Welcome to another episode of Fan Effect brought to you by the Megaplex Theatres. And we're so excited because we are continuing our FanX countdown. I'm sitting here today at The Gateway and I've been surrounded by awesome cosplayers. Which is wonderful. Because A), I feel at home and B), because everyone else is just as excitedfor FanX as I am. In fact, I'm actually with someone today who is probably one of the most excited I'm here with Ro.... I dont know your last name?!!
Everybody just knows me as Ro. You can say Ro Malaga in English, it's "Malaga."
Ro"Malaga."
Yeah, there we go! KellieAnn is a pro at that.
And we're actually 19 days away from fanX. And people are here getting already and they're trying to win some tickets because today is the first big event a FanX, the Cosplay Games. Now, Ro, can you tell me a little bit about what the cosplay games are?
We are glad to be back after taking that break in that postponement Cosplay Games is back. For those people that don't know, downtown Salt Lake City, everybody meets at The Gateway, that's your starting point. That's where you get your cards. And basically, it's a photo scavenger hunt that we have. So at a certain time, 10 o'clock am today, we go ahead and populate our website and our social media platforms with clues. And we'd like to incorporate our great city Salt Lake City into the mix.
So we have a clue like that usually has to deal with some kind of fandom or a movie. You know, I know that we have a quote from home alone this time along, it's associated with a picture of downtown Salt Lake City. So whether it's the Vivent Arena, or whether it's THE Salt Palace, or whether it's Abravanel Hall, and then people get to go ahead and make their way over to that clue over to that area that's pictured, and then they will see one of our volunteers and a Fanx volunteer shirt along with a cosplayer.
So that's the cosplay component on your side. But the guests also get to get in on the fun to correct?
Exactly, exactly. So we like to go ahead and just do a mix of everything right. And we feel so fortunate because we have a great city that supports is a great state that supports us a great community. That's why we're so excited to KellieAnn to be back and doing cosplay games here today.
And I've been surrounded by people that cosplay, so you come you can have a costume on or you can go fullbound cosplay. There's a whole family I saw today I'm going to try to interview, they were all sorts of different Loki from female Loki to they had the Gator Loki, it was just awesome. Everyone's really getting into it today.
That's right. And you know, one of the things about FanX, one of the biggest things and the reasons why I'm always helping now, and I always want to be an integral part of it is because this is a place where you belong, right? This is where you can come up and dress like Loki or Darth Vader, you can let your geek and nerd flag fly. And I say that lovingly because this is where you're just family and you can just show your passions out and nobody's going to judge you. And in fact, we're gonna want to take pictures with you because of the way you do right.
And we're super fortunate in our good friends over at Spin Scooters, they've partnered up with us. So if people don't want to walk around downtown Salt Lake City, they can take a scooter ride along the way when they're participating in the Cosplay Games today.
That's how new is in the right place. As I was walking down the Gateway, which is where we're starting this year, Velma and Daphne went by on a scooter. And that's something you usually don't see is you know, the Scooby Doo gang, cruising by. So I'm like, Yes, I'm with my people. I'm in the right place. I'm not in full costume today because I had to, you know, be professional. But I definitely have Wonder Woman themed outfit today. So this is this is my people!
So everyone goes around theytake pictures, there's 10 locations?
Correct. Right now there's 10 locations where people go collect clues and get their card stamped.
And what did they win if they get all 10 stamped?
We want to share the love! So they get the opportunity, if they complete all the clues and they get everything correct. And then they get a free multipass to FanX. But if they don't get all the clues, but they still went ahead and try they have the opportunity to get a day pass.
We love to keep the event as affordable as possible. We offer discounts for military for teachers, for students, kids 10 and under come for free. But also at the same time. If you just have time for a day. We have day passes if you want the multipass experience or KellieAnn some people want the golden VIP experience. So there's literally something for everybody, right?
Oh, I usually get the gold. And it's also just because I like gold like I'd rather be gold than VIP.
Now you actually are one of the leaders when it comes to cosplay correct, when it comes to FanX cosplaY?
From time to time I steal the mic and it's because I talk way too much. That's true. You know what I've been fortunate enough to be in a position where I get to produce the cosplay contest as well.
And it's a special contest this year. We talked a little bit about with Dan last week, but you guys have some BIG prizes coming up, because you're going to just put on a big show correct?
I love that I'm chatting with you, you are one of the first media outlets that I'm saying this to now, we've already put this out on the web and also on social media. But I mean, interview wise, we're giving you the scoop...
