Michael O'Brien
1998-2002
Sebastian Garcia
[Halloween Night: Garage Portraits]

Pigmented ink print, archival
Various sizes
 
PDNB Photographs Do Not Bend Gallery
"I was 13 years old that Halloween and Mr. Spock was my favorite "Star Trek" character," says Sebastian Garcia, now 18. "The costume was completely home-made by my mother. The shirt was made of the same fabric that is normally used to make drapes. The badge is just a cutout piece of gold fabric and the circular design on the badge is hand drawn with black fabric paint. The pants are just a pair of black dress paints.
 
The ears are plastic vampire ears that hold on to my own ears with small pieces of chord. The strangest thing that I did for this costume was my eye make-up, I actually shaved off my eyebrows so I could draw on the slanted eyebrows and make them look convincing. (Don't worry: they grew back a week later).
 
"At that time, I made the solid decision that I wanted to be an actor, so every Halloween I tried out and still do try out a different pre-existing character, I study the way they move, talk and act around other people until I can act like that character without making fun of him or her unless it is already a comedic character. I have attended acting classes and majored in theatre arts throughout high school. I have also won two awards at a local community theatre and I have appeared as an extra on a television series. I am now preparing to search for an agent and real acting jobs."
 
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