Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Jack Hill : I would see pictures of people in costume on FB from SDCC and other conventions, but didn’t realize at the time it was as big as it actually is.
Leo Nocedo :What was your first cosplay? The first actual “cosplay-type” costume I put together myself was a gender-bent Wonder Woman “Captain Wonder”
Leo Nocedo :Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Jack Hill : A couple of times, but I generally don’t participate in them.
Leo Nocedo :Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
Jack Hill : I like doing more “specialized” on-location photo shoots.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Jack Hill : Green Arrow is my favorite and the one I think I portray the best. I also like Hawkeye, Batman and Robin
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Jack Hill : I’ve learned a lot from Alyx Black, Tim Olmo, Victoria Amanda Bradley and Thomas Blasco. I admire them all 😊
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Jack Hill : The most detailed one that I have done is Ian Lightfoot from the movie Onward. It is more detailed just because of the body paint and details required to make it all look realistic.
What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
1. You tube is your friend.
2. Pay attention when someone is teaching you something.
3. Don’t be afraid to complement somebody on their cosplay and ask how they did it.
What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Green Arrow will always be my “go-to”
Leo Nocedo : What’s your funniest cosplay story?
Jack Hill : When I was portraying The Flash at a Give Kids the World meet and greet,
A lot of the kids who came in to meet us wanted to “Race the Flash”. It’s amazing how many other speedsters there are… Because they all won. And the Flash was definitely feeling it when the event was over.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Jack Hill : Back in October while I was cosplaying Green Arrow at a free community kids day event, there was a little boy there who could not have been any more than five years old. He had seen every episode of “Arrow”and was quizzing me on all of the different details from the show. I was able to answer all the questions sufficiently, but he definitely had me on my toes.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Jack Hill : Photo #1 below
Leo Nocedo :What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Jack Hill : Hobby Lobby, Amazon and Etsy
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Jack Hill : When I’m dressed as Green Arrow, I’ll always get called Robin Hood, Green Lantern or Hawkeye.
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done.
Jack Hill : Captain Wonder
Hogwarts student
Green Arrow
Red Hood
Robin
Spiderman
Superman
Aquaman
Batman
Guy Gardner
Nightwing
Jack Frost
Joker
Quicksilver
Hawkeye
Captain America
Riddler
The Flash
Gaylen the Good Witch
Connor Kent
Ian Lightfoot (Onward)
Prince Philip
Timmy Turner
Luz (Owl House)
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Jack Hill : DragonCon in Atlanta
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Jack Hill : If it is a character that I really like, then the props are definitely necessary to make it real for me. It really depends on where I am and what I’m doing whether or not I want to be carrying a prop. A few hours at a charity event isn’t a problem, but all day at a con it can become cumbersome.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Jack Hill : No, I have never lost something like that at a con, but I did forget to bring my bow and arrows to a charity event once as Green Arrow.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Jack Hill : Yes. I bought my Captain America shield at a con as well as a few different face-masks.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Jack Hill : There are pros and cons to each. If you have a dedicated group of friends who are dependable and portray the character as well, then a group is definitely a lot of fun. But you have to have the dedication from everyone to make it enjoyable. Going solo can also be equally as satisfying if you can embrace all the qualities of the character and people believe your portrayal.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Jack Hill : Most of my costumes have been bought or commissioned for me. But I do try to make any of the smaller pieces and props when I can.
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Jack Hill : “It’s going to be a big part of your life in the future, and you are really going to enjoy it.”
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Jack Hill : I did a really cool Zack Snyder photo shoot, as The Flash, with some other amazing cosplayers last year at DragonCon. Since then I have really wanted to put together a Zack Snyder inspired Green Arrow.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done? (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect)
Jack Hill : The Flash at DragonCon last year. It looked amazing and photographed really well, but the suit was all 3-D printed and became very uncomfortable very quickly. I still remember that shoot as one of the highlights in my life, but the costume felt very restricting. I would still do it all again though.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done
Jack Hill : Ian Lightfoot from Onward. It took a lot of practice to get it to look right.
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Jack Hill : When they are a guest at a convention.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
Jack Hill : The creativity. Also being able to volunteer my time for charity events and inspiring hope with the younger generation is really rewarding.