The biggest prize pool we've ever had $10,000 in prize money, this time around. And again, like I said before, we love to share the love, right? So first place, Grand Prize, $5,000 goes to the best cosplay.
And that's something that we need to go ahead and specify cosplay, at least 80% of your outfit is made. Now I understand some people aren't gonna make their shoes and boots. But they can modify them and scruff them and paint them and do all these cool things. So that brings out such creativity and estate that's already creative. They love crafting, they love scrapbooking, all that stuff. So it gets your creative juices flowing.
But let's say it's your first time, I have a category, me and my team, we have a category that's just for novices. So if it's your first cosplay ever, if it's your first contest ever, you have an opportunity to win. And if you're an intermediate that's been doing it a little bit longer, you have an opportunity to win. But if you're a Masters, if you've been traveling, if this is your jam, if you've already been doing it, that is another opportunity to get this best in show is for the person or persons that have the most accumulated points. So if you're a novice or a masters, you still have the opportunity for that $5,000 Grand Prize.
That's cool. And how do people actually apply to be in the contest? And can they still?Tell what date because I'm not quite sure when this will go out.
The deadline is fast approaching. And right now I have Cosplay Games in my mind. So I got to get back to the website. But if they go to the website, or they go to our social media, they can see when the deadline is.
But that's the thing. We have so many amazing cosplayers in this community that want to be a part of this contest, go online, go register, get a slot, we'll go ahead and see ya. And that way you can be taken to our preliminary stage where it's an online judging.
So you submit your cosplay first. And then our online judges go ahead and like pick the top ones. And then those are automatically go on to the contest. There'll be seen in person, they'll get scores from there. And then they get the opportunity that night to be on our biggest stage. I mean, I'm talking the stage where Stan Lee's been a part of Manu Bennett ,Chris Evans, like I mean, the top of the top. They get an opportunity to shop their cosplay, do their cosplay choreography. And again, wIn that $5,000 Grand Prize.
Now I think we're getting to the end here, let's just do one final question. It took me a few years to be comfortable with cosplay and even just kind of dressing up which FanX has really helped me come out of my shell, I'll tell you what, I do it every day. What advice do you have for those that are maybe a little bit too nervous to put the costume on, but just want you so bad?
You bring up the best point ever. And again, this is a place where you belong. This is a place where you can find your community, you can find people with the same passions and love, and a place where we want to go ahead and just basically say "You're accepted!" right? No matter what your background is, no matter what your color is your preferences and stuff, come down, find your tribe.
And when you're competing. That's the thing, unfortunately about a competition. There's people that are going to come out first, second or third place; honorable mentions. But we want everybody to have fun. We want everybody to succeed. We're going to be cheering you on me and my team are going to be clapping for you. The judges are going to be cheering for you.
And one of the best parts about our system. We're also going to be giving you comments. So after the cosplay contest, you can log back into your account, see what the judges loved. See what they wanted to see modified. And that way you can keep your cosplay growing in an environment that's positive. And that's always cheering you on.
I love it. Thank you so much RO I'm so excited for cosplay and for all this fun stuff coming up with fanX and I'm going to go move on. Oh, I think you said you had an awesome photographer here that does it. I think they'll talk to them and some of your Hall-of-Famers.
We're gonna go ahead and take a break. Now when he come back, I'm going to be talking to the people cosplaying here, and some of the volunteers here that are also just as excited for fanX Stay tuned.
So I'm here again at the Cosplay Games at the Gateway and all over Salt Lake today. And I'm at with a volunteer who has been here for how many years have you been playing with annex?
Gosh, since 2015? I want to say was my first one. Yeah.
Yeah. Oh, so almost from the very beginning?
Officially Yes. I've been to every one of them from since 2013. But I didn't have the courage to apply until 2015.
That' sounds so much like my story! I've been to every one of them. And It helped me build my confidence as a creative, just seeing other people be creative. And it actually helped me to....cause I'd start interacting with people like, "You should be a part of this. you should do this?" And it gave me confidence to apply for my jobs at KSL. So here I am, and now I'm helping out with FanX.
Very cool.
Now what do you actually help with with FanX?
So I'm a photographer and I'm actually the Head of Cosplay Photography. If they still have that title, we'll see. Things are shaken up a little bit this year. But yeah, I've been with FanX for so long. It feels like we're all family now.
Definitely. That's what Dan was saying. He's just so excited to see the family again and to be able to have that unity and friendship.
Yeah, the cosplay community in Utah's is, I think a unique thing because I've heard of cosplayers that have moved away to other places and they're like, "cosplay scene here and Seattle is nothing like Utah." So we definitely have one of the best cosplay communities in my opinion.
