Hal-Con 2018
Once again I dashed down to Halifax for the annual science-fiction and fantasy event of the year, Hal-Con. One of my favourite aspects of the convention is that so many people dress in costume, and so many do it so brilliantly. In this post I hope to show off not only what happens at the Con, but also some of the colourful characters that make it so memorable.
It takes effort not just to create such outfits, but also to wear them: This Borg woman told me that in her gear she cannot sit! I applaud her sacrifice and her outstanding costume.
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There's no mistaking the Hershey-bar rank insignia of the Galactic Empire from Star Wars. Nowhere in the films, however, is there a blue officer. This character actually comes from some Star Wars novels; it is Grand Admiral Thrawn. Taking on the role of a literary character is no easy feat in the cosplay world, but this guy pulls it off impeccably.
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At Hal-Con there is a wide variety in costumes. Some come straight off a store rack, but many are crafted by their wearers. I have no idea where this character with a crown of spoons comes from, but any woman who wears an egg beater as an accessory is a hero in my books.
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One thing that always makes me smile at Hal-Con is seeing fantasy and mundanity mingle in out-of-this-world slices of life - like The Lord Of The Rings' Gandalf, taking his baby stroller down an elevator.
I know a few people who actually dislike the film Labyrinth, and I admit that it has some frightening moments. Personally, I got a kick out of it when I first saw it, and still do. I think even its detractors would have to agree that this woman's version of the villain, Jared, is spot-on.
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This year I attended a pair of celebrity Q&A sessions. As a rule I never watch outtakes, not wanting to ruin the magic of a good film or television show. Likewise, I was cautious when going to see the actor behind one of my all-time favourite characters. Levar Burton played Geordi LaForge on Star Trek: The Next Generation. I am pleased to report that the man is just as inspirational as the character.
Olympus E-PL1: f5.4, 1/25 sec, ISO 1250 // IrfanView: Crop
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There is a widespread group of Star Wars enthusiasts known as the 501st Legion, who dress as Stormtroopers. This year they operated a booth where, with a donation to charity, folks could shoot a dodging trooper with a Nerf gun. For being the face of evil in a galaxy, they sure seem like a fun bunch!
It is my understanding that all of this woman's armour was hand-shaped out of foam before being painstakingly painted and finished.
Beside her is the Green Arrow.
Olympus E-PL1: f4, 1/60 sec, ISO 800
IrfanView: Crop, Colour Balance
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These Super Mario Sisters were having a ball at Hal-Con. I do not know how anyone can look at their picture and not smile along with them.
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There was a huge number of people dressed as Link from The Legend Of Zelda. This guy takes the cake, though, for dressing as one of the game's enemies, the nefarious Bokoblin.
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Speaking of baddies, standing beside this pair of Lord Of The Rings characters is a Mind Flayer, my favourite enemy in Dungeons & Dragons.
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Cosplay Rule #1: Use what you have. If you're bald, be Captain Picard, and if you look great in a catsuit, go for Seven Of Nine. If you are a big gang of friends, why not be the Sailor Scouts?
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Cosplay Rule #2: Strike a pose. I think this is actually the more important precept. There are so many stellar costume ideas out there, it makes sense to pick a character that has a catch pose.
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Bunsen and Beaker from The Muppets are iconic, so much so that they don't necessarily have to look as they do in this picture... The previous day, I spotted the Beaker head on a body wearing a Starfleet Uniform!
Last year, I photographed this woman as a fantastically feathered faerie; this year she came as Captain Olimar from Pikmin. Standing with her is my brother. I was really excited for a member of my family to see the Con with me this year.
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Photo Credit: Adrian
I love Fraggle Rock. Seeing Junior Gorg lumbering around the vendor floor really made my day!
This fellow not only sewed his epic costume, he also made the burlap for it! While arguably the most frightening Zelda character, Skullkid sure had a distinctive style!
Standing beside him is... Me! I went as an Andorian from Star Trek.
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This woman was introduced as Bowsette, a feminine form of the Super Mario Brothers' foe. There is a strong emphasis at Hal-Con of being unfettered by traditional stereotypes. Who says that women have to be princesses, and tyrants have to be men? For that matter, why not be both? Sometimes it is not only the execution of a costume (Flawless as it may be in this case), but the thought behind the costume that tells the real story.
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Let us just take a moment now to admire this costume. There is a lot going on here: Firstly, note that the person's tall, stocky form is well suited to the costume, and the glowering pose fits just right too. Then, consider the work of the look: Finely crafted layered leaves, beads, an intricate prop, thematic footwear, a wig, face paint, elbow and wrist bracers, that fabulous skull, and lights! I think it is clear why I could not leave the convention before snapping this photo, even as my friends were anxious to beat the crowd at the end of the costume contest.
Hal-Con ends with a costume contest. That is where I snapped this shot of a rather convincing Captain Hook from Peter Pan.
Olympus E-PL1: f5.6, 1/60 sec, ISO 1600
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I did not recognize this woman's character. That is not unusual; Hal-Con brings together a whole raft of fandoms, and I am often left wondering the origins of people's costumes. Still, it looks great!
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As you can tell if you have read all the way down to here, I really enjoyed Hal-Con. Still, I would not say it was the best moment of my life. That may not be so for the Mass Effect characters in my last photograph. After all, when else do you get to don a suit of (foam) armour without your love suspecting that you are about to propose marriage?
