Cosplay Masquerade 2015 Competition Rules

Started by Erik_anderson, March 23, 2015, 05:52:43 PM

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Erik_anderson

This is a repost from the website. Please forgive the formatting and unpublished information.

Fanime Masquerade, Cosplay Spectacular 2015

Each year Fanime holds a cosplay contest on the San Jose civic stage, featuring astounding cosplays, performances and dance featuring anime from the newest releases to old favorites and original designs.

All contestants must do the following:
1.   Be an attending member of Fanime.
2.   Check-in to the Masquerade Registration Desk located in the main convention hall first floor (look for the signs)
3.   Fill out the following before check-in:
       •   Masquerade entry form <<LINK>>
       •   Release & Waiver form  <<Link>>
4.   Be 18 years or older or have the permission form signed by a Parent or legal guardian.
5.   Read and understand the competition rules

Once registered, you will be sent your entry number.  If we receive more then 55 entries you will be placed on the waiting list and will advance up if other contestants drop out.  If you advance, the primary contact and all listed contacts in the registration form will be notified.

The Masquerade will e-mail the primary contact for your group on a regular basis with important updates.   If you need to change your registration information or drop out from the competition please email [email protected] with your changes and modifications.

If you have any question do not hesitate to ask [email protected]

Divisions:

There are two categories of awards that are judged separately --- Craftsmanship and Performance. You or your group can possibly win awards from both categories. We divide our competition into three divisions: Open, Journeyman, and Novice.

•   Open Division:
       o   Any competitor may enter in the Open Division.

•   Journeyman Division:
       o   Professional costumers cannot enter the Journeyman Division.
       o   If you have won a Best-in-Show major regional, national or international competition you cannot enter in the Journeyman Division.
If you have won any award in the Open or Master Division at any other major convention, you cannot enter in the Journeyman Division.

•   Novice Division:
       o   Professional costumers cannot enter the Novice Division.
       o   If you have won any award at a major regional, national or international competition, you cannot enter in the Novice Division.
       o   If you have won more than 3 awards at prior FanimeCon Masquerade or other regional conventions you cannot enter in the Novice Division.


Award categories

- Best in Show $600
- Best in the Open division $100
- Best in the journeyman division $100
- Best in the Novice division $100
- Most Original $100

Performance (skits):
- Best Dramatic Performance, group
- Best Dramatic Performance, individual
- Best Comedic Performance, group
- Best Comedic Performance, individual
- Best Dance Performance

Presentation:
- Best presentation
- Best interpretation, reimagining

Craftsmanship:
- Best Original Craftsmanship $200
- Best Craftsmanship, Novice division $
- Best Craftsmanship, Journeyman division $
- Best Craftsmanship, Open division $

* judges will award individually recognition awards at their discretion


Judges:
Presentation:

Wind of the Stars - <<Link to bio>>

Lindsey Tillman: <<Link to bio>>

Craftsmanship:
---<<Link to bio>>

--- <<Link to bio>>

Corporate awards:
   TBA
   TBA

Our Master of Ceremonies  - Tadeo Tomomatsu <<link to bio>>

Schedule
-   ONLINE REGISTRATION: up to May 22th, 2015.
-   IN-PERSON REGISTRATION: May 22nd at 4:00pm – Saturday May 23th 2015 @ 6pm
-   PROPS:
       o   Drop offs: Noon May 23rd
       o   All props must be picked up before 10pm or they will be moved to the Masquerade room in the Marriott.
-   Masquerade work room located in << location>> :
-   REHEARSAL TIMES:
       o   Rehearsals start 9am May 24th Sunday at the San Jose Civic Auditorium
       o   Rehearsal space is available by request in ballrooms from Friday to Sunday.
-   CURTAIN OPENING: 4:00 pm sharp Sunday May 24th San Jose Civic Auditorium
-   Opening announcements
-   Karaoke winners star performance
-   First half– entries 1 - 25
-   Intermission: 15 minute break to get up, stretch your legs and get ready for the second half.
-   Second half – entries 26 - 55
-   Exposition performance << Link to group Bio>>
-   Extravaganzas game show
-   AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT: ~6:30

Competition rules
All contestants must adhere to the Performance Rules as detailed below:

