April 3rd, 2022 Cosplayers at WonderCon in Anaheim, CA. Photo by Monica Duarte
Cosplay is one of the biggest draws at conventions, and WonderCon is no exception! Here’s our list of Cosplay and Propmaking Panels at WonderCon 2024. Held just minutes from Disneyland at the Anaheim Convention Center, the convention will run from Friday, March 29th until Sunday, March 31st.
WonderCon attracts a multitude of cosplayers, from princesses to superheroes, D&D characters, and more. Cosplay is a fantastic way to celebrate your favorite character, express and explore gender, and generally get your creative side going in a gloriously nerdy way.
At WonderCon, you can also learn about how new technologies like 3D printing and casting are evolving, refine your own wig, makeup, or sewing skills, and even get feedback from veteran cosplayers on specific projects. Proximity to Hollywood means industry professionals from hair and makeup artists to props and FX pros are up on stage teaching their secrets, and there’s something for every type and level of cosplayer at the con to discover! We’ve collected them all for you here, so dive in and add some cosplay and props panels to your WonderCon schedule!
Creating cosplays and attending cons can be as fun and exciting as they are stressful and exhausting. Those stressors are amplified while working with a disability. This panel talks with cosplayers who create, compete, and volunteer, all while working with mental or physical disabilities. The panel includes Alia Pyatt, Chrissy Lynn, Jessica Mills, Elemental Cosplay, and ItsProbablyGhost, moderated by Lacey Bond (JoyGoblin).
Chris Bartlett (Star Wars; C-3PO, Q9Zero, 1-JAC), Adam Meir (special effects movement performer for film and TV), Christopher Childers, (Spider-Man 2002 movement creator), and Christopher Canole (Dude Vader) share their movement techniques and skills used inside costumed characters. Knowing movement techniques will bring your cosplay/costumed characters to life in still photography and performance. Moderated by Sandy Scheller (artistic creator). Audience participation is optional as movement techniques are demonstrated.
Tara Madison Avery (Stacked Deck Press), Sonya Saturday (J.K. Rowling and the Ungrateful Fans), Knave Murdock (Transcat), Liam Coballes (Yu Yu Hakusho), and moderator Lorran Garrison (Little Brainstorm) explore the transformative power of storytelling, representation, and cosplay, sharing their unique perspectives on creating diverse characters and narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide. From challenging societal norms to embracing the beauty of individuality, this panel will celebrate the richness that trans creators bring to the world of comics and pop culture, pushing boundaries and redefining norms.
Brandon Jackson conducts a Q&A session with military veteran cosplayers from all four branches of service, discussing the trials and tribulations military veterans have faced and how cosplay changed their lives and helped them overcome many of those challenging obstacles. Panelists are Caleb Weeks, Marcus Holt, David Ancheta, Lonnie Lucas, and Melinda Horak.
Award-winning special and visual effects artists with decades of experience talk about the FX that blew you away, from the films and TV shows you love: Independence Day, the Terminator films, the Batman films, Lifepod, Afterburn, the Star Wars films, and more! Hear stories from the people who were there, creating the magic. They’ll have some behind-the-scenes photos and footage, some from their personal collections, and will talk about the podcast FX for Real and how you can learn the art and craft of FX. Moderated by Geoffrey Mark (The Orville, Raised by Wolves), with Jim Davidson (Titanic, Terminator 2), Ian Hunter (Interstellar, Inception), Tom Griep (Independence Day, Armageddon), Chris Simmons (iRobot, Independence Day), and Chris Colquhoun (Galaxy Quest, Van Helsing).
Rachel Sanderson (LuckyGrim Cosplay, What’s Your Passion Jewelry), Alexander Rodruigez (host, On The Rocks Radio Show), A. J. Catalano (prop designer, director), Kevin Gadzalinski (host, Solving For X Podcast, Words of the Witches Podcast), and Jose Rivera (MegaChromatic cosplay) discuss how to turn your favorite geeky fandom into a flourishing career, the challenges and rewards of growing up LGBTQIA+, seeking diversity and representation, and how being a member of the community influenced their work. Moderated by Julian Jetson (stylist and host).
Welcome to a discussion celebrating Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) Americans working in arts and entertainment. Moderated by Paul Zecharia (actor/filmmaker), panelists explore the contributions that MENA Americans have made to Western media as well as the challenges they’ve faced in the fight for stronger representation. Panelists include Yas Modares Ghasiri (actor/writer), Kaveh Taherian (illustrator/podcaster), Sarah Fatemi (comedian), Lina Khatib (filmmaker), and Jasmin Joestar (content creator/cosplayer/streamer).
