The art of costume play can be traced back to Japan, but it has since become a global phenomenon. Cosplayers dress in costumes inspired by characters in movies, television, and manga. They often take inspiration for their costumes from Firefly, Dr. Who, and other television shows. Cosplay includes an element of theater, in which players act out scenes from their favorite shows and comics.
Cosplayer Daark Pollard III says he prepares his costume by searching for popular culture characters whose features resemble his own. He then gets to work on crafting the clothes in his size. Pollard, towering over his fellow cosplayers, often takes it a step further, acting out scenes from his favorite shows.
Pollard enters his characters in contests at conventions where cosplayers are welcome. He has received a number of accolades, including awards at Anime St. Louis (2012), Nebraskon (2012), Anime Iowa (2011 and 2012), and Anime Zap (2013). The awards include gift baskets, free entry into conventions, and gift cards to convention stores.
For those interested in starting out in cosplay, Pollard recommends finding a beloved character that is within the beginner’s skill level. He warns that it can be difficult and expensive to create costumes. Next, he suggests finding a place to perform the actual cosplay. He recommends that beginners start at Halloween parties before moving on to actual conventions.
A friend of Pollard and a fellow cosplayer, Cherry Cat, recommends “Practice, practice, practice.” She says, “it may seem annoying at first, but the results of your hard work and learning are outstanding. Every time I finish a cosplay I cry out for joy because I get better and better with each one. If cosplay is a hobby, passion, anything to you, just keep your head high and practice hard!”
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