Masquerade

What is this "Masquerade"?

The Masquerade is a main event often held anually at anime and comic conventions. Essecntially it is a combination of a showcase and competition, that is intended to be a celebration of talent. Our participants get time on stage to present their cosplay and costumes either as a short skit or as a walk-on (think runway). A panel of judges is selected to give recognition to the best presentations and costumes. To sign-up please read through the rules and fill out the appropriate paperwork either online or at con. For those just wanting to come watch please look out for when the masquerade line will be forming as seating is limited. Come join the fun and cheer on your friends and favorite cosplayers.

We have limited press seating this year. If interested in press seating please email our masquerade manager at jenniferturner@spja.org by April 5th to reserve your seat. You must present your badge to gain access to your seat. Please check in with our masquerade staff during the con before the show.

Please direct any other questions, comments, or concerns to our Masquerade Manager at jenniferturner@spja.org. Thank you!

Submit Entry
  1. You must be a badge holder of Anime Conji 2013.

  2. An entry may have a maximum of 10 costumed members. We also allow special helpers to accompany an entry, such as stage ninjas, costume assistant, medical assistant, etc. If your entry requires a helper(s), please inform the Anime Conji Masquerade Manager for approval.

  3. All participating costumes maybe inspired by the categories below.
    • Asian films
    • Animation / comics
    • Video games
    • Asian music (all genres)

  4. Any costume entered in a previous Anime Conji Masquerade is ineligible for re-entry.

  5. A costume may not be entered in competition if it has won "Best in Show" or "Best in Division" at another competition. It may be entered in the Exhibition division (not in competition).

  6. Each contestant may only participate in a single entry and each costume may only appear in one entry; One body, one presentation.

  7. A costume is ineligible for entry if it was commissioned, rented or commercially purchased.

    There are three exceptions:

    1. The person who made the costume(s) participates in the entry with you.

    2. A “found item "or salvaged costume. This is one built by collecting various pieces from     thrift shops or normal clothing stores and combining them together in a unique way to make a costume, with minimal sewing/alterations.

    3. If the participant is in the Junior/Youth division, it's okay if a relative or guardian made the costume. However, if the costume is entered for craftsmanship, the creator must appear to answer the judges' questions.

Again if you are unsure if you are eligible please contact us.

  1. We will limit the show to 20 entries. We may extend this so don’t get discouraged.

  2. Sign-ups will be available online and the first day of the convention at the masquerade info desk.

  3. You have the option of entering as a group or entering as an individual. Groups will be limited to 10 people, any more then this must be approved by the masquerade manager.

  4. All contestants must sign a liability waiver. Minors must also submit a parental consent form. This can be done when you check in at the masquerade info desk.

  5. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children aged 15 and under.

  6. Everyone in your entry, including any helpers, must personally check in at the Anime Conji Masquerade Office with their Anime Conji badges before the meeting on Saturday April 13th. At this time all paperwork will be collected and backstage passes will be handed out.

  7. You must attend a mandatory pre-show meeting Saturday April 13th. The time is TBA but expect it to be mid morning (around 10 am or 11am).We'll take roll and do a brief orientation. If you don't attend, we will assume you dropped out and you will lose your spot. Due to the early meeting time only one member from each group needs to be present and they do not have to in costume.

  8. No materials or effects that will leave a mess on stage or in the green room are allowed (this includes glitter, confetti, streamers, silly string, lotion, etc). No materials or effects that may ruin another entrant's costume are allowed. Please make sure it will not come off in casual contact with others.

  9. No live animals are allowed on stage with the exceptions of a) people and b) service animals.

  10. Do not leave anything on the stage that cannot be picked up by the crew in a few seconds.

  11. Costumes must be self-contained. Connections to electrical sockets are unavailable.

  12. Anime Conji Masquerade staff will not allow anything that we feel poses a danger to people       or the stage area. This includes any kind of gymnastics/acrobatic dance moves where one foot is not continuously left on the floor.

  13. We allow display weapons if appropriate to the costume. However, live steel (metal) will not be allowed under any circumstances. If you have any questions concerning whether a prop/weapon is allowed, please ask the Anime Conji Masquerade Manager. Please bring your weapon(s) when you check in because it may need to go through a security check. Any weapons not checked in will not be allowed on stage. Weapons must abide by the Anime Conji weapon policy.

  14. If you break a piece of equipment, deface the facilities, or cause any other damages, then you pay for what you damaged. Please exercise care when you are on or near the stage. Be aware of lights, cables, speakers, curtains, screens, etc. and take care that large props/costumes will not cause any problems.

  15. Tech rehearsals are optional. If you feel you do not need any practice on the stage you do not have to, but it is encouraged.

  16. Please be respectful and civil both to your fellow contestants and to Anime Conji Masquerade event staff.

  17. While we would not invoke this lightly, we have the right to cancel your performance at any time.
  1. We require pre-recorded audio for all entries (background music or skit dialogue). You must submit audio by the meeting on Saturday April 13th or else you will not have sound.

