Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: Code Geass, cosplay, death note, entertainment, Jerry Polence, League of Legends

A Cosplay Interview With Jerry Polence – The Devil Is In The Details

Published Thu, 22 May 2014 18:00:00 -0500

by Hannah Means Shannon

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By Andrea "Yunie" McFall

Joining with Cosplay Blog with a Brain, this is our next cosplayer interview, featuring Jerry Polence! She's a lovely cosplayer from Washington, who is super talented in her costuming skills!

[Jerry Polence as C.C. from Code Geass, photo by Ashley Perry]

Andrea McFall: What's your cosplay alias and why did you choose it?

Jerry Polence: My alias is Jerry Polence, a long story. I started cosplaying during college. I went to an exclusive Roman Catholic school for girls run by nuns (very strict) and they wanted every student to ask for permission to join any contests, and that included cosplay competitions. Since many of costume choices are not conservative, and cosplay was somewhat underground then, I chose costumes that would give people a hard time recognizing me, and if I won, I usually got announced as Jerry Polence. It is far from my own name, not to mention they would think it was a guy.

AM: How many years have you been cosplaying and what got you started?

JP: I started cosplaying in 2003, so eleven years now. Mainly my friends told me about the hobby, I attended a convention to support them, and ended up cosplaying at the next con. I just couldn't believe there was a hobby as awesome as cosplaying, so that I had to see for myself that it was true.

[Jerry Polence as Deperada Cassiopeia from League of Legends, photo by Kira Hokuten Photography]

AM: What has been some of your favorite things to work with when constructing costumes and why?

JP: Right now, it's basically tailoring that's keeping me busy. Figuring out how to do those "oh so impossible Clamp and what not costumes" in real life, and I'm a masochist for details.

AM: What are you excited to be working with in the future and why?

JP: I have lots of friends overseas that I want to group cosplay with, when we end up cosplaying in the same country. It's pure logistics that's a pain in the butt.

AM: What are some of the traits you like to see in other costumes and who do you think does well in them?

JP: Well, it's accuracy, neat & polished costumes, and construction difficulty. If I see details that are mind-boggling to me and they pull it off, I applaud them.

AM: What is your view of the "cosplay scene"?

JP: I've been to many countries, and pretty much it's the same light and fluffy environment anywhere, regardless of what language is spoken. Cosplayers seem to get along well.

AM: What are some of the things you want to see change in the scene?

JP: Well, here in the USA, I get the impression that some people are a bit "elitist" towards other cosplayers who don't do their own costumes. Well, if they are not competing in a cosplay competitions (where craftsmanship is one of the criteria) then they can do whatever, in my honest opinion. In Asia, it's cheap to have your costumes made, so many people just have them made. I want more people there to make their costumes, so we can compete in international cosplay competitions.

[Jerry Polence as Misa from Death Note, photo by Red Envelope Photography]

AM: What is some advice you could give people starting to get into cosplay?

JP: Well, cosplay something you REALLY like, that way you will put lots of "labor of love" into it. If you have decided what costume you want, do LOTS of research; try to do something that will fit your skill level.

AM: What are some of your favorite conventions you've attended and why?

JP: Penny Arcade Convention and Sakura Con. I'm really amazed how friendly the environments are and well organized they are.

AM: Give a random fact about one of your costumes that you're proud of!

JP: My black C.C. ball gown had so much hand sewing, cause of the laces and sequins that went in it.

[Jerry Polence as C.C. from Code Geass, photo by Eurobeat King]

Thanks for the interview, Jerry Polence! You can see more of her work on her website, her Twitter, and her Facebook!

Andrea "Yunie" McFall is a co-host of podcast Panel 2 Panel, now featured on Bleeding Cool. She also works with Anime Jam Session and Cosplay Blog with a Brain, spreading as much geekiness around as possible. You can find her on Twitter as @Koiengi and on Facebook under Yunie/Koi.

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