Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Gavin Moore, a cosplayer and aspiring Film Director. Take a look at the interview below!
Gavin RushMoore has been a costumer since 2012, and is working to use that passion to become a filmmaker. Passionate about nearly all things nerdy, he is focused on his Fanverse project, starting with his animated series ‘Justice League: The Brave and the Bold’ then starring in ‘A Flash through the Multiverse’, uniting fan films from around the world, into the Fanverse.
KW – What first drew you into cosplay, and do you remember the moment you realized it was more than just a hobby?
Gavin M. – The first time I got into cosplay, I was grounded from drawing. I didn’t have video games, and it’s hard to make staying in your room sound like a punishment if that’s what you want to do. I was watching Iron man on TV, and thought ‘if I can’t draw it, I can build it” . I love seeing characters leap off the page and once I started it for myself I was hooked. I knew this would be a big part of my future.
KW – Who was your very first cosplay character, and how did it go? Any funny or chaotic mishaps in the process?
Gavin M. – My first cosplay was the mark 6 Iron Man, and I didn’t have what I would currently call “the right materials” so I made tape out of a lint roller, recycled folders and plastic. Soon after I was taking it to school and wearing it around
KW – What character has been your biggest challenge to bring to life, and what did you have to learn (or suffer through) to make it work?
Gavin M. – The most difficult cosplay was the Flash. Not because it was difficult in a technical sense but because I wanted to make something authentic and cinematic. Since I planned to use it for a fan film, it had to be something I could actually run in, the New 52 style lightning had to flow with the suit and be unique, as well as pushing me to get faster myself.
KW – When you put on a cosplay, what internal shift happens? Do you feel like a performer, a storyteller, or something else entirely?
Gavin M. – For me, a mask sometimes give me the confidence to be the person I wish I could be. It also feels like putting on your favorite jacket, no matter the uncomfortability, red marks, or paint on your hands at every con. It sounds cheesy but a costume feels like home.
KW – How do you choose who to cosplay next? Is it based on your love of the character, the costume design, or pure chaotic inspiration?
Gavin M. – With my animated fan series, ‘Justice League: The Brave and the Bold’,and sequel fan film, ‘A Flash through the Multiverse’ I’ve got a list of characters to build but sometimes something strikes me that I just have to build. GI Robot struck such a chord that not only pushed me to build him, but I wrote in a cameo for him into the first episode of The Justice League. All this to say, I follow the passion.
KW – What’s your disaster plan for when things go wrong at a con—wig sliding, props breaking, wardrobe malfunctions in the bathroom stall?
Gavin M. – When I first started, if disaster struck, I usually had to rely on the kindness of strangers, which in the cosplay can be abundant, sometimes. Now I tend to travel with a small build kit, battery packs for hot glue, duct tape, sewing kit, advil, small assortment of paint, whatever might be needed at a con.
KW – Cosplay demands creativity under pressure. What has it taught you about yourself when you’re in the heat of a build or the spotlight?
Gavin M. – The creativity required in cosplay has helped me hone my confidence, not just personal but in taking on something new. Pushing myself to learn and try new things has pushed me to advocate for myself and other, make things I never would have thought before, also learn blacksmithing to make my wife a wedding sword, and so many other things.
KW – Have you ever dealt with toxicity or judgment in the cosplay space? How did you handle it—or shut it down?
Gavin M. – I haven’t really been the recipient often in person, and those sorts of things I do my best to just forget. They want you to remember them but they aren’t worth it. What I do see a lot of is online criticism of other cosplayers. Things like comments like ‘Emma frost isn’t black’ or ‘Spider-Man isn’t fat’ which I usually jump in and say something like “Shut up, cosplay is about expressing what you love and shaming anyone for doing it from a place of love should be welcome’ or ‘In an infinite multiverse, everyone has been everyone, or can be so what’s it matter to you?’
KW – Do you make your costumes from scratch, commission pieces, thrift and modify, or some combination?
Gavin M. – I usually make my costumes from scratch, within the last few years I’ve gotten more comfortable with sewing which has greatly helped but before that I built foam armor and a black undersuit.
KW – What’s been your most emotionally meaningful cosplay moment? Maybe with a fan, a photographer, or just in front of the mirror?
Gavin M. – So I also do birthday parties and charity events and seeing the kids reaction is my favorite part. As far as specific moments, was when a man and his nephew asked for a picture with me as The Flash, I took it like normal, after they left, the person I was with leaned over and said “You know that was prince Zuko right?” I sprinted away and caught up to them, I confirmed it was him, I asked for a hug and a picture, he said ‘It’d be his honor’. It was so cool.
KW – Where do you see cosplay taking you next? More performances? Original designs? Social media content? A cosplay empire?
Gavin M. – I am going to try and us my cosplaying and the other things I’ve learned in its course, to make an audition of sorts to make films for DC Studios. I have storyboards, scripts done and animations in progress for my animated series ‘Justice League: The Brave and the Bold’ with 7 episodes with Wonder Woman as the leader. That series lays the groundwork for its follow up, ‘A Flash through the Multiverse’ where myself as Barry Allen, maps the multiverse with the help of Mr Terrific, Ted Kord and Barbra Gordon, joining other fan films from around the world into The Fanverse, allowing all Canon to coexist. I’ve got stories for everyone but Ambush Bug.
KW – If you were mentoring a brand-new cosplayer with big dreams but zero sewing skills, what advice would you give them to survive their first build?
Gavin M. – If I were mentoring a young cosplayer, I’d say follow your passion, cosplay is for everyone and that means you too. I would also say, don’t be afraid to try new things, you will fail a lot, but as Yoda says “Failure is our greatest teacher.” Last I’d state plainly, racism, bigotry, body shaming, hate of any sort has no place in cosplay.
