Take it from me - when your trade is Kung Fu, you work a lot of angles to earn your keep. This is true even when your father is one of America's pioneering Grandmasters. Master Mimi Chan shared our June 2000 cover with her illustrious dad, Grandmaster Chan Pui. That story not only covered her martial bloodline. It discussed how her Kung Fu became the foundation for Disney animators working on MULAN (1998). Anyone who has seen that film can recognize Mimi's Wah Lum Kung Fu legs lending a strong foundation to her animated incarnation. Since then, Mimi has kept active in film, even directing PUI CHAN: KUNG FU PIONEER (2012), a documentary on her illustrious father and family, Her latest gig is speaking on panels at Comic Cons on Cosplay and this year, she's about to present on the biggest one of all - the 2019 San Diego Comic Con. We caught up to Mimi to chat about her new endeavor.

GC: So how do you go from Kung Fu to Cosplay?

MC: I do not yet have the honor of calling myself a Cosplayer. My panel for San Diego Comic Con is called: Cosplayers, Ready your Swords! However, I have never actually Cosplayed! I loved watching Cosplayers at the first Comic-con I attended in Atlanta (2015 Momocon). I was invited to host a panel on my experience being the model for MULAN and my film PUI CHAN: KUNG FU PIONEER.

I was so impressed by the attention to detail and the dedication that Cosplayers took to construct their costumes. I immediately saw a connection between the performance aspect of my Kung Fu to Cosplay, and wanted to collaborate with them. I have zero sewing or costume making ability, but knew that I could connect with the community in my own way.

I have some creative ideas for live Cosplay martial arts stage performances too. I think they would be a big hit at Comic-cons. Who doesn’t want to see all of their favorite characters in action? I do have a flare for the dramatic, as anyone who has ever watched any of my shows might know. I love Kung Fu as a performance art in addition to a martial art.

GC: What inspired you to start leading discussion panels at Comic-cons?

MC: I watched the costume contest at Momocon and was frustrated watching Cosplayers who had spent hours constructing prop weapons, but did not know how to pose or wield them. I thought it would be cool to host workshops and panels to help Cosplayers bring authenticity to their characters. Cosplayers work so hard on looking the part and staying in character, so why not add the icing on the cake?

MC: How have those panels gone for you?

GC: I have truly enjoyed hosting Comic-con panels, and hope that I will have the opportunity to attend more events in the future. The ones I have hosted have all been a very positive experience.

MC: I was recently at Kauai Comic Con and was able to help choreograph a sword routine for a trio of girls playing She-ra right before their stage contest. It was rewarding to see them have fun with it and bring some additional flare to their performance.

GC: What can we expect to see at SDCC?

MC: I am very excited that I was chosen to host a panel at San Diego Comic Con. It is a little scary, but I feel positive that Cosplayers and martial arts fans will enjoy the panel. Any Cosplayers out there, please come and check it out! We are also going to have a fun cosplay martial arts demo too.

Details of the Panel: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Room: Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Cosplayers, Ready your Swords! Did you spend months making your costume? Ready to learn how to properly wield and pose with your sword, hammer, or lightsaber? Cosplayers will learn how to bring their characters to life from Hollywood stunt performers and martial arts experts. Mimi Chan (model and martial arts reference for Disney's MULAN), Christopher Leps, (PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN, DAREDEVIL) and Ryan Watson (300, SUCKER PUNCH) will partake in a discussion moderated by martial arts expert, Oscar Agramonte about their action experience and how it relates to cosplay. Learn how to bring authenticity to your character from the panel and a team of martial arts experts. Be ready for action!

Autographs immediately following at 6:15pm in the Sails Pavilion

GC: What does Traditional Kung Fu have to offer Cosplay?

MC: A lot of the action in fight sequences that we see today in film or comics originates from traditional Kung Fu. They may not use the exact stances or movements, but the foundation is there. The other panelists joining me in San Diego, Christopher Leps and Ryan Watson, both trained in Wah Lum Kung Fu and have been working in Hollywood for over 20 years. They credit their Kung Fu skills in helping build the characters they have doubled or trained, like Captain Jack Sparrow, Wonder Woman, etc.

