Cosplay Contest

Category hours are to include research, shopping, building, repairing, false starts or redone work, etc. Honestly, EVERYTHING you do to create this project counts, including writing your documentation, finding your reference pictures, and stuff you tried that didn’t work. Don’t discount your work just because the first attempt failed. That’s practice, and it counts because you learned something.

• Novice: 0-100 hours
• Journeyman: 100-300 hours
• Master: 300+ hours

Novice: If you are new to cosplay or have only competed a few times, this is your division. Novice must have no more than one win in a previous contest. Craftsmanship is not expected to be perfect. Rather, the judges will be looking for how you have translated a character from paper or screen to your own person. Remember, everyone in Masters was once in the Novice category. Enjoy the process!  You must have made at least 60% of your costume yourself

Journeyman: This is the category for those who have several competitions under their belt or those who have won a craftsmanship award in the Beginner division. If you’ve won between two and five awards this is your division. A higher degree of skill is required in this category as judges start to take fine details, fabric choices, and more advanced techniques under consideration. Documentation is highly recommended.  You must have made at least 80% of your costume yourself.

Master: This is the place for the most seasoned cosplayers. Competitors in Masters are those who are considered professional or near professional quality – if you have won any Masters level awards, have won more than five awards in the past for your works, and if you have been a cosplay judge or a guest at other events. If you make 50% or more of your income from cosplaying (commissions, props, celebrity, etc.) you are considered a Master. All aspects are considered, including seams, linings, under-pieces, structure, and props, many of which are not noticeable unless closely inspected. Documentation and reference photos are required. At this level, the tiniest detail can make a sizable difference in judging.  You must have made 95% of your costume yourself (leeway for small things like shoes)

Exhibition ONLY: Exhibition Only is a great way to get your feet wet. Afraid of judging because it’s too stressful? Just do Exhibition Only! You still get to show off your amazing costume to MILLIONS of adoring fans (okay, maybe not millions) and you can get some practice being on stage. Regardless, you will get your picture taken and can even qualify for the People’s Choice award for audience favorite!

Skits: Just like the name says. This is a blend of both performance and craftsmanship, and the group may be at any of the aforementioned skill levels. Standard craftsmanship judging will occur as per the other categories, but the performance aspect will be much more heavily weighted. Skits may be up to three minutes long. Copies of the script and audio recording must be submitted no later than TBA.

Children’s Division: Many of us have kids too so we know the challenges of herding them! To keep them happy and participating, we will have a separate costume contest for younger folks. There will be specific prizes for them.

PLEASE NOTE:
There are times when the judges decide that an individual should be bumped up to higher category. This is most definitely a compliment on your work! Your craftsmanship is ready to be considered at a higher level and you will be competing in a way that shows everyone in their best light. In general, competitors should enter in the last category in which they were placed, or a level up if they have won a craftsmanship award in that division. Judges also have the right to lower your category – we want you to do the very best you can and give you the best opportunities!

YOU MUST GO THROUGH PRE-JUDGING TO QUALIFY FOR BEST IN SHOW.

IMPORTANT FASHION TIP:

If you are unsure about where you fit skill-wise, let us know! If we feel you would show better in a lower category, we’ll ask if you want to drop down. Likewise, if you are too skilled to be in the category you chose, we’ll bump you up to the proper level.

Although we won’t drop you a category unless you are okay, we might bump you up without telling you.

Every costume contest must have its rules and there are valid reasons for each of them. However, if you believe you have a good reason not to comply with one of the rules, convince the Judges to make an exception. The Judges have the final say.

