Emily Savill Photography
Weird From Lancaster - Katsucon
This time, I've taken Weird in Lancaster on the road to find my fellow folks who are Weird From Lancaster, and I did it at one of my favourite events of the year: Katsucon! Katsucon is an annual "fan" convention in National Harbor, Maryland, encompassing many different genres of nerdery, covering just about anything you can be a fan of; anime & manga, fashion, horror, sci-fi & fantasy, video games, trading card & tabletop games, music, art, crafting, memes, etc. It's one of the larger East Coast conventions, bringing out over 20,000 people this year from all over the country, and it only appears to be gaining popularity.
Katsucon holds a very special place in my heart as it was my very first convention I went to at the age of 14! I remember the excitement of seeing so many other nerds all in one place, cosplaying some of my favourite characters, mingling, playing, and shouting cringey teen things. ("Buttscratcher!") It was incredible, and also one of the first times I felt like I was part of a community. I was, and still am, addicted to that feeling. Even if I get too shy to meet new people, just being surrounded by folks who are expressing themselves through cosplay, or fashion, or hosting panels on subjects they are passionate about is so heartwarming and sometimes truly inspiring. I think 14 year old me would be happy to see that I'm still attending, and still loving it even as an adult.
I wanted to find a way to make Katsucon part of my Weird in Lancaster project. I thought about it for a while before it finally came to me "Make it Weird FROM Lancaster!" I knew with the size and with it only being about 3 hours from Lancaster that there were bound to be fellow nerds in my area going, so I made some posts on social media and found a few interested in being a part of my project! I asked them what they loved about being weird and their convention experiences.
Zöe Bittner
Weird in Lancaster: What’s your favourite thing about being weird?
Zöe Bittner: Being weird is equivalent to being quirky and interesting. The world needs more quirky and interesting people. They make the world a better place, in my opinion. Being normal is boring and gets old quickly. Why not be weird and have a good time?
WL: How did you first discover your nerdy interests?
ZB: I grew up playing old playstation games like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro with my brother, and my older cousin gave me my first manga when I was very little, and we watched Sailor Moon together. She also cosplays and we chat often about about conventions and things to stay close. They were both my first tethers into nerdy society, so I owe it to them to get me where I am today with my interests, and eventually my career in video games.
WL: How long have you been attending conventions?
ZB: I've been attending conventions since I was a freshman in high school, so about 2013. I cosplay every time.
WL: What do you like about conventions and cosplay?
ZB: Conventions have always intrigued me about getting together with a ton of people with the same interests. I've never felt out of place at a convention, because of the welcoming atmosphere with cosplay. I come from a theatrical background, so cosplay naturally fit with me acting on the floor as my favorite characters. I've learned so many new skills from cosplay, and I love being able to step out of my comfort zone and be someone else for a day that lots of people love, someone I especially love.
WL: Do you feel more accepted at conventions than you do back home?
ZB: Yes, but I feel my family is growing more accepting of my interests and understanding that this is my hobby and something I enjoy. I feel welcomed by my fandom and my community to grow. I've made so many friends through cosplay, and gotten other friends into cosplay and conventions as well, so we are always growing in numbers. My mom has started helping me look for cosplay pieces at thrift shops; she was the one who taught me how to sew as a kid so it developed into something important to me.
WL: What is your favourite cosplay that you’ve done?
ZB: Overall, Ignis from Final Fantasy 15. That's my favorite game of all time, and I feel extremely confident in him. I've spent the most time focusing on him to refine details over time, and to continue to get better. I have a very feminine face, so learning how to male contour was exciting and difficult but well worth it. I feel strong and powerful in him, with an air of confidence and attractiveness I didn't know I could achieve. I continue to make new props and cosplay for him to continue making him better.
WL: What costumes are you working on for the future?
ZB: Currently, I'm planning more Final Fantasy, like Ardyn Izunia, and more iterations of Ignis. I'm also doing more Persona 5 work, like Fox and Crow, and would like to do a Connor/RK800 cosplay from Detroit: Become Human. I'm switching to doing more male characters because outside of cosplay I'm more feminine so it's a welcome change of pace.
WL: What would you like to see improve in the convention community?
