Tag: mrclever

Cosplaying during Lockdown

@adventuresofclever

Happy 7th Anniversary to #NightmareinSilver My absolute favorite #Doctorwho episode. #MisterClever #Cybermen #11thDoctor #MattSmith #doctorwhocosplay

♬ original sound – Mr. Clever

This lockdown has been challenging for many creatives. The lack of social interaction, structure, financial stability and the challenges of staying inspired and motivated have caused many of us to feel like we are drowning in open waters with land just out of our grasps.

Not having cons, or any costumed events, has forced me and other cosplayers to get well, clever, in our approach to creating new content. Cosplayers and other like minded people have flocked to TikTok to make cosplay videos, allowing them the ability to interact while in character, have some fun, make new friends and get so much needed laughter.

The concept of surviving these times via video scares the hell out of me. I have struggled with heart stopping panic attacks if I knew I was being recorded. Cosplay has helped minimize my panic attacks over still photography, but hasn’t quite reached that point with video. So when I saw this trend, and realized how helpful it could be, I resolved myself to at least trying.

There are other factors for me personally that make doing these videos difficult. Not least of which is trying to get my cats to not take center stage, or knock over my equipment. Add to the ongoing feline world domination, the 2 hours it takes to get into costume and the other 1.5 hours to take it off, and you have a rather long day.

But here I am, with a TikTok account, and a small handful of videos.

Be safe.

Be inspired.

And go give me and other creatives a follow and some love.

by Adventures of Clever

Artopia 2019

The Artopia: After-Hours Party  hosted by The Creative Collective was a fun night of art installations, music, hands on interactive exhibits and of course, a fun Photo Booth.

It doesn’t take much for myself and my friends to get silly, and this night wasn’t much different.

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Paul’s hair is yummy 

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Luckily, this photographer, Katie, is used to us. She’s done many of the Collective’s events, so I think she is always prepared for our craziness.

 

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Space Butt

One of my favorite things about the PEM ‘s parties, is the interactive workshop. A few years ago we made pinwheels out of the material they use for sails, and they were displayed all around town. That was incredible.  This time around people got to make prints and learn about silk screening techniques.

While my friends tried that ( let’s be honest here – I am a mess when I paint, and I knew it would get all over my cosplay) I saw paper and markers, so my brain went ” What the Hell!”

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Hard at work letting the world know I was there

While I was sitting down, these three women came running up to me, fascinated by my lights. Like moths to a flame, I swear.  One of them thought it was make up, and asked how I did it, how I made it. They had no idea who Mr. Clever was, so of course I had to show them a picture of Matt as Clever.  One of them actually said ” Oh he’s cute.”  Yes, yes he is.

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“This is Matt” 

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I blame my friends for letting me have coffee at 4pm.

After we finished making art, we meandered around some more, looking at the other exhibits. I did manage to find a very cute squirrel puppet. Of course now I want one.

“Hey, Sarah, don’t touch those…nuts.”  Yeah, I need puppet.

Anyway, we are all looking forward to the next party!

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I want these too! 

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by Adventures of Clever

Meet your Host: Mr. Clever

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Lee Roberts as Mr. Clever from the Doctor Who episode “Nightmare in Silver”

Lee Roberts aka Mr Clever is a cosplayer and artist from Salem. They are actively involved in the Cosplay is not Consent: Anti-bullying movement as well as being an admin for Boston Whovians.

Their Mr. Clever cosplay has been featured in The Nerdist, The Mary Sue, Nerd Caliber, on BBC America, the BBC affiliate Anglophenia, and was featured in Doctor Who magazine.

Their motto is “Upgrade everyone. Save all the kittens.”

Tell us a little bit about Mr. Clever:

Mr Clever is from the Doctor Who episode “Nightmare in Silver” written by my favorite author, Neil Gaiman. He is what happened when the Cyberman tried to take over the Doctor. For those non- Whovians out there, imagine an evil robotic entity that takes over 50% of an alien time traveler’s mind. The beauty and challenge of cosplaying him is that its essentially two characters in one. He was sassy, snarky, manic, manipulative and I adored every second he was on screen.

You’ve become known for cosplaying this character. Why him?

You know this is the one question people ask me the most and I am never 100% sure what to say. There are so many reasons why Mr. Clever clicked with me. I do remember when I first saw Nightmare in Silver, I lost my mind when he first appeared on screen and knew I had to cosplay that character. I loved his personality: snarky, flirty and suave. Maybe its because I have always loved all things robotic. Maybe its because it gave me a chance to make something unique, since I can’t sew which usually is a primary skill as a cosplayer. Maybe its just because he lets me get out of my own way and have fun. I don’t have a solid answer. I had tried other cosplays before and after him, but none of them fit me like he does. When I put on the cyberplanner piece it all just comes together. We just clicked – it was love at first sight.

What does cosplay mean?

Cosplay is hard to define, as it means different things to different people. For myself, I’m not cosplaying unless I am in character, not just in costume. Unless I am Mr. Clever.

But the beauty of cosplay is that there is no right or wrong way to do it. For some people putting on a costume and going out for Halloween is cosplaying, and that is totally ok. It’s the fun, the PLAY part of it that is key for most cosplayers.

Imagine your 10-year-old self all over again. What costume did you want to wear? What character did you want to embody so badly? Wonder women? Gandalf? A ninja Turtle? Its that same passion that makes cosplay fun and rewarding for all ages. Doesn’t matter if you made your costume, bought it at a thrift store or just make props, like me. It’s all about self-expression and fun.

Cosplay is for everyone. And everyone can cosplay.

by Adventures of Clever