CQ-Magazine #02 English Version

Issue

02

n

INTERNATIONAL INTERVIEW:

MICHELLE MONIQUE / USA OPENING OF THE PHOTO GALLERY:

MEET THE JUDGES AND FINALISTS OF THE ON-LINE CONTEST HELD BY CQ-MAGAZINE

Year 1 www.facebook.com/cosplayersquito n

n

Metronome

Coverage of NIJI, one of the best ecuadorian J-Music Bands

Tips & Tricks

Tips for choosing fabrics

Random Question

Read the answers from cosplayers around the world

EDITORIAL TEAM

General Edition: Guillermo Guevara Style Correction: Guillermo Guevara Translations: Annie Jiménez / Andrea Parra Marlina Sánchez / Ana María Guevara/ Guillermo Guevara Design and Layout: Guillermo Guevara WRITERS: <International Interview> Andrea Parra <Metronome> David Haro <Tips & Tricks> Kiren Lidell (México) <Special> Annie Jiménez <CQ Interview> Annie Jiménez <Correspondent> Santiago Vásquez <Random Question> Annie Jiménez Contact: cosplayersquito@gmail.com Web: www.facebook.com/cosplayersquito A publication by CQ MAGAZINE

INDEX INTERNATIONAL INTERVIEW 4

METRONOME TIPS & TRICKS SPECIAL CQ INTERVIEW CORRESPONDENT RANDOM QUESTION CQ MAGAZINE

8 12 14 20 24 28

INTERNATIONAL INTERVIEW In this section you will meet many personalities in the cosplay world but received compliments so they progressed into more and more complicated shoots and continued until she could buy her Canon 40D when she was 16.

Michelle considers photography not only as a hobby but as a job; even though taking pictures is fun she knows that she needs to meet deadlines and maintain professionalism. What interest her most is the combination of photography and digital art. Anything fantasy related catches her eye and she also enjoys good photojournalistic pictures.

MICHELLE MONIQUE

A

n important part of our environment as cosplayers is the photographers, those people that with their lenses capture the essence of the character that we are characterizing. It’s for that reason that in this occasion we bring you a photographer that with only 21 years has amazed the world with her talent in photography and in photo-manipulation.

The U.S citizen Michelle Monique ventured into the world of photography when she was only 14 years old, at the beginning her main objective was to create more interesting photographs for her Myspace account, and like that she caught the attention of the people that visited her, at that time she only had a basic Olympus camera of her dad that she picked it up and began taking self portraits.

Then she started doing crazy makeup and photo shoots that looked erratic but the attention she was getting pushed her to take more pictures. Her best friend noticed, and wanted her to take her photos as well. They started with silly amateur pictures taken in Michelle’s room with awful Photoshop 4 CQ MAGAZINE

When the time of planning a new photo shoot arrives, she is mainly concerned in the details.

First of all the topic, on this part she is really stubborn when an idea gets into her head there’s nothing that can pull it away until she finishes it.

After that there is the model, if is not one of their friends, are models that she gets in web pages like modelmayhem.com, even though lately she has been trying to contact the model agencies to work with their notch models. Generally models have a bubbly look, some are edgy, and some are sophisticated etc. the main concern in this phase is to choose one that embodies the concept that you are looking for.

Something really interesting about Michelle is that she doesn’t have any formal studies, everything that she knows about photography and photo manipulation she taught herself by practicing and error, based mainly on very good tutorials that she found on the Internet, and analyzing the work of her favorite photographers like Alexia Sinclair,

“Don’t get discouraged if you don’t create amazing art at the beginning.

I know I got frustrated a lot and felt hopeless when I couldn’t figure out how professionals did it, but with practice and time you’ll get it”

INTERNATIONAL INTERVIEW Annie Leibovitz, Dave Hill, Jill Greenberg these ones incorporate elements of fantasy on their work, to figure out why they are so good and try to apply aspects of that to her technique.

Metrónome Tips & Tricks Special

Another subject we asked Michelle is on the excessive use of photoshop, many people complain that the use of this program is creating As many cosplayers photography has helped Michelle unrealistic photos and many photographers abuse to be more open with people, and take out that fear of of it, to which she replied: talking with strangers. Also she has been awarded with several prizes she was a finalist in the Wacom contest, “Photoshop is a tool to create art. It is not First in Digital imaging contest, she has been featured at meant to depict reality – far from it. Digital art Comic-Con, awarded photographer of the year in high is just as “real” as a painting or using darkroom school, and she has been in Advanced Photoshop.

International Interview

Many of our readers know Michelle for her incredible videos that she has begun to post on Youtube, in which she shows all her talent as well as her models, the incentive to show these videos was because a friend told her that making the scenes videos of her photo shoots would be a good idea. Something that we have also realized on her videos is the preparation that requires to prepare a photo shoot, but Michelle is not alone, she counts with lots of help, like her father and her boyfriend that use their knowledge on engineering to built her anything!, and her mom that also does some sewing and assisting with photo shoots.