Definitely. And I think what adds to that as well as how beautiful Utah is, and so like, I have friends who they'll do the Star Wars cosplays out on the salt flats, they'll go up to the mountain for Elvin, they go down to the Red Rocks for a little bit of Star Trek original series. Do you do things like that as well go out into the world?
Oh, definitely. Yeah, the the salt flats are very popular. But there's lots of really great downtown destinations as well. There's an alleyway that it looks like it's New York City. There's lots of graffiti, so you know there's a lot of diversity and usable places for cosplay photos.
Definitely. Now the question is you take the pictures of the cosplay, do you cosplay too?
I have before, and I actually attended one of the fan acts as the early ones before I was official as Flynn from "Tron" the new "Tron." And the problem with cosplaying and doing photography, is it gets a little hot and it's very hard to like manage your props and your photography equipment. So I kind of gave up on cosplaying per se but that's okay. Everybody else does it much better than I ever did so.
Well that's okay, because you still dress a little fandom, I can see your shirt right now. Could you can you tell our our audiences what your shirt is?
Yeah, it's basically a stormtrooper in the Starry Night painting from Van Gogh. So Star Warsy Night I guess.
"Star Wars Stary Night!" I love it! I love it. Now, I also love fanX and Comic Con and going to do all these dorky things. I've been told that you come to like all of the fanX events, not just the Comic Con. What's your favorite outside of the actual con event to come participate in?
Oh, definitely the press conferences are probably the most fun usually they're at the state capitol, but you know, wherever they're going to have them. But, it's a great place; the hype is real, everybody's excited, everybody's got their, you know, their pre con cosplays ready to go. So it's a lot of fun to do that.
Definitely. I love going to those too. When I went to my first one, I was worried it was gonna be kind of a bunch of stiff-press-people. No, everyone's so excited and dressed up! And you can kind of see the difference of like the fan-press-people and then the normal-press-people. And I'm in the one like already bounding outfit at the press conference.
Oh, of course, of course.
Now, what's your favorite part about the con in general?
So, I really love the people, I love going around the floor and finding all the amazing cosplays. For me though, it becomes like, if I'm trying to get from one place to another, it's like a I'm going and I see a new cosplay and a, "Squirrel!!!" You know, that kind of thing. So it's it's hard to get around the floor sometimes because there's just so many great cosplays and I get sad when I see a spectacular one and I didn't get it [a photo].
But I really love the cosplay contest. That's probably my favorite event during the whole thing. And it's always at the very end, and it's got that huge like "we're finished" vibe. And I love it when it turns into a big dance party. That's that's my favorite part of the whole event.
And they often release the beach balls. And so it just becomes this big chaotic, fun movement. And everyone's just all together having fun.
I know, I love it. The energy is great. And the cosplays for our contests are just bar none. I mean, you know, I haven't been to any of the really "big cons" but the quality of our cosplays here are just top notch. Top notch.
Do you have a favorite one that you've seen over the years?
There's one that Mike Wiggins, who's a local here did, it was Raynor from Starcraft. He literally stood probably about 10 feet tall.
So silts and stuff?
Yeah, he had stilts. The hands moved. He could pull the gun out of the holster. The gun had bullets you could load into the chamber. It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen.
That is awesome. That is awesome. Now, we have been a year and a half from the last one, which is so sad. But they're also adding a bunch of new stuff this year because you've had extra time to plan. Is there anything specific to this year that you're excited about?
Hmm, well, I'm a big Star Wars fan. So Ahsoka Tano, the voice... Ashley Eckstein coming is like, yeaH!, I mean, like I love celebrities, of course, but I'm not starstruck by any of them. But Ashley is definitely going to be my starstruck moment.
Me too. And I love that she used to be like a Disney Princess, she she's been in all these different acting, I've read her book. I'm literally wearing one of her dresses right now from Her Universe. One side is general Wonder Woman logo, the other side's the full costume in case I decided to switch today. So that's actually one, me and my niece who's obsessed with Clone Wars, is really excited to see.
Yeah, I've even done like fan art of Ahsoka Tano. So I'm going to take one for her and then I'm going to get her to sign one as well.
That's awesome. What type of fan art is it?
It's definitely Ahsoka Tano. I mean, I can show you here.
Do you draw or paint, or is it just digital with your photos?
It's definitely it's a digital drawing that is on my iPad, but I do 3d art and all sorts of stuff.
do you have a website that people can look up your work?
I'm mostly on Facebook. And the problem is my last name is a little hard to spell. It's Mark; M, A, R, K. And then; L, O, E, R, T, S, C, H, E, R. And that's pronounced Lurcher, like Lurch in The Addams Family.
