Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Chase.
Hi Allison, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It’s hard to say when I started making cosplays. I was never very good at sewing and I never saw costuming as a path for myself. In college, I only managed a B in the costuming production class. I was, however, very good at props and worked as a props artisan for my university. I love making things and I eventfully decided to make a Smaug cosplay for the premier when I was living in New Zealand.
It was in 2018 that I started making big cosplays. I created a Power Loader from the film Aliens. It was a whole costume, that was essentially just one big prop! It was so much fun to both build and wear, that I started making cosplays each year for Megacon. They seem to have gotten bigger each year.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never going to be a smooth ride when everything you create is a logistical nightmare. But with every struggle, or obstacle has come a learning opportunity.
I try to improve the wearability of my cosplays. I learned the hard way with Snowball and the Power Loader, how painful it can be when you don’t account for weight distribution in your cosplays. This year, I learned, that you need to measure ALL the doors before building a 14-foot cosplay.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Somewhere along the road, I became a cosplayer who specializes in LARGE cosplays. I don’t think this was my intention setting out. On the contrary, I wanted to build things that would more easily be transported and fit in my car. But when I get an idea in my head that would be cool, I can’t help but throw the logistical difficulties out the window and go for the big project anyway! I’m the most proud of my latest two cosplays: the Guardian, and The Cart Titan. The Guardian was the first well-crafted project that I completed.
I had to solve a lot of problems with getting it to move the way I wanted and used a lot of skills I’d never used before. It was the same with Cart Titan, which was an insane build to complete in only 3 months. I had to incorporate so many things that I’d never tried before and had to learn as I went. I think the ability to jump in head first, whether I’m skilled enough or not, is what makes me able to create such insane builds. I learn as I go. I always tell new cosplayers, “Don’t wait until you have the skills to start your project. Develop those skills, by creating what you want.”
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
People unfamiliar with cosplay may think it’s just people running around in silly costumes. I’ve seen the art of cosplay become so much more, over the years. The builds people bring to the conventions, are professional level and incorporate so many different areas of craftsmanship. Cosplay is an art form that merges STEM and ART. Cosplayers are merging 3D Printing, Sewing, LEDs and electronics, puppetry, vacuum forming, Foam work, painting…..the list goes on and on. There is no limit to people’s creativity.
These crazy builds of mine are possible through my involvement with the local Maker community! MakerFX in South Orlando isn’t just an amazing resource for building tools, but it’s also an amazing resource for creative minds and people who just love to make cool stuff!
Contact Info:
- Website: allisonchasemakeup.com
- Instagram: @allison.chase.cosplay
- Youtube: @allison.chase.cosplay
- Other: @allison.chase.cosplay
Image Credits
Nate Takes @nate_takes and Patricio Solano @rocky477412
