Name: smzeldarules (smzr/Sarah)
Location: Buffalo, NY
DeviantArt: You can find my really old digital/traditional art at smzeldarules.deviantart.com
Twitter: @smzeldarules
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smzeldarulesartandcosplay
Photographer(s): Pial Visions Photography, OhHeyItsSK, EBK/Eurobeat Kasumi Photography, Herbiecide, Mo-Ria Cosplay & Photography, Swoz Photography,Tommyish Cosplay & Photography and Astro Zombie Photography.
1. What does cosplaying mean to you?
It means fun with my fellow nerdy friends and dressing up as some of my favorite characters!
2. What was your very first cosplay experience? What inspired you to take up the craft?
My first con was actually not until 2009 when I went to a few local ones and then Fan Expo in Canada, but I actually started cosplaying in 2006. The cosplayer Shiya Wind and I knew each other from drawing online together since 2001, and when she got into cosplay when we were both teenagers, she got me into it. 😀
3. If you could select a favorite costume that you have worn, which would you choose?
BlackRose from .hack! I had a huge break from cons during college and personally I think I came back into the scene at the perfect time (2014). There’s so many tutorials and help out there now that I was finally able to hone some new skills this year (like BlackRose, since it’s my first huge armor build) and make one of my dream cosplays!
4. And, if you could select a favorite costume that you’ve seen someone else wear, what would that be?
Aldaroc of Awkwardnauts was Dust from Dust: An Elysian Tail at PAX East this past year, and oh my GOD, I just beat the game at the time, loved it, and kept thinking I sadly would never see a Dust cosplay in my life since it’s an underrated RPG in my opinion. I actually almost cried seeing him; it’s an ambitious costume to make, and I’m glad I saw so many other people recognize him too. The sword is my favorite part!
5. What is an upcoming costume that you’re currently working on?
My next costume will be Suyin from Legend of Korra! Rabbit in the Moon Cosplay (UsagiNoSenshi) is competing at YoumaCon as Lin and she asked me to cosplay her sister; I couldn’t pass it up! She was my first local cosplay friend 9 years ago and FINALLY we get to cosplay together, I’m so excited!
6. If you had unlimited funds and resources, what costume(s) would you create?
Every Yuffie (Final Fantasy 7) costume, every Rikku (Final Fantasy X) costume/dressphere, every Sailor Chibi Moon (Sailor Moon) outfit… not to mention all my future/dream cosplays here: http://imgur.com/a/CD2Ix
7. How do you prepare yourself, mentally and physically, for an upcoming convention/event?
I’m one of those people who actually HATES procrastinating, so I get everything done and ready beforehand. When it’s like 2 or 3 days before I leave, I start packing everything. I would stress out like crazy if I cut it too close. Lately I’ve been deciding to make simple new costumes for close/local cons 2 weeks before the date and making me very anxious, but both turned out okay thankfully! (Joy from Inside Out and Claire Bennet from Heroes!)
8. At the end of the day, in your opinion, what is the best part of cosplaying?
Friendships. There’s so many people I wouldn’t know if it wasn’t for cosplay, or even making my cosplay Facebook page in the first place, and I’m sooo happy about it I could cry. It’s really a great feeling when you can talk to someone about literally ANYTHING and then you remember you met because of both of you meeting at a silly nerdy video game con 7 hours away from where you live. Just an example! 🙂
9. What advice can you offer to those who are aspiring cosplayers?
Never stop having fun cosplaying! It’s really the most important and best thing about this community.
To learn more about smzeldarules, follow her on Twitter: @smzeldarules, or check out her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/smzeldarulesartandcosplay
If you or someone you know would like to have a gallery featured on Geeks World Wide, please email Casey at gwwcapescrew@gmail.com!