Love it. Yeah. Sorry, you Halloween fan too, then?
Oh, yeah, definitely. My kids always dress up and we all have a great time. We even did like way back in when, I was Darth Vader. And my son was Luke Skywalker. My wife was Padme, so.
I love it. I love it. Is there anything else you want to add today or plug today before I finish this interview?
Well, fanox coming up September 16th-18th I'll be there. Running around with my ring light, that's kind of my signature thing.
Yes, he has his ring light there. Hey, there we go.
Alright, so people who might be a little bit nervous about coming because of the pandemic. How would you encourage them to come or help them to kind of calm those fears?
Well, you know, it really depends on what the Salt Palace puts in place because they comply with all the state regulations. So if there's going to be a masked mandate, then they'll comply with that. It's not like FanX is gonna go, "No, we don't want mask!" If there's going to be a mask mandate, then we'll do it you know.
And luckily a lot of cosplays have that kind of capability to be able to do a mask that goes along with your cosplay, and I've already seen it and lots of cosplayers. a Superman wearing a Superman mask, right, and all sorts of stuff. So I would just plan for a mask and then if we don't have to have a mask, let's be great.
definitely. my my cohost Andy has actually been been telling Dan for about a year that you have to have like best masks incorporated into a cosplay. So I think that's an idea We got to keep encouraging.
Yeah, I think you're right. And there's lots of like, you know, cool cyberpunk masks. You could go with you could go with a Samurai, Oni masks, right? So there's lots of possibilities.
Thank you!
Welcome back. I am your host, KellieAnn Halvorsen and we are doing the fFan Effect show. And we are talking cosplay today in our countdown to FanX and I'm here with another cosplayer. Can you introduce yourself please?
Mindy Madsen.
Maddy Madsen, and she is actually wearing an awesome outfit today to one of my favorite newer shows. Which is also a reboot or series? I dont know what you would call it?
I am not sure either what you call it, it's kind of a sequel-ish sort of thing.
Can you tell our listeners what you're dressed as today?
Ruby Roundhouse from Jumanji?
Yes. Now this is the first one right? Not the second?
This is the well the first one was Robin Williams and then of the reboots. That's right. Yeah. So she wear the same outfit in both of the reboot movies, though. Yeah.
It is so much fun, though. I have to say You look fantastic.
Well, thank you. It's a comfortable costume. Easy to wear in the outdoors. That's always nice, when it's not too hot or too cold.
Now we're here at the Cosplay Games forFanX. And you're earning free tickets, correct?
That's right!
Do you keep them? Or do you give them away? What do you like to do?
Oh, I usually try and give them to a friend. Because lots of times I'll get my pass ahead of time. But it's always fun to come to these events and just hang out with people that you know where your costumes around town. Look silly. Have fun! That's the most important part is having fun. And then if we get the pass, then I just can give it to a friend.
Oh, that's fantastic. Now how long have you been cosplaying then?
Actually since about 2002 was the first time I made a really good costume. Lord of the Rings came out in 2001, it was in December. And so for the next year I made the Galadriel costume. And for every couple of years after that it was usually just one or two costumes a year, and then it gradually became three or four costumes a year, and sometimes 10 costumes a year! It just kind of like gradually built up from there.
What's been some of your favorite costumes to wear?
Well Galadriel is still one of my favorites, but there's not a lot of Lord of the Rings events. And so, around here, there's a lot of comic book stuff. So Gamora from "Guardians of the Galaxy" is one that people really kind of recognize me for doing with the green skin and everything. And that one's a lot of fun.
So you do the full green skin and everything.
Yes, I do.
I love it. Do you build a lot of your costumes like so and make them or do you purchase? What's your idea of how to cosplay?
I make almost everything myself occasionally I'll have to buy something like an accessory. But I know how to sew, and I know how to craft things out of foam, I know how to do the makeup. So I always just start with finding a pattern and some fabric or make up my own pattern and just start from scratch on everything.
That's so cool. Do you do any of the cosplay competitions, particularly at fanox
I've entered it before, and actually I entered with my "Guardians of the Galaxy" group and we one audience favorite or something like that. So that was pretty fun.
Did Were you with Skylord, with Skyler he does a cosplay?
it was before I met him, so I had another friend doing Star Lord. But yeah, I met Skylar shortly after that. And he's been a great Star Lord.
He looks just like Chtid Pratt! It's kind of weird. That's so cool. So what is your favorite thing about cosplaying then, like what draw drew you to it?
it's just a super fun hobby. I mean, it's a great way to meet fellow nerds that have some common interests with you and you wear a costume and people love to see you as their favorite characters.
