The Heichou Sessions: andie Heichou
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Our first Heichou in The Heichou Sessions is andie.
I found her through her Ask Blog. Seriously, the more I digged in this fandom, the more I discovered amazing things.
There is a whole new world of "Ask irl" blogs.
irl as you might know stands for "In real life", and these blogs are the most creative idea to allow a fandom get even closer to their favorite characters in the most realistic way: you send your questions and have them replied by said character, performed by cosplayers with (IMO) actual acting skills. I say this because they actually perform the character, you don't get answers only in written way, but even gif-ed replies. You can't get any closer to a character than this.
andie's Ask Blog: ask-corporalcleanup, is currently on hiatus, but you can still reach her in her actual blog and if her alter-heichou is in the mood, you might get your asks answered.
Let's get to know her better and know her tips to transform into Levi.
B: How did your passion for cosplay begin?
a: I've been cosplaying, technically, for a little over a year, but I didn't really start to take it seriously until very recently. I realized how much effort really goes into it. There's making sure your makeup expresses the character well, wig styling, buying the right fabric ( if you're making it yourself ) and sewing that all together, patterns maybe even, finding a good photographer, practicing posing even, etc. There's just so much that goes into and really, they're all things I enjoy. I've always been a very art- oriented person, so cosplay really appealed to me.
B: What do you like about cosplaying?
a: Just the entire community. A lot of people are supportive and really sweet and to be honest, we're all just a bunch of big nerds trying to represent characters and fandoms we love. I love the feedback from other people, and being able to work really hard on a cosplay and have someone ask you, 'Woah, how'd you do that?' or 'Can I take a photo with you?'
B: For how long have you been cosplaying Levi?
a: I started his cosplay around early/ mid- August- right after Otakon. I made my ask blog right around that time and even though its currently on hiatus, I still answer asks on my personal.
B: What do you like about this character that made you decide it was him you wanted to cosplay?
a: I love all the characters in SnK, just because they're so developed and have their own personalities. They're realistic, in a sense, which really appeals to me. Levi was just great. I'm partial to characters with bad pasts, or the 'jerks', so I knew I was going to cling to him instantly. They always have a bad past, something that shaped them, and that was something that definitely satisfied me.
B: You have an ask-irl blog on Tumblr. How did you decide that you wanted to make it?
a: It was the same moment I decided to cosplay Levi. If I'm beyond honest, I just wanted it to be a casual cosplay, just for the ask blog. I wasn't planning on taking it to cons and making it a 'thing'. But it became one. Ask blogs are a great way to interact with other people who love the fandom, and as well as other fantastic cosplayers. The SnK ask blog community is pretty tight knit and almost like a family.
B: What kind of weird requests are the most fun to perform in this blog?
a: Haha, I do a lot of fan service on this blog... but there are some pretty silly asks that I've gotten. With Levi having his many little quirks, it tends to be a lot of fun. I think I got one at one point that was about Hanji and Levi's relationship and we gave the scenario that the other soldiers weren't supposed to know about it. There's a load of silly stuff on all the ask blogs. ; u ;
B: What aspects from Levi's personality do you adopt to perform him either in conventions or the ask blog?
a: The fact that he's such a grumpy clean freak! My ask blog was originally supposed to be just cleaning Levi and his whining about the others, but it transformed into a lot more.
B: How long does it take you for you to transform into Levi?
a: I've gotten used to switching back and forth from Levi for gifs on the ask blog, but sometimes I do get lazy and don't do all his fabulous make- up. Normally for gifs, it takes about 5 minutes. If I'm getting ready for a con, probably about 10. Lots of practice changing, hah.
B: What habits and qualities do you have in common with this character?
a: When I get anxious, or frustrated, I tend to want to clean up and make sure everything is organized. Other than that, not much. I'm normally pretty impulsive and definitely not as much of a badass.
B: What make up products do you use to create the Levi look?
a: I'm not a fancy make up guru, but I do have some good products. I think with make up its always trial and error, or just reading reviews. I use:
- True Match Foundation by L'oreal
- L'oreal BB Cream
- Tokidoki Eye Shadow & Blush Palette
- Maybelline Line Stiletto
B: Between those products, if you had to choose only three for a quick transformation at a convention for example, which would they be?
a: Oh man, hard. Foundation, definitely. My dark eye shadow and then liquid eyeliner.