ZB: More space? It's always so crowded! Realistically, I'm not sure. People are generally accepting, but I think that con staff needs to be more... aware? Better staffing/more informed staff would help. Lots of them are volunteers, but a lot of them don't talk to each other to get correct information.
WL: What advice would you give to someone wanting to start attending conventions or cosplaying?
ZB: Start small. I was ambitious when I started, and would get easily overwhelmed when things weren't going my way, and I started at the biggest con on the east coast. There are always ways to grow, and it's okay to start small and work your way up. The product is always rewarding no matter what. The community is very open and welcoming, so your work will always be rewarded. And remember to have fun with it, because it's for you.
WL: What’s the hardest part about expressing yourself?
ZB: It's hard to put yourself out there, especially something so out of the norm like dressing up in crazy costumes and wigs and walking in public. The first barrier is breaking through the comfort zone and finding the courage to speak out of the norm. I know that was the biggest challenge for me starting out, but I met people that helped me along the way to grow into the person I am.
WL: How do you think Lancaster can improve for people who don’t fit the mould?
ZB: I can see changes already being made. With places like FARBO Co. and Rabbit & The Dragonfly opening, and events like Zenkaikon, more places in Lancaster are breaking the mold and starting the trend of opening up more outlets for people to embrace nerdy and "weird" culture. More places like this can help open new doors.
WL: Where can people follow you on social media?
ZB: I'm all over. Mostly instagram and twitter. For cosplay, I use @zoethehobbit. I'm also an art student for video game concept art, so @zoebittnerart on both twitter and instagram is where you can find me!
Matt Myers
Weird in Lancaster: What’s your favourite thing about being weird?
Matt Myers: I like being different. If everyone in the world was the same, it would be a boring place.
WL: How did you first discover your nerdy interests?
MM: I first discovered my nerdy interest when I was in middle school. That is where I watch my first anime, Azumanga Daioh. I have always liked watching cartoons on TV and once I started watching anime, it just went from there.
WL: How long have you been attending conventions?
MM: I have been attending cons since 2013 when I attended my first real con, That con, however was not in the US. My first con was in London, England. That is where I got my first taste of cons and have enjoyed them ever since.
WL: What do you like about conventions and cosplay?
MM: I like conventions because I am able to be around people that have the same interests as me. To me, I feel like I belong at them. It is one of the few places where I can express my interests in anime without getting odd looks. I have met several of my friends at cons. I like cosplay because I am able to become personas that I normally would not be associated with. I have met lots of my current friends through cosplay as well. I have also met my girlfriend through cosplay. I also like cosplay because I am able to build with my hands and use my imagination.
WL: Do you feel more accepted at conventions than you do back home?
MM: I do feel more accepted. If I try talking to my family about my cosplay and cons, it seems like I am talking a foreign language to them . Though, to their credit, they have been getting better at trying to understand my hobby.
WL: What would you like to see improve in the convention community?
MM: I would to see people having more respect towards others and property. I have seen cases where people do not respect other people.I will give an example. At a con this year, my girlfriend watched someone pass out. When he walked away we followed him and sure enough he passed out again. At no time did anyone decide to come over and ask if he was okay, or if he needed help. Even though we had the situation under control, it would still be nice to have someone ask if they could help us.
WL: What’s the hardest part about expressing yourself?
MM: I think the hardest part about expressing myself is that there are so few opportunities to do it. I really may only be able to fully express myself a few times a year.
WL: What advice would you give to someone wanting to start attending conventions or cosplaying?
MM: My advice for someone who wants to starting attending cons and cosplay is to have fun. This is a hobby where you choose what makes you happy. Do not let other people spoil the fun for you. At the end of the day, be proud for what you have made and where you have been. The convention has lots of opportunities to see new places.
WL: What is your favourite cosplay that you’ve done?
MM: My favorite cosplay I have done is Maes Hughes from FMA. When I wore him to Katsu, I had a sign that said have you seen my daughter. I had people in tears from the sign because if you watch the series then you know what happens to him.
WL: What costumes are you working on for the future?