Cosplayers who portray a character that fights or wields a weapon can definitely benefit from traditional Kung Fu. At the panels, I introduce basic stances to Cosplayers, so they are more balanced for their photos and on stage. I also teach basic principles of the most common weaponry used in Cosplay, so that they can understand a little more about the weapon they are holding, and will look even more authentic.

GC: How have you been received by the Cosplay community?

MC: So far so good! I have been overwhelmed at how welcoming everyone has been and absolutely love the Cosplay community. I am grateful when I meet any Kung Fu or Disney MULAN fans. MULAN was over 20 years ago now, but it is still wonderful to hear how much people enjoyed the film. I am honored that I got to play a small role in bringing that character to life. I am also a major comic book geek, so meeting fellow comic book geeks is always a lot of fun.

GC: Have you worked with any of the professional Cosplayers? If so, who?

MC: I have not yet had the pleasure of working with any professional Cosplayers, but would like to!

GC: Cosplay, especially anime, has a lot of absurd weapons. How does your Kung Fu background support that arsenal?

MC: I love seeing all the crazy anime weapons. I do my best to help anime fans out with their weaponry by finding the closest traditional weapon to compare it to. Sometimes you just have to get creative, or at the very least get them in a good stance. The main thing is to have fun with it. For example, here I am with Cloud’s Buster Sword from Final Fantasy VII. I decided to use it like a Short-handle Army Sword or 9-Ring Sword with an extra large blade.

GC: Regarding those weapons, most Comic-cons have strict regulations for keeping the weapons safe. As a traditional Kung Fu practitioner, do fake weapons ever affront your sensibilities?

MC: The biggest pet peeve I have with the fake weapons is the weight and balance. As someone who loves swords, it is frustrating to wield an unbalanced sword. However, Cosplay is all about the spirit and appearance of the character, and I definitely feel safer having people with fake swords walking around at a con!

GC: I've had this longstanding fantasy of getting four others and Cosplaying as the FIVE DEADLY VENOMS (1978). I even made a Scorpion mask for a Tiger Claw Halloween Party but it was impractical for a Comic-Con. I've always felt the Kung Fu movie genre is underrepresented at Comic-cons. What are your observations on that?

MC: I love that idea! Let’s do it! It is so much fun to see families or groups do Cosplay themes. Now that you mention it, I do not see much representation of the Kung Fu genre, other than maybe KILL BILL. Maybe this generation of Cosplayers don’t know the characters from the old school Shaw Brother movies or prefer to be superheroes. I imagine for those that do not construct their own costumes, it is also much easier to find a ready made Jedi or Spiderman costume. Perhaps there needs to be more Kung Fu Cons!

GC: When I think of Traditional Kung Fu, I think of modest uniforms. Lately, the trend in Modern Wushu has been sequined silks like professional figure skaters. It borders on Cosplay now. What do you think of this shift in costumes?

MC: I think there is a time and place for different uniforms. I am partial to the more modest uniforms for traditional Kung Fu performances and tournaments. However, having a little bling like sequins or a variation in fabric could be okay, as long as it is still classy and appropriate. I think as long as the uniform doesn’t distract from the form, but rather add to the presentation it can be good thing.

GC: Do you think there's any issue of Cultural Appropriation within Cosplay?

MC: Unless someone is disrespectful, I think it is acceptable to Cosplay characters of different cultures. I believe if someone is choosing a character to represent in the spirit of Cosplay and they do so respectfully, then they are honoring that character. Always give credit where it is due.

GC: What are your thoughts on Disney's upcoming live-action Mulan?

MC: I have enjoyed most of the Disney live-action films that have been adapted from the classics, but I always prefer the cartoons. Perhaps it is the nostalgia and the age you were when you first watched the films that makes a difference.

I am very excited, but nervous for the upcoming film. As someone who has Mulan close to her heart, I hope they keep her authentic. I am pleased they chose Niki Caro, a female director, and I feel confident that Liu Yifei will do her justice. I also hope the Kung Fu fights are exciting and well executed.

I certainly am looking forward to it, especially after seeing the trailer that was just released! It definitely put some of my worries to rest, as it looks like a beautiful period piece. The scenes they showed in the trailer touch on some of the nostalgia from the cartoon, but definitely looks like they are going to make it different enough that it won’t keep getting compared to the cartoon (especially since it isn’t a musical).