B: What features of this character did you pay attention the most to recreate them on your on face?
a: His eyes. Personally, I think eyes and eyebrows are the most important when trying to do make up for cosplay. It's what brings on the expressions that make you look more like that character. Levi has very grumpy-looking eyes and thin eyebrows, so I had to pay a lot of attention to try and recapture them.
B: Tell us what you consider it takes to flash Levi's trademark expression. Show us your best Levi expression.
a: I think of Levi as beyond sassy. He's very organized, but also pretty profane and grumpy. ; u ;
Now it's time for andie to show how to achieve her version of Levi. This is a really nice step by step she created for everyone who wants to give it a try ❤
7. Now, you're done!
andie explained every single step in such a detailed way yet so easy to understand that I have nothing else to add lol
Well I can say bringing an animated character to life doesn't always mean you have to aim for a theatrical make up look. It's a matter of choices, both ways can have amazing results.
Strong points in andie's version:
Contouring: andie's suggestion aims to enhance the most important features that stand out in the character. She chose to keep her natural eyebrows but just add shade and the inner sides to create the frowning look, then with some contouring she creates Levi's deep set eyes and sharper nose.
Lips: Concealing your lips is a detail you can apply if your lips are naturally tinted or if they are too bold in shape. Using just a small amount will be enough, you don't want to wash them off entirely.
Eyes: andie has these adorable, shiny round eyes. So her way to enlongate them to adapt to the look is perfect for people with such eye shape. Just remember not to accidently create a cat eye, but extend the line a litte, that should be enough to make a difference.
B: One of the main insecurities that stops many from doing a certain cosplay, are the lack of physical similarities between them and the character. What do you think of that? Could you share any words to these people?
a: Don't be discouraged so easily. There are a lot of people out there that will purposely try to bring you down and you can't let them. Cosplay ( emphasis on the play ) is just that. Its for fun. Its to enjoy yourself. Make up is definitely fun to experiment with when it comes to getting the face- types down and such, but don't let anyone try to discourage you from doing something you love!
B: You wake up and find yourself literally in the SnK universe. Would you be in the Military? Which Division would you choose and why?
a: Oh man. I would definitely be in the military. I'm the type of person that can't really sit still? And I'd probably choose the Recon Corps because they all seem just a little crazy in their own ways, haha. I think things are definitely more fun and entertaining when people are willing to take a risk and be different.
B: Finally, some words for SnK fans and any person who's passionate about cosplay:
a: Have fun and be creative! Cosplaying is all about dressing up as your favorite characters and having fun running around as them. Don't let people discourage you from what you love!
This was so much fun. andie was so sweet to me from the beginning and definitely, you should check her ask-irl life blog. It might be on hiatus, but there you'll see her old replies and get an idea of what this is about. If you find that you like it, drop her asks in her actual blog!
Thank you so much, andie!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
How did you like this first part of The Heichou Sessions?
Related links:
andie's Tumblr
ask-corporalcleanup Ask Blog
2 comments
I have to say that i really liked this. It's nice to see how some people are up to sharing their "secrets" in the open. That whole ask irl stuff sounds pretty rad, it's like taking cosplay to a higher level, not only playing the character as in, dressing up and cons only, but also roleplaying it in a way. I'm digging that. I like when people act their characters and not only dress up as them. I liked also, how andie doesn't hide all of her natural features but enhances them, i think that is part of being a cosplayer, playing with shapes and makeup, not necessarily hiding all of you to become someone else, but using your real self as a starting form and "reinterpret" it as you think it should be, and use your own scent to become the character. Not sure if i make sense. I just mean it's your OWN vision.
ResponderEliminarI obviously need to watch SnK to finish understanding that whole universe but all of your talk about it, and how i can see people are so passionate about it, makes me want to watch it asap. I will. Now back to the cosplay, it's wonderful how with just a little makeup you can achieve a look so close to a character. I agree with what she said. The eyes and eyebrows really do make a character who they are. Her little tutorial was very easy to understand and helpful. Very nice first entry. I want to look forward to the rest!
ResponderEliminar