FireMate Photographic Interview/Domino Cosplay Shoot
Interview by: L
I recently interviewed the talented cosplay photographer FireMate Photographic and featured his Domino shoot starring the lovely Vudu Juju...
All the amazing and popular cosplay photos wouldn't be possible without the help of a skilled photographer. I don't consider my cosplay complete until I have a proper shoot to showcase all the hard work and detail I put in the costume. I tip my hat to all the talented photographers out there. Thank you for completing our visions.
I recently came across a beautiful Domino cosplay shoot. The photographer (FireMate Photographic) helped create an entire set for the character. This isn't the first time he's done it either. We've featured his work here before (X-Men Scifeyecandy shoot) I just had to interview him.
Before we begin. I know you're also a massive sci fi nerd. What are some of your favorite television series and films?
---- Oh boy, where to start� When I was a kid, I fell in love with The Black Hole, The Explorers, Tron, and Wargames before getting engrossed in the worlds of Star Wars and Star Trek. Our library in Oshawa used to loan out 16mm film reels of different movies (this was the time before rental videos). My dad would set up a screen using sheets in the basement, plug in his homemade Radio Canada speaker cabinets (which I�m lucky to still use today at my own house) and we�d all watch in awe as a Star Destroyer would rumble the floors, flying above our heads in this large basement theatre made of couch cushions. As technology got better, and video projectors came about, we�d have movie marathons as a family. Back to the Future, Indiana Jones, the Alien Movies, Terminator, Jurassic Park, the list is nearly limitless!
Are there any cosplays you'd love to one day photograph?
---- I�m biased here, because I�d love to cosplay this myself if I could, but I�d love to do an epic photoshoot of The Rocketeer. I�ve always been in love with art deco themes in both art and architecture, and that radio series/comic book/movie embodied it rather well.
I've noticed your photoshoots are usually on location. Do you pick specific locations for the character? If so, do you or the cosplayer location scout before the shoot?
---- It tends to fall on me to search out the area for a shoot, and quite frankly, I love that. Basically, if it�s a character I�m not familiar with, I�ll research it as best I can. Then, with a soundtrack mix of Half Life, Rob Dougan, Daft Punk (and whomever else I have in my car), I head out for a long drive playing out the shoot in my head. When I find that perfect building or location (which can range from abandoned hotel to an auto wreckers), I research to find the owner of that property. You�d be surprised how many people are more than happy to accommodate a photoshoot if you just ask and maybe even bribe them with some red velvet cake!
I was told you had no idea who Domino was before doing the photo shoot. I find that hard to believe. The amount of detail you've put in the set looks like you're a massive fan. What's the story Behind the images? How long did it it take to set up? Also for those who haven't noticed, could you point out all the Easter eggs you've hidden in the images?
---- You�re right, I had no clue who the character was (sorry folks!), but got into the research pretty deeply. Marvel�s on Wiki on their characters is amazing. I found out who her targets have been in the comics, who she�s associated with, all of that. It took me a few hours to setup the room, set up the fog machine, paint the Super Soaker gun, get the UltraViolet laser ready, and start to put everything up on the walls. I had in the dossiers actual targets she�s had, and that in turn corresponded to spots on the globe I had thumb-tacked. Those with a keen eye would notice that she�s eating Domino�s pizza (of course), drinking from a Modok mug, Xavier�s School for the Gifted was listed as Parkwood Estate in Oshawa where the first X-Men was filmed, the photo frames on the shelves were displaying high-tech weaponry she used as well as target sites, and that the characters in the dossiers were sometimes photos of actors that were rumored to be one time looked upon to play members of the Hellfire Club.
As to the shoot itself, I�ve always loved the aesthetics of the early 80�s sci-fi and action films, so I tried to make the images resemble that. Using one strobe to the side, a fog machine, and a home-made lens setup on the camera gave it the halation effect with lit objects that a lot of film in dark scenes used to suffer from. The shoot may have only taken a half hour to do, but it was great to be able to upload the images immediately after the shoot.
And lastly, where can we find your work? Will you be attending any conventions in the future?
--- I�ll most likely be attending Anime North next, or putting my dog in the sidecar of my WWII motorcycle and heading to various motorcycle conventions and charity veteran�s events over the next while! I have a website where people can contact me directly, it's
www.firemate.ca
Thanks so much for your time. Looking forward to seeing more of your work!
Photographer/Set Design:
FireMate Photographic
Domino Cosplay:
Vudu Juju
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May 21 2014