For now, it may be just a hobby, but for the costumed fans at the Comic-Con pop culture expo this past weekend, dressing up can be a first step toward an entertainment career. Costume play - or cosplay - has become a huge component of Comic-Con. Thousands of fans, and some celebrities, too, elaborately disguise themselves as their favorite characters from comic books, movies, TV, video games and anime. Taking photos of the coolest cosplayers is part of the convention experience.
Winning sketch "That's the ultimate goal for me," said the 26-year-old, who belonged to the "Women of the Haunted Mansion" ensemble that won best in show at the ball. The Masquerade is also a place for aspiring directors: Katie Forman, 29, who conceived of and directed the winning sketch, said she was driven by the performance aspect of the event and brought friends talented in fashion on board. Dorothy Thicket won a prize from UCLA's Copley Center for the Study of Costume Design for her Victorian take on PokÈmon's Leafeon character. The 20-year-old University of Calgary computer science student said she came to California for a "double-con trip," showing off her outfit in contests at Comic- Con and the Anime Expo in Los Angeles earlier this month.