Portlander featured on new Syfy series, 'Heroes of Cosplay'

Have you ever wondered what motivates people to create and dress up in elaborate costumes inspired by sci-fi and fantasy movies and TV shows, video games, anime and the like? A new Syfy series, "Heroes of Cosplay," follows members of the "cosplay"(short for costume play) community, as they go about creating the kind of ensembles that win prizes at pop culture convention cosplay contests.

Among the cosplayers featured in the 6-episode docuseries is Portlander Jesse Lagers,who is described as a software systems administrator, who's interested in translating his cosplay competition success into a business making costumes and props.
The show looks at nine cosplay fans committed to their passion, including Yaya Han,"one of the acknowledged legends of cosplay," as the press release says. Here's a rundown on others, from the Syfy announcement: 

Yaya Han – Yaya is one of the acknowledged legends of cosplay whose entrance at each convention – always in full costume – never fails to create a stir. A source of inspiration and intimidation to the contestants, Atlanta-based Yaya Han is often a judge at contests.

Riki LeCotey –  Riki moved from rural Canada to the United States to follow her passion for cosplay. A special effects technician on sci-fi films, she is also the founder of Cosplay for a Cause, which has raised money for victims of the Japanese Tsunami.

Monika Lee – Monika is from Atlanta and a student at the Georgia Institute of technology, where she's majoring in industrial design.  A cosplayer since the age of 13, competed in numerous craftsmanship contests winning several "Best in Shows" and various other awards.

Victoria Schmidt – Victoria is co-founder of the geek fashion and style blog settostunning.com. A passionate fan of cosplay since high school, she's especially proud of being Princess Leia on LucasFilm's Star Wars float in the 2007 Rose Parade.
Chloe Dykstra was almost fated to be in the cosplay community; her father is an F/X legend, having worked on the original Star Wars and Star Trekfilms. An actress and model, she hosts the Just Cos show on YouTube's Nerdist channel.

Jessica Merizan and Holly Conrad
Jessica has performed in regional theater in Southern California since she was five years old. Together, she and fellow cast member Holly Conrad co-founded a costume fabrication shop, cosplay community and new media entertainment company.
Holly was mentored by her very qualified grandfather, Dorse Lanpher, an F/X animator for Disney and others. She now works in the special effects business for several major studios, in addition to her business with Jessica.

Becky Young – Becky has created costumes since attending San Diego Comic-Con in 2006. A trained actress, she has voiced Video Game Nussie on Maxim Radio and was a judge on CBS Sports' Guitar Hero Competiton show. She lives in Burbank.

Jesse Lagers – Jesse lives in Portland, Oregon, where he works as a software systems administrator. He hopes that success in cosplay competitions will lead to his own business creating costumes and props. Jesse is a stickler for realism and authenticity in all of the costumes he creates. 

"Heroes of Cosplay" debuts Aug. 13, on Syfy.