Tell me about the outfit you are wearing – who are you cosplaying and how did you decide to pick this particular character ?
Many of my friends and students (Yes I am a School Teacher) have told me I looked like the character! Super Mario IS the most recognizable ‘Gaming’ character out there! I’ve gotten e-mails and notes of appreciation from around the world even though I mostly cosplay in Florida. Finally my kids got into it and there you have it! Ever since my daughters got me to cosplay I’ve tried to do as many Mario cosplay costumes as I could. I usually average two new ones a year!
Tell me about the process of making your outfit – was it easier or tougher than you imagine it to be ?
I usually look at a good picture of the costume and go to the local Good Will & thrift stories to get all the pieces together, while the props are either made from scratch by me or bought & modified. Some are easier then others but as I don’t sew I stick to costumes that can go together without much trouble. Some cosplayers are meticulous, and go for the awards and they deserve them. I cosplay for fun and that alone is what steers me through making a costume.
Any interesting stories from people’s reaction to your outfit at the con ? ^^
Well as I look so much like him, I get a lot of attention and likewise a lot of pictures taken. and through this I get to meet new people, some of whom have come up and told me I had inspired them to cosplay themselves! Some have even met up with me to do photoshoots and then have parties and such! Cosplaying is a fun gig!
How did you get started cosplaying and what got you interested ?
Well I was a Trekker from way back so I have a few Star Trek uniforms, and that, plus both my daughter prodding me for over 2 years got me to start at Megacon in 2004. I won ‘Fan Favorite’ there, and I’ve been cosplaying ever since!
What are the con did you first attended and what’s your favorite con that you’ve attended so far and why ?
My first Anime con was the now defunct ACC-con in Ft. Lauderdale in 2002. It was a SciFi/Anime con and only lasted for one year. I was introduced to cosplaying there! My favorite con has been Megacon in Orlando. Its huge (Over 40,000 in attendance) and is so varied with having SciFi, Fantasy, Comics, Gaming and of course Anime! The panels and events are usually great but the main things is meeting up with other cosplayers especially those who are dressed as your character! Its a great con to go to! Coming close is Metrocon in Tampa, Florida.
What does cosplay mean to you ?
First, it means FUN! You always have fun being someone else and I’ve not had any real problems doing it. As I said before you meet new and fantastic people and make long lasting friendships too! Finally I got into this to be closer to my kids and its a great hobby to be close to them and have fun!
If you had unlimited funds/technology/time, what is your dream cosplay ?
Hmmmm, I’d say a full bodied costume like ‘Red-Leaf” Racoon Mario or even the new Penguin version on Mario Brothers Wii! Something that would push my creativity and still be fun to do!
