Cosplay feature: How this local competitive cosplayer embraces the challenge

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — As FanX is around the corner, many cosplayers are adding the finishing touches to their cosplays — and some may be preparing to join in on the convention’s competition.

At FanX, competition categories include Novice, Intermediate, Groups, and Masters. There are also specialty awards, such as Best Armor, Best Needlework, Best Storytelling, and Best In Show. If their application is accepted, contestants present their cosplays to a panel of judges and perform in character in front of an audience.

As with anything, every cosplayer has their own unique story and inspiration. ABC4 spoke with a few cosplayers ahead of this month’s convention, to learn more about what cosplay means to them, and what it was to bring their creations to the stage in past competitions.

FanX this year will be on Sept. 26 – 28, with the competition Saturday night. Tickets are still available online.

Over the next two weeks, ABC4.com will be bringing you additional stories exploring local cosplay ahead of FanX.

Becky Evans is always up for a costuming challenge

For Becky Evans, her love for costuming started when she decided to make and wear a Boy George cosplay to go trick-or-treating at 10 years old. Later on, she continued to pursue her love for the art by managing a costume rental in Utah County. Becky then attended Southern Utah University where she studied theater costuming and family and consumer sciences with a sewing emphasis.

Becky also started her business, Going Ape Costume, where she makes and sells Halloween costumes.

Shortly after going to her first FanX, Becky said she “found her people,” and everything took off from there. In 2015, she made and entered an Edward Scissorhands cosplay into the FanX contest, and won Fan Favorite.

“I was so excited because I wasn’t expecting too much. I just wanted the experience. Then I saw what my competitors were doing. That particular con, or the one before, I had gone to my first armor-making panel and I thought, well, if I want to compete more, I need to make armor,” she said.

Becky learned how to craft with EVA foam, starting with a Predator cosplay. She shared that she enjoys different aspects of costume-making to make her visions come to life.

When it comes to the inspiration behind her cosplays, Becky said she likes to think about the challenge behind the characters she’s picked, and what may show well on stage. Now a frequent contestant, she said her favorite part is getting excited with other competitors as they wait in line to go on stage.

Over the years, her creations include Marie Cheshire Cat, which won 1st Place Mashup at FanX in 2016, Magus of Tzeentch from Warhammer, Orc from Dungeons and Dragons, and Revenant from Doom Eternal.

In 2019, Becky said she accomplished a huge goal she had set for herself — getting to compete at TwitchCon, which is no easy feat to get accepted into. She did so with her Naga Queen cosplay, created from the concept art of Heroes of Might and Magic. She took home the award for “Larger than Life Winner.”

“I had a goal. I want to compete in this huge contest that nobody gets in. I did and I won my category. The whole competition experience from meeting all the other competitors to the judges was just over-the-top nice. It was one of the best competitive experiences I’ve ever had. I’m so proud of that costume. It’s some of my best and cleanest work,” she said.

Last year at FanX, she competed with her latest creation, an original character from Dungeons and Dragons with a cyberpunk flair. Dubbed the Cyberpunk Lolth Spider Queen, the cosplay took a few revisions to get all the spider legs and abdomen just right, but in the end, it was worth it.

The extremely detailed cosplay is complete with a motor and lights between the abdomen and ribs. It took home the Best Armor trophy at the competition.

If you want to see this creation in person, Becky said she plans on bringing it back to FanX this year.

In addition to competing, Becky has also been a judge at Elko Pop Con, Salt Lake Gaming Con, and Salt Lake FanX, allowing her to see the world of competition from both sides. She said as a judge, it’s important that each contestant feels comfortable and like they’re the only person in the room when presenting their project.

“Many times because they are nervous, they want to point out everything that’s wrong, so you redirect what’s right. ‘What are you proud of? What did you learn? I can see this neat thing you did here’…Then, before they go on stage, if I have a chance when they’re lined up, I thank them for being there because it’s really vulnerable to have somebody in your space looking at this thing that’s your baby that you’ve been having in your hands for the last year,” she said.

Within her time cosplaying, Becky said she loves seeing how incredible the community is, saying she’s made friends in Utah and all over the world who cheer each other on and share helpful tips.

Highly-requested legend Dick Van Dyke announced to return to FanX this September

“Utahns are so darn crafty. Holy moly, they are and it comes with the heritage. We learn to make do and make things and show who we are through our hands. It’s the Beehive State for a reason and most of us are nerdy anyway. That just comes out in the things we love, and cosplay is one of them,” she said.

If you’re considering starting cosplay yourself, she said don’t hold back — just get started.

“A lot of people get nervous because they think they have to look exactly like the character or have something big. Just do it — just start. No, you don’t have to look like the character. It doesn’t matter what body type you are or what age you are. None of that matters. What you’re doing is you’re making that character into you and showing your love of the character, and you never know who else would also love that character,” she said.

Learn more about Going Ape Costume on Facebook, Instagram, and her website.

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