Faces of 2023 Supanova Perth
By Marnie Adams, Contributor @ Kids In Perth 14 Jun 2023
Video/Photo Credit: Supanova, Woman Of Wonder, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube.
Anticipation builds as 2023 Supanova Perth draws near, talented convention guests and cosplay artists prepare to make their mark at Perth's biggest annual showcase for everything pop culture and fandom.
Behind the scenes, let's take a closer look at the stories of three remarkable individuals who'll grace the stage and enchant fans at the Perth Convention Centre over the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 of June 2023.
First, meet Jessica Lynne, better known as @woman_of_wonder_ on Instagram.
As a popular Perth cosplayer, Jessica immerses herself in the world of her favorite characters, bringing them to life through her exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Months in advance, she'll meticulously plan her appearance, choosing costumes that resonate with fans and showcase her incredible talent. From selecting fabrics to perfecting intricate props, Jessica pours her heart into every aspect of her cosplay. Spending countless hours choreographing and practicing poses to refine her performance.
We haven't event counted the hours of hardwork and dedication in the gym so she can pull authentically bring iconic comic and movie characters to life!
On the day, for some characters, it can take Jessica up to 2 hours of preparation with extra help needed for putting on costume and make up.
Jessica's signature character to cosplay is, naturally, the iconic Wonder Woman!
Come say hi to the superfriendly Woman of Wonder, Jessica Lyne, appreciate her hardwork by simply giving the best compliment any cosplayer can receive...
"Wow! You look amazing and it's as if you've jumped out of the comic book/screen!"
Gallery | Meet the Woman of Wonder
Video/Photo Credit: Supanova, Woman Of Wonder, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube.
Video/Photo Credit: Supanova, Woman Of Wonder, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube.
Next, we're delving into the story of Neil Fanning, an acclaimed Australian actor, who is known more for his role in bringing the most famous Great Dane to life... Scooby Doo!
Before Supanova Perth, Neil prepares by immersing himself in the characters he portrays. He revisits their quirks, nuances, catchphrases and makes notes on his experiences on set working on a Hollywood blockbuster. Everything to ensure fans receive an authentic and engaging experience when they meet him. Memorizing lines, rehearsing scenes, and reflecting on the impact of his performances, Neil's dedication shines through in every interaction. With his warm demeanor and genuine passion for his craft, Neil wants to create a connection that leaves lasting impressions on fans.
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From beloved animated Disney icons to memorable villains, Jim brings an extensive repertoire and versatility as a voice actor and he captivates audiences with seamless transitions between voices while capturing the essence of each character. Jim's warm nature and enthusiasm for his craft is contagious, spreading joy to fans who eagerly anticipate the opportunity to meet the voices behind their favorite animated childhood memories!
For parents in their 40s... who doesn't remember waking up to Saturday Disney tuning in to catch up with Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Dark Wing Duck and... much, much, more!
As the weekend of Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of June approaches, these 3 remarkable individuals along with many more celebrity guests converge at 2023 Supanova Perth as the event turns the Perth Convention Centre into a hub of creativity, passion, shared experiences and an annual celebration of everything fandom!
For more information and tickets, visit supanova.com.au/events/perth-2023/event-home.
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Profile | Q+A with...
Kids In Perth exclusive interviews with Jessica Lynne, Neil Fanning & Jim Cummings.
Exclusive Interview with Jim Cummings!
Click play to listen to an exclusive interview with Jim Cummings, the voice of many iconic Disney characters.
Jessica Lynne aka Woman of Wonder | Perth Cosplay Artist
How did you first get into cosplay? What inspired you?
I'm mostly a charity costumer.
I grew up in the US so I’ve always loved Halloween and fancy dress parties, but about four years ago a friend invited me to wear my Wonder Woman costume at her café for a Superhero Family Day to raise money for a local charity.
“Meet the Superheroes” was the drawcard, and attendees donated gold coins to meet and mingle with their favourite superheroes.
I guess you could say the rest is history!
I met my buddies Ironman, Shazam, Spiderman, and Star Lord – other costumers who regularly donate their time putting smiles on kids’ faces and raising money for charitable causes.
I thought: I have met my tribe!
Right away I got involved with two volunteer groups, and I do 1-2 official charity events a month raising money for Telethon, various Kid’s Cancer Research groups, HeartKids, Down Syndrome WA, Camp Quality, among others.
Charity costuming was especially important to me during Covid.
