This is an
expansion of what I posted on Facebook already. That started off as the final
paragraph of my review and report on the Cullens’ Winter Escape event. The
Olympic Coven (OC) deserves their own post on my blog. The OC is a group of
actors that cosplay the characters from the Twilight Sage books. Cosplay with
screen accurate costumes/hair and developing the character in ways to spontaneous interact with others of the
group and the fans.
The book
Twilight changed my life as it has for a lot of other people. The Olympic Coven
has added to that change. Twilight is an emotional experience. Seeing the OC
bring to life the characters is something of an emotional experience.
Personally I’m not interested in interacting with the characters, but I love
watching them interact among themselves and other fans. They act like a family,
sibling teasing, parental monitoring at times. They are lively and fun and warm
and caring to each other and the fans.
This group
knows how to walk the line of being the character and being themselves when
interacting with fans. Travis would never say some of the stupid thoughtless
things that could pop out of Emmett’s mouth. Christilynn and Brynna are both a
little standoffish in a way, but that is their character of Bella and Rosalie.
Bella is shy, doesn’t want attention. Rosalie is fierce and protective and
intimidating. Both actors show that side while also being open to talking with
fans. Alan and Josh as Edward and Jasper do much the same. Travis is Emmett,
fun and a big teddy bear with good hugs. Vee is Alice, very lively and enthusiastic and so much fun to watch and listen to her and Travis banter as siblings. Cay and Tori, for 2014, and the actors that portrayed Carlisle and Esme in 2013, are the calm around which the rest
swirl. They are proper and stern and loving as Carlisle and Esme. Katie as
Victoria is awesome. That stare will freeze anyone, never guess that Katie is
an ER nurse. Those are the one I’ve had the most interaction or watched the
most.
The two
young ones I did not watch that much and only interacted once with them.
Jacqueline as Bree managed that confused and fearful appearance. Samantha as
Renesmee looked sweet and self confident.
Stephenie
Meyer Day 2013 was my introduction to Staci Chastain and the Olympic Coven. I
don’t know much about the history before that. As a former con runner, I
recognized Ms Chastain as the one in charge of getting and keeping the OC on
time for their various appearances at SMD and being the one that made the
arrangements for those appearances. There were some opportunities to talk with
her that first year and off and on since then. She has done a marvelous job of
gathering the cast members and associated staff for hair, makeup, and
individual handlers; then working with some businesses in Forks to arrange
appearances of the OC. They act like they’ve been together for longer than they
have, especially with the new arrivals in 2014.
Some say
that the cosplayers distract from the author and book celebration at Forks
Washington. I think for most even if they don’t interact with the cast, the
actors add to the experience of visiting any Twilight Saga site, be it Forks,
St Helens, Portland area, or Vancouver BC area. They can’t move at vampire
speed and they do need to eat human food, but seeing them together in the
locations mentioned in the books adds a touch of magic.
I’ve
worked at some media cons in the past and I’ve been to a lot of events with
historical reenactors. I have not seen a group do such a wonderful consistent
job at portraying the characters while also interacting with fans. They have
brought a touch of magic to my life.
While this
post is about the Olympic Coven, I cannot fail to mention that there were some
other serious cosplayers that added to the magic at SMD 2014 and at CWE 2015. They
are included in the list at bottom.
The future
of the Olympic Coven is kind of up in the air currently. I am thankful I was
able to attend the Cullens’ Winter Escape as that may be their last appearance
together. I hope not. More people should have the opportunity of seeing them in
action. A big Thank You to the cast for all your work, for giving up time from your life to
entertain us, for money out of own pocket to be at these events, for that touch
of magic.
Olympic Coven
cast for SMD 2014 and * CWE 2015
*Alice Cullen
– Vee Elle, Facebook – Vee Elle as Alice Cullen
*Bella Swan –
Christilynn Swan, Facebook – Christilynn Swan
Bree Tanner –
Jacqueline Brown, Facebook - Jacqueline as Bree new character for 2014
*Carlisle
Cullen – Cay Percifield, Facebook – Cay Percifield as Carlisle Cullen
*Edward
Cullen – Alan Mitchell, Facebook – Alan as Edward
*Emmett
Cullen – Travis Shoaf, Facebook – Travis as Emmett
*Esme Cullen
– Tori Giles, Facebook – Tori Giles as Esme Cullen
James – James
Taylor
*Jasper
Whitlock Hale – Josh Goff, Facebook – Josh Goff Productions
Renesmee
Cullen – Samantha Baldwin, Facebook – Samantha as Nessie
*Rosalie Hale
– Brynna Rowan, Facebook – Brynna as Rosalie or Doppelganger Cosplay
*Victoria –
Katie Quinn Thornton, Facebook - Katie as Victoria
Other cos
players
*New Moon Aro
– Aro Maida
BD Alec –
Robert Blair
*BD Aro –
Shandra Mutchie, Facebook – Aro Romero Verispuci
BD Jane –
Tiffany Lynn
CWE others:
Bryant Davis –
Charlie Swan, Facebook – Russell Varon Cosplay
SMD 2013 cast
had Jacob there and different Carlisle, Esme, and Rosalie.
 |
| Olympic Coven + visitors SMD2014 |
 |
| Olympic Coven + visitor CWE 2015 |
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