Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Nathan Wilson : We always knew it existed and did some light cosplay, but we weren’t inspired to really get into it until after meeting Ronald Seaman of Aracknoid3 cosplay. Seeing another wheelchair user go all out with a cosplay really inspired us.
Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay?
Nathan Wilson : Skeletor and Evil-Lynn made of craft foam.
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Nathan Wilson : Terminators, Mandolorians (like everybody else LOL), and steam punk Skeletor and Evil-Lynn
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Nathan Wilson : Several, and made several friends doing it.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Nathan Wilson : We prefer to change our mediums frequently. We worked with craft foam, EVA foam, leather, and on big fabrication projects. Sewing is probably the thing we do the least.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
Nathan Wilson : We’ve only ever done a couple of photo shoots.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Nathan Wilson : We’ve done more villains than heroes, but I don’t think that was on purpose. It just sort of happened.
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Nathan Wilson : We’re not really into celebrity cosplayers. All of our favorite cosplayers are locals who’ve become con-friends.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Nathan Wilson : Probably the most detailed piece we have created would be our steam punk rifle for our steampunk Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf.
Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
Nathan Wilson : Don’t be afraid to try new materials, pick them up and just play with them. Leather is a surprisingly easy material to work with it’s just expensive to buy the startup tools. Thrift stores and yard sales are your friend.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Nathan Wilson : It’s hard for us to pick a favorite cosplay. Our first one, Skeletor and Evil-Lynn, still hold special place.
Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Nathan Wilson : A few years ago there was a convention at a hotel in Tampa. We were cosplaying Spawn and the Violator. As we were unloading the costumes and readying ourselves to enter the hotel, the hotel manager came out and told us we could not enter the event. They stated that the Violator was “too scary” and would frighten hotel guests and that the plastic spikes on the Spawn costume were too dangerous. The con manager had to come out and argue with the hotel manager to get us entry into the event. They finally let us in but escorted us to the event.
Leo Nocedo : What’s your funniest cosplay story?
Nathan Wilson : Our funniest story piggybacks off of our “horror story.” It occurred at the same event where they did not want to let us in for free we would “offend and frighten the guests.” A wedding was planned at the hotel, but it had to be moved indoors due to rain. The bride saw us in the hallway and took several pictures with us in her wedding gown.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Nathan Wilson : When we were dressed as Skeletor and Evil-Lynn, a little boy dressed as He-Man ran up and lifted his power sword at us. He could not of been more than three or four years old.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Nathan Wilson : 99% of our costumes are couples costumes.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Nathan Wilson : Probably the picture of us dressed as Skeletor and Evil-Lynn with a little kid dressed as He-Man.
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Nathan Wilson : Hobby Lobby, gotta love that 40% off coupon. We also regularly shop Joanne’s and Michael’s. Hardware stores are great (Lowe’s etc). We also frequent Tandy leather and Sky Craft in Orlando. We also frequent yard sales and thrift shops.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy pre-styled wigs or style your own?
Nathan Wilson : Prestyled.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Nathan Wilson : Yes, the Violator costume was frequently mistaken for a League of Legends character.
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done.
Nathan Wilson : Skeletor and Evil-Lynn, original character post-apocalyptic wastelanders Buzz Kill and Twinkie, steam punk Red Riding Hood and the big bad Wolf, Dead Space gender bent Isaac Clark and necromorph
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Nathan Wilson : Megacon
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Nathan Wilson : We do utilize props, but they do sometimes become difficult to carry.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Nathan Wilson : Not that we know of.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Nathan Wilson : We may have bought a couple of small things to use as greeblies or detail pieces.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Nathan Wilson : We always cosplay as a couple.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Nathan Wilson : No but several people have encouraged us to do so.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Nathan Wilson : We prefer to make our own cosplayers, but do utilize store by costumes for “cosplay light” days. For those we often hit the hollowing stores after Halloween.
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Nathan Wilson : Get into it sooner.
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Nathan Wilson : Alien Queen and Ripley.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done? (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect)
Nathan Wilson : We frequently change mediums so each new costume has its own set of challenges. Learning to work leather was an interesting challenge.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
Nathan Wilson : We’ve never really done any makeup… Yet.
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Nathan Wilson : Boobs usually.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
Nathan Wilson : Sharing our art with people who share our fandoms. I love to make someone’s day.
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