#screen accuracy

I decided to pull together some notes regarding my preparation for my Aziraphale cosplay for SDCC next month. I don’t have photos of the full look to share just yet as I’m still waiting for pieces to be delivered to me.

Here’s what I’ve found, based on previous cosplay examples and reviewing many photos/gifs, to be essential pieces for an Aziraphale cosplay:

Coat (beige with lapels). I believe the coat is technically a frock coat, but you should be fine with a trench coat in a pinch. I’d prioritize length over color, but that’s a preference (so a coat rather than a jacket or blazer). Screen accuracy note: go lighter than darker (dark cream rather than tan). For example, not much darker than a paper bag or a cardboard box.

Button-down sleeved shirt with cuffs. If you’re attending a con (like me, heading to San Diego Comic-Con for the first time ever!!) that will likely be very warm, try to find an item made of a light/airy fabric (like cotton). No one is going to tell that it’s not a super formal shirt because you’ll be underneath so many fucking layers anyway. For screen accuracy, find something light powder blue. Aziraphale, in many instances, seldom wears pure white; his wardrobe palette carries beiges, tans, and creams.

Waistcoat or vest (beige/tan/taupe). You can also just do a pullover sweater vest and call it a day. A waistcoat is more technically accurate. Go for a beige/taupe color. For something crazy screen accurate, the waistcoat should have buttons that look weathered around where they’ve been stitched.

Bow tie. Unless you’re doing a cosplay of Aziraphale from a specific time period highlighted in Episode 3, this is pretty non-negotiable. Tartan is what you’ll go for. The bulk of your initial search results will be red tartan, like lumberjack Christmas. Find something tan, taupe, with hints of blue. However, I feel you can be very creative with bow tie colors and patterns here because it’s a way of highlighting your own personality. Don’t be afraid to break the palette if you want!

Pants/Trousers. Straight cut. It should be slightly darker than your coat. Actually, it can get pretty dark. Even if your fabric colors are not 100% accurate (and they won’t, unless you have a buddy who worked on the show/stole props—not that you’d ever resort to that), try to have some contrasts in your outfit so that you don’t get washed out by all the b e i g e .

Shoes. Formal Oxfords. Ladies, Sperry offers some more casual Oxford shoes. But you can always just wear men’s shoes, and you’ll be surprised how much more comfortable they are than women’s shoes.

For the pair I bought for this cosplay, I’m a 9 in men’s, but YMMV depending on the brand. The shoes I purchased have a subtle two-tone effect, which will do. These shoes are Nunn Bush (link). Go with something brown. For screen accuracy, Aziraphale’s shoes are kinda two-tone and have this gorgeous copper sheen at the ends. I have no idea if this shoe exists IRL.

Bigger priority is saving your feet! You’ll be walking a fuckton at the con. Make sure they’re comfortable shoes. Otherwise, invest in padding for the soles and bring some flats along.

Okay! So those are the main components of Aziraphale’s ensemble. You should be recognizable if you keep to a general color palette and go more formal than casual.

For accessories, consider:

A pocket watch. Gold plated. Amazon has cheap ones. I believe the TV version has a design with intricate angel wings.

A book made to look like the The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. You can find a high-res mock cover floating around on reddit. Consider hitting up Goodwill or thrift shops for an old, beat-up hardcover. For something more subtle: Oscar Wilde. I think the most screen accurate thing you can acquire is a swag journal mocked to look like the book itself, which was given away at SXSW, NYCC, and maybe other events. eBay has the full swag bags but they’re not cheap ($50-200).

Angel wings. Because... why not? But I imagine these might be cumbersome to wear on top of everything else.

Flaming sword, but I don’t recommend this because most cons have policies against fake weapons. I think for SDCC if it’s a functional sword it needs to be strapped to your person so that it cannot be drawn. Defeats the point.

Tartan socks, though feel free to have fun with this! I might get something with a fun angel/heaven theme or a demon/hell theme.

Signet ring. Aziraphale wears a gold ring on his pinky finger. I believe they’re overlapping angel wings. No one will notice this but consider this another fine detail to pay attention to if you wish.

Courtesy of reddit (for the low, low price of $400)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/206765975/rattle-snake-belt-black-large-snake-belt

So, if you hang around Rocky regulars or cast members, chances are you have heard, if only in passing conversation, the phrase “screen accurate.” For shadowcasters, screen accuracy refers to the metric against which the accuracy (i.e., similarity to what is depicted in the film) of costumes, props, make-up, blocking, choreography, acting, and god-knows-what-else is measured.

In short, to be screen accurate is to accurately reflect what is on the screen behind a shadowcaster. Some costume shoes, for example, may be more screen accurate than another pair because they buckle on the same side as the character’s shoes in the film.

While it is in practice impossible (or at least impractical) to be 100% screen accurate with every aspect of the film--colors are distorted on film, certain models of shoes are discontinued, certain patterns are debated, etc.--it serves as a goal toward which shadowcasters can always strive closer.

Me: I need to layer these shirts to mimic the shirt she's wearing.

Mom: Why?

Me: Because one has the sleeves out of the thin fabric I need, but doesn't have a good collar. And I need a nice smooth, crisp collar for the tie.

Mom: Just starch the collar of the first shirt. I'm sure no one will notice if the collar is of a thinner material than the one in the show.