Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Scott Whipple : I have been making costumes since I was a kid, in Kindergarten I dressed up as Batman, In 3rd grade, I made my first costume out of chicken wire and plaster paris…The Purple People Eater
Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay?
Scott Whipple :This is a tough one, since I have been costuming pretty much my whole life. My first comic book convention costume was the X-Men Villain Apocalypse
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Scott Whipple : Heck, I usually don’t make plans until someone suggests something
If I had to throw something out there it would be Dirge from Xombie, A anything but generic Werewolf, and my D&D Paladin.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Scott Whipple : When I first started convention going, I did costume contests. I stopped after a couple years, but I did win, or place in the contests I was in though.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Scott Whipple : I prefer creating. I know how to sew, work with foam, and I like crafting. I just enjoy the act of creating. I have been in groups at conventions where I have made, or been involved in making most, if not all the costumes in the groups. My record for costumes I made for one weekend convention is 32 costumes, for myself and others in the groups I participated in over the weekend. My wife is glad those days are over, lol
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
Scott Whipple : To be honest, I am not a big photoshoot person. I enjoy making costumes, and wearing them. If I do participate in a photoshoot, I prefer it to be a smaller group at a specific location. Don’t get me wrong, I have been part of huge photoshoots at Cons, but I like those so I can see everyone else’s costumes.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Scott Whipple : Not really anymore. My first few years cosplaying, it was Wolverine, mostly. However, I have never really stuck to one character. I always enjoyed cosplaying villains, but I really am a very well rounded cosplayer, and just do what I enjoy at the time.
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Scott Whipple :This really is a loaded question, because I have way to many favorite cosplayers than I could mention here, and I wouldn’t want to miss anyone. Let’s just say, I know, and am friends with a lot of cosplayers. I don’t idolize people, at all, not even celebrities. I make friends wherever I go, and I love everyone.
Leo Nocedo :What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Scott Whipple : Well, my nickname up north used to me the Midwest Macgyver, because I made costumes out of junk, pretty much, lol. I was never really one for details, I always felt if people who knew the character was, and it looked good in pictures, then that was detailed enough. I will say my most difficult costume that I made was probably MODOK, followed in a close second by Mojo.
Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
Scott Whipple : I’m definitely don’t consider myself a craftsman. I didn’t get the nickname Macgyver for my craftsmanship, lol. Although, with any costume, I would say patience, youtube tutorials, and if something doesn’t work, don’t give up. Keep trying, eventually you will come across something that does.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Scott Whipple : Another Tough one… Once again MODOK or Mojo. The two most difficult to construct, but also the two most rewarding to wear.
Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Scott Whipple : MODOK. The costume was 9 feet tall, and 5 feet diameter. I was driving to C2E2 in Chicago, and MODOK was tied into the bed of my truck. When I pulled onto the highway, one of the ties came loose. MODOK flew out of the back of the truck bed and was hit by a semi truck behind me. The costume exploded on impact. Luckily it was all Cardboard and foam, so no one was injured, and the semi was not damaged. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. I pulled over to the side of the road and cried. I am thankful that I wore it for 3 days at Dragoncon the year prior, including marching in the parade. R.I.P. MODOK
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Scott Whipple : Since I haven’t mentioned it yet, I run a National 501c3 nonprofit charity organization called Costumers With A Cause. As such, I visit terminally ill children in hospitals in character, attend charity events, and fundraisers in character. For the past 15 years, my life has been full of incredible interactions with children. Just to see their faces light up when they meet a hero in the flesh. The hope and joy we bring, even a moment of happiness to help them forget about what is going on in their lives. There are more meaningful interactions than I can even count. If you want to help make a difference in children’s lives, please look us up.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Scott Whipple : Absolutely, and still do. One of our first conventions, myself and my family cosplayed as X-Force. I was Wolverine, my Wife was Domino, My Son was Warpath, My oldest Daughter was X-23, My youngest daughter was Wolfsbane.
Leo Nocedo :What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Scott Whipple : I’m not much for favorite pictures, but I will say, the one and only picture I have of myself hanging on my wall, out of over 100 costumes I’ve been photographed in, is that of my RenFaire Superman.
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Scott Whipple : Well, I have found that even ordering a complete costume from a store, you will still need to do alterations and upgrades to make it the way you want it. I have made costumes completely from scratch, and bought costumes that I needed to alter. White Sheep Leather is great top notch quality. Pro-Cosplay is decent. Everything requires upgrades and alteration though. I have always needed to do something with every costume. If you are crafting foam, I have found Harbor Freight has good prices on foam floor mats. Definitely invest in a sewing machine, and teach yourself to sew, or find a good friend who you trust, that can sew.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Scott Whipple : Hey, when I am Captain America, people call me Ironman all the time. Go figure, lol
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done.
Scott Whipple : Hahahahahaha. See above…over 100
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Scott Whipple : Dragoncon
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Scott Whipple :Yes
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Scott Whipple : Never lost, broken maybe. Thankfully, I always bring a triage kit, and have it in my car or hotel room.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Scott Whipple : Nope, I did build an entire costume from scratch at a con once though…Long story, and I will never do it again
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Scott Whipple : Yes
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Scott Whipple : I have been on cosplay guest panels at several conventions. From Costume Making, Being a Cosplayer, to doing Cosplay Charity.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Scott Whipple : Hmmmm, Doesn’t really matter to me, even when I buy them, I make pieces. There are some characters that just cannot be purchased though, and I enjoy the challenge of making those costumes from scratch.
