Continued from Page 1

DENNIS: For those who are new to cosplaying, they will notice that many cosplayers belong to a group or a circle of cosplayers. Are these groups public, members only or area-based type groups? What advice do you have for those who want to join a group?
MARY: I can't speak for all cosplaying groups. I just assume other cosplaying groups are a group of friends who mutually enjoy the same anime, video games or j-pop/j-rock bands to cosplay as. But the only group I've ever participated in was with my friends when we all dressed as characters from "Dark Stalkers". It was a lot of fun doing group cosplaying with friends. With us, it was just a coincidence that we already had our own costumes from "Dark Stalkers". To be honest, I am more of an independent cosplayer rather than having an affiliation with a group.

PHOTO: Mary as "Sailor Saturn" from "Sailor Moon Musical"

DENNIS: As an American-based cosplayer, do you see a big difference in terms of style and dedication to a costume from US cosplayers and cosplayers from other countries? MARY: In comparision to Japan, I do see a major difference. Their Comiket for example, have a couple of rules and guidelines for cosplaying which are: Having your costume approved by the events commitee, there is a certain area that cosplayers can only hang out at the con, plus as an added expense you have to buy an extra pamphlet in order to participate. This isn't the case here at most anime cons in North America. I also noticed that the Japanese cosplayers get to cosplay the most current anime or have a larger choice on what to cosplay as, compared to American cosplayers we can only cosplay what's available out here. DENNIS: For the newbie cosplayer, can you give us your top three advice for them if they want to get involved in cosplaying. MARY: First of all, whether you are hall cosplaying or competing in the masquerade, there is no shame in wearing a costume made by someone else. Just as long as you give credit where credit is due. I've seen situations where people will wear a costume made by someone else and pass it as their own in competition. That is so uncool and a great way of defaming your reputation within the cosplay community. Secondly, always bring (and use) bobby pins, safety pins, double sided tape, and spirit gum. Bobby pins because you want to keep your wig and wig cap in place and to keep your own natural hair from peeking out.

As for safety pins, double sided tape, and spirit gum to keep shirts from gaping, bra straps from showing, and it also helps keep boot coverings in place.

And finally, I think another important thing is make-up. I think make-up help enhances the person wearing the costume. It also helps cover those unwanted blemishes, pimples, dark circles under the eyes, and the shiny parts of your face. When you think about it, you never know if your photo will end up on someone's website or in a monthly anime magazine.

DENNIS:  When you are done cosplaying, what do you do with your costumes? Do you continue to wear them or are they retired and packed away in your closet?
MARY: I've retired most of my costumes, I'm still contemplating whether or not I should retire Felicia and Rabi's. Because I can't bear the thought of parting my costumes, all of them still remain hanging on my rolling rack.

DENNIS: I have seen you dressed up as a video game character, an anime character and a J-POP celeb, do you happen to have a preference of which you prefer to cosplay?
MARY: I don't have a personal preference. To be honest, I like them all. And I have a lot of fun with the different characters I cosplay.

DENNIS:  Let's talk about your "Perfect Blue" cosplay performance at Anime Expo. How challenging was it to do a cosplay and dance routine at AX?
MARY: Surprisingly, a lot of people don't realize this, but a lot of coordinating and work went into this 2-minute show. I took an acting class to prepare for the role of Mima Kirigoe. I also got help from a friend of mine who was a record producer who worked with real J-pop singers and showed me how real J-pop singers performed. I also got help from my friends at Jungle Room, a recording studio in Los Angeles, to professionally edit the song for the masquerade. I wanted it professionally done because I wanted the song to go smoothly and without skips and jumps that would interrupt the song. In the end, I was floored when the crowd went nuts or so I was told. It made all that stress, pre-planning, and hard work all worth it.

DENNIS:  Are you a natural when it comes to dancing?
MARY: To be honest with you...no. I kind of went along with the groove of the music and I practiced and imitated the choreography from the movie.

DENNIS: Your Darkstalkers cosplay was pretty cool. I also saw you cosplay as Hamasaki Ayumi. Are you a big Hamasaki fan and will you be doing any other Japanese music related cosplays in the future? MARY: Yes, I am a big fan of Ayumi Hamasaki. I would love to do more of Ayu's concert costumes in future. There are a few in mind that I want to do in the future. DENNIS: Since you are a big Ayu fan, what is your favorite Hamasaki Ayumi song? MARY: That's a tough choice. I like many of her songs. Each of Ayu's songs are unique and expresses a certain kind of mood. Songs like "Whatever," "A Song for XX," "And Then," and "Duty" I feel that it conveys loneliness perhaps being in dark serene mood. Other songs like: "M" or "Free & Easy" brings a little light and lifts that mood. I also enjoy "Audience," "Boys & Girls" and "Trauma" because its fun and catchy. DENNIS: Will I ever catch you singing karaoke of Ayu? MARY: Actually I already have! :P I performed at Anime Expo 2002 singing "A Song for XX" at their J-rock event and "Trauma" at one of Anime Jungle's summer cosplaying events. But if you miss my last couple of shows expect to see more in the future. DENNIS:  If you had all the time and money to make a costume, what would be your dream costume? MARY: Oooh! I want to answer this but I am still keeping this a secret. This is still in the works and for the moment it is my dream costume. A hint for the hardcore Ayu fans: It's big, pink, and has lots of feathers!