Bring your project or design for feedback on how you can build it, sew it, or craft it, and the resources to make it amazing. Panelists Andy Holt, Julia Jenkins, Sam Girgis, and Anna Yeutter will answer all your prop and cosplay-related questions—free of judgment. Whether you want to work on a single prop to complete your cosplay or want to execute that full look that you’re dreaming of, they’re here to help.
The hosts of The Dad Batch Podcast— Steven Schultz, Brian Cook, Joe Lara, John Rodriguez, and Ramey Chanadet —bring everyone, from fans to professionals, together to share tips, tricks, news, and more about costume and prop making. Come ready to show off what’s on your workbench!
Go behind the scenes of popular film and television projects to see what it takes to bring characters to life! Costume, makeup, and hair designers in entertainment dive into the incredible skill and creativity that goes into making film and TV magic. With production designer Brandon Mendez (Flamin’ Hot), makeup department head Elle Favorule (The Iron Claw), costume designer Emilio Sosa (Disney+ Descendents: The Rise of Red), key hairstylist Joyce Gilliard (Genius: MLK/X), production designer and supervising art director on Loki season 1 Natasha Gerasimova, and others to be announced. Moderated by actor, singer, and director Chris Villain (Mystery Incorporated, Freakshow). Part 1 of Impact24 PR’s Panel Superblock.
Alice Irvin (West Coast Avengers deputy director) leads a discussion with Jennifer Athey (West Coast Avengers director), Elemental Cosplay (West Coast Avengers social media officer), Ernie Veloz (West Coast Avengers costumed volunteer), Katie Tidwell (West Coast Avengers recruitment agent), Henry Lu (West Coast Avengers costumed volunteer), and Alex McMullen (special events coordinator, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House) about what it’s like cosplaying for a cause. Find out how, as fans, cosplayers, and volunteers share their love for Marvel by working with service partners in both clinical and nonclinical settings to bring smiles to people’s faces, even on their toughest days. How difficult is it to portray these iconic characters and interact with curious kiddos who have lots of questions? And from the other side of the coin, what impact does it have on the organizations when you visit or volunteer at their events?
This panel goes into what it takes to perfect your cosplay by having great makeup to go with it. It will cover beauty makeup, appliance application, special fx makeup, sculpting, molding, casting, and wig styling. Shelby Michael Patton (SFX MUA, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Jessica Mills (wigs and hair stylist, The Mandalorian), Keaghlan Ashley (SFX MUA, Face Off Season 7, Face Off All Stars) and Chrissy Lynn (MUA, Bat in The Sun’s Superpower Beatdown) will help you answer your questions about makeup to match your costuming and cosplay and offer tips and tools of the trade. Turn your great cosplay into an amazing one with awesome makeup! Moderated by Dawn Banks (formerly of Makeup By Siryn, goth/alternative fashion blogger).
Want to build your own Halo cosplay and props? Do the options seem Infinite and the techniques feel Endless? The crew of Anvil Station is here to help you reach your goals! They’ll review the most common techniques used today to construct armor, props, and costumes, including 3D printing, casting and molding, foam construction, laser cutting, microcontroller programming, and more. Panelists include Cary Gunnar Lee (Legacy Effects), J. P. Pollio (Legacy Effects), and Matt Hendricks (Matterhackers). Moderated by Benedict Choy (Spacemeat The Cosplay).
What is it like to cosplay with your significant other? Miguel Capuchino and Lucy Capuchino (30+ years), Trevor Newton and Wendy Newton (5+ years), and Shawn Richter and Lisa Lower (6+ years) will discuss their experiences cosplaying as a couple. From conventions to events to charity work, these three couples are all about doing good in their community and being a positive influence in the world of cosplay.
We live in a new world where a large population of households have their own 3D printers. With the tech getting better every year. Ever wished you could have an action figure made that will never be made by a big company? Learn from experts Mike Syfritt (HTBToys), Esteban Cifuentes (Donman Arts), Adam Rodriguez, and Tyler Temple (Customs By Tyler Minor) on how to use your printer to make custom action figures. They will cover everything from the best types of printers, to where to get files, to how to start designing your own.
Your favorite movies and TV shows use set decoration and props to establish the fantastical or futuristic world in which the story takes place. Set decorators Jan Pascal, Kim Wannop, and Victor Zolfo) and prop masters Brad Elliott and Jaime Mengual talk about strategies they use to imply a world that extends beyond the frame, what immerses the viewer in an alternate universe, and easter eggs that reveal more about the story’s world.