“They have all been a HUGE help to me and I can’t thank them enough.”

yet nobody complains about those. It is used to create something new and to let the viewer experience something other than what they see every day. It is true that some people abuse of photoshop and make skin look like plastic, or eyes look alien but there are people who are just as inexperienced in ALL types of art and to define photoshopping by these instances would be ludicrous. “Excessive Photoshop” is a misnomer. I think when someone says “excessive” they really mean “bad”. There are retouches that spend 10x longer in photoshop and it looks 10x better. It is not the amount of photoshop used, but the quality seen. In my Lili Rochefort picture where she is flying through the window that would have never been possible for me to do without either spending thousands of dollars or seriously injuring the model.

Thanks to photoshop, I was able to create my vision. . It has opened up a new venue for artists to express themselves and that is something I will never be opposed to.”

CQ Interview Correspondent Random Question

BABY DOLL <SUCKERPUNCH> MODEL: LAURA BEE

CQ MAGAZINE 5

INTERNATIONAL INTERVIEW

International Interview

own style. For this part, you’ll have to think of a theme or style that has meaning to you. It takes decades to perfect it. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t create amazing art at the beginning. I know I got frustrated a lot and felt hopeless when I couldn’t figure out how professionals did it, but with practice and time you’ll get it”

Metrónome

If you would like to know more about the work of this amazing artist, we encourage you to visit her web sites

She hopes to continue in the future what she is As we have seen on this interview make an effort doing but on a larger scale. Her dream is to do to accomplish your goals, if you are passionate photo campaigns for movies and video games, about something don’t let anyone stop you, take this is what inspires her to keep fighting. your time to improve your abilities and use the recourses that the now days technology provides To finish, our interviewed would like to advise you, has been an honor for all who make CQanyone who is thinking of entering to this Magazine to count with the participation of world; “Photography can be intimidating at first.

Michelle Monique in this edition, and we hope to I found a lot of great video tutorials on lighting see more of her work in the future, wishing her and photography on youtube. Once you get the the best success. basics down, the hardest part is developing your

Random Question

Correspondent

CQ Interview

Special

Tips & Tricks

LILI ROCHEFORT <TEKKEN> MODEL: JEN

• http://michellemoniquephoto.com/ • http://michellemonique.deviantart.com/ • h t t p : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / u s e r / michellemoniquephoto • h t t p : / / w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / michellemoniquephoto

LILI ROCHEFORT <TEKKEN> MODEL: JEN

6 CQ MAGAZINE

INTERNATIONAL INTERVIEW

International Interview Metrónome Tips & Tricks Special CQ Interview Correspondent Random Question

I N S P I R E D O N “ D E AT H K N I G H T ” C O N C E P T < W O R L D O F WA R C R A F T > MODEL: MARY N.

CQ MAGAZINE 7

METRONOME

Metrónome

International Interview

Read the news about Japanese artists and music and their representatives around the world

UNA DE LAS MEJORES BANDAS ECUATORIANAS DE J-MUSIC

Random Question

Correspondent

CQ Interview

Special

Tips & Tricks

COURTESY OF GRUPO NIJI

O

ne of the most important things in the closure of an event in Ecuador is the J-music concerts.

There is a band that even though is part of the end of the event, becomes the main show of it. We are talking about “Niji”, one of the best cover groups of J-music in Ecuador which with 6 years of hard work has obtained many followers around the country.

The doors of some scenarios were opened in December of 2006, in an event done in the Japanese park of Guayaquil were a group of otakus organized a gathering with their members. The band was invited for that presentation, but unfortunately their vocalist wasn’t able to be there with them, so all the songs were sang by the people who were cheering them.

The date of that event is now known as the anniversary Niji never thought on becoming one of the greatest of this group. bands of the country. The project started in 2006 in Guayaquil city with a group of friends that enjoyed After that presentation, in 2007 the now vocalist of playing songs of their favorite anime series. They were the band Jorge Santillán entered the group invited to Elías Muñoz, Dangelo Salazar, José Jaramillo and Julio be part of this group and he brought with him Wendy Rendón who thought that doing this would be fun. Araujo, who was the first female voice of the group.

However, only Dangelo and Elías had musical training Once the team was completed, they had a chance but they managed to get some people who played in the program “Anime y Comics” of the Satelital TV some musical instruments and it was like that how the Channel, in which, as a serious presentation, they first group of Niji appeared even though it wasn’t with decided to call themselves Niji. This name appears that name. from the title of one of the songs of L’Arc en Ciel, because most of the group members liked it a lot.

In this moment is when the group defines their first group of members: Sergio and Jorge Poveda in the second guitar, Jorge Santillán and Wendy in the voices, Elías Muñoz as the main guitar, Dangelo Salazar in the bass and Andrés Campaña in the drums. Thanks to this opportunity of being in national television and the great support that they received from the fans, people started to recommend them for some conventions and this is how the doors were opened for them.

F I R S T P R E S E N TAT I O N I N A M B AT O, E C U A D O R

8 CQ MAGAZINE

METRONOME in some places out of Guayaquil like in Quito, Cuenca, Ambato, Machala, Durán with projects like Ongaku Sai where they are usually the main topic of the chart.

