BlackMarth

What got you into cosplay?
My friend's evil influence. I basically bought an Abbyshot coat for perfectly practical purposes, and my friend kindly informed me about an anime convention, to which she and another friend would be dressing up to. So I figured, what the hell, and used my coat for a cosplay and made a completely from-scratch cosplay with help from my friend. Things would never be financially sound after that.
What was your first costume and why?
Officially, it might have to be Itachi (Riku doesn't count, I didn't make most of it). I was looking for a fairly easy costume that had a design I personally liked. My friend helped a lot on it, and she taught me a lot about sewing. As far as costume I actually made by myself was Darcia.
What is your favorite costume and why?
Probably Hollow Ichigo. It's my most successful crossplay and I don't need to be stolid, serious, or something unfun to be in-character. I can transmit my silly crazy self into it. It's uncomfortable to wear, but I have TONS of fun in it.
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
I have a lot, but there is one that I hope to do perfectly one day when I have the means. Marth in his black variant outfit in Super Smash Brothers: Melee because I used to play too much of that game back in the day, and an original costume I get to design and wear. I'd love to make Jehuty from Zone of the Enders and my Spartan transmutation in Halo 3.
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
Katsucon 2006, because it was so retarded, it was amazing. Tons of non-serious photos, tons of fooling around, tons of friends, tons of fun. And I wasn't sick...FOR ONCE. Anime Boston 2006 is close, because of all the events I went to (or participated in).
Do you participate in masquerades?
Now I do.
What was your best masquerade experience?
The Nurses skit at Anime Boston, even though I was really self-conscious being in that costume, I was so thrilled that I actually got to bring one of my skit ideas to life and that I had some amazing ladies to help me make it successful. The crowd response was overwhelming, too.
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
Yes, CosplayLab has them listed. Way too lazy to list.
Tell us a little about yourself
I am currently freelance graphic design for various clients and do illustration in my spare time. I graduated with a BFA in graphic design from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers in NJ. I play a really high amount of video games of all kinds (except sports games) and am completely addicted to electronics. I have a niece named Seraphine, and a tiny nephew named Dante. No, my brother doesn't play Devil May Cry.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I have a legendary appetite and want to play Halo all the time. I have an addiction for pork buns as well as a bonar for shotguns. My parents like that I sew because they think it's feminine, but would probably disown me if I told them my characters were all guys and that I was, in theory, cross-dressing. I also grew up without ever entering a Toys 'r' us. I smell like Chinese food all the time. I do not find dead baby jokes amusing anymore.
My favorite anime
Gankutsuou, Haibane Renmei, Bleach, Escaflowne, FLCL, Spirited Away, Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Ergo Proxy, Gurren Lagaan
My favorite game(s)
Total Annihilation, Fallout 2, Civilization 3, Baldur's Gate, Master of Orion 2, Halo 3, Super Smash Brothers series, Devil May Cry (1+3), Final Fantasy (4, 6, 9, Tactics), Zone of the Enders 2, Kingdom Hearts, Castlevania (SoN, AoS, DoS), Soul Reaver (1+2), Prince of Persia 1, Zelda: LttP, Zelda: TP, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Half-Life 2, Shadow of the Colossus, No More Heroes, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Portal, Team Fortress 2, Scorched Earth >_>.
My favorite book(s)
Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen, Art of War, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Sandman, American Gods, Good Omens, Watchmen
My favorite character(s)
I will NOT name all of them.
My favorite movies(s)
Gattaca, Run Lola Run, Amelie, Batman Begins, V for Vendetta, 300, Leon the Professional, Iron Man
My favorite actors/actresses
Christian Bale, Russel Crowe, Johnny Depp, Jean Reno, Robert Downey Jr.