TeamSMC’s Isley Cosplay interviews the man behind Imaginary Fx! Kevin Lewis does some extremely insane cosplay work. Check out what he has to say about all of his cosplaying adventures bellow.

Links:

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Interview:

SMC: Why did you start cosplaying?
Kevin Lewis: I’ve always really been into Halloween and made my own costumes to enter contests for many years. Technically you could say that’s how I first got my start. But I’ve always been into pop-culture, horror, sci-fi, comic characters too. So once I found out about cosplay it was an instant fit for me and I was hooked after my first con experience! Also I’m a creative person by nature so it’s an additional creative outlet for me.

SMC: What was the first convention you attended in cosplay?
Kevin Lewis: The very first con I attended I went in cosplay. I believe that was the Dallas Sci-Fi convention around 2013. I made my own costume and cosplayed as Darth Maul from Star Wars.

SMC: What has been your most memorable convention moment?
Kevin Lewis: It’s hard to say there is just one moment but a few. I don’t do a lot of photo ops with celebrities unless there happens to be a celebrity attending that I cosplay as. I had the chance to meet Norman Reedus when I was cosplaying Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead) and also Richard Brake as the Night King (Game of Thrones). Both were great and I have some funny (and kinda odd) stories about those experiences.

Other big moments were when I was THE cosplay contest judge for Walker Stalker Con in Atlanta and the first time I judged Dallas Fan Expo. Also being a guest at Famous Monsters and Dallas Fan Days.

SMC: What is your favorite thing about cosplaying at a convention?
Kevin Lewis: I love how excited people get when they see you cosplaying a character they love. Especially kids. It’s like they’re at Disney when they see you and their faces light up.

Also I love seeing all of the creativity that other people put into their cosplays. As I’ve gotten to be a regular at conventions I’ve made so many friends within the cosplay community so it’s like a big family reunion!

SMC: Where can fans expect to see you next? (2017/18 Schedule?)
Kevin Lewis: I mainly stick to cons local to Dallas and don’t plan too far ahead unless I’m a guest cosplayer. Coming up is Fan Expo Dallas, and possibly A-kon.

SMC: What cosplayers inspire you?
Kevin Lewis: Oh this is a very long list. There are so many that inspire me for different reasons. You have builders that have crazy foam fabrication and 3D modeling skills, then there’s seamstresses that are so talented with a sewing machine and patterns, and those that are incredible with piecing together a complete costume. There’s also those that can act and really bring a character to life. I love the diverse skills that so many cosplayers have to offer.

SMC: Which is your favorite cosplay you’ve created? What cosplay are you best known for?
Kevin Lewis: I have lots of characters but I would say my comic book version of the Green Goblin and my Night King from Game of Thrones are probably the two I get the most attention for and probably my favorites because those characters allow me to utilize my special fx makeup skills. As far as “causal” cosplays I’m well know for my Hawkeye (from the Avengers) and Daryl Dixon (from The Walking Dead).

SMC: If money was no object what would be your dream cosplay creation?Do you have any new cosplays currently in the works?
Kevin Lewis: I don’t really have a dream cosplay and I don’t look at it from a money/cost perspective. But I do have a cosplay to do list which is an ever evolving list which I’m sure a lot of cosplayers have. I just finished a fully motorized Green Goblin glider that I’m very excited to debut soon and I’m currently working on a conceptual version of Batman Beyond that I’m planning on debuting at Fan Expo Dallas in April.

SMC: What are your cosplay strengths? (Tailoring, fabric painting, worbla armor, in-character performance etc.)
Kevin Lewis: Special FX makeup, painting techniques/airbrushing, foam fabrication, and character performance. I’m also getting more proficient in electronics such as LEDs, smoke effects, etc.

SMC: What’s one thing you wish you knew about cosplaying before you got started?
Kevin Lewis: The amount of time and material costs that’s involved. Also I didn’t know there was such a big community tied into it. There can be some drama at times like any large community but there’s a lot of great people and support as well.

SMC: Any advice for people interested in cosplaying for the first time?
Kevin Lewis: Just have fun and learn. It’s easy to look at cosplayers that have been doing it for a long time and think “I could never do that”. Just realize they started off just like you but with patience, practice, and the willing to learn they became skilled costume makers. Most people in the community are willing to help you and answer questions so reach out to those that inspire you. Also with the internet and youtube there’s so many free tutorials and resources so take advantage of those as well.

SMC: What do you do in the real world for a job? 
Kevin Lewis: I’m a creative art director for an international ad/marketing agency

SMC: What is something your fans may not know about you? Other hobbies?
Kevin Lewis: I was an audio/music engineer and used to own a music production company and run a small music studio. I also use to DJ and will still do small gigs at times.

SMC: What part of “geekdom” is you favorite avenue of entertainment (i.e. comics, movies, video games, anime, etc?).
Kevin Lewis: Mainly movies & TV, some video games and graphic novels. Just an overall big fan of pop culture in general.

SMC: What Comic Books are you currently addicted to?
Kevin Lewis: Not currently reading any at this time. I know…shame on me. Lol

SMC: Any favorite TV shows, movies or cartoons?
Kevin Lewis: The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, All Marvel movies/TV shows, and Star Wars of coarse! I’m also a sucker for GREAT horror flicks which are hard to come by.

SMC: What is your gaming system of choice?
Kevin Lewis: I don’t seem to have much time to play video games these days but I do have an Xbox.

SMC: What are you currently playing / upcoming video game releases?
Kevin Lewis: When I have time….Injustice 2 & Overwatch

Interested in having your cosplay featured on Sharemycosplay.com? Contact us. Check out our Submissions page, email us Submissions@sharemycosplay.com or on Social Media.

As well check out our new subreddit. http://www.reddit.com/r/sharemycosplay. A great place to post your newest cosplay creation!