Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

Hi, My name is Stefano (STEALTH). I started making costumes in 2009. I used to be a B-boy (Break Dancer). I suffered a knee injury and needed to recover. I ended up started to learn about costuming and that sort of took over once I knew this was something would allow me to recreate costumes of my favorite characters. I've been doing it ever since. I wouldn't classify myself a cosplayer. I'm mainly just a costumer maker. I try to cosplay when I can when I'm not too busy. My costume choices are mainly nostalgic characters to me. I don't really get drawn to costumes that are "hyped" until it has died down to see if I really like it.

What are your next goals?

My next Goal is to have a Booth at Toronto Fan Expo 2015 to showcase all my personal Costumes/helmets and have them on display at local con. I don't really know too many cosplayers/costume makers in Canada. It will be nice to share my work with my fellow Canadians Next year.

Cosplay Characters

I've Cosplayed Superman, Master Chief Mark VI, Iron Man Mark 6, War Machine, Riddick, Mighty Morphin' Green Ranger, Black and White Ranger. Iron Canadian Patriot Custom. Stallone Version Judge Dredd. I'm currently looking to Cosplay RoboCop, Cell saga Vegeta (Non-Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan Versions) , Bardock (Scouter/headband Version) and MMPR Red Ranger and Gold Zeo Ranger in the near future.

What does Cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay to me means just having a good time at events really being that character you love for a day or 2. It's nice to have that type of escape from normal reality. You get to pretend and act like that character bringing joy to people that attend the event. I enjoy the admiration I receive from strangers as they are blown away that someone could actually make that costume with their hands. A lot of people will honestly be so in awe that they really treat you as if you're really them depending how good the costume is. So that's usually a driving force to Cosplay. The reaction and meeting other talented Cosplayers.

Who have been your biggest influences/role models/mentors?

A lot of my influences are really random. I have a lot of cosplayer/costume making friends and usually seeing them make something really motivates me to get up and make something of my own. It's not so much a competitive feeling vs more of an inspiring feeling of "Awww man, I'm just sitting hear while he's building something cool. I need to get my ass up too!"

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

Use Google. Research as much as you can. There is really a lot of info already out there on anything you need. I get a lot of questions from total strangers. So, it's a bit overwhelming and I don't think they realize I'm just only one person and can't give them a tutorial in a message box when asked. Personally, I rarely ask anyone when I need to know something. it's rare I do and it's usually to my close costumer friends. So their best bet is to experiment through trial and error. That's how I learned I still learning. A lot of what I learned is self taught through troubleshooting as well.

What is the most negative experience you've dealt with while cosplaying, and how did you handle it?

People saying "You're not black to be War Machine" You're too short (Judge Dredd/ Iron man) Most of my favorite heroes are black: Blade, War Machine, Falcon, John Stewart, Luke Cage, Cyborg. I am pigmentally challenged to cosplay most of them and War Machine was probably the only one I could do and it was pretty annoying to read that. Anyway, I tend to just ignore them as usually people like that. I just take it as people that don't have any talent of their own and are just trying to find something to point out to make themselves feel better I guess.

Any final remarks or shout-outs?

if you're not making a mess, you're not doing it right.