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- What is your cosplay alias?
I don't know... BlindInTheStorm, Blinding-Lights, or Erika?

- How many years have you cosplayed?
Hmm, well I started at... when I was 14 in a half.

- How did you get into cosplaying?
Ok, I was jealous of everyone that went to a convention, having a lot of fun. So I decided to get a lot of courage and just go! And I'm here ^^

- What was your first convention and how did it go?
Megacon 2008! It was my 15th birthday! I had so much fun. I tried to cosplay a L, but my hair dye wasn't totally black and I had too much hair... so yeah.

- How many cons have you been to?
Only 3 and they were: Megacon 2008, A-kon 20

- How many cosplays have you done?
Only 2. But I promise you guys I'll have more!



Your Cosplays

- What was your first cosplay and why did you choose it?
... Didn't I already say that? Anywho, I was a bad version of L. I didn't have enough money to be like the ultimate cosplayer as L there. And I was jealous of the other people there. They were awesome! Oh! Thats also where I met ~MsSaturday ! Dude, she was an awesome Axel.

- What is your favorite cosplay you've done so far?
I'd say.. My Matt cospaly because When I was in the A/C I was warm with my shirt and Jacket =^.^= and because I love him so much. We're like the same people... but I don't smoke like he does... or Drive... OK, moving on TT^TT

- What is your least favorite you've cosplayed?
Hmm, I'd say my L. Because when it was Halloween, we got to dress up for school. Some girl who was a KIRA fan just grabbed my L wiggy and run off! Of course she got in trouble for it. XD

- What cosplay is the most uncomfortable?
Matt... I'm warning all you Matt cosplayers, if you live it Texas... ugh, be prepared for the heat! Cause fur on a jacket + a LONG sleeve striped shirt with jeans, boot, and black gloves VS. Texas in the summer time heat! X.x



Process

- How do you research the cosplay before you make it?
A lot! I look up pictures, if they're on DA I fav them, and print out som-... a LOT of pictures, then I look for patterns to match up with what I'm dealing with. Next its shopping! XD I look for materials that could work for it, and colors to see if they match up right. Extra stuff for the cosplay, hmmm I'd make them myself but not a lot, or I just go to the Anime Convention as is and look for the extra stuff there.


- Do you sew your cosplays yourself?
Yes, and No. Yes, Because that Matt jacket I made myself. No, because I normally find stuff in clothing stores like American Eagle, or Hot Topic, ect.

- If so, how did you learn to sew? If not, do you plan to learn?
I took sewing classes during the summer. Then when I went to school, I took PFD (Parent Family Development) and Fashion classes that taught me more about sewing, and what goes with stuff when sewing it.

- Do you make your own props?
Yes, and No once again. Yes cause I'm working on making my own Sitar. No because, I rather just alter them when I buy them from the store or just buy them from the Convention.

- If so, how did you learn to? If not, do you plan to learn?
I've read tons of tutorials believe it or not. Um, I'm going to work on my Demyx Sitar probably during a break, like Winter break or Spring. Some time before A-kon of course.

- Do you style your own wigs?
Sometimes. I get lazy so yeah. XD

- What other skills do you use to create your cosplays?
Hmm, just sewing with a sewing machine. Oh! And I use make up tips to make it look really good.


- What skill has been most useful for making your cosplay?
Hmmm, well I'm not sure. You just need ALOT of Patients.

- What is the hardest thing when making a cosplay?
Not getting made that the sewing machine when it makes you really, REALLY mad. Like when you sew the fur on the Matt jacket, its a pain!

- What was the biggest screw up you've had making a cosplay?
Ummm.... Getting the wrong stuff for it. I've done that... Yes, I did... Ok moving on now... XD

- How often do you injure yourself while making a cosplay?
Ummmhhhh... Hmmm... I have no clue.



Budget

- On average, how much will you spend on cosplay in one year?
As much as it takes to get the right Items. But that much hopefully.


- Do you try to stay cheap or do you splurge on materials?
Hmm, I don't think Cheap is a good word nor splurge. I don't like Cheap cause it might be used or not good at all. I don't know Splurge cause I'm not like that. So, I'd say in the middle.



Conventions

- What is your favorite convention?
Hmm, I'd say A-kon cause its HUGE! But A-fest cause its small and beautiful. I love water fountains. =^.^=

- What conventions have you gone to?
Megacon 2008, A-kon 20, A-Fest 2009. I'll be going to A-kon 21 MAYBE for 2 days not just 1. I'm going to TRY and go to A-fest 2010 for 2 days. 8D

- How far have you traveled for a convention?
Actually its not that far at all. Its like 30 or 45 away. But if theres taffic.. mm, I'd say maybe an Hour at least.

