Flynn's Replica Prop Costume
Preview of the Costume
I wore this costume at SDCC 2017, SDCC 2022, D23 in 2022, and SDCC 2024. I completed the costume the day before SDCC 2017 on July 18 after a solid year working on it! Here is a preview of the finished costume before we headed to SDCC 2017. Photos by Dawn Baldwin.
Acknowledgments
Many cycles went into creating this replica prop costume of Jeff Bridges' character Kevin Flynn. I was able to see it through only because of the inspiration given to me by so many TRON fans and even some of the creators of the film.
First, to my Dawn Baldwin, thank you so very deeply for all your love, encouragement, and support as I struggled to complete this project over the past year. Perhaps only I know the ways in which it is far from perfect, just as you know of me. Yet you love me in all ways, and your creative mind gives me the positive feedback loop to be able to see things through. So here's to you, my angel. Only solutions! I love you!
And to my daughter Madalaine, thank you so much for putting up with my obsession, and for talking with me time and time again about what stage I was at, what was left to do, and for being the light of my mind as we traveled to San Diego and enjoyed Comic-Con together. I love you my babybearz!
I never expected I would get to talk with some of the creators of TRON, so when I reached out to Oscar-nominated TRON costume designer Rosanna Norton, I was so excited when she responded! Rosanna gave me encouragement and guidance on how to approach printing of the unitard, verification of the shoulder pad materials, and more. Thank you deeply Rosanna for what you have given us all through your work on TRON!
As I neared completion of the helmet, I beamed when Richard Taylor reached out to me on Facebook to cheer me on! Richard was the computer and visual effects supervisor for TRON, and among other things designed the graphics of Flynn's helmet. There is so much density of lines and information on that helmet, and once Richard noticed what I was doing, I knew I had to see it through! Thank you Richard, it is an honor to know you!
I met Cindy Morgan (TRON's Lora and Yori) at SDCC 2016 when I wore a prototype of my Kevin Flynn costume. Cindy was so kind and regaled me with stories of shooting the film. Cindy, my next replica prop costume will be of Yori. Yori lives!
When TRON screenwriter Bonnie MacBird said on Facebook that my costume was "fabulous", I melted! Thank you Bonnie, and thanks to you and Steven Lisberger for the screenplay! Very radical to meet you!
I never got to meet my late first cousin and screenwriter Blake Snyder, author of Save the Cat!, the well-known series of books on screenwriting. But I wish to thank him for his encouraging words: "You must find a life within the confines of ‘It is what it is.’ This is where your skills as a bullhead will save both you and your sanity." Thank you cousin Blake, I wish you could know how helpful your words are for me.
To fellow TRON cosplayer and friend, Rachel Ly aka "Lady Rae Gun Cosplay", your energy and enthusiasm has been a source to draw from throughout - thank you so much, and it's never really End Of Line!
And as throughout this process, thank you to the many TRON fans who have encouraged me on social media. As each of you have attested - and our Flynn once said - "On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy." It is through each of you that TRON lives, and it cannot be overstated how much you appreciate all that the creators and actors of TRON have given us.
From day one, it has been my desire to honor the work of the designers and creators of TRON. I hope this cosplay has succeeded in this regard. We love, and still need, their work and vision - perhaps more so today than ever. Lastly, I hope this cosplay has given hope to all TRON fans out there that more TRON is yet to come.
The Kevin Flynn costume, by component
Below is a breakdown of my design and construction process by component. At each link, you'll find photos and commentary on that particular aspect of the costume: