A mainstay of "geek culture" for years, cosplay - a contraction of "Costume Play"- only recently emerged from the shadows of the sci-fi convention and into the mainstream. Cosplay involves participants dressing like characters from comic books, science fiction, video games, anime or other works of fiction.
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Cosplayer Harrison. "Cosplay! Crafting A Secret Identity," produced by the team behind the Emmy-winning "Four Days at Dragon*Con," ventures into the workshops and lives of people who elevate fantasy costuming to the professional level. Photo by Dim Horizon Studio
Photo by Dim Horizon Studio/ Courtesy of American Public Television
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Riddle, a cosplayer from Atlanta. "Cosplay! Crafting A Secret Identity," produced by the team behind the Emmy-winning "Four Days at Dragon*Con," ventures into the workshops and lives of people who elevate fantasy costuming to the professional level.
Photo by Benny Lee/ Courtesy of American Public Television
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Cosplayer Yaya Han. "Cosplay! Crafting A Secret Identity," produced by the team behind the Emmy-winning "Four Days at Dragon*Con," ventures into the workshops and lives of people who elevate fantasy costuming to the professional level.
Photo by Benny Lee/ Courtesy of American Public Television
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Cosplayer Lee. "Cosplay! Crafting A Secret Identity," produced by the team behind the Emmy-winning "Four Days at Dragon*Con," ventures into the workshops and lives of people who elevate fantasy costuming to the professional level.
Photo by BGZ Studios/ Courtesy of American Public Television
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Cosplayer Cathy. "Cosplay! Crafting A Secret Identity," produced by the team behind the Emmy-winning "Four Days at Dragon*Con," ventures into the workshops and lives of people who elevate fantasy costuming to the professional level.
Photo by Bryan Humphrey/ Courtesy of American Public Television
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Cosplayer Miracole. "Cosplay! Crafting A Secret Identity," produced by the team behind the Emmy-winning "Four Days at Dragon*Con," ventures into the workshops and lives of people who elevate fantasy costuming to the professional level.
Photo by BGZ Studios/ Courtesy of American Public Television
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Cosplayer Chris. "Cosplay! Crafting A Secret Identity," produced by the team behind the Emmy-winning "Four Days at Dragon*Con," ventures into the workshops and lives of people who elevate fantasy costuming to the professional level.
Photo by BGZ Studios/ Courtesy of American Public Television
"Cosplay! Crafting A Secret Identity," produced by the team behind the Emmy-winning "Four Days at DragonCon," ventures into the workshops and lives of people who elevate fantasy costuming to the professional level.
The one-hour documentary examines both the pageantry on display at large conventions like Dragon Con, and also the art and skill involved in making these outlandish, complex costumes.
Throughout, CNN.com's resident "geek expert" Ann Hoevel, cosplayer/journalist Meredith Placko and others act as guides through this fascinating subculture.