And you think people will react pretty well then?
All they always do. Everybody, like even people we don't know, just strangers on the street. They'll wave at us and stuff like that. And some of them are kind of weird, too. And they give you weird looks. But we just laugh it off because we're having a great time.
Have you ever had any magical moments when you're in the costume? Like maybe working with kids? I know you said you do some charity.
Yeah, it's always so fun when you're at a kid's event, a charity event, and a kid sees you from a long ways away, and they just come running over because you're dressed as their favorite superhero, or Disney character or something like that. And they just come running over and give you a huge hug. And, and you can tell that you've made their day.
Right? And there's something magical about that, that joy and that love of a character that you know, from the youngest child to the oldest grown up, they just love the costume and they love the character. So you just have like that instant friendship.
Yeah, it's it's super fun. And then sometimes we'll get like special requests to go visit a kid in a hospital. And you know, there'll be like you have a Sally from "Nightmare Before Christmas" costume Sally's this little girl's favorite character when you come visit her in the hospital. So those events are always extra special. That is cool.
What is that organization you usually volunteer with?
I volunteer with HEROIC [Heroes Engaging Real Organizations in Charity] and also Kids Heroes Foundation.
And do you know where people can find that information by chance?
HeroicInc.org is the website. I know they're on Facebook, too.
That's fantastic. What are you planning on wearing for this year is fanX?
So for this year, I'm gonna wear a Ruby Roundhouse again, like I'm wearing now and then possibly Princess Leia to match my friends Han Solo. And then the last day, it's either gonna be Poison Ivy or Ahsoka from Star Wars if I get it finished in time.
Oh, it's so good would be so fun. How are you going to do the... it's not Lekkus when it's her breed... the tails on her head?
Um, well, I'm working on him right now. I'm making him out of fabric because I know how to work with fabric really well. So I've got a little headdress that I've patterned out and everything, and I'm just working on getting the right fabric for it and making it attached to your head and all the fun stuff that goes along with it.
I love it. Now we're sitting here. I actually, before in the podcast I mentioned I had my Wonder Woman reversible outfit. I did reverse it. So now I'm technically in costume. And one thing I love about it is when you are dressed up as a powerful character, you feel powerful, you feel strong. It's one way I actually want to need a little boost of confidence. I know I have like a Wonder Woman pair of socks or something on. Do you have anything similar when you put on the outfit that like how does it make you feel and behave?
Well, you do feel a lot more outgoing and brave and stuff like that. And people are always smiling when they see you. Because if I go to the store just as Mindy, you know, people are just you know, they don't even notice but we didn't go somewhere dressed as a character. Everybody sees you, everybody smiles at you. And you know you're just suddenly more outgoing than you normally are!
Do you have any advice for those who who wanted to either bound, or cosplay, or theme an outfit, but have been a little bit too nervous? Do have advice for them of how to get started?
First of all, I would say try and talk to some people you know, who know how to do it. Or there's a A group on Facebook called Cosplay Utah that you people post in and can get tips from.
And the best advice I would give somebody would be to cosplay a character that you love. Don't just pick something random. Cosplay something you love, because you never know, when people see you in a costume they assume you know everything about the character. And they come up and talk to you about your character. And if you don't know anything about what you're dressed up as, then you kind of look silly. So cosplay something you love!
Definitely. And even if you don't quite know, it's okay too, because sometimes they'll teach you. This is a lot of me when I started first getting into DC Comics was people would teach it, because I'd have a Wonder Woman purse or something. So it's pretty cool.
Now t's been almost two years since our last con. What are you excited about specifically for this con?
I'm pretty excited to just see my friends and hang out. I mean, the celebrities is always nice. That's what everybody goes for in general. But for me just like hanging out with my friends and wandering around and having a good time is what I am all about.
Right? I'm the same. Celebrities are great in everything panels are my absolute favorite. But like, I love just being there and celebrating characters and stories and fandoms that we all love; that have changed our lives, that have helped us connect with people. I love it. I love it!
Thank you so much for joining us. Is there anything else you want to add? Do you have a social that people could find your your costumes on, so people can see your pics?
on Facebook. It's Mindiana Jones. So that's "Indiana Jones" with an M the beginning because I'm Mindy and on Instagram, it's me MIndiana Jones Cosplay.
Thank you so much. That was so much fun. I'm going to go ahead now and hunt down some more cosplayers for us to talk to. There's actually a family wandering around here that are all different types of Loki, and that's what I'm trying to hunt down. We'll see you guys in just a second.
