Obviously
Sara has really come through for me with cosplayers this year.
Today’s Q&A is with the
Little Model That Could. Fetish Queen, Cosplay Model, and Goth
Paradise, Jessica Nova. You’ve
probably seen her around Dragon Con and you’ve definitely seen
photos of this lady. Trust me – you’ll remember.
1)
What are your top geek passions?
A)
Costuming
B) Wig
Styling
C)
Reading Comics
D) Discussing
Comics
E)
Writing Bad Fanfiction
2)
What was your favorite toy when you were a kid?
A)
Gosh....I’m not sure. I guess my Raphael pillow pal from the Ninja
Turtles and my Beetlejuice and Batman figures. The Beetlejuice ones
came in a kids meal from who knows where and didn’t do much except
be weird...but then again I am strange and unusual. I was also really
into my Disney Princess Barbies and my tons of stuffed animals.
3)
What is one album everybody should own?
A)
Beatles - Abbey Road
B) Pink
Floyd - The Wall
And
for people that want to understand me?
C) My
Chemical Romance - Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
4)
Who is your favorite wrestler and why?
A)
Hulk Hogan was my favorite growing up, he reminded me of a blond
version of my dad. I got back into wrestling a few years ago and was
really into the Hardy Boyz, especially Jeff. And the Undertaker,
because you have to love to Undertaker.
5)
When and how did you discover you had a talent for costuming?
A)
I don’t know if I would call it a talent for costuming, I have a
passion for it. I try and try and mess up at least once, I have a
talent for never giving up...and luck, lots of luck. It all seems to
come together somehow.
6)
What’s your costuming background?
A)
I always loved playing dress up. I can’t think of a time I didn’t
dress up for one reason or another. I did a lot of theatre and I
liked having goofy photoshoots with friends in the back yard. I took
a costuming course in college and the bug bit me, I wanted to know
how to make it all.
7)
If you could pursue any project, what would it be?
A)
Hmmmmmm, right now, latex clothing would be my next avenue I’d like
to explore so I could make my own Catwoman costume from Batman
Returns.
8)
What's a favorite con memory?
A)
Being proposed to at Dragoncon 2010.
9)
Which actor do you feel like you could sit and watch for hours no
matter what they were doing and why?
A)
Tom Hiddleston, Jensen Ackles, and Sean Connery. Reasons? Do you
really need to ask?
10)
What advice can you give to somebody just starting out making
costumes?
A)
Google is your best friend. Not sure how to do something? Reach out,
many of us seasoned costumers like to help when we can.
11)
Which costume did you learn the most from making?
A)
I learn a lot from each costume. I would have to say that Harley
taught me the most about spandex, Ariel taught me the most about
engineering, and Black Alice taught me the most about wigs.
12)
Is there a movie that should never be remade and if so which one?
A)
Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters.
13)
Closer – what is your favorite costume that you’ve worked on and
the story behind it?
A)
Harley is my favorite but Sailor Uranus is a close second. I love
bringing childhood favorites of mine to life. The story? There really
isn’t much of one, I just enjoy the process. I like looking at a
piece of art and deciding how to replicate that with real textures,
real bodies and in 3-D.
Thanks
Jessica and thanks Sara. You guys are awesome!
It’s
been such a blast talking to all of these talented folks and learning
a little bit more about who they are and what they do. As much as
cosplayers are an integral part of Dragon Con, it’s very easy to
see those wild, sexy, elaborate, scary, or just plain mind-boggling
costumes and forget that there’s a person inside. Granted, that’s
sort of a part of cosplay – being a character – but I think it’s
important to remember that these are people just like everybody else
that deserve respect, admiration, and appreciation.
I’d
like all of the Phantomaniacs to make a special point of that stuff
this year. Thank those folks in costume that are making Dragon Con a
special experience like no other. Ask before you take an individual’s
picture and give them a chance to pose or do their thing. I specify
“individual” because I like to take a lot of crowd shots and
often get in on group shots when cosplayers are already posing for
other folks.
And
remember – if somebody is in a costume, they probably put a lot of
work into it and will be more than happy to receive a compliment or
even some questions about how it was done. If you have a critique,
shut the fuck up. The one year I made a costume all I got was a bunch
of uninvited criticism from the Mandalorian fan group and it pretty
much made me feel like shit and not want to ever make a costume
again. If you are part of a themed group of costumers that have
labeled yourselves as “official”, keep in mind that not everybody
gives a shit what size you think armor plates ought to be or where on
the waist a gun belt should sit. If you’re asked, feel free to
share your knowledge. If not, please see the above advice about
critiques.
Phantomaniacs
– it is almost Dragon Con time. Come back tomorrow for more.
-Phantom
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