Metrónomo Metrónome Tips & Tricks Entrevista Special CQ CQEspecial Interview

They don’t have a specific genre of music. They can play J-rock, k-pop (songs from korean doramas) and J-pop, that’s why they are a very singular group as all of them have different musical tastes. Between their most popular covers is Butterfly, song known as the During the development of the group, some of their opening of the series Digimon Adventures 01. members decided to retire due to personal issues, studies or work. As Dangelo retired, Sandy Campaña arrived and took his place as bassist and when Wendy decided to leave the band, María Pía Coppiano continued with that position. As well, time after Andrés had to leave the band and Nelson Torre was in charge of the drums and since he had to leave to the United States, Ernesto Egas took his place as formal drummer. Since their very first presentation in a big convention, they continued playing in some other events, that weren’t that frequent in those years. They had some opportunities on television and by 2008, the band played their very first concert in Quito city O N G A K U S A I I N “ E L A G U I J Ó N ” B A R , Q U I T O - E C U A D O R during the Otaku Party that was done by the French Alliance, becoming like this the very first band with Even though they are one of the most important projection in all the country. groups of J-music in the country, none of the members of Niji earn money with this. All of them have their Between their experiences, they had the opportunity jobs, studies, thesis, master degrees and many other to open the concert of the famous Captain Memo activities which are the reasons why they can’t see in Guayaquil city, who they had the opportunity to each other every day to practice. They decide the meet in person, receive congratulations and some songs they are going to play and each one of them by encouragement from him. themselves practice on their own. When all is settled, in the practice room, they practice all together and arrange things before their performances.

International Entrevista Internacional Interview

For August 5th of the same year, the group had its first opportunity to be in an official convention thanks to “Comic Club”, who organized their Plaza Colón Event in Guayaquil city. For this presentation, they add a new member, Luis Alberto Coppiano Rodriguez, who would become the nowadays band’s keyboardist. That was the start of the career of one of the best J-music cover band of the country.

Correspondent Pregunta Random

T R AV E L I N G TO Q U I TO F O R T H E ‘ F I E S TA OTA K U ’ I N T H E C R Y S TA L PA L A C E

Random Galería Question

The group has had many opportunities and concerts that completely break the routine as the acoustic concert they had in 2008 and some other opportunities V B 2 I N G U AYA Q U I L < 2 0 0 9 >

CQ MAGAZINE 9

METRONOME

International Interview

Niji has a very exciting future and will continue showing more surprises. From being a small project created by friends that started all this as a hobby, they have become one of the greatest and well-known bands of J-music in Ecuador and abroad, and this group will continue giving us more to talk about in the future.

Metrónome

V B 2 I N G U AYA Q U I L < 2 0 0 9 >

Many of the new groups that are appearing now don’t know about all the difficulties that bands as Niji had to pass through during the growth of the Otaku community in this country where having good equipment and facilities were hard to find. ‘ AVA L A N C H A’ I N G U AYA Q U I L < 2 0 1 1 >

Special

Tips & Tricks

Present Members: Jorge Santillán - Vocals María Pía Coppiano - Vocals Elías Muñoz - Guitar Alex Almeida - Bass Luis Coppiano – Keyboards Ernesto Egas - Drums Contact: • • Niji has new projects and surprises for their followers, • activities that will be appearing and search on adding • that plus to what they have now as nowadays there are • many cover bands and they want to be different from all of them.

• •

www.facebook.com/gruponiji http://twitter.com/GrupoNIJI http://www.youtube.com/user/GrupoNIJI www.reverbnation.com/gruponiji http://nijidays.wordpress.com (primer blog de la banda) www.gruponiji.com (Under Construction) e –mail: info@gruponiji.com

Random Question

Correspondent

CQ Interview

V B 2 I N G U AYA Q U I L < 2 0 0 9 >

G R U P O N I J I N E X T T O M A R I O C A S TA Ñ E D A < 2 0 0 9 >

10 CQ MAGAZINE

G R O U P P HOTO < 2 0 1 0 >

METRONOME

Please come and show your support to Versailles and their final journey.

July 20th, 2012 Versailles YMN corporation”

CQ Interview Correspondent Random Question

CQ MAGAZINE 11

Special

Since the beginning the “ROSE” has played a central role, both thematically and symbolically, for Versailles. The “ROSE”, which is also the title song of their 5th anniversary single, is about birth, M A N G A N I C R A Z Y. B L O G S P O T. C O M becoming and being – in short, their story to the world.

Versailles has been one of the most important bands on the J-Rock world and specially of Visual Kei in their 5 The band will release their farewell album September year of existence, by both its music and its presence on 26th and tour domestically soon afterwards. On stage. During this time they’ve earned many fans around December 20th, Versailles will have their grand the world, leaving one of the most important legacies for finale which be performed at NHK Hall in Tokyo. music both in and outside Japan.

Tips & Tricks

The official announcement presented on July 20th On September the 26th was the official release of their was as follows: good-bye album titled “Versailles”, which means that the moment for stopping activities is near. Many fans expect “An Important Announcement From Versailles: it to be a temporary pause as in 2009 after de decease of Jasmine, ex-bassist of the band, but only time will tell.

