So far, we have shared much helpful cosplay tips in our cosplayer interview category. Today, Devy also joined in. She is interested in many different things, certainly including anime and cosplay. She registered on Deviantart to show off cosplay and make friends. So, you want to know more information about her? If so, keep reading.
1. Please introduce yourself first.
Hello everyone, I’m Devon Sisk, but I mostly go by Devy. I’m from a little town of Aberdeen, but I can’t wait to get out and go places in my life. I like anime, cartoons, fashion, video editing, acting, dying my hair random colors, ancient history and well… a little of almost everything actually. ^^; Uhmm.. I have a rather hard time describing myself honestly.
2. What does cosplay mean to you?
Well for a girl who has been an outcast and picked on a lot growing up, it’s an escape from reality. Like a break from all the mean people in everyday life and a chance to be whoever you want and just have fun. A lot of my friends that have stuck around I’ve actually met through cosplay.
3. What and when was your first cosplay?
Technically my first ‘cosplay’ was Columbia from the Rocky Horror Picture Show when I was 5 years old. My mom was in the stage show at that time. (Heh..Plus I was pretty much raised on that movie ^^;) A picture of it was also put into a Rocky magazine. 🙂
But my first cosplay from an ‘actual anime’ was Temari from Naruto in 2007 at my very first convention. Kumoricon07.
4. What is your most memorable cosplay experience?
Oh gosh, I have so many… o.o; Umm two that I can pick off the top of my head was the time I first met my boyfriend of almost 2 years (will be in august), at Kumoricon08. We we’re both in Naruto cosplay and we hit it off right away. That convention was very fun.
Another was when I was in the dealer’s hall at Sakuracon10 and we ran into Vic Mignogna when I was in my Thief King Bakura (from YuGiOh) cosplay. He was so nice! ^^ I got a picture with him and he invited us to come to his panel that was starting pretty soon. (Which of course we went to after that haha ^^)
5. What’s your favorite photo shoot?
Hmm. . . .Favorite photo shoot. . . Well the ones I go to every year at conventions (Mainly being the YuGiOh photo shoots) are very fun and silly. But so far my favorite is actually tie between to random last minute ones me and my boyfriend Damien did, and one where we brought my cousin Ashley along. It seems to me whenever you’re out and about doing random photo shoots it’s more fun than oh so serious planned timed ones… Because you have more time to just be silly and fun. ^^
6. I see most of your pics were taken by your family. They must be very proud of what you are doing, right?
My family jokes about me having identity disorder because of all the different characters/wigs in my closet haha ^^. But in all seriousness, yes actually, heh they say that they’re very proud of me for expressing this creative side of me, and having the bravery to stand out and be myself. My parents like that I’m learning sewing and more acting skills for my future (since I really want to be an actress) and ‘practicing such talents’ as they say. OH! Plus most of my family cosplays with me, like for Halloween and my mom has cosplayed at a con with me. 🙂
7. Any cosplay plan in future?
Oh of course, so many! Knuckles the Echidna (human version) from Sonic the hedgehog, Jaden Yuki from YuGiOh GX, Mio Hio from DN Angel, Riku from Kingdom Hearts 2, AppleJack (human version) from My Little Pony; Friendship is Magic, Nana O from NaNa, and a lot more I’ll list on my new DA ^^. Oh and of course I need to take more pictures in my Thief King Bakura cosplay, and fix up my Yami Bakura cosplay that fell apart. ^^.
8. Do you make your costumes yourself or buy them?
Almost every single cosplay is made by hand from the hardworking team made up of; my mom, my nana, and myself, with help from my boyfriend on things like my Bakura shirt. Unless it’s something like an L cosplay (aka: a simple shirt and jeans) then it’s bought from somewhere like Good Will. A lot of hard work and time go into my cosplays. I thank my mom and nana very much for helping me with all these outfits. ^^
9. Any other cosplayer you like?
There’s a lot, I’ve always looked up to other cosplayers. They’re idols of sorts, all in their own special ways. But I can’t really name them all here, sorry. I just know I’d forget some and feel bad later. . .
10. Do some changes happen to you after cosplay?
Actually yes, I was never very self confident about myself at all before, and I was also always very shy. But in cosplay I have more self-confidence and I’m not afraid to go up to people like at cons and say hi. Where I normally would have just stood there alone, twiddling my thumbs. Plus cosplay has helped me learn more about myself, through relating to the characters I dress up as and what not.
Also through crossplaying I have learned that I feel comfortable playing either male or female characters and that people treat you much differently on the street say in a Temari (from naruto) outfit rather than a Daisuke (from DN Angel) school boy outfit.
11. Any advice you wanna share with cosplay newbies?
Tons! ^^ haha I love helping people and I’ve noticed that cosplay newbie’s have lots of questions when they’re first starting out.
A few good words of advice off the top of my head are, Remember to eat at con! If you don’t think you’ll have money pack some snacks beforehand. Believe me going all con on just poky or even nothing at all isn’t good for you, no matter how fun the convention is!
Make sure you know the character you’re cosplaying, that way if you get asked for pictures you can have a cool pose. Or if you get random quotes thrown at you you’ll know what they’re talking about. Umm if you can’t sew or anything, don’t worry, there’s many people who sell outfits, or you could have someone, like me, commission them for you instead. Most cosplayers who offer commissions would be more than happy to do so if you give pictures of what you want. Just make sure you give where ever you’re getting it from your measurements!
Wig wise make sure you have one if you know the character needs it. Say for something like Yami Yugi from YuGiOh, or Yoko from Gurren Lagann, or Axel from Kingdom Hearts. Most the time, it’s the hair that makes the character.
Oh also crossplay is another thing I wanted to touch on. When you’re playing a boy but you’re a girl remember to bind, I know from experience it’s uncomfortable and sometimes bothersome but it makes it more believable, and is totally worth it. When binding if the character isn’t showing his belly or chest you should use a compression shirt, it’s worth the money and compresses everything. If you have to show your chest/tummy use ace bandages and a sports bra NOT duct tape! There much safer and nicer on your boobs. Also if you can, try not to side bind, I know it looks amazing, but everyone I’ve seen who has side bound was bleeding by the end of the day. I don’t want any of you new cosplayers bleeding and in pain out there. ^^
Boys crossplaying as girls. . .Please, if your actually trying, shave your legs and whatnot. Nothing is worse than a boy in Lolita with legs covered in hair haha. Also if you’re actually trying to look like a girl, makeup and fake boobs, and the right highlighting/shadowing does wonders. Put shadow right where the cleavage is meant to be and if done right it adds to the effect making it look like you have real boobs. Also trimming your eyebrows helps also ^^ If you need help with this asking others who know is a good way to start.
I think that’s about it for this. ^^ Any questions or anything go to my DA here or even my YouTube here.
