Thanks to Erik_MAA for volunteering.
1. What is your story behind finding and falling in love with Aliens?I saw Aliens in 1986 on a 35-foot Cinemarama screen - the same theater I saw Star Wars at in 1977. I'd seen Alien on VHS, and I expected this to be more of a horror film like the first one. I was surprised to see it was an action film.
I was into war movies and 1980s action stuff - Miami Vice, Commando, Rambo, etc. This had a lot of that, along with the sci-fi elements I was already in love with. I grew up on Sci-Fi: Star Trek, Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, Buck Rogers, Battlestar Galactica, Quark, etc. and of course Star Wars. My Dad was a big scifi fan and we watched a lot of it together.
The Alien universe presented Sci-Fi in a new way: dirty, gritty environments with leaks, steam, wear and tear. It was something I hadn't seen a lot of before. I went back and saw the movie again over and over, and it was the first VHS I ever bought (for like $90!)
2. How has the franchise and fandom influenced you?I stand by Alien and Aliens - everything from there on, not so much. I'm glad to see the franchise progressing, but I'm not real pleased with the films we are getting. In print media like comics and books, I think it is doing better.
I suppose Aliens has influenced my interest in military sci-fi stories like The Forever War, Ender's Game, Armor, and Starship Troopers (one could also argue that these stories influenced James Cameron). I'm also very into the Hammer's Slammers, Honor Harrington, and War Against the Chtorr series.
I joined the Army in 1988 and stayed in for 12 years. I'm not sure that Aliens inspired me to do it, but it certainly didn't discourage it.
I like to collect prop guns and do military sci-fi themed costumes and the USCM is great for that.
3. Who are you and what do you do outside the fandom?I was in the US Army for 12 years, left on disability. I worked as a Police Officer and Corrections Officer before going into Emergency Management. I've worked for the State of Minnesota for 17 years in that capacity, with a total of just over 30 years in my profession. I also do security consulting and training, mainly firearms training. You can check us out at
http://www.qsitraining.net4. Who was the first Aliens actor/actress you met, and how was that experience?I met Michael Beihn, Lance Henricksen, and Daniel Kash at Crypticon Minneapolis a few years ago. Michael Biehn and I talked about the Blomcamp spec script and signed my "Close Encounters" shotgun prop. Lance Henricksen and I talked more about Millennium than Aliens – I was a big fan of that show. We also talked about a movie called “Stone Cold” where he starred as the leader of a biker gang opposite Brian Bosworth. Daniel Kash was a lot of fun, he came out to the parties and really liked my USCM gear.
A couple of years ago I met Carrie Henn at Crypticon. She was super nice and also really liked my costume. She signed my helmet for me, and did a Q&A that was very fun. Did you know she hated Casey? Even as a kid, she didn't see the point of carrying around just a head.
5. Overall, what was your best, and worst, experience at a drop?My first drop in full armor was Marscon in 2015 and we had a fantastic time. Everyone really liked the costume and it was a lot of fun showing it off. I'd done USCM costuming before that, but never in armor. Armor really makes the costume.
We have a much larger local con called CONvergence which was my worst experience. I attended the con every year since its founding in 1999, but in 2002 it was very crowded and the security presence was draconian and oppressive. We actually left early, went and saw 28 Days Later. Had a really good time after we left.
I've gone back since, but it was always super crowded. They have a new venue now and word is they have relaxed their prop policies so I am thinking about checking it out again.
6. What is your favorite piece of Aliens memorabilia/merchandise, and what single item do you wish you had?My collection has grown a lot over the past years as my career has advanced and I've been able to afford stuff. My favorite thing I own is probably my Smart Gun rig. It's really cool, very detailed and always turns heads at conventions.
I have a lot of stuff that I've organized into a traveling display with the Minnesota Prop-A-Torium. Two things I don't have (but want) are a Welder and a Motion Tracker - but my big project I'd like to tackle is a Sentry Gun with the GRIDcase. It's just a lot of work!
7. What weapon/armor build are you most proud of and why?I love my Smart Gun rig, because it's got a lot of detail and the rig is fully functional, which is really cool. I'm also really proud of my Incinerator because it's literally the last one Shawn Morgan made.
8. What was the most interesting thing that happened while you were in-costume?One year at Crypticon I was in my Smart Gun rig when I ran into a ten-year old kid who had a Xeno costume. We took a bunch of pics together and I think it really made his day.
9. Who among the fans, costumed and non-costumed alike, has been your favorite person to interact with?Matsuo and Spat have both helped me out a lot with prop building and collecting stuff. I've also talked a lot with with Moosh and she's been awesome. She's a true fan.
10. Best advice for newcomers who haven't been to a drop, or made a costume?Don't get too hung up on costume details. Most people won't notice if you're not 100% screen accurate. If they recognize it as being from Aliens, or don't recognize it but think it's cool, then you're costume is successful.
On a drop, drink plenty of water and beforehand practice moving and sitting in your gear. Think about hallways, party rooms, bathrooms and elevators and how you would negotiate them. Wearing armor or carrying a Smart Gun requires some careful manuvering.
Bring a repair kit – I've never been to a drop where something didn't break or come loose from my armor or a prop. And bring spare batteries for your Pulse Rifle counter.
Make up some business cards with your social media contact info and hand them out to people who take your picture. This makes it easy for them to send you a copy.