@LilSpook - @Aalasteir (Q)
Q: What do you feel Newgrounds is about? From your perspective
A: From my perspective, Newgrounds is a great place for creators to go and collaborate with other creators. It's a place without any limits (save the obvious) to express yourself
Q: What would you say makes a good artist in the personality sense?
A: I feel that a good artist is someone who creates for the love of what they do and not for the views or follows, someone who just wants to share what they make with the world regardless of what others might think. Someone who can take criticism without lashing out or taking it too close to heart.
Q: Your experiences with conventions in Florida. Supercon, Animate Miami, Paradise City, Sunrise Comiccon, Megacon, Anime Iwai, Mizucon. Wow, that's many! Have you also been to conventions in other States?
A: Way too many, I haven't gone out of state yet, but I will be in the next few years. Honestly, I haven't had any bad experiences. I've worked in guest relations, cosplay, general operations, so far I've been lucky enough to not to encounter behind the scenes drama. If I had to think of one experience that sticks out above all the others was Animate Miami, the year the Matthew Mercer was there. I was heading the Cosplay Repair Station with another person, and we had one girl in particular come in. She wanted to enter into the craftsmanship costume contest, which requires you to make at least 90% of your costume. She bought her latex cat-woman suit oniline but decide that if she seam-ripped the costume and put it back together that would count.... HOWEVER... She decided instead of sewing the costume up, since she was already in the hotel room, she was going to hot glue the latex together. Now, if you know how latex works I'm sure you know where this is going. The glue and latex started ripping while she was walking around the convention so she ran over to the repair station where I, and three others, had to hand-stitch her directly into her costume so she wouldn't be walking around in only her underwear. Now, I really wanted to meet Matt Mercer, but after we were done, 4 hours later, his line was already full and there was no way I was going to be able to before he left. The manager saw I was bummed out and talked to his agent, who wrote me a VIP pass and pushed me to the front of the line and had him sign my DM screen for no charge. Best day I've ever worked at a convention.
Q: What is it like to make costumes and cosplay? Who do you cosplay as? Is there a specific theme or franchise you really like
A: It's both relaxing and infuriating like any other art form. The sense of accomplishment from looking at a finished piece and knowing that you made it is one of the biggest hits of dopamine you can get, it's getting there that's frustrating. Finding the right fabric, dealing with sewing machine issues, thread matching, and just the time it takes can get really stressful. I've cosplayed so many different people; Miku, Ghostface, Girlfriend, Rainbow Brite, Worm on a String, Belle, Etc. There's really no rhyme or reason as to what I choose, usually it's along the lines of "Oh, that's Cute/Cool!" and then I'm sketching designs and looking up fabric.
Q: What are repair stations at conventions?
A: Repair stations are places where cosplayers can go if anything goes wrong with their costume that they need fixed. All the ones I've worked at or set up are always free of charge and offer services like stitching up a tear, fixing a broken shoe, putting back together a prop that fell apart, things like that. They usually carry every color of thread, duct tape, and all the hot glue you can need. Some of the ones at bigger conventions will carry a sewing machine / heat gun for bigger repairs. I know for the one I set up, we would also double as a cosplay medic backstage during the cosplay contests for any last-minute repairs and touch ups before you walk out.
Q: How are cosplay competitions judged?
It depends on the type. There are three main types of contests; Runway, Craftsmanship, and Masquerade. Runway contests are the most basic that you would end up seeing, anyone could enter, no real regulations, store bought costumes allowed. You pretty much just walk accross the stage and show off your personality, whoever the judges/crowd like more, wins. Craftsmanship judges the cosplayers ability to make their costume. Like I mentioned in the experiences, at least 90% of your costume has to be made by you. The extent you are judged is dependent on what level you are; junior (-13), novice (No awards, excluding judges award and crowd choice), journeyman (One or more tiered awards), masters (Awarded Best in Show, Multiple tiered awards), Legends (I'm afraid of you, stay away from me). The higher the tier, the harder you're judged based on seam work, hems, wig making, prop making, metal work, fabric choice, design, thread matching, etc. The hardest judging in my opinion comes from the Masquerade competition. Not only are you judged on your costume, but you're also judged on what you're bringing to the table, which can be the dancing, singing, script writing, acting, how everything gets as a whole, and the quality of your performance. If you haven't seen one, I'd suggest checking it out, they can get crazy.
Q: Has your perspective on conventions changed over the years?
A: I started off viewing conventions as just fun places to go get merc and art. I've started viewing them more as social events. You meet a bunch of amazing creators and people with likeminded goals. I've made so many friends in the convention sphere and we all push each other to be the best version of ourselves with friendly competition. If you ask about a certain craft that you've been looking to get into, everyone I've met has been so eager to help each other learn the best techniques I know. I'd suggest saying high to anyone you meet that you think has a great costume, art you like, or a VA/Actor guest that you admire, 9/10 they're happy to talk.
Q: Your experiences with Renaissance Festivals
A: Ugh... A good learning experience for improv but that's about it. You're outside in a big puffy costume all day, in the heat, with no shade, and so much dirt. None of the interactions or bits you have are scripted and have to be done on the fly, whether it's a song you make-up out of nowhere or even just joking around with a patron. Most of the characters are historical so there's not much wiggle room with the personality or things you can do. Most times too, the lead actors playing the king/queen really feel you should be worshipping the ground they walk on. Lots of jerks there but you'll get the occasional gem.
