Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

Cosplay is great! I've been sewing for 15 years and always gravitated towards creating costumes instead of other clothes. Around 3 years ago I realized there was a place for me to dress up and hang out with other costumers OUTSIDE of Halloween and I was hooked! I really love cosplaying with my boyfriend as a couple. We've been Wonder Woman and Superman as well as Colossus and Kitty Pryde, and we always have a great time. Cosplay has helped me make lots of new friends and I've made some professional connections too. I'm an actress and and improvisor as well as a costumer, so the great guys from Superchannel's Tiny Plastic Men decided to let me host of their nerdy webseries That's a Good Question as "Kristen the Cosplayer"! So yeah, pretty great little hobby!

What are your next goals?

I'd like to do more couples costumes with my boyfriend, because that's always a super fun day at a con and photoshoot. I'd also like to do more work with Worbla and armour making as well as more intense makeup (like a Jessica Rabbit or Mad Moxxi) and wig work!

Cosplay Characters

Lots of versions of Catwoman. My classic '66 Catwoman is probably my most well known. I also do Selina Kyle from Dark Knight Rises, Wonder Woman, Black Canary, and Kitty Pryde. I'm cooking up a few more for this con season and for the new season of "That's a Good Question".

What does Cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay is a great challenge for me. With each new project I like to challenge myself with something new- new techniques, new materials, that sort of stuff. I think I may have invented "stretch pin tucks" :P But mostly, cosplay and cons are just a really great time to meet new people and catch up with all of my convention friends. I live in Canada and hit most of the Western Canadian conventions and I've got a group of about 20 people that I expect to see at most conventions. We're all facebook friends and we share and tag photos, offer advice on costuming, and we all hang out in the hot tub after a long day on the con floor :D

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

I haven't really met many of the "famous cosplayers" except for Yaya Han who was a total sweetie to me. I asked her a couple of things about sewing or materials and we would have a brief little chat every day of a three day con, she was a genuinely lovely woman and made me feel really welcome. Other than that, I would just say that I obviously take MASSIVE inspiration from the costume designers and artists who's costumes I attempt to recreate as well as my sewing teachers throughout the years.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

Cosplay is an expensive hobby, so go for quality over quantity. Really put your energy and money into a single awesomely detailed costume. And don't be competitive with your cosplay friends. If someone else gets more attention than you, or more complements, or their photos go viral online just be happy for them and keep doing your own thing for your own reasons.

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

I'm sure most people will talk about harassment or something like that here, but I've never had anything more serious than someone ask me out on a date. To be honest, my most negative experience was creating 4 custom fitted, custom designed "Gotham City Playboy Bunny" costumes for me and three of my friends. Having 4 costumes with the exact same deadline left me sleepless, crying at my day job, freaking out, and sewing until the day of the con. It also resulted in the end of those friendships for at least a year. It was NUTS! So if you plan on doing group costumes I would caution you to tread lightly.

Any final remarks or shout-outs?

I've got shameless plugs: Watch That's a Good Question on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FBHq8t7jEY). It's got everything! Me, Mark Meer (the voice of Mass Effects Commander Sheppard), and geeky guests. Also if you have SuperChannel, you should TOTALLY watch Tiny Plastic Men. ;)