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Scott Whipple : A Life Sized Fin Fang Foom
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
Scott Whipple : The friends I make along the way
Scott Whipple : I have been making costumes since I was a kid, in Kindergarten I dressed up as Batman, In 3rd grade, I made my first costume out of chicken wire and plaster paris…The Purple People Eater
Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay?
Scott Whipple :This is a tough one, since I have been costuming pretty much my whole life. My first comic book convention costume was the X-Men Villain Apocalypse
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Scott Whipple : Heck, I usually don’t make plans until someone suggests something
If I had to throw something out there it would be Dirge from Xombie, A anything but generic Werewolf, and my D&D Paladin.Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Scott Whipple : When I first started convention going, I did costume contests. I stopped after a couple years, but I did win, or place in the contests I was in though.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Scott Whipple : I prefer creating. I know how to sew, work with foam, and I like crafting. I just enjoy the act of creating. I have been in groups at conventions where I have made, or been involved in making most, if not all the costumes in the groups. My record for costumes I made for one weekend convention is 32 costumes, for myself and others in the groups I participated in over the weekend. My wife is glad those days are over, lol
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
Scott Whipple : To be honest, I am not a big photoshoot person. I enjoy making costumes, and wearing them. If I do participate in a photoshoot, I prefer it to be a smaller group at a specific location. Don’t get me wrong, I have been part of huge photoshoots at Cons, but I like those so I can see everyone else’s costumes.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Scott Whipple : Not really anymore. My first few years cosplaying, it was Wolverine, mostly. However, I have never really stuck to one character. I always enjoyed cosplaying villains, but I really am a very well rounded cosplayer, and just do what I enjoy at the time.
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Scott Whipple :This really is a loaded question, because I have way to many favorite cosplayers than I could mention here, and I wouldn’t want to miss anyone. Let’s just say, I know, and am friends with a lot of cosplayers. I don’t idolize people, at all, not even celebrities. I make friends wherever I go, and I love everyone.
Leo Nocedo :What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Scott Whipple : Well, my nickname up north used to me the Midwest Macgyver, because I made costumes out of junk, pretty much, lol. I was never really one for details, I always felt if people who knew the character was, and it looked good in pictures, then that was detailed enough. I will say my most difficult costume that I made was probably MODOK, followed in a close second by Mojo.
Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
Scott Whipple : I’m definitely don’t consider myself a craftsman. I didn’t get the nickname Macgyver for my craftsmanship, lol. Although, with any costume, I would say patience, youtube tutorials, and if something doesn’t work, don’t give up. Keep trying, eventually you will come across something that does.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Scott Whipple : Another Tough one… Once again MODOK or Mojo. The two most difficult to construct, but also the two most rewarding to wear.
Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Scott Whipple : MODOK. The costume was 9 feet tall, and 5 feet diameter. I was driving to C2E2 in Chicago, and MODOK was tied into the bed of my truck. When I pulled onto the highway, one of the ties came loose. MODOK flew out of the back of the truck bed and was hit by a semi truck behind me. The costume exploded on impact. Luckily it was all Cardboard and foam, so no one was injured, and the semi was not damaged. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. I pulled over to the side of the road and cried. I am thankful that I wore it for 3 days at Dragoncon the year prior, including marching in the parade. R.I.P. MODOK
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Scott Whipple : Since I haven’t mentioned it yet, I run a National 501c3 nonprofit charity organization called Costumers With A Cause. As such, I visit terminally ill children in hospitals in character, attend charity events, and fundraisers in character. For the past 15 years, my life has been full of incredible interactions with children. Just to see their faces light up when they meet a hero in the flesh. The hope and joy we bring, even a moment of happiness to help them forget about what is going on in their lives. There are more meaningful interactions than I can even count. If you want to help make a difference in children’s lives, please look us up.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Scott Whipple : Absolutely, and still do. One of our first conventions, myself and my family cosplayed as X-Force. I was Wolverine, my Wife was Domino, My Son was Warpath, My oldest Daughter was X-23, My youngest daughter was Wolfsbane.
Leo Nocedo :What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Scott Whipple : I’m not much for favorite pictures, but I will say, the one and only picture I have of myself hanging on my wall, out of over 100 costumes I’ve been photographed in, is that of my RenFaire Superman.
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Scott Whipple : Well, I have found that even ordering a complete costume from a store, you will still need to do alterations and upgrades to make it the way you want it. I have made costumes completely from scratch, and bought costumes that I needed to alter. White Sheep Leather is great top notch quality. Pro-Cosplay is decent. Everything requires upgrades and alteration though. I have always needed to do something with every costume. If you are crafting foam, I have found Harbor Freight has good prices on foam floor mats. Definitely invest in a sewing machine, and teach yourself to sew, or find a good friend who you trust, that can sew.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Scott Whipple : Hey, when I am Captain America, people call me Ironman all the time. Go figure, lol
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done.
Scott Whipple : Hahahahahaha. See above…over 100
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Scott Whipple : Dragoncon
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Scott Whipple :Yes
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Scott Whipple : Never lost, broken maybe. Thankfully, I always bring a triage kit, and have it in my car or hotel room.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Scott Whipple : Nope, I did build an entire costume from scratch at a con once though…Long story, and I will never do it again
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Scott Whipple : Yes
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Scott Whipple : I have been on cosplay guest panels at several conventions. From Costume Making, Being a Cosplayer, to doing Cosplay Charity.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Scott Whipple : Hmmmm, Doesn’t really matter to me, even when I buy them, I make pieces. There are some characters that just cannot be purchased though, and I enjoy the challenge of making those costumes from scratch.
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Scott Whipple : A Life Sized Fin Fang Foom
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
Scott Whipple : The friends I make along the way
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