Most horror films create their worlds on soundstages, closed sets, and carefully controlled filming environments. Cosplay/er is taking a different approach. Portions of the film will be shot during St. Pete Comic Con 2027, allowing the production to capture real convention crowds, real cosplay, real vendors, and the authentic atmosphere that makes fan conventions such unique experiences. By placing the film inside an actual convention environment, Cosplay/er aims to create a world that feels genuine to the community that inspired it.
One of the realities of filming at a real convention is that copyrighted characters and trademarked franchises cannot appear in the film. Rather than viewing this as a challenge, Cosplay/er embraces it as a delicious opportunity to spotlight original characters — one of the most creative yet underrepresented forms of cosplay — and horror-inspired public domain characters.
Original characters (OCs) are the most creative yet underrepresented forms of cosplay because they are born entirely from their creators’ imagination rather than an existing franchise. Cosplay/er aims to celebrate that creativity by giving cosplayers who create OCs an opportunity to become extras in the film and help bring the convention atmosphere to life. This not only avoids licensing issues, but provides a platform to showcase the creativity, artistry, and character design that make OCs such a unique part of cosplay culture.
In addition to original characters, cosplayer extras may also portray eligible public domain characters. Public domain characters provide another opportunity for creators to put their own spin on familiar faces while remaining consistent with the film’s production requirements of not infringing upon licensed characters and trademarked franchises. Horror-inspired interpretations are especially encouraged, allowing creators to reimagine classic characters in dark, unique, and unexpected ways.
Examples include:
Every hallway conversation, crowd movement, vendor interaction, and cosplay photo opportunity contributes to the atmosphere surrounding the film. Convention culture is not simply the backdrop for Cosplay/er—it is one of the reasons the film exists in the first place, making a real convention the perfect place to bring the story to life.