Do you want to know what it takes to build your own droid from the Star Wars galaxy? R2 Builders Mike Senna, Michael McMaster, William Miyamoto, Chris Romines, and Victor Franco discuss how their robots were built and how they operate. Topics include materials, blueprints, building techniques, tools, and the electronics used to bring their droids to life.
Learn how to jumpstart your 3D printing with fellow enthusiasts Anastasia Hunter (Droidbuilder, costumer) and Matt Greenberg (3D manufacturing specialist). Get tips on what to look for when buying a 3D printer, how to get started on droid building, and material demonstrations. Plus: there will be themed giveaways for great questions!
The annual onstage costume competition celebrates the amazing cosplay creativity and talents of WonderCon attendees. Not a dance or party, the masquerade is a series of onstage presentations of terrific fan-crafted costumes, with trophies, generous cash prizes, and other awards, and judged by professional costume designers. The guest mistress of ceremonies will be WonderCon special guest Ashley Eckstein (founder of the Her Universe fashion and lifestyle brand, and the voice of Ahsoka Tano for Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels, Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, and more). There will also be the usual special entertainment during the judging break with a new performance by the talented Corps Dance Crew, and then a big new Star Wars–inspired show by the amazing Saber Guild lightsaber group. Doors will open at 8:00 for audience seating, but the line for choice seating always starts to form earlier. No flash photography, please.
Fon Davis is a 25-year veteran of miniature VFX who has worked on over 25 movies, including the Star Wars series and Guardians of the Galaxy. Brooke Wheeler is a technical sales manager and materials specialist for Reynolds Advanced Materials, distributor of Smooth-On, and has years of experience in resin and its applications. Sam Girgis is the owner of BiggerBoxModels, designing ideas using CAD systems and a unique focus on the 3D printing environment. Shawn Thorsson (founder of Thorsson & Assoc. and author of Make: Props and Costume Armor) works with Hollywood and Disney to produce costumes. Julia Jenkins is an experienced 3D printer and costume designer. Jeff Broz has been in resin and mold design for over 30 years and works in both the SFX world and in Aerospace. Don Westos is the owner/operator of Treeline and has been in the fabrication/resin industry for over 30 years, working with both the military and Hollywood industries.
Chad Hatter (Queer for Fear, Robot Chicken) sits down with Pam Demic (costume designer, Workaholics; drag performer since 1989) and Broadway diva headliners Claire Voyance (Voyance Productions, Broadway Divas SCFTA), Leeko Rae (headliner at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts), and April Showers (Showers Productions, Late-Night Divas at Hamburger Mary’s) to discuss the crossroads where cosplay meets drag, as well as navigating these artforms in the modern world.
Calling industry, educators, and community members: The Comic-Con Museum Education Center wants your input. Emily Schindler (Comic-Con Museum education director), Robin Donlan (president, Comic-Con International), Jewyl Alderson (San Diego County Office of Education), and other engaged educators hope to catalyze a community of industry and community stakeholders to make industry-aligned education programs more accessible, more representative, and more responsive to the Comic-Con and education community needs. The Museum is encouraging attendance and input from those in the comics industry, TV/film, costuming/cosplay, eSports/game design, or any others in the creative workforce.
Karamia Capi (cosplayer and entertainer), Jimmy Sherfy (cosplayer and entertainer), Danielle Beebe (cosplayer), and Melissa Gene Meyer (YouTuber) discuss the history of bound and how you can join in the fun.
Jeff Barkley (makeup effects artist) discusses the pros and cons of gelatin as an affordable prosthetic material alternative to silicone. Joining Jeff onstage will be Trey Barkley (pro cosplayer, Bloodfeathercos) and DesiRee Preston (pro cosplayer, EnasniVee) to help answer questions about cosplaying in prosthetics.
Lights, camera, cosplay! Angela Di Martino (D&D aficionado), Kelly Dreyer (cosplayer), Aimee Tushinsky (cosplayer), and Chris Tushinsky (comics aficionado) will conduct red carpet–style interviews (on an actual red “carpet”) of you and your cosplay, including that quintessential question, “Who are you wearing?” Everyone who walks the red carpet will receive a small token of appreciation.
With a wide variety of cosplay, costuming, and prop-making panels every day at WonderCon, cosplayers of all stripes are sure to find something inspiring. Explore the WonderCon 2024 Programming Schedule here.
Social Commentary and Comics Panels at WonderCon 2024
The Production Side of WonderCon
Support up-and-coming Creators at these WonderCon 2024 Panels
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