Dear Enduring, Loyal Supporters, We would like to announce that Versailles has decided to stop all activities by the closing of the year.

Being our 5th anniversary -- and without a clear direction heading into the future – we have decided it was in the best interest of the band and the music, our staff and supporters, in order to pursue our artistic and personal goals outside the current framework, to stop all our activities by the end of 2012.

Metrónome

O

n past July the famous Visual-Kei band Versailles ~Philarmonic Quintet~ published an announcement in Kamijo’s (Vocals) official web page that the band will totally stop its activities after 20th of December. This news shocked the followers of the band and fans of Visual Kei and J-Music around the world.

International Interview

VERSAILLES WILL STOP ACTIVITIES FOR INDEFINITE TIME

TIPS & TRICKS Tips and tricks from cosplayers to cosplayers

CHOOSING FABRICS W

hen we become full committed to cosplay, materials are the most important thing to take into account on the creation process, an obviously the main one is the fabric ; but when we are new in this hobby (or not so much), knowing which fabric is the appropriated to your cosplay could be overwhelming: That is why I will use all my experience to write this article and help cosplayers with it.

Many people ask about the kind of fabric they can use for a certain costume, and for this there are several factors to take into account when choosing our fabrics, such as: • Design and story of the character to personify It’s important to know the design of the character, as well as the story in which it develops. An example of this is the famous Virtual Diva, Hatsune Miku: Her futuristic design generates the idea of using synthetic fabrics with some glam. Some cosplayers stay with this idea, but others have their own interpretation and choose a different kind of materials. It is not wrong; it’s what people like, so some rules can be broken. Depending of our personal VOCALOID.WIKIA.COM preferences we will choose one cosplay from another.

You can appreciate how the esthetic of one costume to another changes just because of the fabrics. Some combine synthetic materials with casual fabrics (less shiny) while there are cosplayers who use the same material in all the costume.

12 CQ MAGAZINE

P I N K B E R R Y PA R F A I

CINNAMON ANNIE

• Budget This is very important because it can set the whole look of your outfit. Here the ideal would be to know the fabric stores in your area as much as possible, so when you start a new cosplay project you know exactly where to go and not waste too much time doing your shopping. You need to know how much fabric to buy, although this depends on each person.

For example, I like to buy several yards of fabric when it´s rare to get anywhere else, and because I like to have enough material for any eventuality. If you only have the budget for the cosplay you’re doing at that moment, it would be best to get all your pieces on a paper and calculate how much fabric you’ll need more or less, this is an average because it depends a lot on how wide the fabric is, it can range from 1.60 to 1.20m wide and since the cloth is ordered normally by meters long, the amount of fabric to work will vary. To avoid surprises like “I need more fabric!”, it is better to ask for more meters, just in case.

• Be flexible When we do cosplay, we want everything to look exactly as our reference image, but unfortunately sometimes this can not be, specially because sometimes you are not going to be able to find the exact material for that project, in this case the fabric . So

TIPS & TRICKS you have to be flexible at all times and be open minded to work with other materials, who knows? It may even be better than you imagined. This brings us to the next point:

Metrónome Tips & Tricks

Now, the choice of fabrics depends if they are available in stores, budget or / and if they look good together (if you have doubts about how two or more

International Interview

fabrics look together, ask for samples before buying them) Also take into account your experience, have you worked with that fabric before of it is the first time using it? Because, for example, is not the same work with cotton than working with lycra. So you Plan ahead and think about the future have to plan well in advance and allow your time to Planning is the foundation of every good and suc- learn about new fabrics. cessful cosplay, and is where we ask questions like: Who? (Choose character), when? (The event you are What did I mean to think ahead? Well, some fagoing to use it), what? (Types of fabrics or materials brics are more durable than others, others can you will use) Where? (Places where you have to go get to the washer but others will have to be hand to get the materials) and how? (Techniques that you washed or take them to a laundry, some fabrics used to make the costume). Do not forget to always are fine for cold weather but other will kill you have a plan B or contingency in case of an emergency. on hot weather. It also happens that the tone or the brightness change depending on the type What helps a lot to plan a costume is, of course, to of light, just look at these pictures of my Sheryl have enough reference images. The more images Nome skirt : you have of the character, the easier it is going to be to see everything you need to get or do to carry it out..

Special

CQ MAGAZINE 13

Random Question

Don’t forget to visit Kiren’s Blog: • http://lifeincostume.com/

Correspondent

We hope this tips are useful for those who have problems choosing the fabrics for some cosplays or for those who are beginning in this colorful hobby.

CQ Interview

It is important to know the effect of the fabric with different types of lighting, to know what to expect or have an idea of how your costume will look like when you take pictures with it! Whether if in a conference room or outside.

SPECIAL

An international contest was held by Cosplayers Quito to choose the pictures to be published on the Opening of the Photo Gallery. Meet the finalists and the judges.

