Interview 28: Alyrenee in the Hot Seat!!!

[The Second Evil]

It seems that members were overjoyed when MsBig took a spin in the Hot Seat, so I thought that I’d learn from my successes and invite another famed customizer into the Hot Seat. This time: the wonderful Alyrenee.

This wonderful woman is who I am blessed to be with at the moment in the Buffy Survivor Game and I’m having a lot of fun working with her. She’s a smart, witty and friendly person to be around. But obviously, she is most renowned for her customizing skills than anything else (customiser of the year!). She has an amazing collection of artistic achievements under her belt and each of her customs turn out just beautiful. And despite an injury earliar this year, you can’t keep a good customiser down. She’s back stronger than ever!

Okay, embarrassment aside – Aly, ENJOY!!!

------------------------------------------

1) What TV shows are you into at the moment? Besides the obvious Buffy/Angel/Firefly.

2) How goes the foot? Hopefully your Achilles Tendon doesn’t hurt too much now.

3) What do you do for a living?

4) Which has been your most enjoyable custom to make?

5) Your custom faces always seem perfect. Do you use the skills you know from applying make-up and use them to do the same on your figures to give them a more realistic look?

6) How do you feel about the latest Xander/Cordy line? A lot of people have been a bit angry about them, others love them. What’s your view on how they’ve turned out?

7) Are you a lover or a fighter?

8) Which is your favorite Firefly episode?

9) In fight to the death, who would win: Spike or Angel?

10) Do you prefer Lindsey over Lilah?

[Chosen Prophecy]

welcome to the HS Aly

1.) What inspires you to make such great customs?

2.) If you were stranded on a desserted island with one of the following, which would you choose- Britney Spears{(after kevin, not before)} orr Paris Hilton??

3.) Who would you say is the all time best Buff buff character?

4.) What 5 forum posters would you most like to have brunch with?

5.) Do you enjoy golf?

6.) Who is your Idol?

7.) What shows are ya watchin lately???

8.) Dawn- Whiney Teenager or important mature character?

9.) If you could replace one person on any show whom would you replace and for what part?

10.) aren't these questions lame??? Don't worry my weirdass questions will come soon

Have a great weekend

[Reggie Kat]

Woo woo!!!

1. Where all have you lived?

2. If you could relocate anywhere in the US, where would it be? Outisde the US?

3. Favorite play? Playwrite? Genre?

4. Best cartoon that came out of the 80s? Your favorite?

5. What other toylines do you collect?

6. Favorite band/singer?

7. Have classes started back up in Chicago? I start back tomorrow...

~RK

[SlayerLV]

-Who is your favorite actor & actress outside of the Buffyverse?

-What is your favorite movie?

-What is your favorite song?

-Do you like X-Men (the comics not the movies)? If so who is your favorite mutant?

-What is your favorite cartoon?

-If you had to choose anyone other than SMG to play Buffy who would you choose?

-If you had to choose anyone other than David Boreanaz to play Angel who would you choose?

[esc]

Hi Aly,

-which swap has been your favorite?

-easiest theme to work with?

-hardest theme to work with?

-which have been your favorite cons to attend?

-the con that blew you away?

-the con that disappointed you?

[Alyrenee]

Oh god..i nearly forgot I was doing this...Okay here goes...

Re:SecondEvil

1) What TV shows are you into at the moment? Besides the obvious Buffy/Angel/Firefly.
Veronica Mars, Deadwood, Smallville, Rescue Me, Supernatural. I plan to watch Heroes or Powers or whatever the name of the new superhero in training show is. Maybe a few more. I love Battlestar and I usually watch Stargate and Atlantis. I often bust out mu Farscape dvds to rewatch and I am finishing watching Charmed and Roswell on dvd as well.

2) How goes the foot? Hopefully your Achilles Tendon doesn’t hurt too much now.
Still totally sucks. I have physical therapy twice a week now. Though its getting stronger it seems as though i will never walk normally again. Ugh. Its really got me depressed.

3) What do you do for a living?
I am a Costume Designer. i work full time at a college in the costume shop and i freelance as a designer in chicago. i am a company member at strawdog theatre company www.strawdog.org

4) Which has been your most enjoyable custom to make?
I really like making Becoming Darla the best. i like painting Chosen Spike's too.