I have the Loki family!
So I'm here with Loki, we have the classic Loki and you have the gloves and everything. That's fantastic. And Sylvie, one of my new favorite people even have the broken horn! Makes me so happy.
My name is Melinda and I'm "Sylvie."
I'm Tyler and I'm "Kid Loki."
I'm Samuel and I'm kind of just a "Modern Casual Loki."
I'm Kreston Lee. My um "Classic Loki."
I love it. He has the yellow gloves.
My name is Jasmine and I'm "Warrior Loki."
I'm Abigail I'm "Alligator Loki."
That is so cool. I love it. How old are you?
I'm 7.
I love your crocodile. Did you make it or did you find it somewhere?
We already had it. Um, and our costume box so we just used it
They did add the horns. ansd so that's fantastic. And you are?
I'm Adriella and I'm "Princess Loki."
I have a Loki outfit to with crown and everything ,so I'm a little sad. I'm not just as lucky so I would have been part of your family for the day.
All right, so we're talking about cosplay today why it's fun ,why we're excited about FanX. So tell me about why you chose to do a Loki cosplay as a whole group?
So we've been doing the cost play games every year since fanX has been in town. It's as just something fun we do as a family and so every year or we discuss, "Who are we give me this year? What are we going to do?" And while we were discussing it this year was was about the time that the Loki TV series was out. We were watching that we said "Why don't we just all do Loki variants?" The kids all thought I was a fun ideas!
Now your brother and sister right? And then you have your kids all together here. How did you guys choose which variant you were going to be?
It was mostly the kids picked what they wanted. Abigail, she's our littlest, so we kind of encouraged her to do Alligator Loki cuz she's the smallest and so that was fun.Tyler didn't really have a strong opinion so we thought he'd make a great Kid Loki and then Adriella wanted to be a princess, and Jasmine wanted to be a warrior, and Samuel just kind of wanted to be chill. So they're they're kind of their own variants which is which was really fun.
I love all the little details here. The warrior one the the horns are actually her pigtails all up and everything so it's fantastic and we're going to try to link over to the photos from this event so you can see the Loki family I think they'll stand out.
Do you guys go to Comic Con every year, to FanX every year?
I do. One that tries to push you can get away and the kids there sometimes just depending on schedules.
What is your favorite part about FanX?
So I love doing the celebrity panels, just sitting in the Grand Ballroom listening to celebrities answer questions, a lot of fun. I like shopping the vendor booths, too. I usually spend more money and the vendors that I really should get some good collectibles.
I'm the same. I put away cash throughout the year basically because I like supporting the artists and vendors that handmake things. So I'll save and I'll do that a lot of time.
For me, I prefer the panels. I know the kids love the costumes and seeing everybody in cosplay and that's a lot of fun and getting pictures with other cosplayers.
I like dressing up because it's fun to like get in a costume and ...
I like posing for the pictures because we do a lot of fun poses fighting each other and stuff.
Do you guys usually theme so you're all together?
Yeah.
What's your theme this year? You're gonna stick with Loki. You're gonna stick with it. Okay, great. So you guys are listening. You can go see them.
Have you guys had any fun experience that you want to share a little bit? Any celebrity interaction or people that have made your day at the con?
So my favorite all time panel was Billy Boyd was was great. Done a few photo ops, Lou Ferrigno, Chuck Norris. So those were those have always been fun.
So we have this family tradition with our extended family. We have this big yellow stuffed pig, that trades around from family to family from year to year. And so one year, Kreston had the pig and he had to come to FanX. And we've got a picture of Chuck Norris holding the Lee family pige! And we love it!
I love that you're making it really a family thing here! And I love that you guys all go together. I'm so selfish. I like going alone because I don't want anyone else to tell me what to do. But this makes me wish I had the family to be able to come around with me.
What are you guys excited for this year?
We've been watching supernatural so far? I'm excited for Misha.
Misha Collins. He's Casstiel, one of the angels in there. He is fantastic, and hilarious, and seems like the nicest person.
Are you just gonna do panels or do you have a meet-and-greet?
Mostly just gonna do panels. We'll see about photo opps, maybe?
We try and come especially if we get the passes from doing the cosplay scavenger hunt. We try and come at least to a panel or two, and wander around and see the costumes and stuff.
Is that one of the reasons you come to do like cosplay games?
Yes, that's part of it. Plus, it's just way fun!
Right?! Yeah. Any excuse to dress up! That's me.
Do you have any tips for anyone who might be a little hesitant about going to the con? Any words of encouragement?
