Cosplay: a combination of technical skill, artistic expression, and love. In Alberta alone there are a dozen events for local cosplayers – people who dress as a certain object or character from popular or cult culture – to strut their stuff.
The Calgary Expo is one of the biggest examples of this, bringing in celebrities and patrons from all over the world. This year’s convention played host to several special cosplayer guests. While cosplay has strength locally, it is also an international hobby and, for some, even a way to make a living.
Jessica Nigri, Monika Lee and Lindsay Elyse are three such individuals who do just that. Nigri, who we interviewed separately for last month’s issue, blew into the scene quite accidentally in 2008. Lee, on the other hand, had a main spot on Yaya Han’s recent television show Heroes of Cosplay. All three seemed ready and eager to take on the Calgary Expo where, not only would they take part in Calgary’s Parade of Wonders, they would also take photos, sell prints, and market themselves.
The cosplay community can be a vicious world, rife with backhanded commentary on sewing seams, costume accuracy, and how well the cosplayer looks in relation to their chosen character. Sites like 4chan will pick cosplayers apart, and Tumblr, where images and stories can be shared with a single click of a button, makes people cruel as well as vocal. It takes a lot of positive thinking to keep ahead.
When we were able to talk with Jessica, Lindsay and Monika about their careers, they were more than upbeat. In the end, cosplay is about passion, and all three femmes radiate with it.
GC: How did you start working your way forward in the industry?
Jessica Nigiri: It’s really interesting, the way cosplay has progressed as a profession. We just started by going to cons with other people, and people invited us to cons, and we started working for companies... it’s just really amazing, and we all feel so super freaking blessed to be able to go and do this for a living.
Monika Lee: Do what you love, and try and do as well as possible, and pass on your wisdom – if you have any – to people, and that’s what we like to do. Share the love.
GC: What is your favourite convention?
ML: Dragon*Con is my favourite. I’m from Atlanta, so that’s my stomping ground.
JN: Anywhere in Canada. I know that sounds biased, but these guys know. It’s an amazing place, the people are amazing, and you just have better souls, I think. And poutine.
Lindsay Elyse: I really liked E3, in California.
ML: The games! The games!
GC: Do you consider yourself big gamer nerds, comic nerds or movie nerds?
LE: Gaming is my forte.
ML: I would say gaming, but I like everything. I’m a nerd about everything.
JN: Gaming, anime, and fantasy! I once took a Lord of the Rings class in high school. Mythology in the 21st Century, and I took a full semester discovering and analyzing the Freudian analogies of the sword in the dark cave.
Swords in dark caves? Well now, that’s right up our alley.