While I was separated from my US family and the world was in turmoil I found joy and escapism in bringing fun and awe to others.
Your look and costumes have amazing attention to detail. What's the process of creating a cosplay character from concept to completion?
Take us behind the scenes.
I am not one of those artistic and crafty cosplayers who make their own costumes out of worbla or EVA foam (I am in constant awe of my friends who do that!), but I do have a lot of creative input into the costumes that I have made.
Most of my Wonder Woman costumes are custom-made for me by a costumer in Las Vegas (who herself also spent many years cosplaying as Wonder Woman through a children’s charity she set up).
I'm also a competitive bodybuilder and the designer who makes my stage bikinis has made and modified a lot of costumes for me.
Having said that, I suppose you can say my bodybuilding contributes to realistically looking like a superhero – depending on how far away I am from a competition my Wonder Woman can look a little muscly J
How do you decide which characters to cosplay? Is it always characters you personally love, or do you sometimes choose them for other reasons?
Most of my cosplays are characters I’ve always loved and wanted to bring to life – Wonder Woman, Xena, and She-Ra are my favourites! (I’d say I’m definitely more of a Warrior Princess type than a Disney Princess.)
My volunteer group often gets requests for themed events – Disney, Toy Story, DC, Marvel, Star Wars – so I’ve assembled a modest costume closet that would allow me to participate in most events, though Wonder Woman is always my go-to.
Can you share one of your most memorable experiences from a cosplay event or convention?
The absolute best moments are when I’m at a charity costuming event and the children think they’re meeting the REAL Wonder Woman! Sometimes the kids are curious but shy, but it’s really sweet to see them in awe of those of us in costume.
How has cosplay influenced other aspects of your life?
I’ve met so many wonderful people in the cosplay community. They are fun, kind, and quirky – the best kind of people! Through the cosplaying community, I’ve had opportunities to assist with the production of a friend’s Star Wars fan films as well as a feature-length film, and I was recently cast in a commercial for Pentanet ‘s new gaming system.
What has been your most challenging cosplay project so far, and why?
My Xena was the most challenging in that it took a long time for the many parts to come together! I bought the Xena costume that my friend Cara (@carastrophic_creates) made for a convention several years ago.
I had to then alter and add to it, I had a sword and chakram 3D printed from a prop shop in Russia, I had a local prop maker craft the vambraces, and find just the right wig.
In the end, the finished costume was better than I could have imagined to the point that I actually FELT like Xena when I was wearing it!
What advice for boys and girls or anyone wanting to start cosplaying but feeling overwhelmed about where to start?
Just go to a convention! Or seek out charity costuming groups and start volunteering at the many events – it is so rewarding!
Can you share a moment when you felt truly proud of a costume you created or a performance you gave?
I think the costume I am most proud of is my Xena costume! It was the most challenging to assemble and it is the most realistic and accurate costume I own.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being part of the cosplay community?
Bringing smiles to kids’ faces is by far the most rewarding aspect of being in costume!
What are you most looking forward to about appearing at the 2023 Supanova Perth?
Most of my cosplaying time is spent at charity events – last year’s SupaNova was my very first cosplay convention!
Some people attend cons for the comic books and collectables, or to meet the celebrity guests, but what I love most about cons is seeing everyone else’s costumes.
I am amazed by people’s creativity and by how well they can emulate certain personas.
Can you give us a sneak peek into what character you'll be bringing to Supanova this year?
On the Saturday, I have a Wonder Woman duo planned with another cosplayer!
She and I will be cosplaying different versions of Wonder Woman, and it will be fun to showcase completely different iterations of such an iconic character.
If all goes well I’ll be debuting something really different on the Sunday – you’ll have to wait and see, but I will say that anyone who grew up watching ‘80s cartoons will get a wave of nostalgia when they see what I’ve been planning!
What's your ultimate goal in the world of cosplay?
My ultimate goal in the world of cosplay is to have fun and bring joy to others – so I guess you can say “achievement unlocked”!
What's your inspirational message for young boys and, especially, girls who'll be meeting you at Supanova Perth?I think Wonder Woman says it best:
“No matter how small an act of kindness or generosity or simple positivity you put out into the world, it will make a difference.”
How can people follow your cosplay adventures?
The best way would be to follow me on Instagram, @woman_of_wonder_
Neil Fanning | Australian Actor, Stuntman & Voice Artist
Neil, can you describe your journey into voice acting, and how you ended up as the voice of Scooby-Doo?