PHOTO: Mary as "Ayumi Hamasaki" from "Countdown Concert Tour 2000-2001" (at Anime Expo 2002). Photos courtesy of cosplay.com.

DENNIS: Have you experienced any freaky or embarrassing situations from cosplaying? May it be the costume or even experiences from fans?
MARY: Its funny how you mention that. When I'm Felicia, I get a lot of cat calls from guys. It kinda made me feel uncomfortable sometimes. When I cosplay as Ayu I meet a lot of hardcore Hamasaki Ayumi fans and a lot of them are really nice and are happy to meet me. A lot of them were amazed that I am coincidentally the same age as Ayu, we talk as though we have a clothespin clamped over our noses and that Ayu and I both have little doggies. Except my dog's name isn't Marron! And when I'm cosplaying as Mima Kirigoe (of "Perfect Blue"), there are people who go nuts. I was walking around Little Tokyo, not even in costume, and a girl was freaking out and was all like "Oh my God! Its Mima Kirigoe! Mima-chan! Mima-chan!!!" I can't believe I can cause that kind of reaction from people.

DENNIS: Have you ever worn your costume to an area that freaked people out? How was that experience?
MARY: No, I haven't. If I wore my costume that isn't at a cosplay event or an anime con I'd feel weird and out of place. I would be out of my element.

Photo: Mary as "Mima Kirigoe" from "Perfect Blue" (at SDCC 2001's masquerade)

DENNIS: You mentioned that at one point in your life you wanted to become an artist for Image Comics, what was you favorite title from Image and do you continue to read comics, if so, what are your current favorites? MARY: Back then, I use to love reading "Wild C.A.T.s", "Gen 13", "Avengelyne" and "Witchblade". I kinda grew out of the Image thing when I learned I couldn't get anywhere. But nowadays, I'm reading a lot of manga. My current favorites are "Chobits", "Peach Girl" and "Mars". DENNIS: By the video game cosplays that you do, I'm assuming you are a gamer. If so, what video games do you enjoy playing? MARY: I enjoy several. Its hard to decide which ones are my favorites. I've enjoyed: "The Sims," "Egg Mania," "Harvest Moon," "Mister Mosquito," "Super Bust-a-Move 2," "Resident Evil Zero," "Animal Crossing," "Final Fantasy X" and "Fatal Frame." DENNIS:  What is the most satisfying and most frustrating aspect of being a cosplayer?

MARY: I think its satisfying when people appreciate and enjoy the work you put into. I also find it satisfying when I learn I am in a magazine or on a website. Sometimes the frustrating part is the lack of time and money.

DENNIS: How much longer do you want to cosplay? Or is this something you see yourself doing for a very long time? In the future, would you want your own children to cosplay?
MARY: I will probably cosplay as long as my youth and looks allow me to. (laughing) I can definitely see myself doing it for a long time.And if I had children of my own, I would encourage them to cosplay. I would pass down what my experiences and tell them what to watch out for while cosplaying. I think if its something that they really want to do, they will love it as much as I do.

DENNIS:  Your final words to the people who support your cosplay work.
MARY: Please continue to support me and my work and I will do my best for you as a cosplayer!

###

Back to Cosplay Underground ][ Go back to Page 1 ]

Note:  All photos on nt2099 Cosplay Underground has been taken by a staff member of nt2099 media and entertainment or has been supplied to us by the individuals being interviewed.

--
Dennis A. Amith is an entertainment writer and celebrity interviewer and the Principal of nt2099 Media and Entertainment. Dennis A. Amith has appeared in many publications worldwide for his knowledge of Asian pop culture and for his entertainment articles. He is also known for his conversation-style celebrity interviews and continues to stick with his formula of promoting artists and professionals who are well-known to the up-and-coming, as well as his goal of helping to smash the barriers that exist for Asians in the entertainment industry and to continue in asking questions that will definitely grab your attention.

Copyright ©2003 Cosplay Underground - nt2099 media and entertainment.  All Rights Reserved.