Convention Fans

A lot of people dress up in costumes for conventions. But not many actually go the extra step to try and act like the character. Sure, they’ll strike a characteristic pose, but once the flash goes off the illusion is gone. Not so with cosplayer Traci Hines!

Traci is known for her incredible Disney Princess costumes. Not only does she pull off the look perfectly, but she knows how to become the characters. In fact, she does so in such a convincing manner, that she is part of a successful company that offers character appearances for events and parties in California and well as for PrincessGateway.com (where you can video chat with her). Let’s face it, there’s no greater critic of a Disney Princess cosplayer than a room full of eight year old girls, and Traci passes the test every time.

I sat down with Traci asked her a bit about her convention experiences and costumes, as well as some suggestions for other cosplayers about accurately portraying a character.

Traci, what was your first convention?

Traci: My very first convention was Anime Expo…I think it was 2004? Possibly 2005…Gosh I feel bad I don’t remember! I’m gunna go with 2005.

How did you get into cosplay and costuming?

Traci: Ever since I was a little girl I have always loved dressing up, so I think it was only natural for me to find cosplay eventually! I am a singer and performer…and always have been, and I look at cosplay as just another extension of that side of me. […] I also love design. I am a freelance makeup artist and hair stylist and even looked into going into fashion design at one point, but cosplay really marries all my passions as far as design goes.

I love cosplay so much because there are no limits! You can be anyone. Create anything…I always say I live in a fantasy world and it definitely caters to that love in me. I only had one friend in the beginning that was into cosplay too, but over time I have made many more and just love the culture of conventions and cosplay in general. Everyone (at least everyone I have come into contact with) has been so warm and welcoming. […] I owe a lot to the kind people I’ve met that have helped me find costume suppliers and who have added so much to my ideas.

What is your favorite costume to wear, and why?

Traci: My absolute favorite costume, no question, is Ariel of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. I usually choose a character to cosplay not only because I like the aesthetic of the costume, but also because that character means something to me. I like to say that Ariel is my Disney identity! […] She has always been my favorite Disney Princess, and we are compared so much, so it was only natural to cosplay her. I think I’ve been wanting to since I saw the movie as a four year old!

How many costumes do you own?

Traci: I personally own about 7 costumes right now, and have 5 costumes in the works for the future! Most of my Disney costumes (besides Ariel and Alice) are the property of the party company, even though some were made for me to wear. The owner is absolutely wonderful though, and lets me wear them to conventions as cosplays or for personal use or projects! She is a great talent and an even greater friend - and she is a wonderful cosplayer herself, too I might add.

What advice do you have for people who really want to get into character when they cosplay? What about when dealing with children (since any Disney Princess cosplayer has probably encountered them, or will)? Any tips and suggestions there?

Traci: Whenever I am preparing to cosplay a character, I always try to watch the anime or movie first. […] As you know now, I don’t just use my costumes for cosplay at cons, but also for actual performance gigs, mainly children’s birthday parties, where I actually play as that character, so it’s important for me to be “in character” at all times when I am in Disney or well-known fairytale character costumes. I watch the movie, (or movies if there are more than one), and try to mimic that character’s voice as best I can. I learn the songs they sing, practice their poses for photos, and just generally study them in order to give the best representation in my costume.

Another great thing I recommend is practice for others, and record your voice speaking as the character. If you’re not as quick on your feet as you’d like to be, think up some common questions people might as you as that character, and have responses ready.

For instance, when I play Ariel, some people end up seeing my feet when I walk as I don’t have a film-accurate tail (yet!). It is essentially a mermaid style skirt. So if a child says, “Ariel, I can see your feet!” I respond with, ” Oh yes! Aren’t they lovely? My father King Triton gave them to me today so I could come visit you!” etc. Or as Belle, if they ask where the Beast is, I would say, “Why, he is reading in the library today!” I think it’s extra special for the kids when you work in bits from the movies. If you get a feisty kid, haha, just be kind. I’ve done parties where in the beginning one little girl is pretty skeptical that the real life Ariel (or Aurora, etc.) is really there, but by the end of the party, she is convinced. Patience and kindness is always the best route! Don’t break character!

I would never want to ruin the magic for the kids! What they experience at a Disney park or a party with a Princess visit when meeting a character is so, so special for most kids. The last thing they need to see is a Disney cosplayer acting rude or letting loose a string of cuss words…or even just acting like a normal person! I think everyone that cosplays Disney specifically has a responsibility to represent that character to the best of their ability when kids come up and say hello. […] Most (young) kids believe I’m the real thing when they meet me in costume - we take so much care in making them accurate and beautiful - so I try to live up to that costume in my presentation.

Finally, about make up and wigs: where do you (or the company) get wigs from? Any make-up product recommendations?

Traci: All the wigs I wear are custom styled to each character, whether by Laura, the Owner of If You Can Dream Parties, or by me. When I cosplay as redheaded characters like Ariel though, I use my own hair and style it myself. I get my wigs from various places, but my absolute favorite supplier is Amphigory.com. They have the best quality wigs for the cheapest price! I have been so happy with my wigs from them. I absolutely recommend M.A.C. makeup products over anything else. I always use M.A.C. and have had the best results with that brand. It is made for theater and the stage after all! Perfect for cosplay! Their pigments are very bright and the makeup lasts the longest out of everything I’ve tried so far.

Traci even has wonderful voice to match her perfect fairy tale appearance:

Traci, thank you so much for sharing your story and suggestions with my readers. Anyone interested in seeing more of Traci’s work, can check out her MySpace page, or her cosplay.com profile. You can see full size versions of the photos shown here on either profile. Be sure to also check out If You Can Dream Parties, where Traci is employed.

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