The real world of cosplay superstars - GIST PH 

Sunday, September 13 th, 2015  · In Events , Exhibits and Fairs , Film and Television , Gaming , International , Local , Profiles , Scope , Stories

It’s hard to imagine life without the crazy, colorful characters in our favorite comic books, movies, anime series and TV shows. After all, nothing quite brings a touch of fantasy to an otherwise humdrum everyday existence than fiction. And so we devour them: we put up pull lists in our comic book stores for the latest books, log in on online streaming services to satiate our series cravings and pay for tickets to the cinema just to catch whatever’s the latest blockbuster to come out of Hollywood.

We also pick and choose our favorite characters: we root for them, celebrate their successes and mourn their losses, no matter how fictional. Some fans, however, have taken it upon themselves to actually become their favorite characters. How? Simple. They do it through cosplay.

A few weeks before the inaugural Asia POP Comic Convention in Manila, we sat down with several iconic figures in the cosplay field and quizzed them about their involvement in the fast-growing field: their beginnings and their experiences, as well as their advice for the newbies in the cosplay game.

GIST: Cosplay has come a long way from being a niche hobby — it’s become a lifestyle for those who embrace it. What can you say about this and why do you think people gravitate to it?

Allison Harvard: There are so many levels to it and it brings people together. The world can be such a serious place and I think cosplaying is a light to so many. We are lucky to have such a wonderful outlet with infinite possibilities.

American fashion model and cosplayer Allison Harvard as Chii from the anime series Chobits. | PHOTO via SYLVIA GUNDE

Bill Doran: I think that cosplay is the ultimate expression of a fan’s enthusiasm for their favorite characters. I totally understand that type of enthusiasm spilling over into their day-to-day lifestyle and I think it’s really fantastic!

Linda Le / Vampy Bit Me: Technology and the Internet has made cosplay more appealing. Before fancy Photoshop skills and nice cameras people can own, we had to make due with the materials we had around. We didn’t have a shop online with an array of wigs, so we had to dye them, or use clothes from our closets and altered them. The Internet and youtube has come a long way that we can share information on making costumes and armor. It’s very much in modern day culture, and it all fun. Who doesn’t want to be a super hero? I sure do!

GIST: What is cosplay to you, and how has it changed your life? What makes cosplay appealing?

Allison Harvard: Cosplaying is challenging, imaginative, and forever evolving. It has taught me to channel expression in many different forms and to appreciate it in others.

Bill Doran: Cosplay is the way that I showcase my skills as a maker. I spend all day every day in my shop making costumes and props and there’s nothing more satisfying than getting to put all that hard work on and showing it off to other cosplayers. I also really enjoy talking about the process with anyone who will listen.

Vampy Bit Me: Cosplay to me is very personal. I can say out of all the cosplays I have made, and also worn for events, I definitely choose characters I know and love, instead of what is popular. If it’s popular, then good, if not, I do not care either way. I do what I want and even if one person appreciates it, I love them back ten fold as much as if 1000 people like it. I appreciate all the appeal of making people happy with doing justice to a character. It has made my life richer in friends, and also finding people every day I can pour my nerdy soul to. That feeling that you can connect to someone by just reading the same comic is magic. I can’t put a dollar sign on that feeling.

Linda Le / Vampy Bit Me as Morrigan Aensland | PHOTO via LINDA LE

GIST: What’s the most challenging aspect of cosplay? Is there any advice you can give newer cosplayers?

Allison Harvard: Be excited about the direction you take and remember to always have fun. Never be afraid to REALLY go for it. The worst that could happen is that it’s awesome and you rule.

Bill Doran: I think most newcomers find taking that first step really challenging, especially when they want to build a costume but don’t yet have the skills to pull it off. That’s why I strive to create tutorial content that makes taking that first step much less painful.

Bill Doran wearing a N7 Defender Armor suit from the Mass Effect video game. | PHOTO via PUNISHEDPROPS.COM / BILL DORAN

Vampy Bit Me: I think that the most challenging thing about cosplay is how much time it takes to teach yourself new skills. I am definitely a believer in the slow burn. What I mean by that is that I gradually learn my skills, it’s not overnight and you will not be the best cosplayer until I reach my top goal of becoming a robot. To become that, I have to pay my dues, work hard, get more skilled, educated, and it will not be fast. Nothing in life to me is easy, and I don’t want cosplay to ever get easy, or it would be boring!

GIST: ASIA POP Comic Con is the first major international pop culture-centric convention in the Philippines. What are your expectations for this event and what do you think will be the event’s impact on the Asian pop culture sphere?

Allison Harvard: I am going into this convention with an open mind! I think it’s going to have an amazing impact on the Philippines and it’ll inspire so many to get involved.

Bill Doran: I’m willing to bet the fans are going to absolutely love this new, large event. I’m looking forward to the spectacle and I’ll be taking it all in along with everyone else. I also imagine that it’ll boost interest in the cosplay scene in the area.

Vampy Bit Me: I think that Asia POP Comic Con is bringing a new kind of feeling to the culture of Comic Conventions all over the world. They are bringing some of the most influential artists in pop culture, gaming, art, and movies to these show and giving the people who come some positive reinforcement to enjoy life and also remember to continue to be a kid at heart!

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Tags : allison harvard, apcc 2015, Asia Pop Comic Con 2015, bill doran, comic con, cosplay, cosplayers, cosplaying, linda le, The CAGE

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