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The Art of Horror Cosplay: A Severed Cinema Interview with Steven Evans |
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Written by Jay Creepy
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Thursday, 01 June 2017 |
The Art of Horror Cosplay: A Severed Cinema Interview with Steven Evans

Science Fiction, Gaming and
Fantasy Cosplay seem to get a lot of time in magazines and websites, but I
seldom chance upon anything to do with the art of Horror Cosplay. There's a
thousand Klingons, Harlequins, Tom Baker Doctor Whos (not enough Colin Baker
ones!!) and Assassin's Creeds. Yet there's thousands of Horror movie characters
worldwide, and more who invent their own special look and have membership in
societies chilled out with large circles of friends who live and breathe it. It
takes skill, patience and acting ability to stay in character so long. From the
basic to the all out construction which can take weeks, Horror Cosplay is a
worldwide phenomenon which needs a lot more recognition.
So, how good could it be to bag an interview with a bloke who casually takes it
all in his huge strides? A man who has never been interviewed about this, a man
who meets loads of fans for pictures, meets Horror Film stars, and even appears
in professional photo shoots dressed to kill -- literally.
I first came across Steven Evans whilst at Horror Con 16, a huge lumbering man
who tried to stick his axe in my chest. He, like many others, wander conventions
far and wide in the UK. Time, effort and money goes into building a costume
which merits so many people asking for photos and selfies with the performer.
From zombies to Babadooks, this is serious business and, above all, absolutely
fun. Time to chat with a man on ground zero.

Now then Steve, you've recently done Horror Con 17. How did that one go?
Yeah Horror Con UK 2017 went great, I met new
friends along the way before this event happened, so I went with the people
I made friends with, and I am part of a growing horror costume group Horror
Icons and Villains UK. I brought my Halloween (2007) Michael Myers, and my
Friday the 13th (2009) Jason Voorhees. I had so much reaction from fans, and
won the Scareplay competition Sunday as Jason. The category winner of film
or TV character. Definitely returning next year.
Gutted I didn't catch up with you for another pic. There were so many Jasons.
As I said before, I spoke to a Jason thinking it was you and it wasn't.
Rather embarrassing and funny at the same time. Do you ever turn up at a
convention with your bag of Jason or Mike Myers, etcetera, then see there's
a whole gaggle of Jason's, and think “Should I stick something else on his
head to make him unique?”
Nah it's fine, understandable. Shame we did not.
My 2009 Jason does have that uniqueness, since not many go as 2009 Jason, VS
Jason is a very popular look. I have used bagmask Jason, but it does not get
that reaction of the hockey mask Jason, just because of the details of the
under mask Jason and the dead eye slash face mask surprises and freaks them
out, plus the hockey mask is a pop culture icon. I have not really brought
Myers to many conventions, since it has been Halloween I have used him, but
I have been taking that costume to more events since I have the whole RZ
Myers line-up.
This Cosplay has taken you a long way, buddy. You've done so many
conventions and professional photography shoots over the years. Where did it
all begin? What made you decide to do this? What was the genesis and the
very first costume you wore? To a convention, I don't mean in your private
life.
I have only started doing the con scene since
may 2014, MCM London was my first as 2009 Jason. The costume is on another
level today compared to back then, and I am returning to the MCM comic con
on May 27th 2017. I decided when I was going out for Halloween, it was never
enough and wanted more out of this and I wanted to meet a new kind of
people, so I built a new Facebook account back in 2014 to expand this art
and reach out to a new community. While Halloween is fun I cannot use many
costumes, and Jason is impossible to use on Halloween because of how hot the
head mask is. I thought conventions only happened in America back in 2013
when I was looking and I found out, damn, it's a whole community of
people and artists and decided let's see what the whole convention scene is
like. The rest is history.
When I first spotted you at Horror Con 2016, at the Magna Centre, Sheffield,
you were dressed as something very different, very chilling considering your
height. Please tell us everything about The Wicked One.
I know the cast of the Wicked One movie
through Facebook. I saw this amazing looking character, and decided “yeah
lets build this costume.” Colin Miller, who is nicknamed The Wicked One --
one of the most violent and dangerous psychopaths of modern times escapes
from a institution and returns to his home town, and returns at the most
convenient times, a Halloween festival. So it does have a Halloween premise
about it.
A lot of people are members of clubs or Mason like societies for the art of
Cosplay? Or do you keep in touch with a few people and hang out at the
places? You mentioned Horror Icons?
Yeah, I am part of a costume group which has
exploded onto the scene, Horror Icons and Villains UK, you can find them on
Facebook.
So
what's the greatest costume you've witnessed anywhere, aside from your own?
It's hard to say, because I have seen so many.
Nothing has truly stood out that I can say that was the best. There has been
so many costumes, but I have not seen anyone push the boundaries of
something totally unique. Same with my costumes -- they're great but its got
to be practical when I am travelling. The closest I have seen is Pyramid
Head.
That must have been a cool thing to see. What's everybody like? I mean,
pictures with visitors are common place throughout the day wherever you go.
Does everyone behave? Or do any put you into embarrassing situations?
Never seen anyone behave out of line, everyone
has been fantastic.
I've noticed on your Facebook you've had pictures with a lot of Horror
stars. Who's been the greatest? Who's given you the fanboy buzz under your
costume?
Hard to say. For guests I have met, probably a
tie between Kane Hodder, Ken Kirzenger, Emily Booth, Robert Englund, Sid
Haig and Heather Langenkamp. The reactions from those six were epic! But if
I were to choose one it's Robert Englund since I met him in full make up!
(Check the picture below...)

