Cosplayed by
ShineHeat (worn for JACon 2001)
| Planning Construction |
This costume began as my first serious venture into the world of Cosplay.
I would say it was mildly successful. The main focus of the costume was not actually the costume,
per se, so much as the cosplay. I had inspiration after seeing the Bust A Groove cosplay at Megacon
2001, so I decided to learn the dances of my favorite character from the cult favorite game and be him
for the next convention. As it turns out, the entire cosplay reflected the fact that I was mainly doing this for the skit, not for the costume. I spent a good 3 months learning all of Heat's moves, and I spent a good 4-5 hours at most making the outfit. The final 1 or 2 hours were me hot-gluing what was previously pinned on. The outfit actually looked really good, and was very durable. However, it was made to dance in, not to display. The costume itself was simply a long-sleeved, white Hanes shirt, combined with a red turtleneck I planned on using to be Gendo Ikari. The white sweats I bought at a nearby Thriftko, and I combined them with a pair of red sweats I had laying around for purposes of cosplaying Ken from Street Fighter. The majority of the outfit was held together (except for the turtleneck) by pins, later to be replaced by hot glue... no less than 2 hours before the costume contest, I might add. No, I didn't do the gloves or the shoes. I didn't have the time, money, or patience. |
| How it turned out | Ooooooh, goodness. I found out afterward that everybody thought the dancing was incredible, and the costume was "so cool". Actually, I partnered up with someone to be Kitty-N. We were both supposed to dance onstage. She dislocated her knee a few nights before. She didn't tell me until the convention. So, in the cosplay prejudging line, I fabricated a makeshift skit and asked the assistance of my current girlfriend's father. Needless to say, it worked well, as we got the "Best Improvization" Judge's award. I still danced. That's what matters. |
| Afterward Revivals Synopsis |
The costume is currently rotting in my closet. It can continue to rot. I hate that thing, mainly
because of the memories involving the skit and awards (I choose not to elaborate). I probably won't be taking it
back out for a long, long time. Alas, I will also never, ever again do a cosplay which focuses more on the skit than the costume itself. Good riddance. |
