Name: ThermoCosplay
City: Tempe, AZ
Twitter: sckitts @twitter
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thermocosplay
What was your first Cosplay Experience?
My first cosplay experience was at Phoenix Comicon 2014. I created my rendition of a Diablo 3 Demon Hunter. I had never sewn my own costume, never patterned armor…let me be honest: I literally had NO experience with costume fabrication. It was about a three month endeavor with many ups and downs. The final product was incredible though! I entered myself into the Cosplay Fashion Show at PCC 2014 and, much to my surprise, I won best costume! I felt really honored and it was a wonderful, humbling experience. The costume was REALLY warm and temperatures soared to the high 100s that day so I learned about the woes of cosplay as well. Important Note: DRINK LOTS OF WATER. Seriously, it could save your life.
How long have you been Cosplaying?
I started cosplaying in May of 2014 so I have only been a cosplayer for one year. Boy has it been a year though! I just received my first commission and am totally excited to dig deeper into the costume/cosplay scene!
What is your favorite cosplay you have worn/created?
Dangit. I should have expected this question. That is actually a very difficult decision. Let’s break it down into two categories: most comfortable favorite and most epic favorite.
Most Comfortable: Jinx from Teen Titans. It took two attempts to get this costume right but I am REALLY happy with the final result. I intend to wear this costume the Sunday of PCC 2015 (yeah, it’s going to be hot but I will survive). Everything on this costume (except the shoes, tights and wig) was hand made. I cast the gem, I patterned the dress out using a heavily modified Simplicity pattern and I just went for it! I plan on making her tights more accurate in the future but I need to perfect my sewing skills before I attempt that.
Most Epic: I am VERY torn on this but I would have to lean towards my rendition of a Dragon Age Inquisitor. I created this costume before the game was released so it was more a guess at what the Inquisitor would look like. However, it turned out terrific and I received a lot of compliments on the armor. The chest, shoulder and bracers were made from EVA craft foam and Worbla. The shin guards are inch thick EVA Foam Mats and the helmet was crafted by the talented Allen Amis Creations. I crafted the hip flare from soft leathers and hand laid the Worbla on each finger of the gloves to create a more armored effect. Cool note: The Green eye glows in the dark 😉
If you had unlimited resources, what Cosplay would you create?
What is with the tough questions??? Just kidding, decisions are hard in general. Unlimited resources…hm, it’s a toss up between the Nightingale armor from Skyrim or the Blood Dragon Armor from Mass Effect 2. I would want to make the Nightingale armor out of real hardened leather or have some sort of applied texture to make it resemble leather. For the Blood Dragon Armor I would want the ability to control the lights and create an operational omni-blade.
What advice would you offer others trying to break into Cosplay?
Rule #1: Don’t go for gold on your first costume. This may sound rude but I am serious, my first costume cost me a little over $400 USD when I only budgeted about $175 USD. If you have an unlimited budget then just be sure to hunt down tutorials or a cosplay mentor for help otherwise, don’t be afraid to start small and work up to bigger projects.
Rule #2: Check out professional cosplayers, prop makers and their blogs. See how they started and review their tutorials.
Rule #3: Choose a “material” of focus (e.g. fabric, foam, Worbla, etc.) and stick to it for the first few costumes. This will help you discover what you do or not like working with.
Rule #4: Be patient. Patience is necessary for success.
Rule #5 aka THE MOST IMPORTANT: HAVE FUN! Cosplay is not worth the stress if you don’t enjoy it.