Bloggers and photographers. Photographers were only allowed in if they were union. I know of 3 Bloggers, myself included, who had a good business relationship with Wizard and covered the event for several years thus giving the organization press and exposure. This year our press passes were denied. I would not have minded purchasing a full pass; if it didnt cost nearly $100 each. As a result, my photographer and I only attended Friday.


Problem #6: The Guest List Flub

Im not sure who was in charge of the online guest list but I was completely shocked to discover that two of the biggest names in cosplay were attending the show and not listed on the site. Spencer Doe and Nicole Marie have both gone viral with their Batman and Lady Bane costumes. They had a table at the show where they met fans, posed for photos and sold prints. I would not have known they were at the show if it wasnt for Facebook. How someone missed posting that two of the biggest names in cosplay, who are easily headliners,  is mind boggling.


I have to report that it was nice to see that gift bags had returned. Among other things it featured a free issue of the Walking Dead comic. The seating area had also been expanded and Artist Alley featured a large variety of local talent. Although these are steps in the right direction, it is too little, too late. There are still many things wrong with the show as seen in my list and these problems have been ongoing for the past 5 years. I have traveled and attended many shows around the country and Wizard is easily the most poorly organized national show. Unless some major changes are made for 2014, you can consider this show to be our last.

                                                       Official Facebook

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My personal experience Wizard World Philly 2011

Imagine my surprise and delight when I recieved an email from Wizard personally inviting me to this years Wizard World Philly/ Philadelphia Comic Con convention!
Not only was I given access to the three day event but I was also granted my own personal guest list to get my cosplay friends inside to enjoy all the glorious festivities! As if that wasnt enough and didnt make me feel like the Belle of the Ball, I was also invited to the official launch party (which sadly I was unable to attend because I was with my family) and a private party hosted by my friend, pro wrestler The Smoke. Smallville and Dukes of Hazards star John Schneider joined us for dinner and he remembered me from earlier in the day as Wonder Woman. He was very impressed with my costume when I told him my friend Candy made it for me. We had a nice chat with him over dinner. I also met actress Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) who was an absolute doll and funny as hell (she loved my costume too). After meeting Margot I posed with a fan who turned out to be Beauty and the Geek reality star Bill Lambing. I also posed with superstar artist Greg Horn.

Okay so lets talk cosplay; Friday I debuted my brand new Wonder Woman costume made by my girl Candy who has her own boutique http://www.threemusesclothing.com/   The outfit is absolutely amazing (thanks to the fans who sponsered it)! and I lost count with how many compliments I got on the costume. Everyone from celebrities to vendors to fans. One girl stopped me to tell me I was the best Wonder Woman at the show. Ive been wanting to cosplay Diana since I was a little girl spinning in the living room watching the Lynda Carter series so thank you to Candy for making my dream come true. Saturday my girlfriends and I went to the show as the Gotham City Sirens. I lost count on how many people said how "Smokin Hot" we all were. People were saying I was the best Catwoman at the show, which was very flattering. One woman marveled at my face saying I looked "Exactly like Selina!" Aside from posing for pics, converesing with Facebook, Twitter and Comic fans, friends and shopping, us ladies did a shoot with the original Batmobile.  We also did the first Cosplay Photoshoot gathering organzied by The Smoke and his friend Brian. I was a chairman for the gathering as well and it was a HUGE success; loads of cosplayers turned out! After the costume contest (where us Sirens pleased the crowd by giving them a view of our bums) we all went to dinner.

For Sundays show I decided on Black Canary, which is one of my most comfortable costumes. Catwoman is also very, very comfy. I was surprised by the Sunday crowd; in the past it was usually the slowest day with a considerable less amount of people but it was just as busy as Saturday. I expected a day of granting a lot less photo requests but I was still approached every few feet which was very cool. I only kept my jacket on for a few minutes before deciding to take it off because I was hot. Sunday we also had a second cosplay shoot where my personal favorite moment was Superboy asking if he could lift me on his shoulder. And may I add that there were many hot cosplayer men at this years show. Our second cosplay shoot was also a success and we have some big plans next year. 

Also chatted with industry friends Ken Haeser, Raven Gregory and Eric Basaldua. I got a spanking from one of them (guess who?) In closing I want to once again thank Wizard for their amazing generosity! Ive been attending the show the last 10 years and it always gets better and better. I am so grateful that they took care of all of my friends and I had an absolute blast with them! I also made tons of new friends!  Im going to leave you now with a few more of my favorite shots and some of the best cosplayers at this years event and also add that I have been cast in the next DC Comics fan film! Who will I play? Stay tuned!

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