Fan Expo Vancouver 2023 Review
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Hello fellow geek! If you were lucky enough to attend Fan Expo Vancouver 2023, then you know what an amazing experience it was. But if you weren’t able to make it this year — don’t worry, I gotchu! Let me tell you all about my first time ever at Fan Expo Vancouver. Hopefully, sharing my story will inspire you!
In this blog, I’ll go over all my biggest takeaways, from costume creations to epic performances. Keep in mind that I am a cosplayer, so I was really looking forward to showcasing my costumes and meeting all the other talented creators — so most of my weekend was planned around attending as much cosplay-specific events as possible!
So let's jump to it, shall we?
Why I Decided to Attend Fan Expo Vancouver 2023
I decided to attend Fan Expo Vancouver 2023 because I'm somewhat *new* to the cosplay scene (but not new to making costumes in general), and I wanted to meet other cosplayers and photographers! I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to get some inspiration for future costumes and learn from others who might have more experience than me in the area. Plus, I had heard so much about all the amazing costumes, events, and activities that it just seemed like a no-brainer.
But you know what... it almost didn't happen for me because my friends had to cancel last minute (they got sick in Bali… so it was for good reason!)...
This brings me to my first big takeaway from Fan Expo Vancouver 2023...
Don't be Afraid to Go By Yourself
I'm so glad I decided to go alone, even though my friends had to cancel. It was a little nerve-wracking at first, but it ended up being the best decisions ever! Not only did I have the opportunity to meet so many incredible people and make some amazing connections, but I also got to attend the panels that I was interested in — without having to be mindful of what my friends might have wanted to do.
Plus, I found the people there to be super friendly. That's something I absolutely love about the geek community - everyone is so genuinely supportive and encouraging. Whether I was chatting up with my neighbor at lunch, in line, or at a panel, it was always a positive experience.
My Costume Creations from Fan Expo Vancouver 2023
Now let's get to the fun part — costumes! I decided to go with three different looks this year:
Day 1: Rikku from Final Fantasy X
Day 2: Garnet from Final Fantasy IX
Day 3: Aerith (& Cloud) from Final Fantasy VII - The Original
(My partner was able to come this day!- Yay!)
(Can you tell I'm a Final Fantasy fan or what? LOL 😅)
I went all out with my costumes, doing everything from sewing to makeup to props. I was really happy with how they turned out and got lots of compliments. Plus, it gave me a chance to show off my skills and bond with other cosplayers who were also attending the convention.
My biggest lessons from these costumes:
Glue does NOT hold pleather together well. I used glue and pleather to build Rikku's leg garter. It fell apart literally right away when I started walking (on the way to my car before I even got to the convention!), and thank GODDESS, I brought some safety pins. I'll have to remake her garter, and this time I'll paint some EVA foam strips black (with a shiny finish to look like leather) and then sew the elastic to it, so it holds really well. (I'll need to go back and edit my Rikku tutorial to reflect this lesson).
Bring an emergency kit. Seriously, you never know what can go wrong, and having a backup plan is always a great idea. In my kit, I had safety pins, eyelash glue, crazy glue, fabric tape, and touch-up makeup in case something went awry. And trust me - it paid off!
Secure your necklaces in place. If you're wearing a choker or necklace with a chain hanging down the back, use some tape or a safety pin to keep the chain in place so it doesn't slide to the front of your neck. I was really disappointed to see some pro-photos taken where my necklace was in the wrong place, and it ruined the otherwise amazing photos IMO (see what I mean below).
Cosplay Panels from Fan Expo Vancouver 2023
Aside from the costumes, there were also lots of awesome panels and activities to check out. I was lucky enough to attend a few really cool ones, including "Weathering Techniques for Costumes & Props" (which was extremely helpful!), "Cosplay Fails and How to Avoid Them", and a “Cosplay on a Budget and Reducing Waste”.
Each one was super informative and gave me some valuable insight into how to make my next costumes even better.
My biggest cosplay technique takeaways were:
Use cinnamon as "rust" on props. Brilliant, hey? Never in a million years would I have thought of this.
Dry brushing will make something look aged. Dry brushing is when you paint a base dark and use a very, very tiny amount of lighter paint and "brush" over top to make it look aged.
Inking will give your props depth. Inking is when you mix a darker colour with water and drop it into the crevices of the prop (like a sword hilt). This technique gives it texture and depth.
Chipped/aged armor can be created with a salt “mask”. Start with a base colour paint and let it dry. Then sprinkle salt on it. Then spray paint a second colour over your item. Let it dry, then dust the salt off after.
