Being asked to appear in a comic or at a booth for a character I love. Definitely an amazing feeling though I've not been in a comic yet but have done a bit of booth work.
Isn't the term "cosplay" just for the anime folks? Shouldn't superhero costumers have their own term?
Sort of. A lot of costumers of the mainstream books/shows prefer the term "costumer" exclusively; others don't mind sharing the term "cosplay." I typically don't "get into character" and I don't "do skits" like the anime people but I'm just used to the word cosplay and it makes searches/hits easier.
Video 1 from The Anachronism
My very first steampunk event:
Hopefully I'll get the rest of the video edited soon.
Hopefully I'll get the rest of the video edited soon.
Dark & Strange Alice
Work in Progress - Alice in Wonderland
ALICE LIDDELL of Wonderland dress: The “sexy” babydoll dress in my photo gallery was actually the property of my photographer; the long traditional one in my Brooklyn shoot was one my mother made but is so worn and getting shredded. The construction of this Dark and Strange Alice dress is going much faster than I anticipated.
Of course I modified the design slightly from the Simplicity pattern (#4015) so that may have streamlined it a bit. There are so many parts of this that have been frustrating.
All the progress pics with my current notes of the process are at AmberUnmasked.com.
Have you ever done multiple costumes for a single character whose look has changed over the years?
Not exactly. There's probably only 4 costumes I have that are even close to how they appear in the media (Firestar, Harley Quinn, Ace, and Susan Storm). I've made 2 versions of Wonder Woman only as improvement progress but both were my own versions. All my other suits are usually a bit of my own creative license. I'm just happy they are recognizable at all. My first Rogue was the green/yellow Rogue which I had made but then I made one of my own design and I know it won't be like anyone else's Rogue out there. I wouldn't mind doing some of Rogue's other outfits because I really love most of her wardrobe. I know Firestar has an alternate outfit too with black in it but I really loved her because of the cartoon so that's the one I'm sticking with.
Out of anyone, who do you think I should cosplay?
I want you to be the best damn Batgirl out there because I know it's what you want, but I'm working on a plan for it.
When looking for characters to play, do you look for characters that reflect your personality, ones that run counter to your personality, or does personality not play into it at all?
The personality has to have something I can relate to but that doesn't mean I'm like it necessarily. I can relate to Wonder Woman being courageous but that doesn't mean I am. I happen to be crazy but I think Harley is the character in my wardrobe I like the least to dress as because other people do it so much better; I look at my issues and they are reflective but Harley but I don't gel with her on a personal level. Even characters I don't know well when I start usually have something in common with me after a while.
What comic character do you like, but think you could never dress as, and why not?
Costumes like Vampirella. Basically the way artists paint/color is that they just add color over a naked body; many don't know the first thing about how fabric drapes or specifically how clothing is constructed. Vampi's suit would not cup under her boobs unless you saw stitching there for underwire (like a bra or corset does). If I don't think I can make the costume, then I just wouldn't do it. That's why I've never attempted Circe. There tons of costumes that would be just far too expensive for me also. I've seen them done and envy them but I know I try to keep my stuff under $300. When you have to hire sculptors and moldmakers you're talking about adding big expenses. I've started collecting pieces for Zatanna but it will take years. I don't know how to properly make the elements of her outfit so I'll have to buy them and it will just take a long time. I can like a character plenty but that also doesn't mean I'd feel comfortable in her costume. I wore the most revealing costume of my wardrobe this year and it was very uncomfortable. I didn't have the security of just being alone with an artist or a photographer; I was out there at comic con with hundreds of thousands of fans. I like the Ame-Comi action figures but I don't think I'd ever attempt one of those because of their complexity (here's a tip: less fabric/coverage does not mean easier to make).
What book are you currently reading ?
I'm not answering because I know it's one of those general blasts to everyone registered. I blog constantly about my reading. Sorry to be a bitch, but go read my blogs.
2011 projects
I’m trying to start my winter projects for the 2011 comic convention season. First up is a new (yes, yet another) ALICE LIDDELL of Wonderland dress. The “sexy” babydoll dress in my photo gallery was actually the property of my photographer; the long traditional one in my Brooklyn shoot was one my mother made but is so worn and getting shredded. Time for a new “twisted Alice” created by me. I’ll be modifying Simplicity Pattern 4015 to suit my needs.
The hardest one I have my sights on is PHYLA VELL from GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Firstly, I need to read more about her. I’ve only read the first six issues of GotG and I’m sure there’s a lot more to know about who she is and what her personality is like. But the aside from the non-visible, the costume is one that looks easy on the surface but when examining the details like the thigh high boots, the armored gauntlets and the sword, I’m afraid this will be the one to torment me. I’m just not a prop person which means I’d rather hire a friend to do it which means I’d have to be able to afford to outsource part of the project.
Another Marvel creation is BLACK WIDOW but not the one most people would think of. It’s normal to think of the black catsuit-clad Russian-American on theAvengers (which I will get to when I have time to work on the stingers); instead I’m talking about the Black Widow from THE TWELVE which was a Marvel take over of characters that had fallen into public domain. Chris Weston has been the artist and now also the writer on the series (it was yet ANOTHER series started by Straczynski and never finished). The reason I’m looking forward to the Black Widow project is because I will creating while at theComic Geek Speak Supershow! That’s right! I’m crazy. I got the idea from 24-Hour Comic Day where artists and writers make a whole comic in a marathon timespan of 24 hours straight. I can’t work at the convention center for 24 hours (and I wouldn’t miss the Third & Spruce parties anyway) so I’m dividing the project up over the 2 days, April 30-May1, 2011. Hopefully I’ll get it finished. I only wished Chris Weston could fly over to America to be there with me.
