Within the Australian cosplay there are few people as well known and respected as Melanie. Known for her epic achievements in armor and her bright personality she is also one of the longest participating cosplayers.

Name:
Melanie

Nickname:
Mel (Even though Level4Chaos is my online name, please don't say it to my face... I can never understand it when it's said out loud! XD)

Location:
Sunshine Coast

Cosplaying Since:
2002

Conventions Attend regularly:
Supanova, Animania, AVCon

Favourite Anime(s):
Cromartie High School, Koutetsu Sangokushi, Orphen


Favourite Game(s):
Devil Kings, Dynasty Warriors


Current Obsession:
Dynasty Warriors (has been so for 5 years now!)


What got you into cosplay?:
I've been making costumes since before I turned double-digits (they weren't very good back then! XD).  I got into medieval re-enactment in my teens, but I found their costume rules were far too strict for the crazy things I wanted to do.  I spent a few years immersed in the gothic subculture, where I made medieval-inspired "costumes" to wear out clubbing.
An American friend told me about cosplay when I mentioned I was making game character costumes for some parties, and it got me looking into Australian conventions... and six years later, I'm still here.


What was your first convention and how did it go?
AVCon '02... it was also the fisrt AVCon, so it was small, and for that, I was very glad!  It was the first time I'd ever been to Adelaide as well!  So, I was in a new state, all by myself, dressed as Freya Crescent... without another cosplayer in sight.  Just as I was starting to think this was one of the stupidest ideas I'd ever had, other cosplayers started sheding the coats that were hiding their costumes.  I think there was about 10 of us in total for the whole weekend! XD  I met some really great people there, most of whom I still keep in contact with.


How many cosplays have you done?
I don't actually keep count... probably 20+, at a guess?


What was your first costume and why?:
The first costume I made *specifically* for a convention (and the first costume I'd used the term "cosplay" to describe), was Freya Crescent from Final Fantasy IX.  I loved her design from the moment I first saw her... I didn't even know what she was from, but yeah, she just drew me in straight away, and I knew I HAD to make that costume for myself.


What is your favourite costume and why?:
Lu Xun from Dynasty Warriors 4.  This was a hugely ambitious project for me back in '04.  I poured so much love, time and effort into that costume that even though I could list hundreds of things I would do differently on it now, it will always have a special place in my heart.


What costume will never be mentioned again and why?:
I always thought Himiko from Kessen II was a bad choice.  I love her design, but the step from game to reality wasn't as smooth as I would have liked.  I just don't have the looks to cosplay cute little girls!


Name a few cosplays you're planning to do next?
I'm working on Sonsaku Hakufu (Koutetsu Sangokushi) and Sima Yi (Dynasty Warriors 6) at the moment.  In planning, I've got Sun Ce (Dynasty Warriors 6), Ashley Riot (Vagrant Story) and Yoshistune Minamoto (Warriors Orochi 2), to name a few on the ever-growing list.


Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?:
Uranus from Battle Arena Toshinden 2 (yes, a girl!), and Lu Bu from Dynasty Warriors 6.


What do you take into consideration when picking a character to cosplay?
First and foremost, it has to be a character I feel strongly for.  I would never cosplay a character that I just like the look of, without knowing what they're like, and immersing myself in their world.
On appearance, I do tend to cosplay more male characters than female characters.  I mean, I am aware of what the hand I was dealt can and can't do, and I think an important part of cosplay is to make yourself look as much like your character as your looks allow; so whilst I am not particularly masculine in features, I know effeminate characters and I don't work well together.  I think it is better for me to look like a girlie boy than an ugly girl, if that makes sense?


Most Memorable Cosplay Experience:
I've had a lot of fun over the past few years.  There's no specific moment I can name... there's just a lot of happy times that I'm glad that I've had.


Do you enter cosplay contests?:
Sometimes... it depends on how wrapt in the moment I am.


Do you try to act in character?
No.  Rather than "acting" like the character, I try to pick characters where my personality won't clash with theirs.  I think it's important to not be grinning in photos, if your character is serious, but yeah, other than that... I'm not going to go all out and lose myself to the character.


Do you attend photo shoots and meet-ups outside of conventions?
No.  I'm dreadfully antisocial.


What is your favorite thing about cosplay?
The creative side.  It's art and expression!  If I wasn't cosplaying, I'd be making other things instead.


What is it that makes you keep cosplaying?
I know, after every big costume, I keep saying "This is going to be my last!", but the fun I have wearing it always outweighs the trauma I went through to make it... and so the circle is complete, again and again.  I think, when I find another hobby that I can enjoy just as much, I'll drop cosplay like a hot pie, but until then, I'll just keep adding more characters to my "To do" list...


Cosplayer that drives you onto improve the most?:
Myself.  Admiration of others is all very good, but it's not really constructive in terms of bettering oneself.  I can always rely on myself to be honest, and criticise me when I'm not doing my best.  I know when I've done good... I don't need to live in the shadow of an idol.


Cosplayer you admire the most?:
I admire anyone who cosplays purely for fun.


Do you prefer single, pair or group cosplay?:
I started off doing single cosplays, but I'm liking group cosplay now - not a huge group, where everyone just blends into each other, but a nice small group, where we can combine our strengths for something truly special.


What cosplay, if done well, do you go weak at the knees for?:
A good (blonde!) Vega from Street Fighter will always bring out the screaming fangirl in me!  And I don't know... there's something about girls crossplaying Xiahou Dun from Dynasty Warriors that make my jaw drop...


Do you believe in cosplay love?:
Meeting your love while cosplaying.  Of course, if you're meeting with people you have a common interest with, love is a very possible option.  But, let me clarify that just because I believe in it, doesn't mean I want it to happen to me!


What about Australian cosplay do you think makes us unique?:
Because we're such a small scene, I get the impression it's a lot friendlier than other countries'.  With the exception of a few elitists, there's a wonderful feeling of comradery, rather than competition, at all the cons - everyone is willing to help each other out.


What would you like to see happen to Australian Cosplay?:
As a social thing, nothing - it's perfect just the way it is!  But as the competitive element grows, I think the gap between the newer and more experienced cosplayers is getting bigger.  I would like to see a ranking system like the USA has, not to divide, but to make the competition fairer, and to encourage those who are just starting out. I can imagine now, with the level of talent we've got in this country, the scene would be quite daunting to a beginner!


Advice for people wanting to start cosplaying:
Continuing on from the last question - don't be afraid!  Choose a character you love - whose costume is in your skill level and budget - and have fun!


Tell us a little about yourself:
I have a qualification in horticulture, and I work for a nursery.  I spend all day looking at plants, and all night sewing.  I think it's important to keep work and hobbies completely separate.


What did you think the first time you heard the name Floatyman?:
I thought it was a really strange name!  And I still don't know what it means...

*Cosplayer with Melanie is Dark_side_riku