Epic Nerd Shit would like to introduce our next featured
cosplayer, Mindiana Jones.
ENS: Tell me a bit about yourself.
MJ: I have a pretty boring office job. That's why I like to
cosplay, because it's so much more fun than being me in real life. I also like
other things like camping, rock climbing, and skiing.
ENS: How long have you been into cosplay?
MJ: About 14 years. Ever since lord of the rings came out. Galadriel
was my first costume.
ENS: How much time and energy goes into a costume? Also cost
of an average costume, if you are comfortable sharing that?
MJ: It really depends on the costume. I finished Nebula from
Guardians of the Galaxy in about a
day while others have taken months, but the average is probably a couple of
weeks just working on it here and there. I'm often making more than one costume
at a time, so that probably makes it take longer. The average cost is probably
$50. I think I've done one for about $20 and others have been around $150. The
average is pretty much in the middle, although I really don't keep track any
more. Usually I keep gradually upgrading them for years, so it's hard to tell
what the final cost is. I just don't worry about it because they are my
costumes and I love them.
ENS: How many cons have you done if any, and what was the
biggest? Also, what con would you love to do?
MJ: I usually go to about 3 cons a year, unfortunately I
can't afford to travel much, but if I could then I would go to more. The
biggest has been Salt Lake Comic Con, which I think is the third biggest in the
country. I would love to go to Dragon Con. I've heard that one has a lot of
cosplay.
ENS: Have you ever experienced and type of negativity like
body shaming or unwanted sexual advances? If yes, how did it affect you?
MJ: I've never had any problems with body shaming, people
usually tell me I look great in my costumes. I've had guys hit on me
because of the costumes I was wearing, but it really didn't bother me. I don't
think those guys are too hard to get rid of.
ENS: While you haven't ever experienced any negativity, I do
know it goes on. What are your thoughts on it and the Cosplay is not Consent
movement?
MJ: It really makes me sad that some people use cosplay as
an excuse to be jerks to other people. I know a lot of my cosplayer friends
have had people be jerks to them for being either too big or too skinny. It
makes me sad that some people won't do costumes they love because they are
worried about what people will think about how they look in it. Also, a lot of
my friends have been harassed and groped by people because of the costume they
are wearing. Even some of my guy friends, not just the girls. Some of my girl
friends even have to have guys acting as body guards to keep other guys off of
them. Why does wearing a costume make people think it's okay to touch you
inappropriately?
ENS: What is your thought process on picking characters to
cosplay?
MJ: I like my costumes to be very recognizable, so the
majority of my cosplays are from popular movies. Some of my friends like to
cosplay as characters that they look like, but I don't look like anyone in
particular, so I get to cosplay whatever I want.
ENS: Any other cosplayers that influence you?
MJ: Well, not really.
ENS: If cost and time wasn't an issue and you could cosplay
anyone, who would you chose?
MJ: To be honest I don't think there is anyone. I have 38
costumes at the moment, so I already get to be everyone I have ever wanted to
be.
You
can find more of Mindiana Jones and her cosplay at the following links:
Great nob Mindy
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