Just come and have fun. You don't have to dress up. If you want to dress up, do it. You can do whatever you want. Anyone's Welcome to whatever, it's just a lot of fun.
You're welcome to come enjoy yourself. Come look for the Lee family, or the Loki family is what it is today. Thank you guys! Thank you. It looks adorable!
So we're back here at the cosplay games and I have someone who is actually a cosplay Hall of Famer. Now can you go ahead and introduce yourself and tell our listeners what exactly that means?
Sure. My name is Eric Allen Hall. I am a part of the FanX cosplay Hall of Fame. And it's something that you get nominated by by other cosplayers in the area. And it was quite an honor to get, it was for one of the charity work I do in cosplay. I'm part of a superhero charity costuming group called HEROIC and we do visits to kids in the hospital. We do the Ronald McDonald House, Make A Wish Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, things like that.
I love it. We were actually talking to Mindy earlier. She was Ruby Roundhouse. She's part of that as well. That's so neat.
Do you get nominated for a specific costume?
I don't know if it's for a specific costume. I do several events for kids, usually I'll do Superman or Mr. Incredible. Other events I'm pretty well known for my Mr. Data cosplay from Star Trek and I have a borg cosplay as well.
That's so cool. Do you ever go to the Star Trek conventions and stuff?
Yeah, I usually go to the Star Trek convention in Las Vegas every year, haven't been able to for the past couple years. But usually I do that.
How does that compare to something Like FanX cosplay culture and, and community?
You know, it's really similar.
I think here in Salt Lake we've got a huge base of cosplayers and it's so fun to see all the different anime, and Doctor Who, and Harry Potter, and comic book and so forth. Star Trek is a lot more focus just on the Star Trek series, but it's very similar with people who really go out, and a lot of detail for like the original series, Next generation, Voyager, and so forth.
That's so neat. What got you into cosplay in the first place?
As I was growing up, my mom did a lot of community theater. So I would tag along and I would be like, villager, child number three. So I kind of grew up around costumes, and theatrical, makeup and acting and so forth. So it just was something natural to get into.
And how long have you been cosplaying for?
Officially? Hard to say I really started to get into it a lot, sbout 1993 when Next Generation was still on the air, I did a Mr. Data cosplay. And you know, just with my background, it's been something I've always been interested in. I used to get big groups of friends together and we do group cost plays like everybody from "Gilligan's Island," or "The Addams Family "and that just kind of kept going and then when cosplay became more of, I guess, an accepted thing and more popular. It's just something that I just I've always done. So it just was naturally easy to continue to get into.
That's awesome. And you're here today at the Cosplay Games, but you have a special role you weren't actually participating as someone trying to win. You were participating as someone at the the answer points. I don't know how what you would call that. Can you tell us a little bit of what that's like?
Yeah, I was a "target." So I'm dressed today as Mobius from the "Loki" TV series, and I've just kind of stood, waveed to people they would see me they'd come. We had somebody who could stamp their little passport that they get to show that they went to all the locations. And then I got a selfie with everybody.
That's fantastic. And did you get a selfie with the Loki family because I've already talked to them today because I immediately had to talk to them.
Yes, I did. And I told them they were my favorite.
Yes that makes you so happy. So fanox is coming up around the corner. 19 days is what my phone countdown says. What my phone countdown says. What are you planning on cosplaying this year?
Okay, so for Thursday, I am going as Maxwell Lord from "Wonder Woman 84 "with a friend also from HEROCI, Kelly Richardson who is going to dress as Barbara Minerva before she turns into the Cheetah. On Friday, I am dressing as Moebius. For the evening, if there's any type of evening activity, I have a Red Skull on Vormir cosplay from the Avengers that I'm doing. Saturday for most of the day. I'm going to do Mr. Data from Star Trek Next Generation, and then in the evening for that. I have a Terminator Tt 800 cosplay from Terminator 2 with the battle damage and expose circuitries.
So it's not every day. It's like twice a day that you're switching costumes. How does that work out?
It works out pretty well. I have a minivan, so I parked in the garage underneath. It's got dark windows so I can slip in and change into something and come out.
That's genius because I would take that opportunity to take a nap as well because that's my second favorite thing. I love dressing up probably number one and naps are second.
What do you like about the cosplay community here in Utah?
I love, especially since FanX started, just people coming out of the woodwork showing their love for their different characters through their cosplay. For years. There were a few events here and there. Free Comic Book Day is kind of a national event, first Saturday in May, and you'll see a few people come out to the comic book stores. The Star Wars, costuming groups have always been around and they do a great job also doing charity work. But with FanX, just lots and lots more people coming out just expressing the love for their fandom through the cosplays that they do.
That's fantastic. We actually had a whole special for May the fourth with the Star Wars cosplayers, talking to the 501st and the Rebel Legion, and all sorts of different stuff. Do you cosplay with that group as well?
Sometimes. Years ago, I have a Jedi costume and I have an Xwing Fighter costume. To join the groups they have to be officially approved. They get very strict guidelines and understandably, from Disney and Lucasfilm to do that. So mostly events that we've done together has been part of HEROIC with me coming as a superhero rather than a Star Wars character.
Have you had any interesting or uplifting experiences that you don't want to share from from those events where you get to go help inspire kids and raise some money for good causes?
Yeah, one that I can think of was a couple years ago was dressed as Mr. Incredible It was a fundraiser for a little boy whose digestive system hadn't formed properly. And he was about five years old, but he looked like he was about two years old, just because he wasn't able to get proper nutrition. And just to see him held by his mom, as we waved at cars to stop and get donations from, it was just really inspiring. And it helped me to realize that cosplay is great, and it's fun to express your fandom. I enjoy taking it to the next level and doing something good for the community and paying back to communities.
That is wonderful. That's one thing I've noticed a lot here talking to people is a lot of people that are like really dressed up in cosplay, they they say that I do this with heroes, I do this with Make A Wish I'm able to help people. And even those that weren't fully fully dressed up, they they were giving their tickets or winning away to friends that couldn't afford it.
I think that just shows so much how supportive the the fandom community is here in Utah. What have you seen as you work in Utah, and as you cosplay in Utah, and go to events in Utah, what's been your favorite part about being part of that scene?
I think being part of, we haven't been able to do it recently because of COVID. But prior to COVID, we had monthly events set up where we would come to the Ronald McDonald House and Primary Children's Hospital on alternating months to visit with the kids and visit with the families. And it's just so rewarding to see the kids faces light up and to run up and they'll give you a hug. And they're so excited to see their favorite character and it's just, it feels good to be able to brighten somebody's day like that.
I love that. I love that so much!
Before we close up here, is there anything specific you'd want to share that I haven't asked about or story that's popped in your head?
I don't think so.
Okay. For those who are a little bit nervous about cosplaying, do you have any words of inspiration or advice to encourage them to get out there and dress up?
Just do it!. Don't worry that it's not screen accurate. Don't worry that you don't look like the character. Just express your love. Have fun portraying the character that you like!
That's fantastic. Thank you so much for being part of this today. And real quick for our listeners. So you're a cosplay Hall of Famer so they can find some of your work and stuff on the FanX website. Where else can people find like a gallery of your images or a place where you show off your creativity?
So my Facebook page is Eric Allen Hall. My Instagram page is Eric_ Alan_Hall. And you can also visit our website HEROICinc.org.
Oh, Thank you so much. And just liking take donations?
We do.
Fantastic. All right. Thank you so much for joining us and I hope you enjoyed cosplay games today!
Thank you. Thank you very much.
And I hope you listeners enjoyed our FanX cosplay games podcast. And we're able to deal with some of the sound issues as we were recording outside live at the event.
No matter what your family size, age or gender, dressing up and a little or a lot of cosplay is a lot of fun. And a chance to do so with lots of other people is coming up around the corner at FanX Salt Lake comic convention September 16th- 18th, 2021, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City.
Get your tickets at FanXSaltLake.com, and stay tuned for more episodes of our show as we help you prepare for FanX and dive deep into the backstage of the con and explore this massive event.
Thanks for listening to this episode of fan effect, a KSL News Radio Podcast beyond sci fi, fantasy gaming and tech we are excited to share with you our knowledge (and arguments) on everything pop culture and fandom. Based in the beautiful Beehive State Vanek celebrates Utah's unique fan culture. And we are excited to bring you local guests that feel the same way.
I'm your host for today and producer KellieAnn Halvorsen, my co host Andy could not be here today because... like he is a family or something. Where I have the freedom to go to whatever I want!
Listen regularly to fan effect on your favorite platform at KSLnewsradio.com, KSL podcast calm or on the KSL NewsRadio app. Do you have a fun idea or local fan culture topic you would like us to explore? Let us know by messaging our Facebook page @FanEffectShow where you can also get the latest nerdly updates and join the conversation. Follow us on Instagram @FanEffectShow, and Twitter @FanEffectShow.
And don't forget to catch us and I will both be atFanXSalt Lake comic convention, hopefully doing some really fun stuff with y'all.
And thanks again for listening and we hope to have you back real soon for another episode of Fan Effect.
