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The secrets behind world-class cosplay and LARP - Yugoro Comicon Napoli Interview

Yugoro is a recognised cosplayer in the Baltic and European scene and here we learn more about her craft including high-quality materials, the best attitude, sturdy props, LED lighting, and how to play characters such as The Witcher's Triss Merigold.

Audio transcription

"Hi Gamereactor friends, I'm at the 26th Comic-Con in Napoli, and I'm here joined by Yugoro, and as you know, last year I learned a little bit more about cosplay at the San Diego Comic-Con in Málaga, but I'm always itching to learn more, so it's a pleasure to have you, Yugoro."

"So first of all, which would you say is the key to creating the best costume?
Is it materials, is it agility, the speed in which you create, is it fidelity with the original character, is it imagination and creativity?
I would say everything you mentioned, because cosplay is always an art, an expression of person, how they see the character, how they produce the costume, if they want to produce the costume, even the makeup counts, and people usually try to express themselves the way they feel, the way they like, so the key for making a perfect cosplay, in my point of view, is choosing the good materials, applying the proper makeup, which suits you, sometimes not necessary to try to look like a character, it's better to look like you."

"Okay.
And the dedication, you have to feel happy in your cosplay.
Fantastic, and what you just mentioned about being you, yourself, how do you keep that balance, that sweet spot between playing a character and keeping your own style, your personality to it?
I think it's all about love, because when you're choosing the character you're cosplaying, it's the best when you're feeling it, when you're loving this character, because you're still trying to be a character, but when you're acting and not feeling it, it just looks plain and boring."

"Okay.
So it's better to try your best to feel comfortable as a character.
Right now I'm feeling really nice in this character.
Who are you cosplaying as right now?
I'm cosplaying as Triss Merigold from The Witcher 3 game."

"That's me.
So I'm interviewing the character right now, half and half, right?
Half and half, yeah.
Okay.
So yeah, I'm shy and the character is also shy."

"Alright, that's good, that's good.
Okay, what can you tell me about the European and Baltic point of view?
In your experience, the scene that is growing and you know it first person, so what can you tell me about that for other European and worldwide communities to learn more about this uprise?
Our Baltic community is very unique actually on the world cosplay stage, because as I said, everything in Baltic community in cosplay is about the love, so people trying to express them."

"We are eager about the performances a lot, so quality sometimes of the costume is not super high, you don't have to make super extra steps.
Agility, as we said.
Yeah, but more about the expression, like people love to perform there."

"Okay, that's beautiful.
And let's talk about props, because not only do you create your own costumes, you also create spectacular props.
So what's the secret behind a piece of prop that can be impressive to the eye, look realistic, look like the real deal, but that can survive?
I almost didn't survive my walk around Comic-Con today."

"That can survive conventions and contests.
I guess the key is the main construction.
The base.
The base, yes, the core.
For example, when you're making a giant sword or giant wings, you always have to think first how you will operate with it on the stage."

"And to put the hard core inside and the softer outside to make it more light.
Because when a giant sword is really hard, from inside, outside and heavier, you will not be able to operate with it.
And you will suffer, you can damage yourself, not the sword."

"So I would say try to balance between the hard core and soft outsides.
And also think about the good quality materials.
It's sometimes better to spend more money and have better quality materials than just saving money and having the prop which will break really fast."

"Alright, alright.
And talking about high quality props and costumes, you contested for Cyberpunk 2077 competitions.
So how do you work on that?
How do you work on that?
Because it's different to dark fantasy, for example, or more Japanese-influenced culture."

"This is all about futuristic cyberpunk, of course, science fiction, materials, lighting, attitude, body language.
So what can you tell me about that specific experience?
That was something absolutely new for me."

"Because I was always thinking to more medieval and fantasy stuff, and cyberpunk was something really, really unusual for me.
So I had to go through all this aesthetics first to feel the vibe.
And also that was the first time when I was working with the lights, like LEDs, and it was so hard."

"I was suffering, but overall the experience was really nice.
I felt this new vibe and I'm having this still in my other cosplays.
So I'm more balanced right now between the futuristic cosplays and more medieval ones."

"And of course The Witcher and Cyberpunk have a little bit of a Baltic touch to them as well, right?
Of course, of course.
With all the expression and performances, yes."

"And finally, talking about LARP, about live-action role-playing, for those who haven't tried their hand at it, which would be your tip for people that want to try it out?
I would say it's a place where you only have to have fun and enjoy."

"So never be shy there because people are super welcoming there.
It's not about the acting or the perfect costumes in the cosplay.
It's mostly about expressing as well, but not in a hardcore level as a cosplay."

"So I would suggest you just to get your first costume, make something yourself, and try.
Because it's really fun.
I still do it sometimes."

"And for me, it's a relief out of cosplay because the costumes in cosplay, they're still sometimes uncomfortable.
But there, you're just putting a medieval suit, being Legolas from Lord of the Rings, shooting arrows to the people and having fun."

"And also parties there are so, so good.
Now you know. I learned a lot with you.
Thank you so much for your time.
Enjoy the rest of the show."

"Thank you."

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