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Featured
Cosplayer is...
{
Raymond Croft
}
Ray has been a literal ray of sunshine in our Tomb Raider community and the
cosplay community. I think that he's exceptional, open minded and a very positive role model for cosplayers everywhere, below is his interview where you can get to know him better. |
1- Tell us about yourself.
"Hello! My name is Raymond Croft I live in Los Angeles and I have been a Tomb
Raider fan since I popped out the womb. " |
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2- Why do you cosplay Lara, what does it mean to you?
"Cosplaying as Lara is probably the best experience I have had doing
something Tomb Raider related. It's amazing how awesome I feel when I lace up my
boots and put on my hostlers!" |
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3- How did you first hear about lara?
"I was so young I can't even remember my first time with Lara! I do remember
my mother buying me a PlayStation 1 with games like Spyro, crash, jet motto,
tekken, final fantasy 7, and of course Tomb Raider. Lara and I have been close
ever since! " |
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4- When did you get into cosplay?
"When my friend Spencer, who also has cosplayed as Lara bought us San Diego
comic con tickets I thought it would be an awesome idea to do gender-bent
versions of classic Lara and reboot Lara. Once I was dressed as her I knew I
wanted to get more into cosplaying as Lara!" |
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5- How do you assemble your outfits?
"I usually order shirts and pants and alter them to get the fit I need.
With classic Lara I had a shotgun that I had to strap to my backpack. So I went
to a clothing store bought two matching belts, cut them and attached them to the
side of my backpack for the shotgun. I also like my cosplays to tell a story
that's taken from the games. For example I carry an ankh on the side of classic
Lara's backpack, and for my catsuit cosplay I made the chloroform that Lara uses
in Tomb Raider a Chronicles." |
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6- Favourite TR outfit:
"It's really hard to choose a favorite outfit from Lara's wardrobe, but I
would have to choose the classic Lara outfit! Preferably The last revelation
style of it." |
7-
Favourite TR game:
"When I'm asked this
question I like to say my favorite game from Core and my favorite game from
Crystal Dynamics. So from core my favorite is Tomb Raider 2 and from Crystal
Dynamics my favorite is Rise of the Tomb Raider. I loved exploring the different
environments in Tomb Raider 2 and I love that you can see Lara's braid in game.
With Rise of the Tomb Raider I love how you get to go along with Lara on her
first Tomb Raiding expedition! I love seeing classic Lara come through reboot
Lara in certain scenes. It would put a big smile on my face." |
8- What do you think of the movies?
"I'm probably one of the fans that love the Tomb Raider movies. Angelina
brought to Lara what we all loved seeing in the games. I remember my dad
surprised me by picking me up from school early *I was in the second grade* and
he took me to go see the movie. That's one of my favorite memories." |
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9- What is your favourite boss
fight/puzzle in your favourite game?
"I really like fighting the T-Rex in Tomb Raider 1, but I also like
fighting torso at the end of Tomb Raider 1 so it's probably between those two." |
10- How do you feel about the new origins story?
"I'm such a huge fan
of the origin story! Reboot Lara has made me cherish and love classic Lara even
more. Crystal Dynamics are amazing at what they do and I'm happy that they're
handling the Tomb Raider franchise." |
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11- What is the one item you would add to the croft outfit?
"Can Lara just have a water bottle and some snacks in her backpack? I
know she probably gets thirsty and hungry on her adventures." |
12- Who takes your photos, and what kind of equipment do you use?
"My very good friend Alycia has been taking my pictures! She's incredible, super
friendly, and funny! I plan to have her as my photographer for as long as I
cosplay! You can check out her Facebook page, Alycia Creative." |
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13- What are your favorite qualities that Lara upholds?
"Lara to me is strength, intelligence, and beauty. Lara was one of the
first woman in gaming who was sexy, but could also hold her own and didn't need
saving, she can save herself and look good doing it. Lara was a symbol for women
everywhere who felt like you had to choose to be sexy or smart, Lara was there
to let everyone know they can be both." |
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14- What is your dream Lara croft costume?
"I'd love to see
reboot Lara wearing a green tank, braid, the tan pants she already has, with red
shoelaced boots. It's my dream to see Lara dressed as classic. Please make it
happen Crystal!!" |
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15- Do you have any advice for first time cosplayers?
"My only advice is to have fun and surround yourself with people who are
going to support you. For me the Lara Croft cosplay community is full of amazing
and talented people who I am able to call my friends.
I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me on
this cosplay journey. I am still fresh, but the Tomb Raider community has made
me feel like I've been doing this for years which is exactly what I plan to do.
I'm hoping to meet many many many more fans who eat, sleep, and breath Tomb
Raider." |
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More At Ray's Gallery here. |
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