5) Your custom faces always seem perfect. Do you use the skills you know from applying make-up and use them to do the same on your figures to give them a more realistic look?
Definitely. I also repaint doll faces too and that helped alot. it really helps to know how to shape the face with makeup...i just do that on a tiny scale with the paint.

6) How do you feel about the latest Xander/Cordy line? A lot of people have been a bit angry about them, others love them. What’s your view on how they’ve turned out?
I haven't gotten mine yet so its hard to tell. I had not even pre-ordered them but after seeing pictures i decided to get a few to see what i could do with them. Maybe i can make them better. I think Wish Cordy has potential though.

7) Are you a lover or a fighter?
Hmm...fighter maybe. i am pretty fiesty.

8) Which is your favorite Firefly episode?
Out of Gas. I also really like Objects in Space....but Out of Gas is soooooo goooood.

9) In fight to the death, who would win: Spike or Angel?
Hmm...I think Spike.

10) Do you prefer Lindsey over Lilah?
I prefer Lindsay to just about anyone. But I do like Lilah. but lindsay is so very yummy.

Re:Chosen Prophecy
1.) What inspires you to make such great customs?
I have found i get more done when there is a challenge or i have a commission. otherwise i just putter around. i have tons of customs started that i might never finish. i need a deadline or someone pming me asking about their stuff all the time

2.) If you were stranded on a desserted island with one of the following, which would you choose- Britney Spears{(after kevin, not before)} orr Paris Hilton?? uh, hmmm Paris i think. At least we could talk fashion or Veronica Mars.

3.) Who would you say is the all time best Buff buff character?
I love Faith. She was so complex and her path to redemption was interesting.

4.) What 5 forum posters would you most like to have brunch with?
Hmm...Scullow, Justhad, Spikeriffic, Can I be Anne?, and Willow...i deal with them via email alot for customs and it would be ncie to have a face to face sometime.

5.) Do you enjoy golf?
never played. i like golf clothes though.

6.) Who is your Idol?
My idol...well workwise I would love to be Trisha Biggar who did the new star wars movies. those costumes were so amazing.

7.) What shows are ya watchin lately???
see above....

8.) Dawn- Whiney Teenager or important mature character?
Dawn in season five had a purpose...after that they did not do much with her. she had her moments. all teenagers have their whiny moments. I did not mind her as long as she was not screaming, "get out get out get OUT".

9.) If you could replace one person on any show whom would you replace and for what part?
Meaning, I would get to be on the show....I think I would love to play Samantha Carter on Stargate...i think I could do that part and I would love to be surrounded by the babefest of Stargate. Damn I love me some Ben Browder.

10.) aren't these questions lame??? Don't worry my weirdass questions will come soon
bring on the weird

Re: Reggiekat
1. Where all have you lived?
Chicago suburbs, Chicago proper (goldcoast), custer south dakota for a summer, milford new hampshire for two summers, pittsburgh for three years, and now I live back in chicago just north of wrigley field.

2. If you could relocate anywhere in the US, where would it be? Outside the US?
Barcelona was awesome..i could do that.

3. Favorite play? Playwrite? Genre?
My favorite play is The First Lulu by Frank Wedekind. Favorite playwright is Sam Shepard. Genre-anything edgy

4. Best cartoon that came out of the 80s? Your favorite?
Jem...holy crap i love jem..i have like five t-shirts, the doll, the dvds, everything. truly outrageous

5. What other toylines do you collect?
I collect fashion dolls from asia like Susie, Momoko, and Misaki Nippon. I also have a luts Lishe doll www.eluts.com. I collect Tonner fashion dolls www.roberttonner.com. I have a few living dead dolls. I have the Charmed figures. I have been wanting to pick up all the queen amidala star wars figures too.

6. Favorite band/singer?
I love Better than Ezra and Foo Fighters. I also love Lyle Lovett a whole lot.

7. Have classes started back up in Chicago? I start back tomorrow...
Yes. last wednesday and parking totally sucks now. hurrah for my handicap sticker!

[2tone]

This is my first time given questons so im goin try to do some werid ones. hope you like.

If you could see one Broadway show wat would it be?

One Celeb u love to hate?

Anya and Cordeila Fight over Xander who wins?

In A Perfect world how would you wanted Buffy to end?

In the Game of Clue who did u always hate?

