We kick off March with a new Cosplayer that creates amazingly detailed cosplay and make-up. Her photo sessions paint such a perfect picture of her work. She is incredibly sweet and we could not be prouder to feature her as the March Cosplayer of the Month. With that, allow me to introduce you to, Emris Coscept!
Can you tell us, what is it that inspired you to become a cosplayer?
Funny enough, I think my first cosplay-fail is what hooked me. My friends and I attended Emerald City Comic Con 2012, kind of on a whim and thought, “I guess we should try to dress up”…not realizing how much skill and effort so many people put into it! We were absolutely blown away and realized this community was exactly where we wanted to be. We spent a year working on a Kyoshi Warrior cosplay group, and even learned a Tai Chi fan kata to perform, hoping we’d make a better impression this time around.
You are incredibly detailed and have some of the best photos shoots we have seen. How do you select cosplay to create and do you have a shoot in mind when you do?
Most often I’ll choose a cosplay because I deeply love the character, though I’m not above choosing a certain character or outfit from a series I like simply because…god, I just want to WEAR that!
When it comes to photoshoots, sometimes I’ll have a design from my own head, like my series of Jellyfish Dresses I’m working on, and I’ll build the photoshoot to match the feel of the outfit I’m making (sweet, adventurous, dreamy, etc). It’s a good excuse for me to indulge myself and try new photoshoot styles! Most often the cosplay will dictate what kind of shoot I’ll do, then my challenge comes from trying to get permission to shoot in a suitable location, like a historic cemetery for our Addams Family shoot.
What is the hardest thing about cosplaying for you?
Patience, absolutely! And estimating how long a project is going to take me. I’ve recently learned that no particular convention is worth rushing a project you really care about. Either you’re going to not like how the cosplay turns out because you had to cut corners, or you’ll be absolutely miserable while making it. Don’t get me wrong, there will *always* be a night-before-con crunch sesh, but I’m almost 30 years old and sleep far more vital than it used to be.
If you were to pick a cosplay that you have done as your favorite, which would it be and why?
So hard to choose! So far I’d have to say Ciri. I had to learn so many new techniques in order to complete her! From armor-making and chain-mail weaving, to patterning and fabric combinations I’d never tried before. I tend to have a special fondness for cosplays I have to go on a journey for. I love completing quests!
What would you say is the most difficult cosplay or prop you have worked on to date?
Absolutely the Long-Fall boots for my Chell cosplay from Portal 2. I was trying to make them as light and comfortable as possible and succeeded!…by sacrificing durability. Redoing them so they are indestructible is one of my primary goals for 2018!
Outside of being a cosplayer, what are some other hobbies you have?
I’m a HUGE fan of RPG games! I live for a good story and there are so many amazing stories in games! Currently I’m either trying to improve my tanking skills in FFXIV or trying to pull off an accent in one of the 3 Table-Top RPG groups I’m in!
What is the next event we can expect to see cosplay from you?
As I’m typing this I’m also packing up my new cosplays for Emerald City Comic Con! This is the con that kicks off my convention-season and it’s one of my all-time favorites! Hopefully I’ll have lots of knew photos/derpy-selfies to share very soon!
What would you say that being a cosplayer has changed about you as a person?
I have met so many amazing people through cosplay…nearly all of the people I consider my friends! I can’t imagine what my life would be like without all of these amazing people in my life! I used to feel very isolated and now I know amazing humans all over the globe! I’m so very happy to be a part of this community!
What is your advice to those just getting into cosplay?
Learn to love learning! Your first project is going to be terrifying because everything is new, and once it’s over your skills will level up so much! But even the most simple project I’ve done has always ended up challenging me in ways I didn’t expect. You’ll never stop learning, which means you’ll never stop getting more awesome!
Where can we find you online?
I’m active multiple times a day on Instagram: @emris_coscept
Though I’m also trying to make my Twitter @EmrisCoscept a thing again too, so if you’re ever having a dreadful time with your sewing machine or a paint job feel free to tell me all about it. I’ll make sure you don’t feel alone!