As a child I was always voicing characters I watched in cartoons, during high school in the mid 1980’s I performed as a mobile DJ and MC/Host for weddings and parties.
After university I performed as an opening day cast actor at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast in 1991, always developing new characters and how each character’s voice would sound, working hard to perfect my American and other accents.
In 1998 I began recording voices for movies and tv shows at the Warner Bros. Studios on the Gold Coast, as well as, commercials for various radio stations.
Then in 2001, Scooby Doo 1 was being filmed at the Warner Bros. Studios and other locations on the Gold Coast, around Brisbane and at Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island. I successfully auditioned for the role of Scooby Doo's voice, acting the character on the set with the Mystery Gang and all the other actors, and performing the voice live for the entire movie.
I then re-recorded Scooby Doo’s voice over numerous sessions at studios on the Gold Coast and Eastwood Recording Studio at Warner Bros. headquarters which was in Burbank, Los Angeles.
What are you looking forward to most about your appearance at the 2023 Supanova in Perth?
Putting smiles on the faces of all the wonderful fans of Scooby Doo I have the privilege to meet!
I also really enjoy the hour-long panel Q&A answering all the great questions from the amazing Supernova audience.
Please come and meet me as I’d love to sign an autograph, take a photo together and record a special individual video in the Scooby Doo voice for you!!
What's the most rewarding part of meeting fans at Supanova?
The love and positive energy I receive from all the passionate Scooby Doo fans is humbling and really special to me.
It’s a privilege to have been a heart-warming and memorable part of so many people’s childhoods!
How did you prepare for the role of Scooby-Doo, did you face any unique challenges voicing a character with such distinctive sounds and mannerisms?
Having watched the original Scooby Doo cartoons from a young age on TV I was very familiar with the character but performing this lovable canine took a much more detailed study of all his unique characteristics.
Like any acting role I researched lots of the cartoons and history going back to when Scooby Doo, Where Are You! first screened in 1969.
Performing the voice of a talking Great Dane dog poses unique challenges.
I needed to “Scoobyfy” the script to sound like a dog but also remain understandable to the audience, perfecting the exact tone and depth.
Then it’s acting all his emotions in the film, his childlike innocence, insatiable appetite for Scooby Snacks, complete terror when confronted by ghosts
and ghouls and infectious happiness with that iconic laugh.
I felt a huge responsibly to perform Scooby perfectly as he is in the top 3 as the most popular and recognizable animated characters in history!
Have you ever used the Scooby-Doo voice in real-life situations for fun or to surprise fans?
Yes, so many times over the years!
I’ve met new friends and fans as the voice of Scooby Doo and they don’t believe I actually did the voice in both movies until I perform the classic voice ending with the laugh and Scooby Dooby Doo!
Their faces light up and they'll laugh with surprise.
I just love that, the happiness and joy I can create for people is for me, the gift that keeps on giving!!!
What's one of your favourite memories from working on the Scooby-Doo films?
Performing on the sets of Scooby Doo and Scooby Doo 2 Monsters Unleashed for over a year I have so many great memories of working together with all the incredible actors.
Both movies had super talented casts and one of my favourite memories was working with a treasured actor of mine, Rowan Atkinson in Scooby Doo 1.
In particular, when Rowan and I were the only actors called on set for the whole day as it was the office scene when Rowan's character Mondavarious wants Scooby to be a sacrifice with my memorable response, “Ra racririce?”
I’ve admired Rowan for many years in his numerous comedy series including Not The 9 O’clock News, Blackadder and, of course, Mr Bean.
So to work with and become friends is a career highlight for me.
Rowan was very generous to work with and to see his acting process was a privilege and something I’ll never forget.
How has voicing a character as iconic as Scooby-Doo affected your career and personal life?
I'm still performing as a working voice artist, being known as the voice of Scooby Doo in both international blockbusters provides creditability to producers and directors that I have the runs on the board to create a range of voices for their carton or project.
Personally, as I’m not recognizable I can lead a completely normal life until I open my mouth and perform that iconic voice, then peoples’ faces light up and it’s love and laughter all round as we reminisce and chat about good ole Scooby!
It’s had a super positive and fun effect on me for over 20 years and will continue to do so forever.
How do you keep your voice healthy and versatile for different roles? What's your secret or training methods?
I studied voice as part of my university degree and still use those techniques today.
I always ensure I’m well prepared by rehearsing the required accents and creating alternatives or alts ready to offer the director.
