Behind the scenes with Vancouver Cosplayers (with videos)

The selection process for my cosplay video project was challenging. Vancouver is home to many skilled cosplayers, so a selection based just on costume would be impractical. For my first videos, I wanted my ideal candidate to possess charisma, a willingness to speak, and show above average skill.

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Hannah Mackillop works on Opal from Legend or Korra at sewing machine

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dynamic duo Rita Farkas and Hannah Mackillop trance out patterns for cosplay

After several weeks of searching I recruited Rita Farkas (Riritaki) and Hannah Mackillop (Hanmackill) through Facebook as my first candidates for my small cosplay video project. I chose the energetic duo because of their ‘traditional’ cosplay construction. The team worked together using patterns, fabric and sewing machines. For my video, Rita decided to construct school uniform Asuka Langley from Evangelion, and Hannah decided on Opal from Legend or Korra. Neither cosplays are considered difficult, but sometimes the “simple cosplays” are the hardest to portray accurately. Fortunately Rita and Hannah are perfectionists when it comes to accuracy. They often bicker about the shade of the fabric and the length of the skirt or sleeve. (please see video of this dynamic duo in action)

Rita and Hannah have been friends for 10 years. Rita has been cosplaying for 6 years  (more seriously in the past two years) while Hannah only started last year.

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dynamic duo Rita Farkas and Hannah Mackillop

As I continued to edit my first cosplay construction video, I was also busy researching to find another candidate for my second video. A chance meeting of Euphoric Landings at Summer Festival in June, provided the inspiration I needed to make my second video.

Euphoric Landings is a versatile veteran cosplayer of 9 years (more seriously for the past 7 years). She has portrayed a variety of characters, from badass Cassandra Cain Black Bat to playful Jubilee.  Euphoric Landings is dedicated to bringing out her characters in costume and persona: her cosplays are uncanny.

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Euphoric Landings cosplay Huntress

Although Euphoric works alone, her productivity is impressive. For example, she completed the gender-bend Zoro of One Piece in one night. Euphoric Landings’s describes her style of construction as “unrefined” compared to the tidy approach of Rita and Hannah. That approach is exciting because it resembles magic instead of systematically stitching separate pieces. Euphoric or “Gal” works on one area while simultaneously addressing others. The final product seem to mysteriously appear from a cluster of materials in her living room. We filmed Euphoric as she effortlessly build the armour for Hinoka of The Fire Emblem. (see this video of Euphoric Landings in action)

Euphoric Landings works on her cosplays by herself, but she is not alone. She has a massive network of supporters on Facebook that eagerly await her progress.

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Euphoric Landings check her Hinoka cosplay against a mirror

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Euphoric Landings looking at cosplay reference for Hinoka of The Fire Emblem

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patterns by Euphoric Landings for Hinoka’s armour

Rita Farkas, Hannah Mackillop and Euphoric Landings will be attending Anime Revolution on August 14. Follow my blog post to see the finished results of Opal and Honika! STAYTOON’D

It was a pleasure to meet and film these wonderful cosplayers. For me, it was nostalgic to be in a room with sewing machines, fabric, paints and other materials from which cosplay is constructed.

NOTE: If you know a cosplayer, or you are a cosplayer with a story to tell please leave a comment below or PM me via Ultra Nerdy on Facebook.

#cosplay #anime #evangelion #dc #comics

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