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Cosplay interviews! A weekly feature on Animetion where we talk to cosplayers on what motivates them, plus a cool gallery showcasing their cosplays.  Here we talk to English cosplayer:

Name: Alias.com

Q: When did you start cosplaying and how long for?

I became interested in cosplay way back in 2006 after stumbling across it online.  I first cosplayed at the MCM Midlands Expo in 2007 as Seras Victoria, in her blood red uniform and with her demon arm, from Hellsing. 

Q: What attracts you cosplay?

Being able to bring a favourite character to life, both for myself and others.  I enjoy being creative and cosplay has become a great outlet for that.

Q:  What has been your favourite cosplay?

It's difficult to choose just one but it would have to be my Sorceress Edea cosplay from Final Fantasy VIII.  Since playing the game years before, I had always adored the

elaborate design.  It took me three months to construct the head dress alone and planning how to make the back piece was a real challenge.  I'm in the process of updating some parts of this cosplay for a future convention.

Q: Most memorable moment whilst cosplaying?

Winning 2nd place in the masquerade at MCM Midlands Expo with a small Hellsing group.  I was cosplaying 'Blood' Seras along with her demon arm.  It was my first cosplay I had worn at an event and to win something first time around was very memorable.  Also being interviewed by ADV Films whilst cosplaying as Ryoko from Area 88, along with Leadmill as Shin Kazama from the same series, was another memorable moment.

Q:  Have you had any cosplays go wrong/encountered problems whilst making cosplays?

Yes, attempting to travel with large props or fragile costumes is something I keep repeating.  For Amecon 2008 I had to hire a small van to transport the demon arm for Seras and the head dress and back piece for Edea.  Now I try to plan taking the larger more complex costumes to conventions closer to home rather than the MCM Expo in London.

Q:  Have you ever regretted cosplaying?

Maybe when it has been a long day at a convention and I've been wearing an uncomfortable warm costume for hours.  But then I wouldn't have made the close friends I have now and met all the great people in the cosplay community.

 Q:  Do your cosplays have a particular theme to them?

No, I've done a varied style of cosplays, from military, fantasy, and horror.  I've cosplayed well known characters and obscure ones from manga, anime and computer game genres.

Q:  Have you ever done group cosplay? If so how did you find that experience?

Yes, I've done a couple of group cosplay with close friends and a few cosplay pairings with Leadmill.  I enjoy the groups as much as cosplaying by myself, but there are definitely more photo opportunities with group cosplay and they also make entering the masquerades more entertaining.

Q:  What cosplays are you planning?

I'm planning to cosplay Samus Aran (zero suit) from Super Smash Bros. Brawl and plan to update some parts of my Sorceress Edea cosplay for a future convention.

Q:  Do you have a dream cosplay?

Yes, Samus Aran's armour suit from Metroid.  I've yet to incorporate armour into one of my cosplays.

Q:  Do you have one piece of advice that you would give to cosplay virgins?

You'll be surprised at how much and exactly what you can recycle and utilize into a prop, or those final details before you go and purchase new materials for cosplay.  Not everything needs to be bought from scratch.  Also, always keep excess fabric and other materials for future use.

Q:  Do you have an account with the website Cosplay Island/other social networking sites?

Yes, you can find me on there as Alias.com and I have a deviantART account dedicated to my cosplay that can be found here: http://aliasdotcom.deviantart.com. 



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