Cosplayer of the Week: Mira Miracles

Today we have a wonderful cosplayer for you that comes all the way from Russia by the name of Mira Miracles! She has a ton of talent and works hard to provide awesome content for her fans. Check out our interview with her!

What is your cosplay origin story? 

I started cosplaying at school. At the age of 14, friends suggested that I take part in a skit on Happy Tree Friends. 

I started with the cosplay of male characters. At 18 age, we performed with a friend at a major festival and took 2nd place. There I won my excellent sewing machine, which I still sew on.

Now I perform on stage not often enough, because in my opinion it is difficult to make a worthy interesting performance alone, and in my city, there are few like-minded people. And preparing group performances is much harder for human factors. Now I’m more interested in photo cosplay.

Out of all the years you have done cosplay, what has been one of your more favorite/proudest memories? 

My favorite is Kindred from the League of Legends. I asked my friend to help me and be a wolf, haha, but I made both costumes myself

Then it was my first cosplay in the League of Legends and I really wanted to go as a cosplayer to the championship. And I did it.

It was very cool. I liked it so much that I still make costumes for the LoL and participate in various competitions for RUServer

And sometimes I keep going to the championships.

Many people online will simply see one of your images, appreciate it for the moment and move on. However, I know that a lot of care and time goes into photoshoots. Could you describe your process for a cosplay photoshoot from the concept to when it hits your fans?

At the moment I work with only one photographer who is Wisekumagoro on Instagram. She understands me and my ideas and easily embodies what I explain to her. She is also my friend.

Choosing a character, not my opinion, is not difficult if you are multi-tasking.

  I do make-up myself, I sew and do craft myself. It’s always easy to please myself and I’ll realize in advance whether I can transform into a character or is it difficult for me

I offer the photographer a character and an idea because it is very important that she also burns with this idea. After all, the result depends on it.

If both of us are interested, we begin to work on the idea further. Search for similar art by theme, see photos of other cosplayers. In general, we are looking for references that can help us (in the plan of light, angles, atmosphere)

In parallel, we choose a location that fits our idea.

Sometimes, if we want to do makeup or a portrait photo, we save a lot of money, since we do not have to pay for studio rent. We are trying to photograph this at home. We hang the fabrics on tape and wallpaper and put a bunch of lamps (everything we find at my place) For example, these photos were taken at home. We created the atmosphere/light/background from what we found at hand

But there are also disadvantages

Unlike studios, the house does not have enough light and equipment, there are no beautiful locations. Therefore, for a full-fledged costume, such a “homemade” is not suitable.

Also, in the warm season, we get outdoor (preferably into the forest!) And take photos in natural light.

Sometimes for any shooting, you have to buy a prop.

Also, for all the photoshoots, I pay the photographer. Therefore, the price of one shoot can cost 5-10 thousand rubles (~ 80-130 $), excluding the costume itself.

For my place of residence, this is a decent amount (half the monthly salary). Therefore, yes, cosplay is, unfortunately, a hobby is not cheap.

Out of all the cosplays you have ever done which one was your personal favorite even if it was not super well received by fans? 

Again, highlight Kindred

But just highlight the Black Canary. We held two photoshoots, but unfortunately, only those photos where I stand with my back and I see POPU IN SHORTIKA have gained popularity

Even a little annoying haha

You feature a lot of awesome geeky content, what is your absolute favorite geeky medium? (Video games, anime, comics, film, etc.) 

I am very attracted to video games and character designs from games.

Comics in second place

Subbed or Dubbed Anime?

Dubbing. Usually, I watch something while working on the next costume and reading subtitles is very problematic. If I like a moment, I will revise it later in the original.

But by the way, I rarely watch anime now, but all of the above applies to series and games (It’s not always possible to play something because of the lack of a console and not the most powerful computer, you have to watch the passage and plot of the games)

It is apparent that you hustle to provide content for fans but when you actually have a day off, how do you spend it? 

Rest … what is it? Haha

But seriously, I like to just lie on the couch under a good movie or take a walk with friends in the fresh air, this is useful and my body lacks this.

You just radiate such confidence and the swagger of a champion. However, a lot of geeks often struggle with overwhelming self-doubt, anxiety, and depression. When you have those bad days and get down on yourself, what do you do to remind yourself that you are wonderful?

You are damn right. This is a problem for many creative people. The usual negative commentary under your work can become factors for this.

I often thought that I could be wrong and wrong, and all this is just a waste of time. But I really enjoy the creation process. Therefore, I began to sew costumes not only for myself but also for the order.

Also now my family and friends support me

Thus, I think I’m happier than the average person and I don’t get depressed, because it prevents me from developing. I try to control everything and if I think that there are any doubts, I just talk with my friends and discuss the problem that is. During the conversation, I myself begin to think that I have exaggerated the problem and I am doing well.

What is one piece of advice you wish you received when you first got into costume design/cosplay? 

I don’t know, probably about the temperature conditions of the iron, hahaha. I often burned my costumes before, trying to smooth the seam

Where can we find you online?  

I don’t have much time, but from this year I promised myself to actively conduct social networks. Now it is important enough for promotion.

https://www.instagram.com/mira_miracless

https://www.facebook.com/MiraLisova22/ 

P.S. Sorry for my English, it’s not perfect

Thank you!