Cosplay: Masquerade 2011
Event Description
The Masquerade, the highlight of many a con experience, is a staged show where costumed entries appear in front of an audience. Entries take the form of rehearsed skits which may include, but are not limited to: musical numbers, choreographed dances, comedy sketches, acting, instrumental acts, and parodies. The performance should be planned and rehearsed before the event, as there will be a required rehearsal for participants at an earlier point during the day.
In addition to the performance, participants are also judged on craftsmanship. Craftsmanship judging is optional, but it will greatly affect the overall score. Please indicate if the entry will partake in craftsmanship judging on the Masquerade registration form.
Entries that would like to perform a skit at the Masquerade, yet do not wish to be judged on either performance or craftsmanship may enter as exhibition. Exhibition entries must still adhere to the same rules as any other skit. Entrants will be able to indicate this on the application form. Exhibition entries must apply online. Time limit restrictions may be waived for exhibition skits at the discretion of the Head of Cosplay, and must be approved prior to the convention. There will not be sign-ups at con for exhibition entries.
| At-con sign-ups for the Masquerade
will be held at the Cosplay Room (Scanticon - GS4):
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Rules and Regulations
- Entrants must be registered to attend Zenkaikon. This means entrants who are registering online for this event must already be pre-registered for Zenkaikon. This also includes all members of group entries.
- Check-in for the Masquerade will be held Saturday morning. Failure to check-in will result in the entry being dropped and the Masquerade slot being opened to another entry. Check-in time and location will be sent via email to entries that register online, and will also be made available online once the schedule is set.
- Performances must be, at most, rated PG-13. Zenkaikon is a family friendly event.
- Time limits are dependent on the number of entrants who will be performing in the skit. Entries with one (1) or two (2) entrants have a maximum of three (3) minutes to perform. Groups with three (3) or more entrants have a maximum of four (4) minutes. Going over the allotted time limit will result in disqualification for the skit. Remember though, that it is not necessary to use up the entire allotted time. Time starts at the first step onto the stage or at sound cue, whichever comes first.
- Participants may enter both the Masquerade and Hall Costume Contest, but will only be able to participate in the Friday Hall Cosplay Contest. The same costume cannot be used in both the Hall Cosplay Contest and the Masquerade. Those who enter both the Masquerade and the Hall Costume Contest, cannot participate in the “Fashion Show”.
- There will be a maximum of eight (8) participants in any Masquerade performance.
- Participants under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Staged falls, as well as smoke, pyrotechnics, glitter, or other special effects that will leave a mess behind are prohibited. Nothing can be thrown into the audience and any item that comes on stage must be brought off the stage at the end of the skit.
- It is recommended that skits are prerecorded for the best audio experience. There will be a limited number of microphones available. Please record skit audio and burn it onto a CD, and give it to the cosplay staff at check-in. Label the CD with the name of the group leader so we can make sure that it is matched up for your performance. If entries would like their CDs returned, they will be available for pick-up on Sunday in the Cosplay Room).
- All costumes and props are subject to the Zenkaikon Convention Policies.
- Participants’ costumes must allow them freedom of movement. Cosplay staff will be unable to assist entrants with their costumes. Entrants must be able to navigate stairs and move around the stage unassisted.
- Any participant who does not follow the rules of the competition, misses assigned judging or line up times, or does not follow the instructions of cosplay staff during the event, may be disqualified at the discretion of the Head of Cosplay.
- The number and types of awards presented are at the discretion of Zenkaikon Cosplay Staff and the Head of Cosplay.
Masquerade Craftsmanship Judging
- Participants may not enter a costume into Masquerade craftsmanship judging that they did not make. It is expected that participants are the primary creator of the costume and make at least 80% of it. Youth participants can be expected to have received help with their costumes, however, the youth participant must have had a hand in its construction (approximately 50% of its creation). If the major part that makes it a costume is purchased (e.g. You are Edward Elric and you made the pants, shirt, and wig, but purchased your cloak, or have created a costume from a “kit”), it cannot be entered.
- Craftsmanship entries must be from official asian, and sci- fi sources such as anime and other sci-fi and fantasy animation, manga, artbooks, comic books, video games and live-action sources (e.g. Star Wars, Serenity, and Battlestar Galactica). All entries will be judged as recreations of existing designs. Original character entries from sources such as role-playing campaigns, unpublished manga, fanart, or original art (ie. ginjinka designs) are not permitted. Other original designs/costumes are more than welcome to participate in the Masquerade skit, but cannot be entered for craftsmanship judging.
- Reference material is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Even if a character is popular or well-known, reference material is needed in order to judge for accuracy. Lack of reference will greatly affect scoring as not every judge has every detail of every character memorized. Quality printouts of screencaps and official images of characters, and artbook images are acceptable. Please include images that show front, back, and sides to demonstrate details of your costume. Not every character will have such images available, but the more shown to the judges, the better they can analyze the costume. Progress pictures of construction work may also help, but remember that judging time is very limited and the judges do not have the time to look through pages upon pages of reference.
- If the costume has ever won a “Best of” award or placed (ie. 1st, 2nd, 3rd), at any convention, it may not be entered for craftsmanship judging.
- Craftsmanship judging is a closed event. Only the participants, designers and models, parents/guardians of participating minors (under the age of 13), and others deemed acceptable by Zenkaikon Cosplay staff, may be present for judging.
- It is not required that all members of the skit be judged for craftsmanship.
- Craftsmanship judging will take place between rehearsal and the Masquerade, during Saturday afternoon. Time slots will be available at Masquerade check-in.
Event Judging Categories and Skill Levels
Entrants will be judged according to Skill Level. The skill levels for judging are as follows:
Youth
- This is the category for those under the age of 13. Participants in this category will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This includes groups that are majority youth.
- Though it is expected that youth entries will have assistance, It is assumed that the work entered is still mostly created by the youth entrant. If the work is wholly created by a parent/guardian, a relative, or an older sibling, the entry should be entered in the appropriate Skill Level under the actual creater.
Novice
- Professional costumers may not enter in the Novice division.
- A contestant who has competed and won in any division other than Novice may not enter as a Novice.
- A contestant who has won 3 or more major awards in the Novice division must enter in a higher division.
Journeyman
- Professional costumers may not enter in the Journeyman division.
- A contestant who has competed and won in the Craftsman division may not enter as a Journeyman.
- A contestant who has won 3 or more major awards in the Journeyman division must enter in the Craftsman division.
Craftsman
- Any contestant may enter the Craftsman division.
Note:
- Professional costumer is defined as someone who makes over 50% of their income through costume making or commissions.
- Major awards are defined as “Best in Show”, “Best of Division”, “Best of Day” or placement (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)
- Minor awards are defined as those such as Honorable Mention, Judge’s awards, and those not covered under Major awards. They do not affect skill level placement.
Although changes to these rules are not foreseen, there is always the possibility a need may arise. Changes to these rules will be highlighted.
Questions
If, after reading the above, you are still uncertain about what level you belong to, or if you have any questions, please use the contact form and select “Cosplay” as the category.