Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

My name is Connor and I have been cosplaying since I first went trick or treating. I say this because my mother would never allow me to wear a store bought costume. She taught me that if you make it yourself it always looks better and is far more creative. When I was 12 she stopped making costumes for me and told me I would have to make them if i wanted to continue to trick or treat, so i decided to make a Captain Jack Sparrow costume. This was the first costume i had ever made for myself and i was instantly hooked. I worked all year just waiting for halloween to show off my creation. After halloween it didn't stop, I needed to make the costume better. by the time i was in 8th grade people had begun to tease me for my hobby and strange obsession with a fictional character. I still continued knowing that one day it would be worth it. When I started High school i was very heavily bullied and instead of turning to drugs and alcohol for an escape like my classmates would, i escaped with cosplay. being able to become someone else was a perfect way for me to forget about all of my problems and just be happy. Cosplay is like nothing else in the world. To me it is the easiest way to live all of your wildest fantasies!

What are your next goals?

I hope to soon begin buliding a Robin cosplay from Batman: Arkham City. Captain america is also in the works. I would really like to start putting my own spin on well known superheros!

Cosplay Characters

I mainly cosplay as the great Captain Jack Sparrow. Other charcters i have done Include Rorschach and the Joker. I plan to cosplay Robin from the Batman Arkham City video games in the near future. just gotta hit the gym!

What does Cosplay mean to you?

Cosplay to me means being able to not only create the charcter that you want to be, but get to see the world through that persons eyes and gain a new perspective.

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

Of course Johnny Depp has been a huge role model for me. I would say my greatest mentors would be my fellow Jack Sparrow cosplayers. they have always been eager to share their knowledge and answer any questions. without their encouragement i probably would have given up. they hold a very special place in my heart. I would also like to mention my friend Emma. A fellow Sparrow cosplayer, although she started after me, she showed me that literaly anything is possible. she is one of the best Sparrow cosplayers i have ever seen and it is a true privelage to call her my friend.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

No matter how crappy you think your cosplay is, it is amazing. It dosen't matter if it is your first cosplay or your tenth, that is something you poured your heart and soul into and you should wear it proudly!

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

Once at Otakon a man didnt understand the concept of "I really have to pee, I will pose for a picture after I finish using the bathroom." so he followed me into the bathroom and took pictures of me at the urinal. when i finished i took his camera to delete the pictures he had just taken only to go through it and find tons of HIGHLY inapropriate pictures of underage girls at the convention. I dropped his $700 camera in the toilet and told security to remove him from the convention.

Any final remarks or shout-outs?

I wanna thank my mom, I wanna thank my dad, I wanna thank the academy, Shout out to that dude wants me to remember him when I'm famous, crazy hank the homless man, and Optimus Prime! THANK YOU LOS ANGELES, I LOVE YOU, GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!