The art of disguise!

[Ujean1998]

Ok so I was pondering on the thought of how much government agencies could benefit from mastery and level of disguise that we all posses and show on a daily basis. Not just for the mere fact of dressing, but also in the way we emulate the opposite gender. Albeit I am sure some of us emulate alot better than others, but it is a great skill that could be passed on.

So I guess my question is, does anyone else here think that CDing has any tradeable skills?

[kellycan27]

I suppose the govenment could use a Cd'er to emulate a woman in a spy type capacity, but why not just use a real gg? Imagine a cd'er being searched for a wire and Hello! what is this?:heehee:
I tried to imagine other scenarios in which a cd'er could emulate a woman, but keep going back to the same conclusion.. Why not just use a capable GG?
there was that taco Bell commerical where the guy was disguised as a pregnant woman in order to smuggle his nachos into the big game. It was much funnier than say ...using a real woman. But even in that case i don't believe that we were supposed to think him a cd'er,but a man disguised as a pregnant woman.

[MissConstrued]

I'd be happy to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

[Adrianna_Sofia]

I'd be happy to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

Oh behave, baby...:D

[Senban]

Haha, weird coincidence but I just watched All The Queen's Men (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_the_Queen%27s_Men) the other day :)

It's also interesting to note that in the historical basis of the martial art I study and teach (Ninjutsu), there were accounts in the written histories of operatives who specialised in female impersonation for intelligence gathering. Unfortunately such skills now only exist on paper in our tradition.

I'm sure there are plenty of good examples that can be found of things like this in many histories and cultures. But just like Eddie Izzard's character is drafted in to teach the other characters how to act like women in that movie, I'm sure that today's agencies have got similar specialists on staff.

Of course that's just government agencies. I remember the opening sequence from a film called Nighthawks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nighthawks_(film)) which involved a police officer (Sylvester Stallone) impersonating a female in order to bait a trap. Of course he didn't pass very well but he passed well enough given the situation.

+++This Post Will Self Destruct In Five Seconds+++

[Kate Simmons]

I used to fantasize about being a TV spy when I was young. As far as tradable skills, I think CDing is in the same boat as knowing how to play video games, not too much demand for it in a practical sense.:)

[Gabrielle Hermosa]

I believe government agencies, of all developed countries, have been and are currently employing disguises of all kinds.

If they can do it in Hollywood, they government is also more than capable of it as well. I mean that in the art of personal illusion. I've seen documentaries on undercover agents, spies, and secret informants. Complex makeup disguises were talked about. I was actually very surprised to see the level of detail and believability in some of the real disguises they showed. One agent showed off a few different looks, although could not show his real face (only showed him from back side when not in makeup). I don't remember any of the disguises that were being discussed being that of mtf (it was some time ago when I saw this), but I think it's safe to say that tactic is employed as well. That is, after all, one of the most powerful illusions. Not just altering appearance, but also altering gender as well.

[deja true]

I used to fantasize about being a TV spy when I was young. As far as tradable skills, I think CDing is in the same boat as knowing how to play video games, not too much demand for it in a practical sense.:)

The only way to make money off of video game skills is in the making of more video games or in competitions. The only money from CDing skills is the same, training others those skills or in competitions. Both are more a "hobby" than anything else, income wise...

And IMO, the original suppositon that male agents need to be disguised as women to do a mission is a remnant holdover sexist idea that only male agents can get an espionage job done. I'm sure there are plenty of extremely capable women agents for anything the gummint wants to do.

Heck... the cops don't even use male cops in drag to trap johns anymore. Female cops are more than capable of protecting themselves.

[carolinebrookes]

At the fateful Munich Olympics in 1972, were there not soldiers dressed as women involved in the shootout between Israel and the terrorists.

I've seen the movie "Munich" and can't remember which side used the disguise.

[Ujean1998]

I did not mean for my question to be just about CD'n in super secret squirrel land, but more of a broader subject. I used the agencies just as my own personal example.

[Senban]

Ujean1998 said - "So I guess my question is, does anyone else here think that CDing has any tradeable skills?"

Okay, so returning to the OP, do you (Ujean1998) feel that CDing has any tradeable skills beyond those that other posters have mentioned? Start us off! In what way do you feel that CD have tradeable skills that could be of use to a government agency?

[Sally2005]

Only problem with CDing is it is pretty difficult to do well. You can look the part, but unless you get all the other stuff right voice, motion etc. you will attract attention. I think the makeup artists would be the ones gov't agencies would seek out. Its a fun notion though.

[JoAnne Wheeler]

That would appear to be just another Fantasy - at least in my opinion

JoAnne Wheeler

[windycissy]

Have you read The Jessica Project (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1591294592/qid=1034548837/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/002-6687543-4413650?v=glance), a thriller about a master of disguise who is forced to go undercover as a woman to stay out of jail?

[Deborah Jane]

I am reliably informed [i found the documents on a train] that M.I.6 are looking to recruit citizens who have the ability to disguise themselves as either gender.

Apparently the theory is that they can save money by getting one person to do two jobs, thus helping them to survive the current government cutbacks in funding.

[linnea]

I'd like to wear the cloak, but I'm not attracted by the dagger; it all sounds so James Bondish and I really don't think of what I wear as a disguise. Nonetheless, it's a fun idea.

[Kimmie]

The name is Bond....... Jane Bond.

Seroiously though. I have heard of stories in which western cameramen would accompany journalists by wearing burkas through pre war Afghanistan.

[MarinaTwelve200]

Take a look at my photo album on this site. I have MANY faces and disguises, both male and female and many radically different from each other---its sort of a hobby of mine---seeing how many different looks i can acheive. from different women of different ages to guys such as Mark Twain or Colonel Sanders.---I have even more, but not all are on the album.

[Sheila]

I am reliably informed [i found the documents on a train] that M.I.6 are looking to recruit citizens who have the ability to disguise themselves as either gender.

Apparently the theory is that they can save money by getting one person to do two jobs, thus helping them to survive the current government cutbacks in funding.

and pay will be at the Female rate, thus saving themselves even more money :heehee::heehee::tongueout:tongueout

[tamarav]

I have been working undercover for over two years as a female hair stylist, but I can't seem to remember what agency I work for....or where I am supposed to pick up my check.

[Ujean1998]

Marina Twelve I was laughing so hard once I saw colonel Sanders. Now I wants me some chicken.

There have been many accounts where CDing has helped people in the past. Heck do a quick wiki search and you will find tons on the subject...one that stood out to me. One of the most manly figures of mythology was Hercules and even he cross dressed for a year. Although it was his punishment for doing something bad. Heck there is even old Roman pottery depicting Mr.Hercules as a female servant. I love history!

[Karren H]

Who says they don't already? There's probably a deep cover NSA CD group already infiltrating all the radical womens groups out there....

[Annemarie]

Have you read The Jessica Project (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1591294592/qid=1034548837/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/002-6687543-4413650?v=glance), a thriller about a master of disguise who is forced to go undercover as a woman to stay out of jail?
Another of those unlikely forced feminisation fantasies ?

[TerriM]

Good Day Ladies,

I have worked undercover for many years. I have been assigned to Lane Bryants, Dress Barns, Avenues, etc. Unfortunately I receive no pay for my services, but I love my work.


Agent 0060 at your service