Masquerade

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING MASQUERADE ENTRIES! Saturday 6pm. Submission deadline May 31, 2013.

Welcome to the ANIMEGACON 2013 Masquerade rules and entry page! The Masquerade is a competitive event where costumed skits that range from comedy to dramatic fight scenes are presented to an audience and judges.  It’s fun, entertaining, and the major winners receive some major cash!  Please read thoroughly as many things have changed since last year.

Last Year’s 2012 Best in Show: Angel Hearts

General Rules:

ANIMEGACON General Rules and Guidelines must be followed at all times.

Online pre-registration will be available from May 7th to June 10th.

We will cap the groups at 50 entries.  35 entries will be available for pre-registration and after we hit 35,the remaining 15 will be available for at-convention signups.  Every member must register for a 3-day badge (no industry badges will be issued for participants, i.e. industry guests who want to enter must register and pay for a 3-day badge to compete).

Craftsmanship judging will be done Friday afternoon 2-5pm and Saturday afternoon from 12-3pm prior to the Masquerade (times subject to change so please check at convention).

Individuals will receive 10 minutes, groups will receive 15 minutes.

**Any contestant under 18 years of age at the time of the Masquerade, must have their parent or legal guardians sign the appropriate section of the General Release & Waiver Form.

There are four levels: Novice/Journeyman/Craftsman/Youth. Novice is 1 – 3 major awards, Journeyman is 4-6, and Craftsman is over 6 awards.

Youth Awards are for those 12 and younger.

Competing “down” (A Craftsman entering as Journeyman for an easier win) is discouraged and will lead to disqualification.

The “strongest” member of the group will have the group entered as that level (One craftsman, two Journeyman, one novice entering will result in the group entering as Craftsman.)

There is a required meeting Saturday morning for at least one person from each entry to go over stage movement, basic rules, and iron out any details such as music submission not already done online.

Skit time limits are as follows: Groups are given 3 minutes, walk-ons are no longer accepted (although you can enter in the Cosplay Lookalike event (http://www.animegacon.com/mega-events/cosplay-lookalike/).  While we do give a bit of leeway, please do not push the time limit.  Time will be given for set-up.  Going over time will have you disqualified from receiving major awards.

All music is accepted in mp3 audio form.  If necessary, we can accept CDs, although mp3 format E-mailed after receiving confirmation is strongly preferred.  After your entry is accepted and you have *Received a confirmation E-mail* then you may E-mail your music in as well.

All skits must be PG and tasteful.  No shocking, vulgar, or outright offensive performances.

Everything you bring on stage must be taken with you.  No confetti, fire/explosives, or jumping off the stage.  This is a platform stage, not a theater.  If you have any questions over staging, please ask the coordinator.

Simple and clean is preferred over busy and sloppy work.

Costume Rules:

All costumes must be relevant to the Japanese/Asian culture, particularly Video Games/Anime/Manga/J-rock/Stage OR Comic Book/Video Gaming/Fantasy.

Costumes must be built by or at least 75% modified by the wearer or designer.  No commissioned costumes unless the creator of said costume is entering in the entry.

Any costumes that have won Best in Show or a major craftsmanship award are prohibited unless extensive changes have been made to the costumes with proper documentation.

No live steel or weapons.  If you are unsure if a prop is acceptable for the masquerade, please ask security or the coordinator.

In order to win a Craftsmanship award or Best in Show, you must attend craftsmanship judging.

Original or alternative take on designs (for example: Halloween Town Riku or Steakpunk Link) are acceptable, but must have strong or obvious references from the series with documentation to back up.

At convention signups will be available Friday afternoon.

Costume references are strongly preferred as it helps showcase the details and work that you have put into your costume in your pursuit for accuracy.

Lying or falsification of costume work will have you banned from the competition and all future ANIMEGACON Masquerades.

The coordinator’s word is final as is all decisions of the judges.

All awards are presented following the Masquerade.

Notes to Consider:

Presentation and Craftsmanship combine for the overall decision on the awards.

Originality and unique concepts are something looked upon favorably by judges in both skit execution, choice of series, and costume work.

Costume documentation, from original notes to the building process is valued.  The judges are all designers and builders and enjoy the entire creative process.

FAQ:

Q:  Last year there was one big cash prize and everyone else received certificates and T-shirts!  Is that the case this year?

A:  Not at all.  With being a first year convention, there are always issues and bumps along the road.  We have taken the suggestions to heart and we now are offering the prizes as follows:

$10,002 (Total cash and prize values)

$2502 Best of show + Featured Professional Photographer Guest Anna Fischer On-location Photo Shoot

$100 Audience Favorite + Off-site “The Wild Places” Photo Shoot with Anna Fischer

Craftsman

$500 Best Overall Craftsman + On-location Photo Shoot with Anna Fischer

$200 Best Craftsman Craftsmanship

$100 Runner Up

Journeyman

$500 Best Overall Journeyman + On-location Photo Shoot with Anna Fischer

$200 Best Journeyman Craftsmanship

$100 Runner Up

Novice

$500 Best Overall Novice + On-location Photo Shoot with Anna Fischer

$200 Best Novice Craftsmanship

$100 Runner Up

 

Q: What should I bring to judging?  What’s going to happen?

A:  You will basically go into a quiet room with three judges who are all accustomed to not only competing, but have judged as well. You basically will explain to them how you made your costume with any photos of reference and/or the building process.  Focus on the details and try to be thorough but efficient.

 

Q:  What are the judges looking for?

A:  Originality, cleanliness, and thinking outside the box.

 

Q:  What if I’m running late for my judging appointment??

A:  We will do our best to accommodate.  We have all competed and understand issues and stress.

 

Q:  If I have questions about judging or how awards went?

A:  There is a Q&A/feedback panel on Sunday to voice your concerns to the judges.  We are always open to comments and criticisms.

 

Q:  What is Off-site Photo Shoot?  What is On-location Photo Shoot?

A:  Anna Fischer is shooting her “The Wild Places” project where she “take(s) cosplay photography out of conventions and in to the wild American landscape for a collection of incredible portraits.”  The off-site location will be determined in the coming weeks and will be about half an hour away from the convention center.  Anna Fischer will shoot the Audience Choice Award winner(s) in their cosplay at the Off-site location on Sunday morning.

An On-location photo shoot is a photo shoot taken by Anna Fischer at the convention center at the Riviera Hotel & Casino immediately after the Masquerade.  The winners at each level will be awarded this photo shoot.

 

Q:  Can I compete with a comic book series?  Anime?

A:  The masquerade is open to all series and movies of the fantasy/comic book/anime/video game genre.

 

Q:  I have more questions!

A:  Please send them to masquerade@animegacon.com