Whoa, that is frikkin awesome! What a pic! Speaking of pictures, Steve,
you've been involved in some marvellous photo shoots wherein you
understandably scare the hell out of a young girl and then look close to
killing said girl. Do you get approached by people wanting you involved? Or
do you put feelers out and about?
People have reached out to me to do photo
shoots. I have never really put it out there. They all came to me to do
these shoots.
Away from the hulking brute you are at conventions, what are you like away
from there? What do you do as a career?
I usually am caring for family since they need
more help. And I help my uncle with property's he rents, since he lives in
New York as a doctor. Me and my aunts sister keep in contact if anything
needs repairing. So it's given me the chance to work on this art.
What are your hobbies away from this?
I like doing my workouts, not so much the gym, but jogging, light weights,
always making sure I'm in good shape. I love travelling, etcetera etcetera.
I've stood and witnessed two Jason's have a chat which amused fans to no
end, I've spoken to a Captain Spaulding Cosplay gent who came face to face
with the real Sid Haig and totally geeked out when Sid grinned, “I'm sure
I've seen you somewhere before.” Do you try to keep character as much as
possible and take a few breaks away from the crowds and masses? Or do you
talk to a few fans along the way?
I keep in character as much as I can, to really
scare the hell out of randoms. If I know people enough I might character. I
do take breaks -- got to. Food, drink, so I have the energy throughout the
day, but I keep up as long as the body can do it before a break.
There's obviously many people who probably laugh at Cosplay and dismiss it
all. From your point of view, and other people you know, how serious is it?
Approximately how much planning goes into arranging a new costume to the
hours of trudging for the entertainment of the fans?
It does get that unfair tag. I don't like when
the community make other costumers feel bad through body shaming. I stay
away from the generic characters everyone goes as, as it's all very much the
same. I choose characters that will stand out, who break away from what
everyone goes as. It can take a long time. My Jason took five to six years
to perfect. I prepare mostly a year for a new character.
Do you often change costume? What makes you change? Is it boredom? Or the
challenge of keeping others on their toes perhaps?
I don't usually change costumes, as I keep to a
limited few, but I have expanded my characters beyond Jason and Michael
Myers. As with The Wicked One, my new American Horror Story Pighead,
and 52 Joker which will be a cool costume to break away from horror which
has that horror spin.
Is there much competition between everybody? I can't imagine it because it
looks so much fun.
There can be. But from my point of view I don't
do any of that, just the best I can do.
Which has been the best costume you've worn? From a comfort point of view,
to reactions from others?
The best costume has been Jason by far! The most
comfortable one has been Baghead Jason, and Michael Myers. Jason has got the
best reactions especially when I remove the hockey mask!
Oh yeah, I've seen what's under it. Goes back to what we said about the
thought and time which goes into this. What's next for Steven Evans? What's
coming up on your calender this year?
Convention wise I have five coming up. Horror Con Swansea in July 2017, which is a local one for me -- Kane Hodder
will be there. London Film and Comic Con in July 2017 -- some Friday the
13th guests will be there which I am meeting. Cardiff Comic Con in
September, which is another local one for me. Then Birmingham Horror Con on
Halloween 2017.
You've been a gent for answering these questions buddy. It's nice to hear
what makes a chap like you tick and discover the thoughts and mind involved
in such a huge scene.
No worries.
Lastly, what's your top 5 movies of all time? Horror and otherwise?
The Dark Knight, Terminator 1 and 2, Predator
and The Empire Strikes Back.
Some years ago, I was going to be The (bearded) Punisher. I had the guns, coat,
everything for some local Sci-Fi events. Then I had to shave my head and I'm not
going to wear a wig. Saying that, I have an idea in my head for a demented
Crowman from Worzel Gummidge who builds flesh eating scarecrows (copywrite owned
by Creepy Productions :-). Hmm, might see you in the corridors next year, Steve.

Interview with Steven Evans was conducted by Severed
Cinema writer Jay Creepy. You
can find him on Facebook: fb.com/CampCrystalLakeDweller.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 04 June 2017 )
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