Q: What is it like working on making a film
A: Much different than theatre. Lots of lights, lots of make-up, and you are able to redo your lines if you mess up. Most of the films I've done have been in the horror genre, so a LOT of night scenes of running through the woods. It's nice to have a team of people who are really passionate about what they're doing though. Tech and camera crew are a godsend and the literal backbone of film. No one gives them enough credit, they literally control all the lights, they can make you look so terrible. One thing I will say is that the stereotype that they like to hire people that look a certain way is true. It's sad but I've seen a lot more inclusivity in the past few years, still a long way to go though.
Q: The story of you almost going into the Marines
A: Not super crazy, but like I mentioned before I had a pretty bad childhood. I wanted out any way possible, even the military. I was in a program that let me go to bootcamp up at Paris Island, SC every spring break, went to MEPS, signed my papers, and was in DEP (Delayed entry). At bootcamp, we'd go through pretty much all the same things, sweeping the sidewalk, water training, the obstical and confidence course, getting screamed at and standing in the sand pits, and like a crazy person I kept going back. Like most people, my MOS (What you specialize in) didn't end up being one of the three that I chose on my form. They wanted me to be a Combat Camera Specialist, and I met one of the people that I'd be training under during a day out. He said something along the lines of "If it's between you and your camera out there, your camera better be coming back". That was enough for me to take a step back. It also helped that my medical report came back with an autoimmune disorder that disqualified me due to it's physical limitations. I don't regret it and have mad respect for the people who can go through with it.
Q: What is it like working in law?
A: Sucks man... Really sucks. I worked on the side that was corporate. Most of the complaints that come in are either really sad or extremely valid, but they accept the money instead of actually going to court. It definitely opens your eyes to how much of the things that businesses and employers get away with. For example, a well-known fact is that it's illegal for your employer to tell you that you aren't allowed to discuss your wage with other people, you absolutely can, and any retaliation against that is also illegal and you can file a workplace lawsuit for it. I'd suggest looking up employment laws in your area, they're super helpful against toxic management. Also, for HOA's look closely at that fine print, some of those rules are ridiculous.
Q: Your experiences with travel planning
A: Way too much fun. My favorite has to be helping with cruises. You learn a lot about another countries culture with all the ports offered. You have to do a lot of research depending on where your client is looking to go, and with cruises you can hit a lot of different places in one go, have transportation, hotel, and food already included in the price of your trip. There's also shows and entertainment on board, so it really is the most cost effective while still having plenty to do. I'd just say be careful with the company you choose, because what most of them don't tell you is that there is a gratuity charge at the end of the trip.
Q: Have you had fun doing Welding and Carpentry?
A: Absolutely! Made my first recording booth when COVID hit, and I couldn't perform on stage. Kept me busy and like cosplay and prop building, it's super fulfilling when you finish a project. Most time's it's small but chainmail is certainly super fun to work with. I've made a metal base for costume wings before and honestly, wouldn't suggest that for anyone, too heavy. If anyone is curious about starting but is afraid that their first projects are going to look like shit, good, they will look terrible, do it anyway. That's where everyone starts and you won't get any better not practicing.
Q: How did you get interested in doing songwriting?
A: I got interested in songwriting during those angsy teen years, where you're looking to consume as much angry music as you could. I was tired of listening to the typical go-to's like Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, Slipknot, Etc. I started just writing down my feelings and tweaking them to be more rhymy I guess. When I grew older, it switched to lyrics for showtunes and musicals. I'm about halfway through with my first original musical that I plan on putting a team together to perform down here in Florida in October of 2025.
Q: Your experiences with playing Violin, Harp, Piano, Guitar
A: I grew up in one of those strict Asain households lol. My mom always wanted me to learn any instrument I could get my hands on. It was mainly to increase my chances of getting into Juilliard. The violin certainly is my least favorite out of all of them, much more uncomfortable to wield and takes years to play well. Only experience I've had are those really boring recitals that showcase what people have been working on. Harp and Piano are my favorites, the sound of both of them are soothing to me, easy to just play around and come up with melodies for songs. They're usually my go to when I'm plunking out notes for musicals. The guitar is fun to play around with but genuinely I don't use it as often as I should.
Q: What is it like doing Animal Rehabilitation and rescue?
A: It's hard work but fun. Down here there are a lot of Manatees and Turtles. During turtle season we help at nights by getting the turtles to the water safely after they hatch. With the Manatees, a lot of boats accidentally graze them with a propeller going by, so they're taken in and helped with their injuries before being released back into the wild.
Q: How did you acquire your philosophy of having no regrets in life?
A: A bit of a sad story actually. I had a mentor in theatre for around eight years. I was always super shy and would never really talk about anything other than our lessons, but I pushed past that, and we finally started becoming friends around year 7. We had been to a few of each others shows, started hanging out at conventions, and just talking about life. We finished a lesson one day and said our goodbyes after he invited me to his and his boyfriend's housewarming party, told him I'd be there and that I'd see him the next day since we were working on audition pieces for a show. I got a message from someone at the agency he was with the next morning stating that he had passed in his sleep that night from a brain aneurysm. I beat myself up for a long time for not taking the step to be friends earlier and was really torn up about the what if's, this man had been in my life for years and I was only just starting to get to know him and I felt terrible. there was no one to blame but myself. I stopped performing all together for about two years, letting so many opportunities go by, and it just hit me one day that I was just making more what if's for myself. I didn't want to spend my whole life just wondering what could have been if I just stepped out of my comfort zone and just try. If you want to try something, do it, the worst that will happen is you'll find out you don't like it. Better to try than to look back and realize you could have done it. Same goes with auditions and making friends, the worst someone can say is no, but you'll never know if you could have landed a role or gotten close to someone if you never put yourself out there.