Rerezzing Kevin Flynn for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con
I grew up in the personal computer revolution of the 1980s. In the summer when I was 15, I took a week-long computer camp wherein we learned BASIC on Apple ][ computers. We used "hi-res" graphics and learned math routines to draw awesome pictures and graphical effects. I was hooked, and in the next years I wore out a Commodore VIC-20 and two Commodore 64 computers creating programs in the digital universe.
Disney's 1982 movie TRON was magic. It effused the connection that we "Users" have with our computers and the "Programs" we write. We Users spent endless hours fantasizing about living in the machine. The smell of the circuit boards. The countless silicon junctions gathered together in black, rectangular cities called microchips. This entire world, with its unbounded possibilities, nestled gorgeously within an elegant beige case. I wanted in there. We all wanted in there. And TRON took us in there.
Thirty-five years later, the story of TRON only grows more relevant. With the threat to end Net Neutrality, and the growing power of Internet monopolies, have we lost touch with the promise of the computer revolution to bring us an open and equalizing digital frontier? In light of this sense of loss, I desire to recall the magic of that promise, by relishing in the creative energy that so many Users and Programs channeled in creating TRON for us.
Greetings, Programs!
This year marks the 35th anniversary of 1982's classic sci-fi adventure movie TRON! In celebration of this occasion, over the past year I reconstructed the costume worn by Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn. The goal was to faithfully reproduce the original prop costume, in its black and white format as worn during filming, for cosplaying at the 2017 San Diego International Comic-Con.
The complete prop costume is comprised of 10 pieces. The base consists of a screen-printed full body footed unitard and boots. This foundation is then outfitted with shoulder pads/upper arm guards, and topped with a one-shoulder tunic. A wide screen-printed belt is next. Gloves, a left wrist cuff, and a right forearm gauntlet are next. Finally, there is the helmet and identity disc — forget this and you'll be subject to immediate deresolution!
Some of the costume's pieces are based on actual sporting goods available in the '70s and '80s. The helmet is a modified Cooper SK 2000 S hockey helmet. The shoulder pads/upper arm guards are comprised of pieces from two different Jofa motocross chest protectors. Identifying and acquiring these items was difficult and fun, and working with these items is a dream come true.
The story of TRON honors a time when computers meant anything was possible; this cosplay project reaffirms that anything still is.
Costume Build Process
Here are complete instructions for how I built the Kevin Flynn replica prop costume! There you can travel the circuits with me as I research, design and reconstruct this one-of-a-kind costume. Like the man says — there are no problems, only solutions!
Cosplaying Kevin Flynn at SDCC 2017
Maddy and I had a great time at the 2017 San Diego International Comic-Con! Here are some pics from the experience:
In the Media
Hey Green Bank, we made the San Diego Union-Tribune! "David Fleming, from Green Bank, West Virginia, who is dressed in a costume portraying Kevin Flynn in the movie TRON, stands with other convention goers as they wait in line for the start of Comic-Con International's Preview Night."
We made E! Online and Huffington Post for Best Cosplays of SDCC 2017!
Thank you Suzanne Stewart from our local paper The Pocahontas Times for talking with me about TRON and our trip to San Diego Comic-Con 2017!