The buildup to Northern FanCon can be measured in the sound of saws and sewing machines and the smell of wet paint and hot glue.
The flamboyant art of personal costume design strikes earth on Sunday afternoon in downtown Prince George, almost exactly four weeks from the opening of the FanCon doors.
One of the most demonstrative elements of the big, annual Prince George pop-culture festival is cosplay.
It's short for "costume play" and was a term scarcely known in this city before the FanCon phenomenon. In three years, it has gone from an underground hobby by an exclusive few to a whole local industry.
More new members of this movement join each year.
It is the dominion of everyone who has ever put more than a passing thought into their Halloween costume or their school spirit garb, anyone who ever loved to play dress up as a kid or buzzed around the house with a blanket around their neck emulating their caped superheroes. It's for those who know what a tickle trunk is, or know that Shoe Goo is for so much more than footwear repair.
Cosplay is a community, and it comes together at HubSpace (1299 Third Ave.) at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
"I don't know if anyone expected cosplay to explode the way it has in Prince George, but we have some phenomenal talent in this city. FanCon was the thing they needed to come out and show it off and even if you don't do it yourself you can't help but be impressed by what these people can do with their costumes," said Norm Coyne, the lead organizer for Northern FanCon and a leading proponent of this weekend's Let's Talk Cosplay workshop.
"Three very experienced cosplayers and costume builders are collaborating to help share their knowledge on how to build the costumes of your dreams," he said.
The three are no stranger to FanCon. They have all attracted oooo's and ahhhh's for their mastery of costume and makeup elements. Coyne described that panel thus:
Ben Gibson, a cosplayer who specializes in foam fabrication and actively competes in master level category at conventions across western Canada and the U.S.
Mandy Paavola is a make up artist and owns her own company. Her knowledge of product and their application are only rivaled by her skills and the ability to apply them.
Trevor Elkey has been a 501st member for three years where he troops in Star Wars costume for charity. His high attention to detail and extensive knowledge in 3D printing makes him a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the perfect costume.
Gibson will act as host for the workshop.
He and the others - panel and participant alike - will talk shop, swap ideas, warn of common mistakes, offer useful tips on materials and techniques and pump each other up with general inspiration. It is free of charge to attend.
The cosplay debutante ball runs - with all its accompanying celebrity guests and flashy arts and gaming sizzle - at CN Centre and Kin 1 from May 5-7. Tickets to Northern FanCon are on sale now at CN Centre box office and online via Ticketmaster.
