Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying?
Davis Bastille Smith : My girlfriend Christiana, who owns AunumArt, got me into the cosplaying and costuming stuff. I attended a few conventions and found the inspiration to try it for myself.
Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay?
Davis Bastille Smith :It was actually of my own original character, Bastille the Butler. The butler was a concept idea in my head, and I felt embodying him in cosplay was a way to help flesh out the character.
Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans?
Davis Bastille Smith : I intend on having Bastille cosplay as Buckethead, Bob Ross, and Ghost Rider.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest?
Davis Bastille Smith :I have, but I don’t prefer being in them because I am an original character actor more than a cosplayer. There’s plenty of amazing artists that put a lot more time into cosplay fabrication than I do and I feel they deserve rewards more than I do.
Leo Nocedo :Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working?
Davis Bastille Smith :Armor Making and Outfit Coordination.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations?
Davis Bastille Smith :I prefer specific locations with photographers that I met at conventions. I like being able to pick the backdrops to my scenes.
Leo Nocedo :Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently?
Davis Bastille Smith :Bastille the Butler.
Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers?
Davis Bastille Smith :Countess Alyx has been one of my favorite and most motivational cosplayers. She does wonderful work and is a remarkable person.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done?
Davis Bastille Smith : Technically, Bastille the Butler, with multiple articles of clothing, belts, suspenders, corset and various furred pieces.
Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips?
Davis Bastille Smith : Never rush anything. With patience comes quality, and there’s nothing wrong with working on one particular piece for a very long time. E6000 is your friend. Thin down your paints and apply careful applications when coloring anything with paint. You can always add more point, but not necessarily take away paint. Wax Clay is a wonderful material to use when sculpting cosplay pieces for resin casting, but you’ll want a heat gun and the right carving tools when working with the clay.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done?
Davis Bastille Smith : Bastille the Butler as himself.
Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story?
Davis Bastille Smith : Probably when I had to attend a convention that was held partially inside and outside. It was an extremely hot day and I ended up profusely sweating in Bastille. This caused me to grow dizzy and fatigued, and I made a request to never do hot events ever again.
Leo Nocedo : What’s your funniest cosplay story?
Davis Bastille Smith :It was the time when I finally ran into someone cosplaying as Elias Ainsworth from Ancient Magus Bride, and I had the opportunity to take a selfie with him and post it up for comparison reasons so people would see and understand I was not cosplaying at that character.
Leo Nocedo :What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had?
Davis Bastille Smith : I had the opportunity to interact with one of my youngest fans, who believes that Bastille the Butler is actually a prince! She was quite possibly the most precious little girl I’ve had a photo with, and the very next year she returned and got another photo with me!
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member?
Davis Bastille Smith : Unfortunately, no. I am the ‘black sheep’ of the family that does anything relating to cosplay, costuming, and character acting.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself?
Davis Bastille Smith : It is an edited photo of Bastille the Butler and Captain Nevermore fencing
Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays?
Davis Bastille Smith : Subculture Corsets and Clothing, Steampunk Trunk, Alchemy of England, Punkrave, SHRINE, Demonia, Funtasma
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy pre-styled wigs or style your own?
Davis Bastille Smith : Pre-styled.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character?
Davis Bastille Smith : Often… Elias Ainsworth, to be specific. I know we look similar, but I assure you… we’re distant cousins.
Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done.
Davis Bastille Smith : Mainly just Bastille in various alternate outfits, but I plan on doing actual other characters while embodying him.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at?
Davis Bastille Smith : DragonCon was probably the largest convention I took Bastille to. The year I attended, they probably reached over 100,000 people.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day?
Davis Bastille Smith : Bastille naturally has an assortment of items he carries with him. By default, he has his parasol and sensu (folding) fan.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con?
Davis Bastille Smith : I lost the original flower that has been pinned to my coat ever since I first wore Bastille.
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con?
Davis Bastille Smith : I purchased the parasols I use at a convention. They’re made by Nola Fabiola.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group?
Davis Bastille Smith : If I am having professional photos done for a portfolio, I prefer solo, but when I am out and about having fun, I love being with a group of friends.
Leo Nocedo :If you had a chance to meet your all-time favorite cosplayer, what would you say to them?
Davis Bastille Smith : I’d say to them… ‘when are you coming over for dinner and Tee KO?’
Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel?
Davis Bastille Smith : I did a Character Acting Panel and Outfit Assembly Tips.
Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays?
Davis Bastille Smith : I prefer buying, especially from family-owned businesses.
Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say?
Davis Bastille Smith : Invest into your character now and embrace it at a younger age. Don’t worry about what others will think of you. You’ll thank me later.
Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay?
Davis Bastille Smith : A complete Ghost Rider cosplay with motorcycle and chains.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done? (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect)
Davis Bastille Smith : Probably still applies to Bastille the Butler’s default outfit, which has worn through quite a few articles of clothing.
Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done?
I’ve been fortunate in avoiding usage of makeup, since Bastille has no face flesh or fur.
Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer?
Davis Bastille Smith : In technical terms, it is when their cosplaying is also their profession, but that aside… I feel it is when someone always has their heart and mind in the right place to truly embody the character they cosplay as much as possibly, only breaking character when absolutely necessary.
Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying?
Davis Bastille Smith : My favorite part of what I do is the interactions I have with friends and fans at conventions. I believe a positive and wholesome moment with someone that looks up to me is worth more than any amount of money.
Leo Nocedo :What would you tell someone just starting to get into cosplay?
Davis Bastille Smith : In everything you do, put your heart into it and assure your mind is in the right place to fully embody whatever character you are cosplaying. A costume can look amazing, but having an accurate personality that matches your character can make all the difference, especially at conventions.
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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.