Ever belive in a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

Ever see a Ghost?

Sin city loved or hated?

3 DVDs you would have to take with you if the world would end?

WHich one was better Kill bill 1 or Kill bill 2?

[Alyrenee]

And more...

Re: Slayerlv
-Who is your favorite actor & actress outside of the Buffyverse?
I love timothy olyphant on deadwood. i also really like kate winslet.

-What is your favorite movie?
hmm...so hard. I have tons. The old star wars movies come to mind. i love jaws. I watch the recent pride and prejudice movie all the time along with sense and sensebility. i love a film called Cold Comfort Farm. I also love Rebecca and To Catch a Theif.

-What is your favorite song?
Easy Like Sunday Morning by Faith No More...its my theme song

-Do you like X-Men (the comics not the movies)? If so who is your favorite mutant?
Hell yes. I love Kitty and Colossus. I also love Gambit. And I am ashamed to admit that I like Dazzler.

-What is your favorite cartoon?
Jem and the Holograms. Also loved the Batman animated series.

-If you had to choose anyone other than SMG to play Buffy who would you choose?
kristen bell. she's spunky and blonde.

-If you had to choose anyone other than David Boreanaz to play Angel who would you choose?
Hmm...Timothy Olyphant

Re: ESC
which swap has been your favorite?
The Wolfram and Hart one....or i think it was the Angel one...

-easiest theme to work with?
the halloween themes

-hardest theme to work with?
the summer arts and crafts one...it took me forever
-which have been your favorite cons to attend?

-the con that blew you away?
I love gencon. i love to game.

-the con that disappointed you?
wizard world is always so darn crowded.

Re: 2tone
If you could see one Broadway show wat would it be?
Sweeney Todd maybe..or Seven Guitars

One Celeb u love to hate?
I am not fond of Julia Roberts

Anya and Cordeila Fight over Xander who wins?
Anya

In A Perfect world how would you wanted Buffy to end?
I liked the way they did it...but i always though they would have xander and buffy together in the end.

In the Game of Clue who did u always hate?
Prof Plum

Ever belive in a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
yes. even chased a few.

Ever see a Ghost?
No but i have felt one before.

Sin city loved or hated?
LOVED. totally brilliant.

3 DVDs you would have to take with you if the world would end?
jaws, empire strikes back, pride and prejudice

WHich one was better Kill bill 1 or Kill bill 2?
kill bill 1

[The Second Evil]

1) If you crashed on a Desert Island, would you rather be with someone who has plenty of survival skills but is unbelievably annoying than someone who has few skills but is good company?

2) Pulp Fiction - have you seen it? If so, do you think it's overrated?

3) Which other actors/actresses from Firefly would you have liked to appear in Buffy and Angel?

4) What's your favorite Michael Jackson song?

5) Do you think Eve was a poor replacement for Lilah?

[Alyrenee]

Re: The Second Evil
1) If you crashed on a Desert Island, would you rather be with someone who has plenty of survival skills but is unbelievably annoying than someone who has few skills but is good company?
good company

2) Pulp Fiction - have you seen it? If so, do you think it's overrated?
i have seen it once. i liked it but don't need to watch it again really.

3) Which other actors/actresses from Firefly would you have liked to appear in Buffy and Angel?
I think Kaylee would have been great as Fred's sister. I think Book would have been a good watcher council dude.

4) What's your favorite Michael Jackson song?
Smooth Criminal

5) Do you think Eve was a poor replacement for Lilah?
I loved Lilah but I grew to tolerate Eve. i don't think the Fred/Wesley ploit could have moved forward with Lilah around.

[Chosen01]

1. Your podcast was great! what gave you the idea to start your own show?

2. What customs can we expect to see from you in the future?

[Alyrenee]

Re:Chosen 01
1. Your podcast was great! what gave you the idea to start your own show?
I like to listen to them and found there weren't any for buffy that were doing it for me at the moment. And I thought it might be an interesting challenge.

2. What customs can we expect to see from you in the future?
I am working on a few buffy's for commissions. a life serial and older and far away buffy. i am doing the charmed in tights, three gift buffy's...one jumping, one standing, and one dead. I am working on an Its Cordy Cordy and cordy in that stupid bikini from the commercial. I will have some more to start for the next challenge. I am hoping to do alot from Restless. i also have plans for some veronica mars customs.

