I have mentioned in previous posts that I will be attending Toronto Trek 17 at the Regal Constellation, July 11-13. In addition to participating in a number of discussion panels, I will also be going to this year’s masquerade and dance.
Being a science fiction convention of sorts ("media convention" would be a more accurate term), a great many of the attendees will be showing up in costume. Last year, my friend Jake and I donned black suits and came as the Men In Black, ready to protect the female convention-goers from the scum of the universe (namely, fanboys). Although we were only at the con for one day, we had such a great time that we decided this year we would come for the entire weekend. We also decided to take a more active role in the programming – that is, panels, parties, and, of course, showing up once more en accoutrement.
Due to last year’s response, Jake and I decided to return as Men In Black. But we also thought it would be a good idea to have a backup costume, to keep things fresh. But what kind of costumes?
Although we knew the majority of people who dress up for conventions typically come as characters from the perennial favorite (i.e. Star Trek), neither Jake nor I had any desire to show up as a Klingon or a Borg or, God forbid, Wesley Crusher. Not only are those ideas passé, we thought, but they’re just way too geeky. We wanted to show up in character, but we wanted to be original in our selections, and we wanted to maintain as much dignity as possible.
Time passed.
While Jake continued to mull over such ideas as Nightcrawler, Commander Trip (from TV’s Enterprise), and a creation he called "Summertime Wolverine," I had already gone to work on my own costume – which is to say I bought the material and got my editor’s mother to make it for me.
In my bid to appear as a well known character from science-fiction/fantasy, I made what I thought was an appropriation choice and picked someone from a recent movie, one I thought I bore at least a passing resemblance to: Neo from The Matrix Reloaded.
I figured going as Neo was not only fitting (Keanu Reeves and I are both tall, slim, and bad actors) but somewhat respectable, as well. I mean, what’s a Klingon or a Stormtrooper compared to The One? And besides, that Neo coat is just too damn slick.
The Neo coat (or as I came to call it, “my sweet, sweet precious!”) became something of a secret. Nor was I alone. It seemed many of the people who attending TT17 had both a public and a secret costume. So much for setting a trend. Of course that didn’t stop other people from trying to figure out my super secret costume. Some of their guesses included whiny Jedi brat Anakin Skywalker and Legolas, the androgynous elf from the Lord of the Rings movies. I think they were trying to tell me something.
Regardless, I want to send out big, gigantic Rodan-sized thanks to my editor and her mamachops for making the coat.
I was going to post some pictures, but Maureen, my editor, thought it would be a good idea to wait until after the con. Showmanship and all that. But I can tell you without hyperbole that it is an exact replica of the one in the film. Guaranteed to make those who see it stop and say whoa.
Ian
