Next up in our ongoing Cosplayer interview series is a favorite of ours gam3rbarbie! Everyone knows gam3rbarbie is big into video games, but read what else she has to say in our most recent interview.
Location: Washington State, USA
Links: Instagram | Twitter | Twitch | Patreon |
SMC: Why did you start cosplaying?
I kind of just woke up one day and decided I like making costumes! Cosplay is an art to me; finishing a project feels so great. It helps me focus and mentally happier and increases my artistic and creative ability.
SMC: What was the first convention you attended in cosplay?
I attended PAX for my first con, and I wore a make-shift Assassins Creed costume one day, and wore a Pikachu backpack and hat the next day. PAX was so much fun! The first time I really put effort into my cosplays was the following year at PAX West. I made an Assassin’s Creed cosplay from scratch, hand- sewing all the pieces together. That was my first true hand- made cosplay I wore to a con.
SMC: What has been your most memorable convention moment?
Oh gosh. There are many; cons are such a magical time as a cosplayer. The first was when I wore my original mercy to a con. I had so many people telling me how much they liked it, and little kids would come up to me and wave, saying “Hi Mercy!” It was so wholesome and really made me proud of my cosplay. That was my first time building armor as well, so I felt very excited to share my cosplay with others. Another was recently at comic con. I was invited into the Western Champions of Cosplay competition! It was such a long day but being a part of such a big honor with so many other amazing cosplayers felt inspiring. Oh yah, and a few of my followers actually came up to me and said they have been following my journey of creating my new mercy on Instagram and were excited to see it! That really humbled me. I cried tears of love and appreciation on the way home that night!
SMC: What is your favorite thing about cosplaying at a convention?
The people, Hands down. Not only the people who appreciate the cosplay, but the other cosplayers. I came into the cosplay scene completely solo, meaning I had no friends who even played video games or understood why I spent so much time building costumes. I have met some amazing cosplayers and photographers who do wonderful work at conventions!
SMC: Where can fans expect to see you next? (2019/20 Schedule?)
I actually went to Sakura con in Seattle, WA this last weekend! I will possibly go to PAX West again, but that depends on my schedule, as I work and am in school. I will also most likely be going to Twitch Con in San Diego late September.
SMC: What cosplayers inspire you?
I was inspired by Jessica Nigri’s Assassin’s creed outfit to help create my first cosplay. That’s the first cosplayer I have ever stuck to, and I still look up to her as my inspiration. I also really admire CutiePie Sensei, because she creates either amazingly similar cosplays or creative, extravagant, new ideas. I also really love getting inspiration from MaulCosplay, Leon Chiro, and Kamuicosplay. There’s many more, but these big cosplayers are so inspiring and truly deserve credit for my inspiration.
SMC: Which is your favorite cosplay you’ve created?
I am the most proud of my first mercy. It isn’t my best work, but it was my first large- scale build, and the time and detail that went into it was really what inspired me to keep building bigger and better cosplays. My favorite cosplay to do a photoshoot in was Harley Quinn! It was really fun to be the “bad guy” and portray her persona.
SMC: What cosplay are you best known for?
I am guessing my Mercy cosplays are the most remember-able. I tend to receive the most feedback from them, and those I talk to joke that I’m “IRL” Mercy!
SMC: If money was no object what would be your dream cosplay creation?
If money AND time were no object, I would LOVE to make MiraJane’s demon form from FairyTail. Or something with massive wings and special effects!
SMC: Do you have any new cosplays currently in the works?
I just finished a Gladiolus from Final Fantasy 15, and am taking a break on large projects until summer and school is done. I have a big list of things I want to make, but I will most likely be starting A Sylveon and Espeon cosplay to wear to TwitchCon with my good friend Espynat0r! She’s getting into cosplay, so I want to make her a matching cosplay with me to start her journey! I also plan on doing another Assassin’s Creed cosplay, the armor for my Zero- two from Darling in the FRANXX, and possibly Asuna from SAO by the end of the year!
SMC: What are your cosplay strengths? (Tailoring, fabric painting, worbla armor, in-character performance etc.)
The work that comes out the best are my foam- armor builds. Mercy, Janna, and Gladiolus’ sword are builds where my primary tool was foam molding, cutting, shaping, and painting. I would love to get better at worbla though, because foam tends to not be as sturdy and breaks easily.
SMC: What’s one thing you wish you knew about cosplaying before you got started?
I wish I knew better ways to start projects, and what materials and tools you should use. I kind of didn’t know what I was doing when I started, and had to redo a lot of my earlier cosplays because I didn’t use the right materials, or didn’t use more efficient tools.
SMC: Any advice for people interested in cosplaying for the first time?
Honestly, just do it. Pick a character you really like and start simple. Buying costumes and altering them or buying different pieces to add to it is how I started. I then started slowly and started making my own. My first cosplay took about a year to make, and it was not very intricate. So take your time. I also get a LOT of people who tell me they are too shy or afraid of cosplaying. I tell those people, honestly JUST DO IT. I can be very insecure with my looks and body and was nervous to publicize my cosplay too. And when I finally showed people my work, I have never felt so much love and support and positivity as I have from the cosplay community! It has made me happier mentally and has boosted my self- confidence. I am much more content with the body I have and the looks I have, and mainly this is because people are so supportive and appreciate the work I do, and most importantly, appreciate me the way I am.
SMC: What do you do in the real world for a job?
I’m a full time pre- med student! I study from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed, with small breaks for gym, food, and chilling. It really is more work than full time jobs I have had, but I absolutely love it. For income, I work at a nightclub! I also stream on Twitch! However, I am on hiatus until July. So follow me, and when I finally start back up say hi!
SMC: What is something your fans may not know about you? Other hobbies?
I am pretty in to fitness and health. I really like cracking jokes and memes. I also REALLY like dancing!
SMC: What part of “geekdom” is you favorite avenue of entertainment (i.e. comics, movies, video games, anime, etc?).
My main geekdom is definitely video games. I have been gaming before it was cool (LOL). I love RPGS so much, and I’m not a big BR gamer. Assassin’s Creed, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Harvest Moon, Halo, Witcher, Final Fantasy, Fallout, Pokemon, and Overwatch are some of my favorite games. I have recently become an anime fan as well! I LOVE sci- fi, fantasy animes, like Darling in the FRANXX, My Hero, Fairy Tail, etc., and am looking for more ideas!
SMC: What is your gaming system of choice?
I am and will always be a devoted Xbox fangirl!
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fin
Happy Canadian, as well as a hardcore video game addict. Spends all day and night trying to come up with new ideas for Share My Cosplay. Need help with something feel free to contact me.