• All Contest participants must be registered attendees of The Event.
• NO flagrant nudity. This Contest is rated PG-13. Please use discretion, as there are usually children in the audience. Your costume will be evaluated before going on stage, should it be deemed inappropriate you could be disqualified from the contest and possibly asked to leave the convention with no refund.
• Keep everything “family friendly”. No profanity allowed on stage. Content you provide must be no worse than something you would see in a rated-PG movie. This includes messages on signs or clothes. Anyone who breaks this rule will be disqualified and possibly asked to leave the convention.
• The following costumes may not be worn for competition: purchased costumes, rented costumes, or costumes purchased as a kit.
• Both made costumes and found/pieced together costumes may be entered in the contest. At least 80% of a costume needs to be made by the wearer for it to be considered made. (Example: Sewing a dress for your costume but then buying accessories and shoes would still qualify it as over 80% made by the entrant.)
• Small children must be under the control of a responsible adult at all times and it is suggested that they compete in the children’s contest.
• Your costume must be finished before you get to the Green Room. No sewing, gluing, spray painting, welding, or other construction work is allowed backstage. However, final assembly of large costumes and/or props and unexpected repairs will be allowed.
• Costumers will be required to sign a release for use of a video and photos. By appearing in the costume contest, a costumer agree to allow the Event to make a video tape and/or photos of the event and offer them for sale. For Participants under 18 years of age, the release will have to be signed by a parent or guardian.
• For safety reasons, the following is not allowed: live animals, with the exception of service animals, substances which might damage or soil other costumes, aerosol sprays, or projectiles.
• No pyrotechnics will be allowed including but not limited to: fire, flash powder, explosives, smoke bombs or fireworks. Additionally, the use of oil-based smoke/fog machines is prohibited as they may set off the fire detection system.
• Illegal weapons of any kind are not allowed. Legal, real or prop weapons must follow the Event’s weapons policy and can only be used as part of the costume with restrictions. You must have any real blade props for the contest approved by the cosplay judges prior to bringing it into the convention area. You are not required to have your weapon “peace bonded” while you appear on stage or in the Green Room however, you are expected to act responsibly with your weapon. The Green Room is not the place to practice your presentation’s sword play! You may be asked to check your weapon in to our Props Master prior to the start of the contest if we deem the weapon potentially dangerous to your fellow costumers. If you decide to carry a weapon, by signing your registration form, you accept any legal and financial responsibility for damage your weapon may cause to persons or property. Although you are not required to “peace bond” your weapons while appearing in the contest, normal Event Weapons Policy rules apply while you are not competing.
• Costumes with electric power requirements need to be self-contained. There will be no access to electrical outlets on stage.
• Costumers who want to use special effects in their presentations (i.e. strobe lights, etc.) must notify the Judges prior to the convention. The Judges have the right to deny requests for special effects due to safety concerns, power availability and building regulations. Do not plan your presentation around unapproved special effects!
• Costumes that could potentially damage the facilities will not be allowed.
• Any entry in the Contest, including the Exhibition Class, shall not be for the purpose of advertising a company or product. If the entry is to advertise another fan-run convention, the script will be subject to review by the Event Judges prior to performance.
• The Event does not supply costumers with any of the following: make-up, make-up applicators and/or removers, glue, paint, etc. Please come to the Contest with everything you need to repair your costume. The Event Contest Staff may be available to help with emergencies or damage repair.
• Smoking is not allowed in the Green Room. Contestants who leave the building for a smoke break may lose their turn to appear on stage.
• Surprise the audience, not the Event staff. If you are planning something completely different, let us know well in advance. All information will be held in the strictest confidence.
• No Whiners! Entrants are presumed to be adults, or under the supervision of one. All judge’s decisions are final.
• The Judges have the right to eliminate any entry from the competition on the basis of taste, danger to the audience, building or yourself, violation of any of the above rules, or any other reason deemed sufficient. We do not wish to eliminate anyone, but this protects you and the convention
• Reference images are not required but are recommended. If you are not able to print a reference image, you may also pull one up on your cell phone or tablet to present to the judges. Reference images are not mandatory, but without reference pictures, costumers may not be able to compete for accuracy awards. Plus, it allows the judge to view the character you are portraying if he/she has never seen the anime, game, or series.
• Original designs are allowed and must have a reference picture to enter.
• Contestants can only enter in one category, Individual or Group.

Pre-Judging:

The judges will be doing pre-judging. This is a chance for you to bring in your costume and have it looked over by the judges before it goes on stage. You CAN wear it but you don’t have to.

Pre-registered entries will be emailed for a preferred time slot or your time can be received at the Events registration area. You are required to check in for this slot in person.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE ON TIME. If you are late to your pre-judging, you can reschedule to a later time only if there is an open slot. If something happens and you can’t make your time slot and can’t reschedule, please enter as an Exhibition Only. You did all this work and prep; the audience deserves to see your work!