PHOTO GALLERY

In September we held the Grand Opening of our Photo Gallery through Cosplayers Quito Fan Page. We had contestants from every continent and really beautiful photos, we wanted to put them all in the magazine but it would take forever. On this event we had important judges including the winner from our last Photo Contest, a recognized Ecuadorian cosplayer and a very talented photographer. Get to know each one of them:

EVENY COSPLAY <PORTUGAL> Ines Gomes is truly beautiful and talented, she joined us during our first magazine contest. She has been into cosplay since 2010, she loves the most to bring the characters she loves the most to real-life and to prepare everything to make the costume . When she chooses the characters there are a variety of alternatives but prefers those with armor. Eveny (her cosplayer name) has won different international contest like Anicomics 2012: 2nd best costume

and Best Cosplay, Overall: costume+skit, Iberanime LX2012: 2nd Place for CWM Finals and Cosplay World Masters 2012 3rd Place Finals. Besides cosplay, Eveny is dedicated to study art, specifically jewelry, she likes sewing, photography, video games and fashion. She also likes to meet people from all over the world and cosplay has helped a lot. You can learn more about her work on Facebook: EvenyCosplay or dA profile: koncookie.

CRICHO <ECUADOR> Christian Vera is from Ecuador and he works on photography, video editing and production. In the world of cosplay is better known as ‘Cricho’ where he has participated in various teams like Tiger and Bunny as Kotetsu. He plans to cosplay as Manigoldo some day. Likes comic characters

and we know that Hetalia too. Likes sweets and all about the food. His hobby is common photography and cosplay photography obviously and that was the field where he judged in this contest. He doesn’t have a Fan Page yet but we are sure that we all support that idea.

SIDARTHUR <ECUADOR> And last but not least, we have this time the presence of SidArthur of Ecuador. Arthur is one of the most recognized cosplayers in our country due to his dedication and high quality of costumes. He has appeared in different medias and in national and international publications. His most recent appearance was in Korea magazine Lover Costume Play along with other cosplayers from different 14 CQ MAGAZINE

countries. In the magazine several of his photographs occupy full pages and even one of his photos is the back cover. With joy we saw the days where he reached the first place in the ranking of cosplayers in WorldCosplay. We know that he likes and loves sushi and buffets food, photography and pays special attention to the makeup of his characters. You can find him on FB, dA and WorldCosplay as SidArthur.

SPECIAL

International Interview Metr贸nome

E V E N Y C O S P L AY < P O R T U G A L >

Tips & Tricks Special CQ Interview

C R IC HO < E C UA D O R >

Correspondent Random Question

S I DA R T H U R < E C UA D O R >

CQ MAGAZINE 15

SPECIAL

2

1

4

5 16 CQ MAGAZINE

6

SPECIAL

3

7 CQ MAGAZINE 17

SPECIAL

PHOTO GALLERY

8

MEMBER’S CHOICE

9 18 CQ MAGAZINE

1.- Cosplayer: yirico92/Yiri Cosplay Country: USA Character: Lady Loki <Marvel Comics> Photographer: John Lynn/SNTP 2.- Cosplayer: Surine Country: Denmark Character: Cinderella <Cinderella> Photographer: Michael La-Cour 3.- Cosplayer: Ptishon Country: Ukraine Character: Mirka Fortuna<Trinity Blood> Photographer: Pugoffka 4.- Cosplayers: Victoria & Alexander Country: Russia Character: Seishirou / Chizuru <Shiki> Photographer: M&L 5.- Cosplayer: Nazs Country: Thailand Character: Prussia <Power Axis Hetalia> Photographer: Kashi Kung 6.- Cosplayer: Chi Country: Philippines Character: Len Kagamine <Vocaloid> Photographer: Alain Brian Rafer 7.- Cosplayer: Adel Country: USA Character: Zelda & Link <Legend of Zelda> Photographer: Abbie Warnock 8.- Cosplayer: Liechee Country: Germany Character: Harley Quinn <Batman> Photographer: Robin Hüttisch 9.- Cosplayer: RoteMamba Country: Germany Character: Link <Legend of Zelda> Photographer: Schantra

ESPECIAL

CQ MAGAZINE 19

CQ INTERVIEW

Random Question

Correspondent

CQ Interview

Special

Tips & Tricks

Metrónome

International Interview

Meet the members of Cosplayers Quito

PABLO P

ablo Santacruz is one of the most talented members of Cosplayers Quito. He doesn´t make cosplay as a hobby, he lives Art and its expressions everyday.

He is a self-taught person who amazes us always with his murals, sculptures, models and cosplay accessories. A person who is engaged on reading to perform in various fields that offers Visual Arts. He has no stage name. He is Pablo for all that we know him. He admires people who transcend history and anyone who overcome great adversity. He likes to paint outdoors as long as the conditions are favorable. Not totally clear days because of the terrible heat, or incessant rains because the paint gets ruined. Also likes to use power tools when the occasion arises.

Now on what we are interested: Cosplay.

Pablo tells how he knew about cosplay: “While attending events I got greatly attracted because

20 CQ MAGAZINE

PA I N T I N G A C H I L D I N T E R I O R E N V I R O N M E N T

of the enthusiasm of the cosplayers. From there I took the opportunity to get into this not very common hobby, wearing attires and playing attitudes of a fictional character we like ... having fun with it healthily (our dreamer side). In addition, I got interested to implement my experience developing “models”, which, in the case of cosplay, would be accessories.”

WA L L PA I N T I N A E L E M E N TA R Y S C H O O L

CQ INTERVIEW Turns out to be immensely more entertaining impetus and today makes cosplay for fun only. He doing masks, horns, guitars, swords, etc, than has also participated in many Art competitions, a common representations of the structure of won several in real life and in online contests.

DNA or cells, the solar system, scale houses, etc. that normally people put me in charge. “ International Interview Metrónome Tips & Tricks

M O D E L S M A D E B Y PA B L O

Special

G R I M R I P P E R F R O M ‘ G U I TA R H E R O ’

About his future aspirations in cosplay and life he told us the following:

Random Question

CQ MAGAZINE 21

Correspondent

“For now I hope to finish an armor that I started a while ago and add all the accessories that are possible to my steampunk character. For other projects, I will analyze them as they appear. In life, not fainting and fulfill the idealistic purposes Pablo has participated in several competitions in the artistic task and been able to reach a including cosplay, a couple of public events and peaceful family-social life. “ many others in Facebook. He won 2nd place in Expocomic 2010 male contest and 1st place on To end this report Pablo recommends some tips Ichiban Fest 2010 in group category with other for beginners in cosplay: members of CQ with the Guitar Hero team.

Also, he won the 1st place in a photography “Do it with enthusiasm and sincere desire to cosplay contest from online page “Cuantos Fans share with people close to this. Losing fear of de Anime”. However, he ended the competitive criticism and encouraged to develop with your

CQ Interview

Regarding cosplay specifically as a hobby, he found on about it in the Internet as most of the people. He is well known in our country because of his cosplay of Grim Ripper from Guitar Hero from whom his mask has been one of his best works. With this mask, he has scared and it could not be more fun at events. From his normal Art work highlight, he has had the opportunity to expose a series of large format paintings for an exhibition and tribute to the “traditional figures” of his city, and a portrait that was sent to Germany which was a very special experience because he had congratulations in other languages.

CQ INTERVIEW

< AT H E N A F R O M S A I N T S E I YA >

CQ Interview

Special

Tips & Tricks

Metrónome

International Interview

own hand the entire universe of garments and accessories. That way a hobby is more fun, and you learn valuable things in daily life such as painting, cutting, shaping, designing, etc.”

Correspondent

< E VA N G E L I O N 0 1 >

RANDOM FACTS: -Favorite Anime: Spice and Wolf -Favorite Food: Pasta

Random Question

-Favorite Book: The Flowers of Evil - Charles Baudelaire

< M A D A M M E B U T T E R F LY >

22 CQ MAGAZINE

-Favorite Color: Black

CQ INTERVIEW

International Interview Metrónome Tips & Tricks

<STEAMPUNK; KÜNTURI CREW>

<LOU AND GRIM RIPPER>

Special CQ Interview

< C O M I S S I O N : S A S H A - S E I K O N N O Q WA S W E R >

<COMISSION: GRETEL RICKHOKI - KÜNTURI CREW>

<COMISSION: HEI - DARKER THAN BLACK>

Correspondent

<COMISSION: JOHN DOE - YUMEKUI MERRY>

Random Question

CQ MAGAZINE 23

CORRESPONDENT Interviews and news from our collaborators from another cities and countries

G

reetings fellow readers of CQ Magazine! My name is Santiago Vásquez, also known as Solidsquall.

I’m a cosplayer-otakugamer-geek from Quito who’s living in Venezuela.

I’m using this opportunity to bring you some interviews from some colleagues of this beautiful country.

S O L I D S Q UA L L < V E N E Z U E L A >

to be released and with the first screenshot that he saw of her, without hesitation, he said: “You are going to be Alice!”

At first, I was shocked but then I could see what he was talking about so I just had to say YES immediately. I didn’t even know if I was like her or something like that until I looked for information and then I got hooked with the character. That was in June 2011.

SOLID.- Wow! So that was like yesterday! We are in front of the revelation of the year! Have you traveled to another city or another country to make cosplay?

In this new issue I spoke to the winner Cosplayer of CVC (Copa Venezolana de GYANAX.- So far, I have only been to conventions in CaCosplay) and she gave us some of her time to do a racas. I’ve never traveled to other cities or other countries, little interview. but I would love to do it.

Name: Ana Sánchez

Nickname: Gyanax

SOLID.- We hope that you’ll surprise us again in Valencia

Age: 31 Birth Place: Miranda, Venezuela

SOLID.- Which was your first Cosplay?

haha. Now, talking mainly about “Avalancha “(a convention held in Venezuela), tell us: how was your mental preparation in order to characterize Alice?

GYANAX.- Well…. You have to transform yourself body

and soul. Alice is a character so complex that she can only be characterized by someone that has studied her deeply.

GYANAX.- My first one was Alice: Madness Returns, the I knew that I had to prepare myself mentally from the moRoyal Dress to be more specific. ment I was preparing at home. That sexy and edgy look is everything in the character. In Avalancha, I think that the SOLID.- Why did you passive violence was noticed, because for example there choose that cosplay and were people that were afraid to get near to me and even when did you do it? taking pictures with me. That was just amazing; in front of me I could truly see Wonderland.

