Cosplayers Around the World Feature : Bronte Mckinney from USA
In this issue of Cosplayers Around the World, we go to Vancouver of USA, and explore the works of Cosplayer Bronte McKinney, who excels in cosplaying her original character designs.
Bronte is currently one of the leading contestants in the World’s largest Cosplay contest, the Otaku House Cosplay Idol 2011.
Biography
Full Name: Bronte Mckinney
Cosplay name: BangBangNeko
Age : 19
Gender : female
Country / state you are born in : Vancouver, WA USA
Citizenship :
Date of Birth : 03/01/1992
Zodiac Sign : Monkey
Height : 5’10
Hatsune Miku or Zatsune Miku? : Zatsune Miku
Kira or L? : Mello
Fave Anime? : Ghost in the shell, Hellsing OVA and DearS
More about Bronte
1. At what age did you start cosplaying and how long have you been cosplaying?
I got started in cosplay at the age of 13 and have been cosplaying for 7 years.
2. What inspired you to start cosplaying?
Well first it was my first convention and I saw photos of others dressed up and decided from there to start making costumes. My first costume was Ed from Cowboy Bebop and I also got my dad into cosplaying, making him a Scar from Fullmetal Alchemist cosplay.
3. Which is your most difficult cosplay / most memorable cosplay and why?
The hardest cosplay I’ve ever made was Big Sister from Bioshock 2; it was a trial and error project. From it learning how to use fiberglass and alter real polio leg braces; but even with all the bumps and stops I learned a lot and it was a fun project that me and my dad made. But the most memorable cosplay experience was when I first stepped on stage at an anime convention to perform in there cosplay contest. It was so crazy but once I stepped on stage it was a whole new world; hearing the crowd yell and cheer just added to the experience. I went from being stage shy to being the character I was cosplaying, even though we didn’t win anything I just loved being on stage and having fun.
4. What is your next cosplay project?
Well my biggest is Kerrigan from Starcraft 2, and then I’m also making Darth Talon from Star Wars, Xev from LEXX, Motoko from Ghost in the Shell, and maybe a comic book character.
5. Tell us about some memorable experiences in your costume making.
Making Kerrigan has been the one of my memorable projects I’ve worked on, because I’m getting to combine two of my favorite things; Special Effects make-up and Cosplaying. I’m getting to learn things and do stuff like they do in the film industry; from sculpting, mold making, making prosthetics, working with liquid latex and silicone. Even though a lot of it can be tiring, it’s been an awarding project and hope by the end it everyone can see the work I’ve put into it and it comes out looking like her.
6. What are some advice you would like to give to cosplay newbies?
No matter what people tell you, do what you love NO MATTER WHAT. I know it can be hard when people start trash talking you or your costume. But remember this; you wore/ made the costume because you love the character /show and that’s all that matters, cosplaying is about having fun and sharing your nerdy self with the world and others just like you.