1.   Check-in at the Convention Masquerade Desk  located on the 2nd floor of the convention center near Cosplay gatherings or in the Marriott hotel's Blossom Hill III room, located on the third floor on Friday or Saturday to get your official Backstage Pass and turn in your music. Otherwise, you will be dropped from the Masquerade.
2.   MAXIMUM stage time:
       a.   Maximum performances time is 2 minutes 30 seconds. You must get permission from the Masquerade Director if you need to have more time
       b.   Display Entries (walk-ons) time is 90 seconds.
3.   Number of Contestants.
       a.   Up to 12 contestants are allowed to appear on stage. You must get permission from the Masquerade Director if you need to have more people
       b.   All members of a performance must be present at the pre-Masquerade meeting on May 24th @ 12noon.
       c.   Each person can only participate in one performance. You cannot appear in multiple performances unless cleared in advanced by the Masquerade Director
4.   Any costume purchased or rented from a costume shop, designer direct, eBay, Yahoo Auction, Yahoo Japan Auctions, Cospa, or any other costuming store, online resource, or any costume made for you by a designer or seamstress is prohibited from entering the Masquerade.
5.   Cosplays from previous FanimeCon conventions will automatically be consider non-competition
6.   All entries must be based on the following requirements:
       •   Asian film, such as characters from 13 Assassins (Japan) or The Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate (China),  47 Ronin
       •   Asian animation, such as the Japanese animation Naruto, the Korean animation Wonderful Days, Asian inspired anime like Big Hero 6.
       •   Asian comics, such as the Japanese Fairy Tail, Korean Breaker, or Chinese Story of the Tao, or
       •   Asian-origin video game, such as Final Fantasy or Ragnarok Online, or Street fighter
       •   Asian music stars (such as Girls' Generation). 
       •   Asian-inspired sources; including your own inspiration, such as an Avatar.
       •   The rule of thumb is: if the series and/or character originated anywhere else than the Pacific, it doesn't qualify. If you aren't sure, ask [email protected]
7.   All performance rules must be followed Make sure you read and understand our performance rules for the Masquerade << link to performance rules>>
8.   AUDIO/VIDEO REQUIREMENTS: All entries must provide an audio clip or a movie clip (with embedded music / dialog) or we will provide it for you.  There will be a sound technician on call to assist you.
9.   WEAPONS: Make sure you read and understand our Weapons Policy for the Masquerade (see below).
10.   PROPS: Make sure to read and understand the Props Policy (see below).

Ninjas
We have a set staff of ninjas to help contestants; their primary function is the safety and smooth performance of the show.  If you need to use ninjas as part of your performance to hold props or be part of the act you are required to inform the Masquerade director ahead of time at [email protected] or bring your own.  We highly encourage you to bring your own ninjas in these cases.

Weapons Policy
The Masquerade allows some Display Weapons, which are not allowed to be carried in the halls at FanimeCon. You must follow these steps for these items to be acceptable:

1.   You must check the box on the registration form for "Requires Weapon Master review."
2.   You must pass inspection from the Masquerade weapons master, including chorography, and make any changes required by them.
3.   For safety reasons, all edges must be blunted or protected.
4.   Weapon must be transported to the Masquerade Event either boxed or covered.

Props
1.   All large props (including scenery, backgrounds, etc.) must be:
      a.   Easy to assemble and disassemble. You have 30 seconds (each) to get the props on and off the stage.
      b.   Brought to rehearsal and stored on-site for the competition.
      c.   Described in detail on your registration forms
      d.   Immediately disassembled after your performance, so it does not take up space backstage.
2.   Picked up after the competition or it will be moved to Masquerade room in the Marriott Blossom Hill Ballroom

If you are concerned about being able to meet these rules please contact [email protected] for special arrangements to be made.


Music
1.   All music must be provided in advance (online or during in-person registration) and confirmed by close of registration, or you will not be allowed to participate.
2.   DIALOGUE / MUSIC LENGTH:  You can MAXIMUM 2 minutes and 30 seconds for your dialogue or music.
3.   We accept mp3,
4.   Provide two separate copies of your audio in case of damage.

Video
1.   If you choose to show a video during your skit, it will serve as a replacement for your music track. Your video must play for the entire skit, or fade to black or a logo for the rest of your skit. There must be music for the entire skit.
2.   VIDEO DUE DATE: Two copies of your video must be provided in advance.
3.   REQUIRED REHEARSAL ATTENDANCE: You must attend the Masquerade Rehearsal if you choose to use video for your skit. If you do not show up for the rehearsal, we will not play your video and will default to the audio-only version.
4.   Video featuring real people is only allowed if they are participating members of your performance or they have signed the waver and release.
5.   VIDEO LENGTH: Videos must be no longer 2 minutes and 30 seconds
6.   VIDEO FORMAT:
      a.   The screens in the Civic are 16:9 HD format.
      b.   We will accept entries recorded on CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW.