[DanMan]

Got any good Mr. Rogers stories?

As a comic reader, how'd you get into it? What do you think is needed to get more female readers?

[x-esque]

Alyrenee -

What books have you read in high school still come to mind to this day (once in a while)?

How many movies have you seen in the theater this year, so far?
(sorry, discounting the injury)

What'll you have on your pizza?

Pink - is it in your wardrobe or just not kind to you?

What are some memorable costumes that you have worn, or were your favorites?

Have you ever performed karaoke in front of many people?

[Alyrenee]

Re: Danman
Got any good Mr. Rogers stories?
Ha! Well some of you may or may not know, I used to work on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood doing costumes and props. I once made a Daniel the Tiger costume for Fred to wear in an episode. He was so sweet when he tried it on and started doing the Daniel voice. I just loved that man. An interesting thing about him...he wrote all the scripts for the show out by hand and his secretary would transcribe them. Each character had a different handwriting though. Daniel was very small and timid lettering and King Friday was bold with flourishes. I always though that was neat. he also wrote all the songs for the show on a tiny little toy piano. He is exactly like he was exactly like he is on camera in real life. he was so sweet and caring.

As a comic reader, how'd you get into it? What do you think is needed to get more female readers?
I worked at a dairy queen in high school and it was next door to a comic book store. when i was bored i would lock the store up and head over there for some stuff. I got into horror comics first...i really liked Clive Barker and they had a couple of comics based on Hellriaser and Nightbreed. A boyfriend got me into x-men comics. I liked a lot of DC heroes as a kid. I was Batman for Halloween in kindergarten! I think there is a geek stigma about comics that just does not interest alot of women. Also, a fair amount of comics are pretty sexist and fairly violent towards women. I think that turns women off. I can read a comic like Sin City and get what Frank Miller is doing and love it...someone else would see that as the most sexist book ever written. Also, alot of women think comics and then think superman or muscle dudes in spandex. They don't realize comics also mean Road to Perdition, V for Vendetta, Ghost World...etc...

Re:X-esque
What books have you read in high school still come to mind to this day (once in a while)?
I loved Tess of D'Uberville...very romantic. We read Seperate Peace...and I always associate that book with Dead Poet's Society. To this day my friends and I still make jokes about 'jouncing the limb". I read Bell Jar before junior year and it nearly put me in a depression tailspin. Why on earth anyone would assign a book about a young woman committing suicide to a bunch of impressional young stressed out women is beyond me. Yeesh. I HATED HATED The Scarlett Letter. I would probably like it now but back then...ugh.

How many movies have you seen in the theater this year, so far?
Quite a few...the ones that stick out...I saw Pirates the day after my surgery and I was so totally doped up that i enjoyed. Not sure if I would like it sans vicodin. I loved Clerks II. Saw the Illusionist and liked it. Liked Superman. Was disappointed in X-3 but still enjoyed it. I cannot remember much else. i usd to keep a film journal but haven't lately.

What'll you have on your pizza?
Cheese, mushrooms, black olives, garlic, tomatoes.

Pink - is it in your wardrobe or just not kind to you?
I have pink in the form of Jem t-shirts. I have some maroon though.

What are some memorable costumes that you have worn, or were your favorites?
I once played Aphrodite in a play and i wore a red velvet dress just like the opera dress Julia Robert's wears in Pretty Woman. It ruled. For Halloween, i made a St. Patty's Girl costume and let me tell ya, that is a popular costume with the menfolk. I came out with about five different dates that halloween!

Have you ever performed karaoke in front of many people?
I was a sorority girl in college. its obligatory. I prefer to karoake the classics such as Aerosmith "Crying" or Meatloaf's "paradise by the dashboard lights". I am also a big fan of Cheap Trick's "I want you to want me" and Commodore's "Night Shift" of "Easy Like Sunday Morning". I cannot sing worth a lick though...so i need lots of beers first.

[MsBig]

I know it's sad for me to be most inspired by this question/answer, when you have so many good ones, but I think I'm going to take your advice and try this out. Yum!

What'll you have on your pizza?
Cheese, mushrooms, black olives, garlic, tomatoes.

[CMK1887]

What's your favorite part of BtVSFigs?