The biggest reminder I needed to hear was:
Everyone has cosplay fails on the day of the conference... even pro cosplayers. The speaker said she had the wrong wig shipped to the convention, so she had to scramble and make a different one work (even though she said it didn't match the character at all).
A few other key takeaways from the cosplay panels were:
Choose the projects that bring you the most joy. This one was a great reminder that I should focus on the projects that make me happiest and not worry about what other people think or how many likes something gets.
Budget “closet cosplay” is still legit. It's okay if you don't want to make everything from scratch, and you can totally get away with using pieces of your closet to put together an awesome costume.
It doesn't matter if you make something yourself or buy your cosplay (or a mix of both!) - what's important is that you love it and have fun with it.
Acquire items you can reuse for multiple cosplays. This was a great one - if you have an item that can be used for multiple cosplays, it becomes more sustainable (for example, a wig or bodysuit) and can help you save money. I can definitely see myself re-using my Princess Garnet wig for a Tifa cosplay in the future!
Find cheap fabric in the curtain and sheet section of the thrift store (I already knew this one, but it's such a good tip and worth mentioning again if you don’t know this!)
Performances from Fan Expo Vancouver 2023
The only full performance I caught was the Cosplay Craftmanship Cup and a K-pop half-time performance by K-Wave from UBC. I was really impressed! From jaw-dropping dancing to heart-moving singing, these performers all did an amazing job!
The Craftsmanship Cup was particularly interesting - cosplayers were put into three different groups, from beginner to advance. The judges then picked the winner from each group, plus judge’s choice. It was really cool to see how everyone's costumes looked and also get inspired... I'm seriously considering entering the competition next year! What do you think… should I?
And I guess The Cosplay Red Carpet kind of counts as a performance too, right? The only difference is that you’re part of the show (and anyone can walk it)! I'd highly recommend you do it if you go next year. I had so much fun! The only tip I have though is arrive EXTRA early - at least 15 minutes, if not 30. The second day I showed up right on time and was still too late. The queue was closed by then.
Other Highlights from Fan Expo Vancouver 2023
On the last day, I attended a panel by our local Star Wars Costuming Club that raises money for charity, and I was SO INSPIRED by what they do. I reeeeeeeally want to join as soon as I have a movie-quality costume to apply with! (I think Queen Amidala, or should I say “Amy Dala”, is the most obvious choice don’t you ?… But I also want to do Rey! 😘)
I also checked out the Artist Alley, where local artists and designers showcase their work. It was a great opportunity to talk with the creators and learn more about their stories.
My Favourite Cosplays from Fan Expo Vancouver 2023
There were thousands of amazing costumes, but these were the ones that stopped me in my tracks that I NEEDED to get photos of ASAP! (Otherwise, I’m pretty bad at remembering to take photos and videos LOL).
Princess Peach
The Last of Us "Infected"
Princess Zelda
Tifa (to go with our Cloud & Aerith!)
Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn
And since I’m so bad at remembering to take photos and videos, I thought I’d just share this amazing Fan Expo Vancouver 2023 recap from Justin Cosplay on YouTube!…
"Areas of Improvement" for Fan Expo Vancouver 2023
Even though the event was AMAZING… there are three areas where I think could have seen an improvement.
The food was below average and pretty fried and unhealthy (but quite quick! - which was a nice bonus). If you have the time, I'd recommend leaving the conference for snacks/lunch. There are plenty of cafes and cafeterias nearby that will give you a better food experience for less money.
The venue got quite chilly, especially for people who don't want to wear a sweater or jacket over their cosplay.
They packed everything into one room downstairs. I've been to similar events at this venue that use the upstairs rooms too. At those other events, it felt much more spacious and easier to get around.
Overall...
Despite the little bumps here and there, I had an amazing time at Fan Expo Vancouver 2023. It was my first Fan Expo and it definitely won't be my last — I'm already planning to go back next year! There was so much creativity and passion on display — it was so inspiring to be surrounded by people who love the same things as me and also take cosplay to such a high level of artistry.
If you love cosplay, I'd highly recommend checking out Fan Expo Vancouver in the future — it's so worth it! Hope to see you there next year! 😚
And if you went, let me know what your favourite takeaways were! I want to hear all about it in the comments. 👇
May the force be with you,
Queen Amy Dala
PPS. If you found this blog helpful, feel free to share it with your friends, fellow cosplayers and anyone else who you think might be interested! (And check out the different free and paid ways you can support me, which is greatly appreciated).
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