I got a chance to connect with my friend Eveille after DragonCon 2012 and ask her a few questions. Eveille's Highschool of the Dead, Sailor Moon, Star Wars, and Fifth Element cosplays have featured prominently on sites like Buzzfeed and DailyCosplay and her DeviantArt profile gets over 20,000 page views! For those of you new to cosplay or looking into starting, read on!
Photo Credit: LJinto 2012
How you go about choosing which characters you're going to cosplay? What is the process that goes into creating the costume and whole look?
As for choosing which characters I cosplay that’s a pretty easy thing, I tend to always want to create costumes of my favorite and most beloved characters. And it’s not just from anime anymore, I have expanded to creating costumes from film and television as well. My problem is deciding what to do for particular cons and I’m always adding to a constantly growing list. I finish one costume and add three new ones I want to create. I also tend to lean towards group cosplay, if I’ve got friends planning something and they ask me to be a part I almost always jump at it. There is nothing better than cosplaying with your friends.
As far as the process, it’s different for every costume. I tend to gather the supplies I need and do any new research if I’m doing a new technique and then I tend to just dive right in. Of course always with some experimentation should there be new techniques but that doesn’t happen often. I also make everything myself, patterns, cut and style wigs, etc etc. I’ve taught myself so much over the past few years and I apply that to what I make. When it comes to the final look, making sure everything fits and works properly is of course important and so is makeup. If you don’t have good makeup it can take away from a cosplay. I go the whole nine yards with false eyelashes etc. And when doing costumes that come from something live action I always look to see how the makeup was done for that particular look. I take more time getting ready for cosplay at conventions than I do in the morning. Haha.
Photo Credit: TheBigTog
Is there drama in the cosplay world? Do you compete (quietly or openly) with people wearing the same costume? Is it like two girls wearing the same dress where you immediately hate each other?
There is definitely drama in the cosplay world but I avoid it like the plague. If you are someone that takes part in petty drama then I don’t want to be your friend or know you. There are plenty of divas out there that think they are the best and always look down on other cosplayers and it’s not right. I cosplay to have fun and spend time with my friends at cons and that is what matters. When it comes to encountering or seeing other cosplayers in the same costume I love to see how they constructed their costume and am always asking questions about what techniques they used. Of course when I see a fantastic costume of something that I plan to make I tend to strive towards that same level of craftsmanship as I always want to do my best. But when it comes to seeing someone in person, even if in the same costume, I tend to complement them on parts of it, ask them about construction, and enjoy chatting about making the costume. I know there are some out there that immediately compare themselves should they see another in the same costume and those are people that most of the community avoids. I find it wonderful to really chat with other cosplayers about something we both truly love.
What would you say to someone just getting started? What should they learn? Where should they go for materials?
Do your research, there is an abundance of resources online and in fabric stores to help you get started in the right direction. It’s really all on yourself to use those things at your fingertips to your advantage, ask other cosplayers even, not all will answer but many are ready and willing to give advice to help you start. And start small, pick an easy project to begin with and as you learn more and your skill set expands you can move on to more advanced projects.
Which character was the most uncomfortable? Which character will you never do again? How much comfort do you typically sacrifice to pull off a cosplay?
None, I’ve never cosplayed something I would be uncomfortable with, granted there really isn’t anything that would make me uncomfortable. I always cosplay characters because I love them or the series.
Photo Credit: Daniel Gray Photography
For more Eveille Cosplay, visit her DeviantArt page!
No comments:
Post a Comment