Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Edward Charles Haas V : Between airsoft and LARPing I was already used to dressing up for less-than-normal situations. Cosplay came naturally, and my first event was a superhero flash mob.
Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay?
Edward Charles Haas V : Bane from The Dark Knight Rises.
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Edward Charles Haas V : Sektor from Mortal Kombat, Power Rangers SPD: Red Ranger, Ashitaka from Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Edward Charles Haas V : Yes, several. Ranging from Tampa Bay Comic Con to local comic book shops, I enjoy competing.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Edward Charles Haas V : Definitely armor making, my sewing skills need improvement haha.
Leo Nocedo :Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
Edward Charles Haas V : Both! I am a camera hog. If the background fits the character all the better, but I will never say no to a spontaneous convention shoot.
Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Edward Charles Haas V : I’ve noticed I do background characters from various franchises a lot. For instance, I enjoy cosplaying a marine grunt from Halo, and not Master Chief.
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Edward Charles Haas V : Several, but I really just respect people who do their own build and are willing to go the extra mile. Like, if you suffer for something you are passionate about I automatically appreciate you.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Edward Charles Haas V :That’s a tie between Samurai Darth Maul and the White Tiger Power Ranger. Both are full suits of leather armor and were super intricate, with details hidden all over.
Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
Edward Charles Haas V : Let things dry, follow the instructions, and double check your measurements.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Edward Charles Haas V : I really can’t pick just one, but I’m very proud of my leather armor. Tie between Samurai Maul and the White Ranger again.
Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Edward Charles Haas V :Having a wet damp-rid bag explode all over the first iteration of my white power ranger costume right before Anime Festival Orlando. I opened up the storage crate and there was a layer of saltwater soaked into the armor… the smell… the horror… But hey, it’s been remade and is better than ever!
Leo Nocedo : What’s your funniest cosplay story?
Edward Charles Haas V : I was cosplaying as a Star Wars Rebel pilot for a Halloween event on a military base. One of the Military Police mistook my chest box (with switches and buttons) for… something else. Needless to say I apologized profusely and he said no harm, no worries. We both laughed, but I still felt terrible.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Edward Charles Haas V : I was wearing stormtrooper armor with my girlfriend and we were “force pushed” by a little girl and we both played along. Needless to say she kicked our butts.
Leo Nocedo :Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Edward Charles Haas V : My Mom and Dad both cosplayed with me at a renaissance festival! I was sort of my Dad’s armorer and had to get some Crusade gear together for us.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Edward Charles Haas V : The picture of my stormtrooper taken by FightMoreFilms Inc., that guy is a wizard with a camera!
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Edward Charles Haas V : I definitely visit local craft chain stores, but Tandy Leather takes most of my money.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Edward Charles Haas V :All the time, I had a lot of different people think my original cosmonaut was from something else, even stuff that’s more obscure.
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done.
Edward Charles Haas V : Hopefully this doesn’t come across as a “big flex” but I have made over 40 cosplays! My Top 5 are, 1. Samurai Darth Maul, 2. Sam Fisher from Splinter Cell, 3. Ninja Steel Red Power Ranger. 4. White Tiger Power Ranger. 5. Captain Falcon.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Edward Charles Haas V : Star Wars Celebration, but also Megacon and Tampa Bay Comic Con.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Edward Charles Haas V : That depends on my travel situation. I like to have a good handler if I carry a lot of stuff but if I am alone I definitely want to be hands free for the most part.
Leo Nocedo :Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Edward Charles Haas V : Yes, of all the things to lose I lost a prop shotgun at Tampa Bay Comic Con.The same year someone got arrested for bringing a prop gun into a closeby bank… I don’t know if there’s a connection but if there is one, that’s karma!
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Edward Charles Haas V : Yes I actually bought Sith cosplay contact lenses when I realised I left my original set at home.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Edward Charles Haas V : Either, but a group definitely gets more attention!
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Edward Charles Haas V : Yes. I have done a few on cosplay building, and how to pick your first cosplay.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Edward Charles Haas V : Make as often as I can. If I ever have to buy something I almost always tweak or modify it.
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Edward Charles Haas V : Don’t get intimidated!
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Edward Charles Haas V : Although I have never walked on stilts, I would love to do a Space Marine from Warhammer 40K!
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done? (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect)
Edward Charles Haas V : Overall the most challenging in any category is, my original trilogy stormtrooper. The details need to be perfect, you cannot move very well, and you need to be able to see… but it definitely looks awesome.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
Edward Charles Haas V : Although I was not the artist, Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy body paint and prosthetics were very challenging to wear. Luckily I had a great makeup artist: Rebecca McGillicuddy.
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Edward Charles Haas V : If you are out there promoting yourself, keep coming up with new ideas, and still be down to earth and talk to people. I think that is what makes a pro: being successful without a huge ego.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
Edward Charles Haas V : Meeting people that appreciate the work it takes to make stuff, and that share the same values.
Leo Nocedo : Make up your own question!
Edward Charles Haas V : What 3 things would you tell an aspiring cosplayer?
Edward Charles Haas V : 1. Don’t sell yourself short, 2. Always be learning, 3. Fail upwards.
NocedoPhoto Media Group
NocedoPhoto Media Group is an innovative and creative consortium that unites photographers, writers, cosplayers, event promoters, vendors, costume and prop makers, and other creatives under one roof to use their collective skills to maximize their distribution and presence on digital media platforms. Their goal is to create a well-rounded and successful network for all involved.