- Do you usually stay in a hotel or stay at home when you can?
I never done that before TT^TT But! I might when A-kon 21 comes up! My grades got to be good!

- What was your worst convention experience?
Megacon... I past a group of Death Note cosplayers and they said "Oh wow, um yeah sweetie L doesn't wear shoes. And He has a WHITE shirt, not a light yellow lime color... Loser" Ugh, I hate that. Well I'm going to prove I'm one of the best Cosplayers out there.



cos-Play

- Have you ever cosplayed with a partner or group?
Partner yes, group I want that to happen, Solo yes.

- Do you try to act in character?
Well... Yes and No. Um Yes cause for some reason I have A LOT of fan girls now. No because I like being myself.


- How do you react to cosplayers dressed as character from the same anime/game/etc?
Ok, when I cospaly as Matt and I see a Mello... I can't help it! XD When I'm L, and I see a light. I tackle them and say You killed me! XD But When I was Matt it was funny because I saw this AWESOME Mello so I sneaked up behind her like a pedobear and picked her up then ran away saying "My Mello!" There was atleast 10 or 15 fangirls screaming "Oh my God, yes! Run Matt, Run!" It was funny. XD


- Do you try to duplicate your character's expressions, walk, movements, etc?
YES! My friends that love my cosplays say I should be in acting or something. I rather draw for my life career.

- When crossplaying, do you try to act as much like the gender as possible?
I didn't know I looked like a dude that much.?! O.o

- What was your funniest experience of acting in character?
I told ya this already...

- What was your worst experience acting in character?
I already told ya that too! >.<



Competition

- Do you compete in cosplay contests?
Nope. I might for one time. I'd probably lose.

- Have you won anything?
I won the heart of my love.

- Do you prefer skits or walk-ons?
I rather watch skits. Walk-ons I don't think so.



Community

- How many friends have you made because of cosplay?
Tooo many! XD

- Are you a part of any convention or cosplay forums?
Theres my cosplay website, and cosplay.com

- Do you attend photo shoots and meet-ups outside of conventions?
No, my friend Charlie did one time. But I'd love to be in a Photoshoot

- What is the funniest reaction you've gotten cosplaying from people outside of the community?
Hmm, When I was L. I got looks like Oh my Gosh dude, thats a lot of candy.


- What was the worst?
People that don't like Anime called me Emo when I was L...



Future

- How long do you think you'll be cosplaying for?
I haven't thought about that...

- Name a few cosplays you're planning to do next:
Demyx- Kingdom Hearts 2
Goofy (human form)- Kingdom Hearts 2
Riku-Kingdom Hearts 2
Team Aqua Member- Pokemon
The Goblin King- Labyrinth
Old Sasuke- Naruto
Old Naruto- Naruto
Kabuto- Naruto


- What is your dream cosplay?
Oh man, Um... Ooohh! I'd say... Kairi from Kingdom Hearts 2. I always wanted to do a girl cosplay, but I'm so scared that I might mess it up.



Miscellaneous

- What do you take into consideration when picking a character to cosplay?
-Body shape/proportions. I'm to tall... TT^TT
-Whether or not the outfit would be flattering on me
-If it's in my talent range
-If it's in my price range
-If the fabrics needed are findable, or unrealistic
-Have other people done this cosplay better than I could ever dream of it? Yes! I'm jealous... a little, but it just means I have to do better next time ^^
-Jaw. Well, does it match with mine?
-Hair. Do I need a wig? Sometimes yes.

- Is cosplay serious business for you?
Yes but sometimes no. I take it seriously, but then again I have fun with it.

- What is your favorite thing about cosplay?
I get to walk in that characters shoes for a change, see how it feels. You know?

- What is your least favorite?
People who think they're better than me or anyone else. You know? (oh great I sound like Rai from Kingdom Hearts 2 now ;_; )

- What is it that makes you keep cosplaying?
Its what I always wanted to do. I kept on bragging to me friend how one day I'll be famous in something (I'm not famous, yet). Something that I'm proud of. You know? (darn it! There I go again! XD )

- How would you like cosplaying to change in the future?
Please no! I love it how it is right now!


- How do you want to grow as a cosplayer?
I want to be more... Hmm, how do I explain this. Well, people say I need to stand up for myself. So I want to be more... Confident? Is that the word? Yeah, I want to be able to like my costumes more than just getting mad at them. I want to meet more people like myself and just have fun.

I tag:




~Blinding/L/Matt