Cosplayer of the Week: Jason Rucci
68SHARESLeo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Jason Rucci : It was 1997 and I wanted to dress up for the rereleases of Star Wars. I had made my own Jedi costume. It was terrible by my modern standards but I had so much fun at the theater with my friends
Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay?
Jason Rucci : Well I guess it was Heman with that plastic mask and suit. But it I’m my more adult life a Jedi.
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Jason Rucci : I don’t plan on advance or do trendy costumes. Characters and costumes need to speak to me. So I have a limited Arsenal of costumes but they are all movie or show quality.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Jason Rucci : Several many years ago. I had won a couple but realized competition wasn’t something I enjoyed. There are no standards in most contests and it’s often what ever the judge deemed cool. So with something so subjective I stopped competing and just enjoy watching.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Jason Rucci :Everything actually. I’m a jack of all trades. The only area I’ve not ventured into is programming electronics. But who knows if I will someday soon.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
Jason Rucci : Cons. I feel safer there. Chewie for example. You won’t catch me in the woods with that on. I live in Florida and don’t want to end up on a episode dead of finding Bigfoot.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Jason Rucci : Large personalities that are quiet in demeanor but loud in action. Batman, chewbacca, ghostbusters. Those are my bread and butter like characteristics
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Jason Rucci : I used to be a fan. Then I met them in real life and had mixed reviews. The expression of don’t meet your hero’s rings true to me here. So instead of following others I’m more in the moment. If I see something amazing I trybto appreciate them in the moment and trade thoughts and build techniques there.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Jason Rucci : Chewbacca for sure. The hair is color matched to a screen used suit. The face was sculpted by me with measurements taken by me from a real mask. My bags and bandoliers are so good they are used by lfl lisences cause I’m that close to real. It’s been a labor of love 10 years in the making 10: What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips? 1. mess it up first. Learn from it. 2. If it can be broken it can be fixed 3. Better quality tools make better quality work. Spend the money and save yourself the extra work.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Jason Rucci : Probably my GB2 Liberty drop slime blower rig. It’s accurate to the exacting detail and it’s just so unique among ghostbusters
Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Jason Rucci :I was paid to do an event with 6 other clone troopers. One guy showed up with a raw kit. I freaked out and in the hotel room that night using everything we could get our hands on assembled the suit so that it could be worn. I got zero sleep and was freaking out that Turner tv would be pissed at us for putting up garbage. Thankfully we weathered it so well the dirt hid the tape!
Leo Nocedo : What’s your funniest cosplay story?
Jason Rucci : Not sure if it’s appropriate to share here. But the goal was to get kicked out of Star Wars weekends and a trip to the Todd was involved.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Jason Rucci : I’m dressed as chewie and I’m standing in front of a cantina bar set. People are lining up to take pictures and in the distance I see a guy dressed as Han. I wave him over vigorously and he start trotting over. At the same time an incredibly hot girl tries to walk up to me to hug and get a picture. I face palm her and push her aside so I could grab the Han and hug him like he was my long lost love. He was ecstatic. She was mad. I thought it was perfect.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Jason Rucci :Yep. My brother. And he broke my lightsaber. Still not over it 17 years later.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Jason Rucci : I’m in my stormtrooper a top a tank at dusk pointing forward with the moon in the back ground. Its awesome
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Ace. Home depot. Lowe’s. Smooth on.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy pre-styled wigs or style your own?
Jason Rucci :Don’t wear any. Bald is beautiful.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Nope. I’m pretty iconic.
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done.
Jason Rucci :Way to many to type over the course of 20 years
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Jason Rucci : San Diego Comic Con.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Depends on how integral the prop is. A ghostbuster needs his pack. Chewbacca doesn’t need his bow
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Jason Rucci :Nope. My costumes are con proof and I pack in repetitive order. Everything always goes out and in it’s travel case in the same order. Yay for ocd.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Jason Rucci : Nope. I make everything I do on my own.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Jason Rucci : Depends on the character. Ghostbusters always together. Batman alone.
Leo Nocedo : If you had a chance to meet your all-time favorite cosplayer, what would you say to them?
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Jason Rucci :Yep. I’ve hosted many of them.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Jason Rucci : Make. This way it’s always the way I want it.
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Jason Rucci :Enjoy it and don’t get swept up in the silly rules of clubs.
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Jason Rucci : I’d love a Miller meteor 59 Chevy hearse done up as an ecto one so I can drive up in it snd pack up.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done?
Jason Rucci : Chewbacca was a complete one of a kind 100 percent fully fabrication by me. (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect)
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
Shaak ti for my ex wife. It was a full prosthetic face and head and full body paint. Took hours to apply.