 THE TWELVE'S BLACK WIDOW |  GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY'S PHYLA VELL |
 TWISTED ALICE |  KIRBY KRACKLE MASCOT |
What's your favourite character costume and why?
Of the ones that I have? Probably my Susan Storm (F4) outfit because it's the most comfortable and now signed by Joe Sinnott. :) But being Wonder Woman is always the best because people recognize her most. For comic con though, it's Firestar. I get the best reaction from fanboys when I wear that one. Of ones I don't have, I love Terry Dodson's Circe. Wish my skills were good enough to make it (and my bank balance!)
What activity do you do to relax and wind down from a stressful day?
Listen to music or podcasts while checking the usual social networking sites. I love certain tv shows and of course reading when my eyes aren't too tired from a computer monitor. I actually don't go out much.
You're winding down from an absolutely perfect day. What kind of music is playing in the background?
My music goes through phases. Currently I'm in a bizarre mix of things like Mazzy Star, Norah Jones and Jace Everett. A perfect day with the window down usually calls for dance music though like Madonna.
Let's go with both!
"What model would you LOVE to set up a co-operation with for a photoshoot? For cosplay? For art?"
I'd love to work with @AerynNerdy from @CosplayDeviants because I think our bodies types would look great together. She's so magickal in spirit that I could see us doing a magick/fantasy theme like faeries, nymphs or witches. The two of us could make one helluva calendar with different themes each month. I'm really addicted to Alice Liddell/Wonderland so I would love to get her dressed up as those characters. For art - I think what we do IS art but to spin it, I actually think it'd be a neat idea to recreate masterpieces; there was a wonderful time when women were admired for their curves and bellies. We could be really bad and do our versions of some of the religious work by Renaissance masters. The problem is we are literally on opposite sides of the globe.
What's your alcoholic beverage of choice?
That changes a lot. I'm usually interested in adding liquor to coffee. That's probably what I do most frequently. I had actually given up alcohol for years because I didn't want to beat up my liver w/o having my gall bladder and because I saw every drink as a cup of calories. I enjoy a really good beer. I'm a little snobby about my beer and coffee.
Who is your favorite co-cosplayer? (or cosplayers?)
I have a long list of favorites: Riddle, Belle Chere, Allen Hansard, Brian Parsley, Ana Aesthetic, Jessica Nova, Aeryn Nerdy, Margie Cox, Laban Bolero and DJ Spider.. to literally name just a few. There are tons out there that I couldn't pick one fave because each one does something unique. The great thing is we all know each other and help each other out because of thesuperherocostumingforum.com and League of Heroes, League of Lanterns, etc.
Are there any original characters cosplay ideas you would like to develop and shoot? Do you ever get asked to model for aspiring creators to promote their original characters?
Steve Bryant didn't ask me to, but I've spent years trying to acquire the right pieces for ATHENA VOLTAIRE (@stevebryantart). They may have been joking but @KirbyKrackle and I discussed me becoming their mascot which is on my To Do list for January or February. My very first superhero costume is my original character but I've also sketched out original versions for steampunk designs (I just don't have the prop making skills to do them). The character generator in City of Heroes is really the only reason I play the game. I've also worked with @citizenDave and @kfreeman13 to promote their comics but not specifically as their characters. http://amberunmasked.com/?page_id=201
As for full cosplay I meant getting into a full character (hero or otherwise). I would imagine Wonder Woman since that is the one I have seen you with the most, but would that be part of an ideal shoot?
I don't have an ultimate superhero shoot per se. Doing a great cheesecake shoot would be tops. Then I'd love to experience the real Hollywood style full blown set shoots for fun characters that I would not normally consider doing like Jungle Girl, Lady Death or Red Sonja (anytime I can play with swords is fun). Just no way would I seriously do them now but Hollywood special f/x go a long way. If I could do an entire series of Wonder Woman, I'd love to be decked in different versions of her costumes like her simple Island dress to armored warrior but it would be great to battle Ares. I've also never gotten to do a shoot with anyone else to play off of (Ooo, bad preposition at the end of a sentence *gasp*) . One of my visions for Ace would be to mentally torture the Joker with Batman in the background. The episode of JLU got pretty dark.
Marilyn Monroe or Betty Page style pin up? Or would you go to a full cosplay?
Pin-up cheesecake is both Marilyn and Bettie. Their poses were similar as were their hair and make-up. They're a great balance of fair vs dark. Only differences come up when Bettie gets into bondage. The only way I would even try that would be a photographer that I trust with my life because I just would never do it otherwise. Not sure what you mean about "full cosplay." Donning any persona (hair, makeup, etc) that's not your normal everyday self, is cosplay to me. When I wore suits to work I used to feel like I was acting but not in a good/fun way.
What would be your dream shoot? Behind or in front of the camera?
In front of the camera: I'd love to have the perfect hair, makeup and wardrobe for a glamorous pin-up/vintage inspired shoot. I've never experienced the whole works of being made up and I think it makes a big difference in the quality of a shoot. Behind the camera: I'm not a photographer but I always figured I'd end up there since I like directing but I don't have the technical knowledge of how to use a camera to actually do the mechanical elements of a shoot; directing though I'd love to help any woman with low self-esteem about her appearance and prove to her that she's beautiful like they do with "How to Look Good Naked." I think once you have it proven to you, it's a lot easier to accept that we don't have to be perfect and that even celebs/supermodels have been digitally enhanced.
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