I'll record my alts takes with different paces, styles, pitches, and ages of each character so I can play them to myself and ensure they are on point in case the director asks for something different which they often do.
Warming up well before performing is critical to not straining your voice and so that your diction is clear.
Always remain fit and healthy in body and mind as being a voice artist is physically and mentally challenging with long recording sessions often performing multiple takes giving everything you’ve got!
So, no secrets, just hard work in rehearsing before the day, being creative and confidant in your voice choices and going for it!!!
What other roles or projects have you particularly enjoyed working on, apart from Scooby-Doo?
I recently performed the voice for an Australian character “Hurley Burley” for the UK cartoon series Holey
Moley which was great fun. I’m also a working Stuntman and performed some precision driving and other
stunts on the Elvis feature film. I really enjoyed the movie, and it was fantastic to work on as it was such a
huge production and so great to be a member of the Elvis Stunt Team.
Have you ever been surprised by a fan's reaction to your Scooby-Doo voice?
Yes, a few years ago I was introduced to friend of mines teenage daughter that was a big Scooby Doo fan and
when I did the voice for her, she was so stunned and excited that she stumbled back into a garden bed!
I helped her out of it, and she was totally fine and just laughing but I was surprised at how she reeled back in
shock at hearing my Scooby voice!!
What future roles or projects are you excited about right now?
I’ve been fortunate to have had a busy 2022 working on tv series for ABCTV with Significant Others, Stan on
Black Snow, Netflix with Boy Swallows Universe, and this year again on the Netflix series of Surviving Summer
2 and right now I’m on another Netflix show filming in Sydney.
I’m super excited to meet all the Scooby Doo fans for my first for Supanova in beautiful Perth, can’t wait!!
How has the voice acting industry changed since you started your career, and where do you see it going in the
future?
I’ve noticed the voice acting industry change with the improved quality of microphones coinciding with the huge popularity of people podcasting from their homes.
I see the future being very uncertain as we all discover how Artificial Intelligence will impact on all our lives.
Success will depend on how you can value add to a production or project where AI can’t.
Do you have any advice for aspiring voice actors looking to break into the industry?
The opportunities for voice artists in Australia are quite limited so you must make your own luck by seeing an opportunity and making it a winner.
To have that happen I’d advise anyone in the entertainment industry to try to have a wide set of skills, and become a triple or quadruple threat.
I’m a voice artist, actor, and stuntman in
front of the camera and a safety supervisor when working as part of a film and tv crew.
I’m also a professional MC/Host and interactive comedy character performer at corporate events and festivals.
The more you can be involved in the industry anywhere the more those opportunities will present themselves
and you can break into various areas of the entertainment industry and find your niche.
It’s a fantastic industry to be in so go for it and good luck!!
See you all in Perth!!!
Cheers, Neil, the Voice of Scooby Doo!!
Video/Photo Credit: Supanova, Woman Of Wonder, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube.
Day Planner | 2023 Supanova Perth
Event Information
Sat 24 & Sun 25 June 2023
10am - 6pm
Ticket Prices
| VIP and Specialty Tickets: | Admission Throughout Weekend |
|---|---|
| VIP Supa-Star (18+ Only) | Sales Close: 6:00pm, Sat 24 Jun, 2023 | $990.00 |
| Supa-Q Pass | Sales Close: 6:00pm, Sun 25 Jun, 2023 | $250.00 |
| Cowabunga! Pass (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Specialty Pass) | Sales Close: 6:00pm, Sun 25 Jun, 2023 | $275.00 |
| General Admission | Weekend / Day Pass |
|---|---|
| Supa-Fan Weekend Pass | Sales Close: 6:00pm, Sat 24 Jun, 2023 | $72.50 |
| Saturday Day Pass | Sales Close: 6:00pm, Sat 24 Jun, 2023 | $42.50 |
| Sunday Day Pass | Sales Close: 6:00pm, Sun 25 Jun, 2023 | $42.50 |
Children 12 and under with an accompanying paying guardian are free.
* Total price is in AUD and includes GST and service fees.
For this event, a Transaction Fee of $3.50 will apply to the total order value of your purchase.
Event Highlights
Guest Highlights
Kids' Cosplay Parade
Video/Photo Credit: Supanova, Woman Of Wonder, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube.
Calling all superheroes, princesses and caped crusaders! Shine on stage and strut your stuff to show the world that kids rule the catwalk! No registrations, no performances, no pressure, just turn up and show off your outfit!
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