  2. Audio must be submitted on USB or CD. It MUST be mp3 format.

  3. Please make sure it has just your audio on it. Please do not hand us a sound track and tell us you would like the middle 30 seconds of a track played. We cannot do that.

  4. The tech crew will play all audio tracks as-is. They will not pause or resume your dialogue for you.

  5. You will not have access to microphones on the stage. If you want sound you MUST pre-record all skit dialogue and music if you want any sound.

  6. Skits and song/dance routines have a maximum time limit of 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Walk-ons are allowed up to 30 seconds. We will enforce these time limits; if your audio is too long, we will cut it down.

  7. You must do all audio recording, editing, and splicing yourself. We do not have the equipment for recording and we will not edit your audio for you. 
  1. Entries may be presented in the Anime Conji Masquerade as a Skit or Walk-on.
    1. Walk-ons are simply to model a costume without any performance aspects. (Walk on, do some turns, pose, and walk off.)
    2. Skits are performance entries such as a comedy sketch, dramatic scene, action sequence, song/dance routine, etc.

  2. Skits have a maximum time limit of 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Walk-ons are allowed up to 30 seconds. Entries that remain on stage beyond their limit will be removed. Please plan accordingly for this.

  3. Limit emcee introductions to 30 words or less. Emcee narration is optional.

  4. Please do not interact with the emcee. The emcee will not talk during your performance.

  5. The standard PGrule applies for both costume and content. Our masquerade is a family friendly event. No explicit sexual gestures, making out, nudity, or explicit swearing. Violating this rule will disqualify you and possibly result in an escort off the premises.  No costume is "no costume." If unsure, please ask.

  6. No pyrotechnics or any other sorts of open flame are allowed. No flash powder, lasers, and explosives will be allowed. Not only is the dangerous it is also against hotel policy.

  7. Do not jump off the stage; doing so will result in instant disqualification. Use only the designated stage entrances and exits. One foot must be on the stage at all times and at no time. If unsure please pre-approve with the masquerade director.

  8. Feel free to surprise the audience, but not the Anime Conji Masquerade manager. If you are planning something "unique", please discuss it with us in advance.
  1. There are two Craftsmanship categories: Group and Individual.

  2. Being judged as an Individual does not preclude you from being judged as part of a Group - we actually encourage you to be judged as both. Similarly, multiple people entering together are not required to be judged as a Group; if you wish to only be judged as separate Individuals, that's fine.

  3. Competing for craftsmanship is optional, but you must see our craftsmanship judges if you wish to be eligible for Craftsmanship and/or Best in Show awards.

  4. You must appear in the show. If you drop out after seeing the judges, you will be disqualified.

  5. All craftsmanship judging will occur on Saturday, before Anime Conji Masquerade. Plan accordingly. You must make an appointment; we give times on a first-come, first-served basis. Be on time - if you do not show up, you lose your guaranteed spot and you probably won't get seen by the judges.

  6. You must fill out a Craftsmanship Form prior to your appointment with the judges.

  7. We strongly recommend bringing at least one color reference picture of each costume in your entry. Black and white is okay if you don't have color images. You may also provide progress photos or other documentation.

Divisions

There are 3 main categories for which you to compete in: Novice, Intermediate, and Veteran. Below is included what qualifies for each division. If you are unsure which you qualify for please let us know so we can place you

Novice

  • Intended for first time competitors.
    • If you have won an award at a major regional competition (eg. San Diego Comic Con, FanimeCon, or Anime Expo) you may not enter in the Novice division.
    • If you have won more than 3 awards in local competition (conventions under 1000 members), you may not enter in the Novice division.

Intermediate

  • For those who have competed before and don’t feel they are novice or veteran.
    • If you have won 3 or more non major awards
    • If you have won no more than 1 major award; ex: Best in Show

Veteran

  • Members of the group have won more than three (3) major awards in cosplay/costume competitions.
    • If any member of the group has won any award above Intermediate level (Advanced/Craftsman/Master or the equivalent.)

Young Fan

  • The Young Fan division is only open to competitors under the age of 15 who have participated in the design and construction of their costumes.
    • If a costume is entirely adult-designed and adult-constructed, it may not be entered in the Young Fan division.

Awards

Awards are based on division and will include the following:

Novice:

  • Best novice craftsmanship
  • Best novice presentation

Intermediate:

  • Best intermediate craftsmanship
  • Best intermediate presentation

Veteran:

  • Best veteran craftsmanship
  • Best veteran presentation

Best in Show

Honorable mentions including but not limited to Craftsmanship, Presentation, and "screaming fan award".

Judges awards - each judge will present an award

Director’s choice- I want to give recognition too!

 

Prizes are to be determined but they have included Anime Conji memberships and swag.