What is cosplay? Well, if you haven’t heard of it, you’re probably not as connected to geek culture as you think. Per Wikipedia:
Cosplay, short for “costume play”, is an activity in which participants wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea from a work of fiction.
As you know, I love James Cameron’s Aliens. I think it’s a great film for various reasons, but what really sells the movie for me is the design. Particularly that of the Colonial Marines that accompany Ripley to LV-426. I love their armor, their weapons, and their attitude.
Sure, most of the squad gets wiped out in minutes of their initial encounter with the Xenomorph threat, but these ladies and gentleman are badass. With larger-than-life personalities, we see that all these soldiers are a force to be reckoned with, especially when their backs are against the wall in the film’s amazing climax.
So I recently decided I want Colonial Marine armor. But with replica sets starting at $750.00 USD and up, I’ve decided I’m going to have to make a set myself. So I ordered this, and have slowly begun to research what I need to join the ranks of the marine badasses featured in one of my favorite films.
I have a lot of friends who go to Dragon Con. I took the family a few years back, and we’re going again this year. While there’s no way I’ll have my armor ready by Labor Day 2013, I hope to have it good to go by 2014. But we’ll see. I’m in no rush, and I want to do things right.
I’ve dabbled in cosplay in the past. Not all of my costumes have been the greatest. But I understand why people do it. The whole process is a labor of love.
For so many aspects of geek culture, there’s no manual on how to make props from our favorite shows, movies, or games. We have to figure it out. having done it myself, that’s part of the fun. It’s also great to collaborate with other enthusiasts on how to craft these items. There’s such a huge culture centered on cosplay, and as time goes on, I don’t see it doing anything more than growing.
As a child, Halloween was hands-down my favorite holiday. It still is.
With cosplay, I can revisit some of that magic and wonder. And when you go to conventions, you get to see people who are just as passionate about the same things as you are. They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. In this case, I couldn’t agree more.
While money is usually tight for most, there’s never a more interesting way to share your passion and love for all things geek than to build your own costumes and props. While I won’t go totally nuts with it (I simply have too many hobbies!), I plan on building some costumes and gear from my favorite things. I intend to take my time. And as I like figuring things out at my own pace, I imagine it will be soothing and rewarding in its own way!
I’m also going to announce a new column here while on the topic – Cosplay Corner. It most likely won’t be a weekly bit like I Grok or Flashback Fridays, but I intend to share my progress there. And if some of my friends actually want to share their progress and ideas, they’re welcome to post there too!
Anyhoo, that’s the rant. Thanks for the read, and check out some of the sweet outfits I found in the gallery below. Until next time!
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