What's your least favorite part of BtVSFigs?

What are some things you'd like to see improve on the forum?

What are some new things you'd like to see that the forum hasn't had yet?

Have you been having fun playing Survivor: The Hellmouth?

Do any other customizers on the forum inspire you? If so, why do they? Which of their customs are your favorite?

-CMK

[Lior Knight]

I'll go with my regular ones:

Which Buffy (the character) figure you like the most (both MAC and DST)?

Which BtVS & AtS ornament looks the best?

If you could choose any character from any episode of Jossverse, to be made into figure, which would it be?

Deluxe Vs “Old-School” – which would you like best?

Alias – Yay or Ney?

[BuffyFanOne]

I have one uber important question!
How can I find your podcast???
The Buffy casts I have heard are all rubish!

Did you like Michigan?

What is your favorite show that YOU have costumed?

Any advise for a designer in training (me)?

Do you ever look back at a show you did costume and think...Dear god, what was I thinking?

Favorite MOVIE musical?

Soundtrack you could not live without?

[Alyrenee]

Re:CMK
What's your favorite part of BtVSFigs?
A sense of family and community around a shared interest. Nice to have people who understand my sort of crazy fanaticism about buffy and angel and firefly.

What's your least favorite part of BtVSFigs?
The Drama with a capital D. Ugh. Why people feel the need to be hateful is beyond me.

What are some things you'd like to see improve on the forum?
Possibly expanding to other shows now that the Buffy-verse has less to offer in way of discussion. Smallville, Veronica Mars, and Supernatural seem natural...the upcoming Heroes show maybe...

What are some new things you'd like to see that the forum hasn't had yet?
Setting up a cafepress account with a Forum t-shirt and other swag. It would be another good way to get more interest in the group.

Have you been having fun playing Survivor: The Hellmouth?
Yes and no. Now I am having fun. Those first two weeks I was ready to quit because of the hostility being thrown about between the two teams. But that seems to have calmed down. I think I was especially sensitive to it since I was injured at the time and already feeling pretty miserable...so to come on the forum and experience anger, jealousy, accusations...a bunch of negativity in general....was not my idea of fun. Now I am really having a good time with my teammates.

Do any other customizers on the forum inspire you? If so, why do they? Which of their customs are your favorite?
I liek too many to list. I loved Willfan's recent Amy and Michael. I still love Shivi's fairy buffy. Willow's Warlock's Illyria 12". My favorite Ms.Big customs are the scoobies from Fool for Love and Former Only Child Buffy. I like it when people try new things and achieve a personal level of excellence with their work. There are many others I like...those are just off the top of my head.

Re: Lior Knight
Which Buffy (the character) figure you like the most (both MAC and DST)?
Mac:I think Oz was their most successful figure. Coolest accessories, great likeness...the whole package.
DST:I was pretty pleased with the Together Forever set

Which BtVS & AtS ornament looks the best?
I like the varient drus.

If you could choose any character from any episode of Jossverse, to be made into figure, which would it be?
LINDSAY_ Your welcome...all tatooed and open shirt. Meow.

Deluxe Vs “Old-School” – which would you like best?
Old school...but MAC old school. I like them with more of a pose than the neutral stuff. I like the deluxe as well as they are great for customs.

Alias – Yay or Ney?
Ney...i watched a bit of the first season but then it lost me.

Re: BuffyFanOne
I have one uber important question!
How can I find your podcast???
The info is in this thread:
btvsfigs.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=TV&action=display&thread=1156824263

Did you like Michigan?
I did not go this year because of my foot injury. i liked it last year though...except for the tank size mosquitos and other bugs.

What is your favorite show that YOU have costumed?
Tooth of Crime by Sam Shepard. Rock Musical...

Any advise for a designer in training (me)?
Learn to draw and sew really well. Its crucial to know figure drawing, fashion history, and how to put things together. It makes you a better designer. And goe see lots of shows and movies.

Do you ever look back at a show you did costume and think...Dear god, what was I thinking?
Yes. All the time. But usually its only things that I notice and not the average audience goer.

Favorite MOVIE musical?
hmmm....I love the film version of Oklahoma. Own and watch it all the time.

Soundtrack you could not live without?
I really like the smallville soundtrack. And I love love LOVE the soundtrack to RUshmore. Listen to that one all the time.