| Q: When did you start cosplaying and how long for?
Xandercard, Walter and I started cosplaying together at FACTS 2005; but it was not real cosplay. We met on an amateur movie in which we were playing and went to FACTS with the crew; there, the film maker proposed us to try the cosplay contest in our movie costumes (we were doing a parody of Lord of the Ring)… We improvised and were astounded to be on the 3rd place of the podium. Then, Xandercard proposed us to try a Hellsing cosplay with him and we accepted, just to please him. We never thought at that time that we would enjoy it so much that we’d still be cosplaying 5 years later ^^
Q: What attracts you to cosplay?
At first… Nothing! XD Actually I really did not want to do it. I accepted only to please Xandercard who is like a brother to me. But, finally I do love this hobby.
I must admit I hate sewing and creating the accessories (I am clumsy and not patient at all ^^), but I discovered that I do love embodying a character on stage. I also love preparing the show. These moments were certainly of high influence when I decided to quit office work to live my passion for acting. It feels so good to give life to a paper or celluloid character! And everytime I find it as fantastic as it felt the very first time.
I allways take a lot of time trying to understand the caracter’s personnality and find a way to show this on stage. I’m not interested in his/her reactions but in the reason why he/she reacts this way. I can say that cosplay helps me to gain a better understanding of the characters I’m playing.
Q: How did you get into anime and what lead you into cosplay?
Well, for anime, I could say it is my mother’s fault!  I was 5 or 6 years old, watching an anerican cartoon, when she entered the room, changed the channel and said to me «Give up this silly stuff! From now on we will watch together a very good cartoon»… Grendizer was starting that day and my mom was already a fan before I was born!  ) I swear it is true! After that we continue to watch anime together (Versailles no Bara, Harlock, Captain Future, Candy Candy, Sailor Moon). Though we don’t live together for years now, we still continue to share this passion for japanese cartoons.
Q: What has been your favourite cosplay?
Strangely, it is one of the most common ones. I like each one of my cosplays (so much good memories with all of them) but I especially loved to be Misa Amane from Death Note. At first, I wasn’t thrilled by this character, but when I started analysing her… I realized that she is quite more complicated than she seems to be. For me, Misa has become crazy after her parents’ murder. And her desire for justice led her on the way of religious fanatism. I had incredible fun trying to show this very dark aspect of her! I think she is the most interesting caracter I ever played. And I will definitely cosplay her again!
Q: Most memorable moment whilst cosplaying?
I think it was this incredible week-end in Japan Expo. The whole Murder Club was there for Kohta Hirano (maker of Hellsing) with gifts for him, hoping for a few words and maybe a sign… But, somehow, Hirano-sensei really liked us and before we understood what was going on, a VIP circle has been made around us and Kohta Hirano proposed to make a very detailed drawing of our cosplay character for each one of us!!! He also accepted a photo shoot with the group and his manager gave me the 9th volume in Japanese to help me learn his language! It was… really incredible!
And the day after, Xandercard’s drawing was chosen by Hirano-sensei as the best of all during a master class and I won the 5th place on the Tonkam cosplay podium. After that, a member of the jury told me that the president of the jury (Kohta Hirano’s brother) absolutely wanted to see me on the podium because he loved the way I acted «with all the britsish elegance and coldness of Integra». Xandercard and I cryied on that day, overwhelmed with emotion!
We will never forget what has been one of the greatest moment of our lives!
Q: Have you had any cosplays go wrong/encountered problems whilst making cosplays?
Untill now, I consider myself quite lucky, though there is little problems with each new costume. But I must admit I really had a hard time with the blades of Misa (cover of 4th Death Note volume). I did not have what I needed and had to improvise… It took hard and painful hours to cut their shape in an old strong cardboard file, the painting did not dry properly, the screws to join them were too big and not long enough… It was hell! I almost gave up; but finally they don’t look so bad 
Q: Have you ever regretted cosplaying?
Hmm… Each time I start a new costume and see how much it is more difficult than it seemed! XD
But it never lasts. I feel really happy to be a cosplayer and I can’t wait for the next gig!
Q: Do your cosplays have a particular theme to them?
Well I played a lot of blond girls (Integra Hellsing, Misa Amane, Candy Neige Andre, Catherina Sforza) but it was just coincidence. Honnestly, I don’t think there is a common point between them. I just do the characters Xandercard propose to me or those I like ^^ And I feel more interesting to play very different characters.
Q: What cosplays are you planning?
Sooo many! LOL
For individual, my next projects are Queen Beryl from Sailor Moon (an old dream as I would like to show what remained good in her), Queen Emeraldas (one of my favourite character ever!), Carmilla from Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust (but the costume is such a challenge that I’m not sure I will succeed) and maybe another character from Trinity Blood.
In group, Xandercard and I plan a Labyrinth duo; I have a created a new group about Scorpion (a european comic book) and I want to play the lethal Ansea Latal; I also have a Code Geass project (C2) and a very ambitious show on Dirty Dancing…… I think I should calm down! XD
Q: Do you have a dream cosplay?
I have a lot of dream cosplays, like Queen Beryl, Sara from Labyrinth in her gown dress or Carmilla. I do not know how long it will take me to make them but the projects are clearly defined. But I also dream about the Walkyrie costume from the european comics Siegfried. This one should wait as it is quite to much difficult for me right now [sob]
Q: How are the professional photoshoots usually managed?
I find them very funny and smooth actually. Professional photographs are lovely and have great poses in mind (though often incomfortable ones XD). Guys like Red Cathedral or Kmeron make exquisite photos with a lot of creativity. And it is allways a pleasure to pose in a studio too.
The photographs from the audience are lovely, kind, most of the time polite. I allways try to be as kind as possible with them, as there would be no cosplay without the audience. On the top, they come to ask for a picture when they love the costume; so I find it quite important to give them a good moment and pose as well as possible. After all,their desire for a pic is the greatest reward! Of course I like to be on the podium, but the most important thing to me while cosplaying is to please the audience
Q: Do you have one piece of advice that you would give to cosplay virgins?
I only have one to give, as we are all different and have our own reasons for cosplaying: do not care about the others’ skills or style. Just do what YOU want to do and have fun doing it! But allways respect your fellow cosplayers and the public.
Q: Do you have an account with the website Cosplay.com/other social networking sites?
Indeed I have an account on cosplay.com. Though it is a little bit difficult to use, I met great people there! Of course (well, for a French speaker ), I am also registered on the Belgian Cosplay Team site and on the new Coslovers site (that is already fantastic!) Requiem is also working on a cosplay site for the Murder Club, with a personnal section for each one of the members to show all his/her other costumes. But it is not ready yet ^^ |
Well this month is over