GYANAX.- To be honest, the character was chosen by my husband. I was still looking for assembles with different comic characters but in June he saw that the sequel of American McGee’s Alice was about 24 CQ MAGAZINE

SOLID.- I have to tell you, that happened to me… I couldn’t ask you for a photograph calmly. At the same time, I felt that in any minute you would take your weapon and attack me.

However, I think that you could sense the fear and with a hidden smile, you accepted to take one picture with me, so I calmed myself. I think that many people experienced the same situation! One of the details that impressed me the

CORRESPONDENT most were your accessories. Which materials did you use tails! Tell us which scene inspired you for your presentation and how did you managed to work with them? and how did you felt doing it?

of the chapter. That is when she travels to Wonderland. I wanted to show her curiousness for what she had already seen and how that produced small images on her mind.

And of course, I wanted to show the sudden and dramatic change of a quiet young woman to an amazing murderess.

The feeling was amazing; the adrenalin that I generated gave me that extra point. With the final attack, my mind felt free but at the same time, empty … strange, but it was like that.

SOLID.- We all felt the strength in your presentation and

Metrónome

Among the accessories that I made is the Vorpal Blade, personally my favorite short-range weapon. I’m mainly a sculptor so I made the handle in polymer clay and then I took the mold and cast it in resin. The blade is acrylic and I took into account the respective additive. I wanted the weapon to glow as in the game, so I installed a led inside the acrylic, which resulted in a good effect. The other accessories, as the Omega and the skull, were also sculpted with the polymer clay and casted, one in resin and the other one in polyurethane so they could be shockproof.

GYANAX.- I’ve always wanted to perform the second part International Interview

GYANAX.- Oh, I’m so happy that you felt that way… xD.

GYANAX.- Oh sure! I have saw performances of all kind

GYANAX.- Until now, I have made 3 and all of them are

CQ MAGAZINE 25

Random Question

from Alice. The Royal Gown, the London dress, and the classic dress. I began on last year’s November and since then I had the opportunity to perform on stage in Avalancha.

I wanted it and even more because I had been struggling to socialize more with people and to let go of my stage fright.

For next year, I will do other characters.

Correspondent

our readers think the same. Until now, how many cosplays have you done?

CQ Interview

SOLID.- I strongly agree with you and I’m sure that most of

Special

of characters, not only here in Venezuela but in the entire world. I spent days watching performances so I could understand how it was supposed to be done. Until now, I have seen very talented cosplayers that make wonderful costumes; they are excellent, but I also think that the characterization should be transmitted in the pictures. What they need to improve is to be fully committed and to be sure of themselves so that your face doesn’t show any kind of doubts or fear, even take strong steps and avoid slouching.

Tips & Tricks

on the character. It was amazing! You told us that you’ve SOLID.- I can imagine the workshop at your house. The never been to another place but I imagine you have seen detail on the blade was unexpected. When I saw the red performances from other cosplayers. What do you think light I though “Oh my God” she took good care of the de- about the cosplay community in Venezuela? What are the things they should improve?

CORRESPONDENT SOLID.- I think that no one would expect you having stage fright. Your performance was so good. Can you help us with any advice to eliminate this fear?

is strong and violent. I just have to get on stage (my mouth and legs always shake), look in front of me and say to myself: “All the people that is in front of me doesn’t know what I’m about to do, what I’m going to say; I’m the owner of this stage, you just have to watch”. As you can see, is an arrogant phrase … is like a verbal slap in the face, but it works.

I fill myself with energy and my body and mouth get loose, ready to begin.

SOLID.- A lady full with talent! What did you feel when you won the CVC for your excellent presentation?

GYANAX.- I was in shock; I couldn’t hear anything. After my presentation I started shaking and my pressure lowed a little bit. When they announced that I was the winner, I was just Ana; Alice was gone … but I was so happy! All my hard work and nights without sleep were worth it!

Random Question

Correspondent

CQ Interview

Special

Tips & Tricks

Metrónome

International Interview

GYANAX.- The technique that I have created for myself

an old hose for his tale. Cosplayers recycle what they can as always. I spent three days making it.

SOLID.- You read it! If our interviewed can do it, you can as well; you just have to practice it! The pet that stood by you during the entire event was the cat, he was full of life. Was it an important piece on your presentation? How about you tell us the secret of its elaboration?

GYANAX.- That furry guy was a love. Never complained and always looked at people with that beautiful smile of his. Cheshire, the unstoppable guide of Alice.

Everybody taught he was a part of the scenery but truly he was part of my costume. I had the idea to sculpt him but it would have turned really heavy. I couldn’t afford to carry him for the entire convention, so I thought of carving it in polystyrene but then I realized that it would be really stiff and without life so I decided to use polyurethane, a material that I had never used but that turned to be a really simple material to carve (it was my first time carving with it). The cat is a single piece covered by plaster and paint. I used soda bottles for his ears and 26 CQ MAGAZINE

SOLID.- Valuable words! To finish, please share a message to all our readers of CQ-Magazine.

