Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Brian Harris : I discovered cosplay back in 2004. I always thought it would be cool to portray a character I am a fan of.
Leo Nocedo :What was your first cosplay?
Brian Harris :My very first cosplay was Bane from DC Vengeance of Bane
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Brian Harris :I am currently planning to do Merciless from Batman Metal, Symbiote Spiderman 2099 upgrades, and Bane update.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Brian Harris : Yes I all have been a few cosplay contests and have only won a judges award.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Brian Harris : I prefer prop making right now. I am learning to do armor.
Leo Nocedo :Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
Brian Harris : I don’t mind doing photoshoots at any locations really. As long as we have a good time.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Brian Harris : I frequently cosplay as Maui from Moana. Even when not in cosplay, I am just well known as Maui.
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Brian Harris : I dont really have a favorite cosplayer. I love and try and support all cosplayers in general. I like spreading the positivity in the community.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Brian Harris : Maui is the most detailed as I rendered and print out his tattoos and place them on my body. It used to be body paint and i would have people paint the tattoos all over me.
Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
Brian Harris :1. Don’t give up 2. It doesn’t need to be perfect 3. Have fun
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Brian Harris :This is a toss up between Maladdin (Maui mix with Aladdin) and my original crossover Baui (Maui and Bane crossover)
Leo Nocedo :What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Brian Harris :This would have to be body shamed my first Maui debut. I was told I needed to put a shirt on and told if I took it off, I would be removed from the con. I ended up going one day instead of the weekend. I was embarrassed as there was another Maui and nothing was said. The person was not of ethnicity but was built. The uplifting part was specific celebrities were there and saw me and lifted my spirts as they were of the culture and ended up doing a mini promotion for Moana and been in touch with several people because of that day.
Leo Nocedo : What’s your funniest cosplay story?
Brian Harris : So if anyone has been around me, there is always some shenanigans going on. I still think by far one of the funniest is when Tiffany Chin-Lee and I won our award at Supercon. We didn’t believe it. We had to rush to the stage. People were yelling at us that they called us and we didn’t believe them as they started shouting. My grass skirt fell off right at the front and I had to hold my skirt as we got on stage for a moment.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Brian Harris : I have way to many. Every con I go to as Maui has the best interactions. I love to sing and dance for everyone in character. It has gotten to the point where returning celebrities have seen me and made requests and or just to chat a bit. In or out of Maui, I have had the opprotunity to entertain and network with amazing people. It is never a dull moment when at a con with me.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Brian Harris : Everytime inam with The Gotham Underground, Cosplayers With a Cause, Ever After Character Events, and Guardians of Justice. Not fully related but I call these groups and several others family.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Brian Harris : That is a toughy as I love all photos. Most iconic is a couple Maui and Bane photos. I have 2 OC cosplays that I have great photos of as well.
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Brian Harris : My go to stories are Amazon, Michaels, and Joanns.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy pre-styled wigs or style your own?
Brian Harris : Pro-style wings are where I am at right now. Eventually I will learn to style wings but as of right now, I am growing and styling my own hair if possible for a character.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Brian Harris : When I cosplay Terry Bogard, people often say, “Wow. Aren’t you the guy from the movie Kung Fu.”
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done.
Brian Harris :1. Bane (crossovers included) 2. Maui (crossovers included) 3. Quantum Hulk 4. Terry Bogard 5. Demitri (OC) 6. Batman (crossovers included) 7. Joker (tux) 8. Aladdin 9. Sith OC 10. Solomon Grundy 11. Symbiote Spiderman2099 12. Casual Broly 13. Toma Tonga
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Brian Harris : Megacon/Supercon
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Brian Harris : I don’t have a preference. I just like to cosplay characters I fit the build for or throughly enjoy.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Brian Harris : I have lost 1 wig for Maui and the original wrist build and wire light for my first Bane.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Brian Harris : I just did in 2019. I did a steampunk Bane and bought a mask that looks like bane but has bullets and gears on it.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Brian Harris : I dont have a preference really. I am usually everywhere with everyone of all fandoms.
Leo Nocedo : If you had a chance to meet your all-time favorite cosplayer, what would you say to them?
Brian Harris : I would just stroke up a conversation and tell them I enjoy their content.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Brian Harris :I have done several panels. I’ve done panels on builds, getting into character, dance party, singalongs, thrifting, skits, and body positivity.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Brian Harris :Both to be honest. There is no shame.
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Brian Harris : Know that people will always judge you and the community can be toxic at times. There is a lot more good than you think.
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Brian Harris : My ultimate dream cosplay would be a Guyver unit or Gundam build.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done?
Brian Harris : (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect) Spiderman2099 and Maui. This is because of personal self esteem issues and the factor of making things align and look good.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
Brian Harris :This would be Toma Tonga as I did the facepaint version. Full face and lining work.
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Brian Harris : “Pro” cosplay I guess in my opinion is someone that is well recognized by many. They can have 100k or 1m + followers or maybe 1000 followers and in turn doesnt make you pro. Pro in these terms to me is being recognized/guesting multiple cons, selling content, and giving back with love and support.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
Brian Harris : I love making friends, meeting followers and fellow cosplayers. I love entertaining and starting pop up parties.
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NocedoPhoto Media Group is an innovative and creative consortium that unites photographers, writers, cosplayers, event promoters, vendors, costume and prop makers, and other creatives under one roof to use their collective skills to maximize their distribution and presence on digital media platforms. Their goal is to create a well-rounded and successful network for all involved.
