TZP: The Lost Woods

A place of great mystery, guarded for centuries by ancient magic. To the Hylians it was forbidden and dangerous, where one could enter but never return. Only one Hylian was ever permitted to pass safely beneath its branches.

The Zelda Project is a Los Angeles, CA based group of friends who seek to bring to life the characters, settings, and overall feel of Ocarina of Time through photography and film. Our ultimate goal is to create the characters as they would appear in reality to the best of our abilities, placing them in beautiful sceneries true to their Hyrulean counterparts, and creating elaborate photosets, as well as a film short (coming once the cosplay segment of the project is completed!).

Link Model: Anthony Beaston "Lune"
Costume: Made by me
Photography: IndigoVerse *Indigo76
Makeup/Special FX: Joellen Elam *Lillyxandra
Prosthetics/Special FX: Dasha Bolotina
Leatherworking: Ben Wallace, Me
Sword/Shield/Sheath: Aaron Granofsky, [link]
Visual Effects: Julia Starr `night-fate
Assistant Photographer/Lighting: Aimee AKA =SeptSky
Assistant Camera: Evan James

The Zelda Project Official Website: www.thezeldaproject.net

The boots, gloves, and belts are all real leather, which we will be distressing further in the future. The gloves are still in semi pristine order right now, because Link has just emerged from the Temple of Time in his new clothes! The sword and shield are made with a number of different materials including high density foam, fiberglass, and resin. We included with the shield some distressing, since he is able to use it as a kid, but we will embellish it further as time goes on! The tunic is made with rayon spandex jersey knit, and the underclothes are a combination of 100% linen and spandex ITY. I will be posting a more in depth "how it was made" on the website once all of the photos have been posted!

I am sort of enamored with the mystery of the Lost Woods. Since I played Link to the Past I have always had a special place in my heart for it. One of my favorite parts of the Ocarina of Time trading game was the part with the Mushroom, and Cucco Lady (Anju's) brother.

Anybody who comes into the forest will be lost.
Everybody will become a Stalfos.

So much can be imagined by this idea, and the idea behind the Lost Woods!

This cosplay photo was a huge combined group effort that was a labor of love by friends and fans of the Legend of Zelda series. Combining all aspects of art from photography to visual effects, we wanted to bring the Legend of Zelda to life as best we could in a final presentation. So far this has been incredibly rewarding, and we hope that those of you who view our work are brought a little bit more into the world of Hyrule through our art.

A special thanks to everyone who has helped us get this far! Without all of your support and kindness we wouldn't have been able to make this happen. We only hope that with what we produce, a smile is put on your face!

Related Photos: