Ask Adam Savage: Designing Props for Cosplay vs. Films

What advice does Adam have for nervous cosplayers? How can a cosplayer project the idea of "negative space" on a character with thin, non-human body proportions? Is there a difference between designing for cosplay vs. a film or display? In this livestream excerpt, Adam answers cosplay-related questions from Tested members Ryan Peck, John Zizolfo and Grant Greene, whom we thank for their support and questions! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions!

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[drscifi]

I love that question about negative space, or as I call it "hiding in plain sight" Thank you for the mention of my K2 and BD-1. When you cannot disguise the puppeteer or performer minimizing their presence is really all you can do. War Horse is a great example of this with the "head" controlling puppeteer dressing in period garb, not an all-black suit. Tho sometimes I wish I had a cape on K-2SO. He'd look good in a cape.

[tymbershade]

My daughter feels very nervous when people are staring at her. We both walk the neighborhood on halloween night, in costume. She felt nervous about it until I told her that they are not staring at her, they are staring at her costume. It made a huge difference.

[skwerwl]

What I love about cosplay is the creativity found within it - whether that be still doing a cosplay even with a specific budget limit, talent or item restrictions (meaning not knowing how to do elaborate electronics or what have you), body size, weight limits, etc. You took the time to make something that you're super passionate about and did it with whatever constraints you had to deal with. That's part of it's charm to me, at least.

[steveamsp]

I've only done cosplay once, but agreed. NO GATEKEEPING in cosplay. You don't need to put a ton of effort in. I barely put any in, and took third place in the contest end of the night... Fit your attitude to the character, and you're golden

[AdamantGrant]

I can’t believe he highlighted my question!

[dustinwheat]

During social therapy for Aspergers Syndrome, the one thing we got stuck on was understanding that anxiety never really goes away, you just learn how to manage it. I struggeld with that for so long before, for some reason, I was watching Kevin Smith do standup (not really but it was so funny it might as well have been) and I had an epiphany moment as he was ranting about something he was so passionate about that I realized; no one cares. Everyone is so preoccupied with their own lives that you don't have to worry about what anyone else is thinking, just enjoy the things you love and explore them however you want! I wish more people spoke as passionately about the things they love as Kevin Smith does

[DarthCobay]

I noticed, especially when it comes to cosplay, nervousness goes down the more you keep doing it. Especially at cons, it’s important to have fun and no we are all in our element! Your surrounded by people who understand and welcome you. You’re free to be yourself openly!

[googiegress]

I appreciate the extra work to put description links to all the things you mentioned in the video <3

[staticoverlay]

Another 2000s television star, Les Stroud had a pretty good line on nervousness, related prior to eating a scorpion
"the more you think about it, the more you're not going to do it"

[Ivanovitch]

"The Alien queen made all our heads explode." Not your chests? You got lucky.

[jtukko]

Make the cosplay highest quality as possible and take deep breaths as you are doing what you love and people like you are gonna love it!

[sschmidtevalue]

My favorite con costumes ever were in Minneapolis in the early 90's: a couple of guys came as Spaceman Spiff (Calvin) and Hobbes. They were spot-on!

[oem]

For Dr Strange...Have you considered platform shoes or even heeled boots, sleeve cuffs that hang past the back of the hands, and taller pointier wired lapels on the cloak.. all working to give a sense of elongation? Or even corsetry?

[Sayyadina]

Thank you for getting the link on! I appreciate it! Such a fun event!

[ajjones]

Even Disney has a long history of playing with negative space like this - I think they really started with the Broadway Lion King production, but they have also brought some of that design into the parks. The Nemo stage show is probably the best-known example at Disney World but during the holidays they bring out these lovely winter animal puppets at Animal Kingdom for guests to interact with. Those animals are magnetic and charming and don't suffer even a little bit from being connected to a human performer.

This fall Disney debuted a new puppet Jack Skellington for their Halloween Party fireworks show that is absolutely incredible. Rumor has it they may be using this puppet style in future meet-and-greets as the current Jack Skellington costume is a bit uncanny.

[GoingApeCostume]

As a person bringing the huge elaborate costume to the con, believe you me, I'm nervous! When you've built a cosplay, no matter what level you're at, and you display it right on your person, that's a super vulnerable thing!

[davidmarden]

I will say I got up on stage with both Adam and Jamie at the last Portland Oregon show and they both made me feel totally comfortable with being there. (Big guy with very small hammer)

[SAOS]

About the ramp, yeah going up stairs in costume is hard but going up them in a wheelchair is a hell of a lot harder and that should be the primary concern.

[notinmanitou]

I would really love to see a scrapbook of photos and stuff from your costume building, where you share the photos of each one you've done and share those wonderful stories.

[VictoryWorks]

As a fellow Chewbacca cosplayer I am extremely jealous of the frequent breaks that Peter Mayhew would have had during filming when a make up person would have tidied up his mask and shoulders. After 5 or 6 hours as Chewie, and particularly if it's outside, I can look a complete hairball mess!