MM: I am working on Kirito outfit from SAO: Alicization, M from SAO:GGOA, and I am also fixing up my Qrow cosplay after my last con
WL: What's the weirdest thing about you?
MM: Not many people know this but I am into model railroading. I enjoy it because I am able to build and create with my hands and my mind.
WL: Where can people follow you on social media?
A: People can follow me at lastbetatestercosplay on Instagram and Extralt1 on Twitter
Anna Renée Stehman
Weird in Lancaster: What’s your favourite thing about being weird?
Anna Renée Stehman: I'd have to say, the fact that I'm not "normal" and that helps with not getting embarrassed about something.
WL: What's the weirdest thing about you?
ARS: Pretty much everything but mostly just how my personality is. I'm a real kid at heart so I tend to act like a child at times.
WL: How did you first discover your nerdy interests?
ARS: It was back in High School when I wrote fanfictions with friends. After that, I was introduced to Cosplay and then it escalated from there from multiple friends.
WL: How long have you been attending conventions?
ARS: My first convention was Otakon 2013 so I've been attending them since then; six years.
WL: What do you like about conventions and cosplay?
ARS: Conventions allow me to see new and also familiar Cosplays as well as different styles of those familiar Cosplays. Cosplaying itself I love because it gives me the chance to become someone else if not for a few hours; a freedom to sort of get away from reality sometimes.
WL: Do you feel more accepted at conventions than you do back home?
ARS: I feel like it's sort of 50/50 between cons and home. I meet a lot of people at cons and am very comfortable there and at the same time, my home life just kind of says "okay, she likes dressing up as different people..." ha ha.
WL: What’s the hardest part about expressing yourself?
ARS: Being a perfectionist for sure. There's always something elaborate I want to do that's in my head and the hardest part is trying to put it in reality.
WL: What would you like to see improve in the convention community?
ARS: People. In all seriousness, people are the problem with the Cosplay/Convention community whether it's shaming someone on their body type, skills, or sexuality it's become a huge problem. Some people seem to think that being "Cos Famous" is more important than just having fun dressing up as someone else. They feel that if your skills aren't amazing or the Cosplay isn't perfect and detailed to what it's should be to that character, you aren't worthy of wearing it. That's something that needs to be changed. There's too much hate and bullying in the community. Also, "lobby con" is an issue. Conventions are cracking down on the free loaders that take advantage of sitting in the lobby without paying for a badge and when those cons do force you to buy a badge, the lobby con-goers throw a fit. This also needs to be fixed.
WL: What advice would you give to someone wanting to start attending conventions or cosplaying?
ARS: Start out small and simple. Otakon is a huge convention and when I attended it, it was still in Baltimore so it had a ton of people and was really easy to get lost at or overwhelmed with its size. Not to mention you can get lost in the Dealers room wondering how to get out. I'd say start with smaller conventions like Zenkaikon or Colossalcon East. For Cosplay, it isn't about how elaborate the costume/character is as long as it's someone you love so even a simple Cosplay/Costume will likely get some attention or appreciation.
WL: What is your favourite cosplay that you’ve done?
ARS: Shikamaru Nara from Naruto has to be one of my favorites. I can relate to the character very much.
WL: What costumes are you working on for the future?
ARS: There's a secret Cosplay I'm working on for (hopefully) Katsucon 2020. I'm also planning on the Duck from "The duck song" video that was popular on Youtube for Zenkaikon 2019.
WL: How do you think Lancaster can improve for people who don’t fit the mould?
ARS: Anime & Cosplay festivals maybe. Like how Philly has the Sakura Festival. It's not really a convention but more of just a festival of activities and shops setup. Also, stores in the city where we can buy manga, art, and maybe even Cosplays. That would be nice. Things like that could help non-anime/Cosplay people understand how we see things when we Cosplay and attend conventions.
WL: Where can people follow you on social media?
ARS: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. FB: Full Metal Cosplay Official; IG: Full Metal Cosplay Official; Twitter: RealFMCosplay
If you like what I do, please consider supporting me on Patreon or sending a one time contribution on Ko-Fi
I spend my own money, without any returns, so every little bit helps me be able to continue producing Weird in Lancaster!
Make sure you're following Weird in Lancaster on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on new posts!