<<this is a separate page titled judging>>

Judging:
Our panel of judges is empowered to make independent decisions on the awarding or prizes and recognition and is selected from the cosplay community to judge cosplayers.  Each has their own unique skill and background and work collectively to determine awards.

<<link to judges bio>>

Judging rules:
•   All Display Entries (walk-ons) must be judged for Craftsmanship
•   Performance groups can choose to be judged (optional).
•   All submissions for craftsmanship judging must submit a Craftsmanship Judging Form. <<link to craftsmanship judging form>>
•   Judges have the option of not awarding a category award because of insufficient competition.  If there is only one dance performance then how can it be judged? 
•   Awards can be retracted if competitors are found to knowingly violate the competition rules by making false claims or deliberately not attributing the maker.
Make sure you read and understand the judging rules (see below).


Craftsmanship judging rules:
1.   PARTISIPATION: All Craftsmanship judging participants must also be approved entries for Masquerade and must participate (with a presentation or a walk-on) in Masquerade
2.   ELIGIBILITY: All Costumes are eligible for Craftsmanship Judging but mandatory for Display Entries. 
3.   REQUIRED FORMS:  You must fill out a Craftsmanship Judging Form
4.   JUDGING TIMES:  If you registered for Craftsmanship judging, you need to:
       a.   Present your costume(s) for judging prior to the start of the Masquerade at the designated time assigned to you.
       b.   There will only be limited craftsmanship judging at the event.
       c.   Every contestant needs to be prepared to answer the judges' questions about his/her role in the construction of their costume
5.   GROUP CONSTRUCTION:
      a.   If the entire group designed and constructed the costumes together and if you wish to win a group craftsmanship award, you must be judged as a group and all members of the group must be judged at the same time
      b.   If only one person in your group made all of the costumes, only that person is eligible for an award. He or she must be a participating costumed member of your group.
6.   INDIVIDUAL CONSTRUCTION:
      a.   An individual (or a member of a group being judged as an individual) must have designed or constructed his/her own costume by himself/herself to win an Individual Craftsmanship Award.
      b.   An individual that designed and created all of the costumes for a group is eligible for an individual Craftsmanship award. He or she must be a participating costumed member of the group.
7.   DOCUMENTATION:  The Craftsmanship Judges recommend that each competitor bring the following:
       a.   At least one color picture, preferably two, of each character the costume entry represents.
       b.   Source Documentation on the character
       c.   The judges also appreciate craftsmanship documentation (also known as costume construction diaries)
For additional information, see the Craftsmanship Judging Form.

<<this is a separate page titled performance rules>>

Performance Rules
You must adhere to the following performance rules:

1.   Don't wear or use any substances that might ruin the costume of another contestant. If you are wearing body paint or make-up, make sure it will not come off in casual contact with others.
2.   Do not leave anything on the stage that cannot be picked up by the stage ninjas in a few seconds.
3.   Costumes must be self-contained. Connections to electrical sockets will not be available.
4.   Nothing is allowed that would be banned in a "PG-13"-rated film. Actions, dress, or mannerisms that would not be allowed on a public street or thoroughfare must be avoided. Specifically, the following must be avoided: explicit sexual gestures, nudity, and explicit swearing. Violating these rules will disqualify you and possibly result in your being escorted off the stage.
5.   No fire, flash powder, high power lasers, explosives or open flame of any kind will be allowed.
a.   Electronic flashes will be permitted provided that you notify the Masquerade Director in advance, and it must be announced in your MC introduction to protect those who might be affected by the flashing lights.
6.   No stage interaction with the MC, judges or audience is allowed. 
7.   The MC will read the name of the entry, the names of the contestants, and a short introduction.
8.   Any narration to be read by the MC will be limited to 35 words or less and a read must be done prior to the start of the performance
9.   There are only two acceptable exits – Stage Left and Stage Right.
a.   Jumping off the stage is not permitted,
b.   You cannot enter or exit the stage from any area that has not been approved by the head of Masquerade or the backstage director.

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An evil so refined that it knows which fork to use... but chooses not to.
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Jazqui

Is registration open? How do we access it? If not, when will it be open? Where is this information on the website? The only place I see any information about the event is on the forums.

Erik_anderson

Hi Jazqui,

Very very soon. beating web house elves.

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An evil so refined that it knows which fork to use... but chooses not to.
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Jazqui

Was there a particular time and date it was supposed to be up by, and is it basically set to go up ASAP at this point?

Animegeek86

So when exactly are we going to get the documents for the masquerade?  And do you know when the masquerade registration is starting because I am considering to enter the contest.

wolfdaemon

Seeing as the house elves are inept as usual, is there a day that you would like to have sign ups on/by so that possible participants can plan around that day/time?  Better than having us stalking the forums like vultures.

