First name and last initial: Erin M.

Where are you from originally, or where do you currently reside? Scotland

How long have you been cosplaying? Less than 2 years.

Which characters have you cosplayed? Ellie (Up), Cheetarah, She-ra, Thor, Mugatu, Harley Quinn, and Daenerys.

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What inspired you to start cosplaying? I always loved making Hallowe’en costumes so cosplay was the best step! I went as Predator for my first con, Edinburgh Comic Con, and ended up getting interviewed by a TV channel as they loved my costume! It was a great feeling, people kept asking to take my photo all day it was a very strange feeling. Overall, I think I enjoy cosplaying as I’m a major film/TV fan and love to be one of my favourite characters for a day!

What do you do when you’re not cosplaying? I work full-time as a videographer/editor/director/producer and writer! I film lots of different projects. I’ve just shot a music video this weekend as well as a live performance for a Voice UK winner, I’m producing a play called “Grannies Fannies”, writing a comedy series, working on directing my short film and all sorts! It’s quite hectic. I love going to the cinema and exploring new places.

Which costumes have provided the biggest challenge and rewards so far, and why? Every costume I choose is my biggest and newest challenge. I have a very big armour piece I’m working on with lights so that is my biggest challenge to date. I like to learn new skills so I mix up what I do. For Greta the Gremlin, I had to do a face sculpt and make a brow piece; for White Walker Daenerys, it was a challenge working with silicon for the first time, and for Predator I tried my hand at pepakura and working with resin. I love how every costume is so different to manufacture!

What is the best advice you would give someone new to cosplaying? I would say pay attention to what you are passionate about and what is going to make you happy cosplaying on the day. Always do it for yourself. If you do want to compete with your skills, however, just research and practise. There are often many ways of achieving the same outcome. Find out what works best for you.

What is one thing the cosplaying community can do better when it comes to dealing with each other? I follow a few UK cosplaying sites on Facebook and I notice there is a lot of ridicule and trolling on people’s images. It’s really atrocious sometimes. I think overall, most cosplayers are very decent human beings, but there is a small group of people who try to ridicule people who need to sort themselves out. Let’s all respect each other in the cosplay community and support rather than criticize 🙂