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Jason Rucci : They get elevated to actually working in tv snd film. I’ve been lucky to do both.Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying? I like seeing people smile cause the character im portraying us there. And it makes them happy and excited.
Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay?
Jason Rucci : Well I guess it was Heman with that plastic mask and suit. But it I’m my more adult life a Jedi.
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Jason Rucci : I don’t plan on advance or do trendy costumes. Characters and costumes need to speak to me. So I have a limited Arsenal of costumes but they are all movie or show quality.
Jason Rucci : Several many years ago. I had won a couple but realized competition wasn’t something I enjoyed. There are no standards in most contests and it’s often what ever the judge deemed cool. So with something so subjective I stopped competing and just enjoy watching.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Jason Rucci :Everything actually. I’m a jack of all trades. The only area I’ve not ventured into is programming electronics. But who knows if I will someday soon.
Jason Rucci : Cons. I feel safer there. Chewie for example. You won’t catch me in the woods with that on. I live in Florida and don’t want to end up on a episode dead of finding Bigfoot.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Jason Rucci : Large personalities that are quiet in demeanor but loud in action. Batman, chewbacca, ghostbusters. Those are my bread and butter like characteristics
Jason Rucci : I used to be a fan. Then I met them in real life and had mixed reviews. The expression of don’t meet your hero’s rings true to me here. So instead of following others I’m more in the moment. If I see something amazing I trybto appreciate them in the moment and trade thoughts and build techniques there.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Jason Rucci : Chewbacca for sure. The hair is color matched to a screen used suit. The face was sculpted by me with measurements taken by me from a real mask. My bags and bandoliers are so good they are used by lfl lisences cause I’m that close to real. It’s been a labor of love 10 years in the making 10: What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips? 1. mess it up first. Learn from it. 2. If it can be broken it can be fixed 3. Better quality tools make better quality work. Spend the money and save yourself the extra work.
Jason Rucci : Probably my GB2 Liberty drop slime blower rig. It’s accurate to the exacting detail and it’s just so unique among ghostbusters
Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Jason Rucci :I was paid to do an event with 6 other clone troopers. One guy showed up with a raw kit. I freaked out and in the hotel room that night using everything we could get our hands on assembled the suit so that it could be worn. I got zero sleep and was freaking out that Turner tv would be pissed at us for putting up garbage. Thankfully we weathered it so well the dirt hid the tape!
Jason Rucci : Not sure if it’s appropriate to share here. But the goal was to get kicked out of Star Wars weekends and a trip to the Todd was involved.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Jason Rucci : I’m dressed as chewie and I’m standing in front of a cantina bar set. People are lining up to take pictures and in the distance I see a guy dressed as Han. I wave him over vigorously and he start trotting over. At the same time an incredibly hot girl tries to walk up to me to hug and get a picture. I face palm her and push her aside so I could grab the Han and hug him like he was my long lost love. He was ecstatic. She was mad. I thought it was perfect.
Jason Rucci :Yep. My brother. And he broke my lightsaber. Still not over it 17 years later.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Jason Rucci : I’m in my stormtrooper a top a tank at dusk pointing forward with the moon in the back ground. Its awesome
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Ace. Home depot. Lowe’s. Smooth on.
Jason Rucci :Don’t wear any. Bald is beautiful.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Nope. I’m pretty iconic.
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done.
Jason Rucci :Way to many to type over the course of 20 years
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Jason Rucci : San Diego Comic Con.
Depends on how integral the prop is. A ghostbuster needs his pack. Chewbacca doesn’t need his bow
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Jason Rucci :Nope. My costumes are con proof and I pack in repetitive order. Everything always goes out and in it’s travel case in the same order. Yay for ocd.
Jason Rucci : Nope. I make everything I do on my own.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Jason Rucci : Depends on the character. Ghostbusters always together. Batman alone.
Leo Nocedo : If you had a chance to meet your all-time favorite cosplayer, what would you say to them?
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Jason Rucci :Yep. I’ve hosted many of them.
Jason Rucci : Make. This way it’s always the way I want it.
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Jason Rucci :Enjoy it and don’t get swept up in the silly rules of clubs.
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Jason Rucci : I’d love a Miller meteor 59 Chevy hearse done up as an ecto one so I can drive up in it snd pack up.
Jason Rucci : Chewbacca was a complete one of a kind 100 percent fully fabrication by me. (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect)
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
Shaak ti for my ex wife. It was a full prosthetic face and head and full body paint. Took hours to apply.
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Jason Rucci : They get elevated to actually working in tv snd film. I’ve been lucky to do both.Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying? I like seeing people smile cause the character im portraying us there. And it makes them happy and excited.
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