GYANAX.- Fellow cosplayers, embrace this beautiful hobby with love; always give the best of you and at the same time, enjoy your childhood and youth. It is never too late to be whatever you want to be. My timeless advice: “No matter how simple or complicated your cosplays might be, the performance is what really counts”.

A big hug to you all ;)

CORRESPONSAL

International Interview

Metr贸nome

Tips & Tricks

Special

CQ Interview

Correspondent

Random Question

CQ MAGAZINE 27

RANDOM QUESTION

Learn a little more about cosplay and what it represents for many young people in the world; the activities and opinions that help us carry out this colorful and cheerful hobby

Cosplay is an expensive Hobby. Which is the better way to save money or cheapen the costs on your outfit or props?

C

Belén Darkbellphon <Ecuador>

osplay is considered an expensive hobby, has many ways of economic attainability, but for the people who starts will be difficult to consider other way. When you begin, you rather know about materials or fabrics, or anything. Most of all you need to see all the ways to make your cosplay cheaper, if you can choose properly all the materials to work with, it will cost less and will be better for your budget. Using clothes you already have or the fabric of other cosplays can help, even if they are odds and ends are useful because when you are into cosplay everything can be used!! You can use them for props and weapons, maybe your next prop is in a street pipe and you don´t know it yet.

C

o s p l a y c a n be an e x pe ns ive hobby.

S o m e p eople jus t do cos play for fu n w i t h t h e i r frie nds - “The wig is bad, who c a r e s ! I jus t wanna hang out wi th m y f r i e n d s a nd have fun! ” But on the other si d e , t he re are thos e cos play er s who w a n t t o p r og re s s in cos play, and for this y o u h a v e t o inve s t more mone y than u s ua l . I f y o u still want to g row in cospl ay te rm s b u t y o u can’t s pe nd as much as you w a n t t o , buy your fabrics in s al es; bu y y o u r h a be rdas he r y article s onl i ne ( e ba y , e t s y , f o r e x ample ) . I f your t hi ng is th e a r m o r s tr y s ome E VA mate rials and look f o r go o d t utorials that can he lp thes e m a t e r i a l s l o ok like your true armo r s!

28 CQ MAGAZINE

Catarina <Portugal>

RANDOM QUESTION

A

CQ Interview

Ichigo <Mexico>

ec onomi c al mater i al s, easy t o get and they g i ve good r esu l t s.

For fabr i c s y ou c an use Ter gal Str etc h (name c oul d ch an ge i n the l anguage or c oun t r i es), i t i s not expensi ve, fr es h an d str ong. You c an do ver y n i c e c ospl ay s.

Special

T

he be s t way to c heapen c osts is doing pro p wi th c ommon hous e mate rial s l i k e spr ay cans or ice cream c ont ai ner s, C hris tmas s pher es, pl asti c bottle s , old br oom sti c k s, cardboards ( wel l pr epar ed c an be us e d on s w or ds or weapon props as the ones of B l eac h), mache pape r or Eva Foam. Ver y

AoiMizuno <USA>

Tips & Tricks

fabric to buttons to zippers. I also frequent swap meets, flea markets, thrift/secondhand stores, and e-bay for things I can buy on the cheap to reuse since I’m going to be ripping it apart anyways! Set a max budget for yourself on how much you are willing to spend on making each costume and that should help too! Happy cosplay creating~! Cheers!

Metrónome

C

osplay is expensive, like any hobby. To cut costs on creating my props and costumes I always shop around for the best deals on any fabrics or notions I may need. If I’m cleaning out my closet I always see if there’s anything I can salvage for future cosplays as well! I rip apart all my old clothing and reuse anything and everything from the

try to get as many scary and spooky things in the stores for that project as possible, even if you’re not planning on finishing it right away. Always be prepared ^^ every country has many cultural events, take advantage of that! Be creative with what you have around, that is part of the job ;D not everyone has access to all kinds of material for props. If something goes wrong at least you will have a nice time playing with your friends in the event! Always remember cosplay is a hobby to have fun “

International Interview

Jack <Brazil>

s cosplay is an expensive hobby, which is the best way to save money or reduce costs on your outfit or props? “What I do in my country to cheapen things up is: wait for the right time to get each project started. I have many projects but for example: I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is known as the city with the biggest carnival parades, so whenever I have a project that requires feathers, fancy fabrics or extensive fake jewelry... I wait for the carnival season. If you live in a city with big Halloween parties for instance,

Correspondent

I

Random Question

fi n d t h a t t h e be s t way to s ave money is t o p l a n a h e ad. I f I know that I want to d o a p a r t i c ular cos tume , I tr y to st ar t bu y i n g t h i n g s for it e arlie r. W ith e no ugh pla n n i n g , I c an g e t thing s at dis cou nts a nd d o b e t t e r de als . This als o s preads the c o s t o u t a bit. So while I ’m sti l l s pe n d i n g m o n e y, it will las t long e r.

Elrowiel <USA> CQ MAGAZINE 29

KÜNTURI CREW<STEAMPUNK> COSPLAYERS QUITO

Contact and Info

cosplayersquito@gmail.com www.facebook.com/cosplayersquito