Erik_anderson

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An evil so refined that it knows which fork to use... but chooses not to.
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wolfdaemon


Enkai

Curiosity question-is there a preferred delivery method for cosplay diaries and referencs? I prefer going paperless wherever possible, especially given the cost of color ink, so I'd prefer having a pdf I could hand over with my audio/video files. Or I could upload it to a dropbox folder I share with the judges.  Alternatively, I could bring a tablet with the diary to judging, but obviously that couldn't stay with the judges. There are plenty of options.

If I have to just print something, I will, but if paperless works for them, that works best for me too.

KuriQueenofFeels

Quote from: Enkai on March 28, 2015, 07:31:31 PM
Curiosity question-is there a preferred delivery method for cosplay diaries and referencs? I prefer going paperless wherever possible, especially given the cost of color ink, so I'd prefer having a pdf I could hand over with my audio/video files. Or I could upload it to a dropbox folder I share with the judges.  Alternatively, I could bring a tablet with the diary to judging, but obviously that couldn't stay with the judges. There are plenty of options.

If I have to just print something, I will, but if paperless works for them, that works best for me too.

In the past for all my masquerade judgings, I personally just used my phone for showing references to the judges. They don't need to keep them as far as I'm aware, so it works just fine. Before I had a smart phone and did print outs they didn't want them so yeah lol.

But, also, Thanks for the update! Totally going to be stalking the formus Tuesday then!
Cosplay Lineup 2017
Lunafreya Nox Fleuret
Friday: Death Scene Dress
Saturday: Kingsglaive
Monday: Casual Short Dress

Sunday: Vaporeon, with group

identivity

Quote from: Erik_anderson on March 27, 2015, 10:00:17 AM
Ok, looks like it will be Tuesday night.

Do you happen to know around what time? Or is it a "keep checking here/Facebook/Twitter and we'll post something" sort of thing?  :)

Jazqui

Is there any word on whether it will be launched tonight (and a time) so that we don't have to refresh the forums like madmen to find out?

KuriQueenofFeels

I feel like this is last year all over against where we're all going to be hanging out on the forums while we wait for something to happen lol. Hopefully it goes up tonight? Pls?
Cosplay Lineup 2017
Lunafreya Nox Fleuret
Friday: Death Scene Dress
Saturday: Kingsglaive
Monday: Casual Short Dress

Sunday: Vaporeon, with group

identivity

#13
Seriously. I'm refreshing Facebook and Twitter (and the forums here) waiting for something. I also keep checking the site just in case.

EDIT: I hate to be "that person" but it's a little frustrating being told that registration will open today, but......now it's after 10 pm and nothing. No update or anything.

Angelx624

Yeah I don't see anything on the site, should I be looking elsewhere??
(ノ•ω•)ノ Cosplay List:
Rook Hunt
Ukyo (Ranma 1/2)
Kagome (Inuyasha)
Freminet (Genshin)
Giyu (KnY)
Rengoku (KnY)

Animegeek86

What happened to the lins?  Did something happened?

Groma

Has registration opened yet? I hope i didn't miss it :(

Jazqui

Would we at least be able to do a backup plan like the form we were able to fill out last year via email, or even a Google form? A lot of us have been stalking the forums for days and would rather not be worrying about this. I'm going out of town for a few days and won't be able to check back, and if registration went up and filled up when I was away when it should've been up a week or so earlier, it would be really disappointing.

I understand the situation is difficult and this also relies heavily on the web people, but having a backup plan would save many of us a lot of heartache.

identivity

Quote from: Jazqui on April 02, 2015, 04:12:58 PM
Would we at least be able to do a backup plan like the form we were able to fill out last year via email, or even a Google form? A lot of us have been stalking the forums for days and would rather not be worrying about this. I'm going out of town for a few days and won't be able to check back, and if registration went up and filled up when I was away when it should've been up a week or so earlier, it would be really disappointing.

I understand the situation is difficult and this also relies heavily on the web people, but having a backup plan would save many of us a lot of heartache.

Yes this. There are 3 cons that I know of going on this weekend and it would suck if people missed out on registering because they were at one. I'll be at Wondercon and even though I can check the forums I don't know if I'll be able to register on my phone. If reg does open soon at least have it on Monday or Tuesday so we don't miss out.

wolfdaemon

I'll be at WonderCon as well.  This is very disappointing.  We're so close to the con and seeing one of the con's largest events dragging their feet is simply saddening.