Winterfest Interview with Stu Shef

Interviews by Fans
Title:	Winterfest Interview with Stu Shef
Interviewer:	Winterfest
Interviewee:	Stu Shef
Date(s):	2007
Medium:	online
Fandom(s):	Beauty and the Beast
External Links:	Vincent Impersonators; archive link
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In 2007, Stu Shef was interviewed for Winterfest.

Its focus was Costuming and Beauty and the Beast (TV).

See Winterfest Interview Series.

Some Excerpts

When did you decide to impersonate Vincent and why? What do you most enjoy about it?

By the end of the first half hour of the first episode I knew that the 'noble savage' within the Vincent character was something that had appealed to me throughout any literature classes that I had taken -- and that this was a character that was in me just under the surface.

Who designed and made your costume?

I designed and fabricated all of the items that come together as Vincent. Everything is from 'scratch' including all of the appliances (face, nails, hands, teeth, hair (another story), etc. The only items purchased partially 'fashioned' would be my contacts, the soles of my Vincent 'classic' boots, and various thermal shirts that were carved up for various applications. Originally, I used a wig, although even it was a combination of several wigs and hairpieces removed from their original netting and reassembled onto a new netting. Even the pants I wear are stitched from raw fabric on bolts.

How did you decide which costume to duplicate?

I started with the 'classic' Vincent 'promo' outfit similar to the studio photos (gray corduroy pants, blue thermal shirt with white neck and white arm extensions, gray vertical ribbed vest, cummerbund, 3 strap belt with brass tipping and equine fittings, tall boots with seams, various straps and pads, cloak with dangle), although my work predated any photos I had seen. Later I extended my collection with several 'bedroom' tunics and mukluk boots. Then I went 'outside the lines' and created some fantasy sets that Vincent might have worn at Masquerade (like an elaborate tuxedo set). Then I created a set to mimic Beth Blighton's Tarzan Vinnie and was working toward a 'Last of the Mochicans' Vincent (but never completed the buckskin pants). I have 'round about 12 shirts, 6+ vests, 3-4 cummerbunds, 3 belts, 4 satchel necklaces, 3 wigs (out of service), various gauntlets, bands, straps, several boot sets, and 2 cloaks. THIS DOES NOT include any of the many studio costumes that I own ( I do not wear them). I still prefer the 'classic' set.

What is the hardest part of becoming Vincent? Is it the physical part, such as the costume and make-up or is it capturing Vincent's mannerisms and behavior patterns?

It took several false starts to get the appliance and costume right. I have one picture in 1987 where I kind of looked like the 'Burger King' king with a melting face and fur stripes on a torn cloak.

At one time I had also tried to use silicon instead of foam latex - others have been more successful with that material. It was always rock hard when set and broke the mold, or didn't set at all and had to be scooped out sticky wet.

The hardest part is the prep work to create each foam appliance and bake it. The hands are the worst - I may fashion several before I get one that is usable. When the molds are cured by baking in the oven the process is vulcanizing the latex and it stinks like sulfur.

Is there a "finishing touch" that makes a big difference in your transformation?

I have got to say that without the dentals, and contacts, I still see me. But the moment both are in and the hair is fluffed to fall both front and back I lose myself and see only Vincent!

On special occasions, I have also added prosthetic hair to my lower neck and exposed chest -- Up close, it has been a winner!

Vincent's signature piece is his cloak. How did you re-create it?

Ah, the cloak. The dangle. The hood. The leather. THE COCKEYED ASYMMETRIC SHOULDER AND ARM SLOT ? Go figure!

Mine is fully formed with an inner liner, and an outer shell for the entire cloak and hood. The front and lower edges are hemmed in rayon silk, with additional banding on the front edge of the hood. The dangle is a trade secret! The leather patchwork is quilted on and there is significant leather fringing and knot work throughout.

I'll let you in on a secret -- I have several pockets inside the cloak, each one purposely formed to fit my 'tunnel helper above' persona. There is a pocket for my glasses, wallet, spare adhesives, contact lens kit, dental appliance storage, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY a pocket for my personal straw -- very important when you're encased in latex!

Did you or do you participate in any costume contests at the BATB conventions or elsewhere? What is that like? If you participate in things other than Beauty and the Beast events, what are the responses there?

I have participated in many BATB cons. In the early years, I tried to avoid having people recognize that it was me under there. I have also attended many Sci-Fi cons. I love 'lurking' in the shadows and having people surprised to find their warm and familiar 'hearts companion' in and amongst the Klingons and Robotica.

I have brought Vincent on stage at many Sci-Fi cons to receive several Firsts and Best-in-Shows.

Can you tell us a little bit about your general experiences at conventions? What was the most memorable experience you’ve had dressed as Vincent? The funniest? The most bizarre?

Drugs

Did I mention claustrophobia and agoraphobia? Being encased in all of that and then surrounded by loving fans CAN be terrifying. I was fortunate to be under the care of a cardiologist (for other reasons) and was prescribed a medication that is ALSO used by actors use to reduce stage fright -- it also causes short and mid term memory loss, and has been known to effect the loss of vocabulary -- guess what, I can't remember the name of the drug, and I am having a hard time finding the words to say how good it was when I was taking it! It worked for me then, but I don't use it now!

Driving

I try to do the costuming on site. I even have a kit that unfolds and can be used in a stall of a public bathroom -- but its crazy close and hot to do that! A hotel room works OK if the AC is running full blast.

But many times, it is worth the extra time 'in costume' if I do the prep at home, and then drive to the site. Ever see Vincent driving a car? Apparently its a hoot! I will get cars driving along side of me taking pictures! Did I mention that the licence plates on my two cars read VINCENT and TUNNELS? It does feel out of place, especially as I get out of the car in a parking lot, I don't like a lot of people seeing Vincent getting out of a car -- so I will try to park at the back of a building out of sight.

[...]

Zipper

When you gotta pee, you gotta pee. Ever try it in tunnel togs and latex? Let me give you a hint. I have a special zipper with an extra long leather strap for my pants. The leather strap just looks like all of the other fringework -- don't pull it -- limited vision over my appliance cheekbones, and furry latex glove appliances that are hard to remove make it a relative necessity! I won't even suggest some of the other hygiene issues.

Sulfur

Don't Kiss The Fake Vincent. You'll regret it. I have learned that Vincent is best kept at a distance. Although the latex foam is soft to the touch just like skin, it is not warm like skin. Worse, even though it is flushed and rinsed repetitively after being removed from the mold after curing, it maintains a small amount of raw sulfur locked in the foam. Heat and sweat release it -- it ain't no picnic inside of it but I am used to it -- and you can't smell it at social distances. But , cheek to cheek . . .

Hmmmmmmm, maybe it's why there was that tinge of unrequited love, or why Linda Hamilton left the show...

Is there anything you would like to say to our readers about yourself, your Vincent impersonation, BATB or fandom in general?

All joking aside, this is a first. I have never revealed the efforts I go through to bring on Vincent -- it is a labor of love. I really do not want fans to look at my Vincent and say 'How did you...' -- I have failed.

I aim to have the fans just pause for a moment to consider the . . . possibility . . . of the reality.