Kabochacon 2015 Masquerade Rules
Registration is REQUIRED for Craftsmanship and Performance whether it is through pre-registration or at-con registration. (As a side note before you register please review the Weapon & Costume Policy.)
Maximum number of members for a group is 5 people. If participant’s group has more than 5 members, they may petition the Head of Masquerade to allow the group to compete. (To petition please send an e-mail to the head regarding further information.)
All masquerade competition (Craftsmanship & Performance) costumes must be based on Asian animation, manga, Asian-origin video game, Asian music artist, Asian Live Action Films, Asian Street Fashion, Korean or American based Animation or comics (i.e. Avatar the last airbender, Homestuck, American comics such as batman ect.) or East Asian mythology. Adaptations of foreign material that are nevertheless particularly Asian are permitted. Hot Topic Lolita does NOT qualify for competition & Western Goth styles are NOT in line with Gothic Lolita or Elegant Gothic Lolita/Aristocrat. If a costume or genre rides the line you may petition the Head for an exemption.
At least 60% of the costume should be handcrafted by the participant. Modifications to purchased/ commissioned costumes will not constitute an original work and do not qualify for the Craftsmanship Competition. No commissioned, purchased, or rented costumes. Costumes from a costume shop, designer direct, eBay, Yahoo Auctions, Cospa, or any other store-bought costumes are prohibited and will negate participant's eligibility (or group's eligibility, if even one participant in the group has a disqualified costume) in Craftsmanship.
Exception 1: The costume's creator is present (the creator wins, not the model), however, the creator must be the owner of the costume, not the model.
Exception 2: Junior Division participants (at least 50% of the work must be done by the participant).
Exception 3: If competing as a group and the creator is part of the group.
Exception 4: The entry is slated for the Performance Division. While character appropriate cosplay are best, Performance entries are not judged on the quality of the character costumes but on the performance and overall look of the entry.
Craftsmanship and Performance Divisions
Junior*: Junior Division is solely reserved for participants 15 years of age or younger regardless of awards or skill level. You may have been awarded any number of awards & created any number of costumes (Craftsmanship)/ or Performances (Performance). The entire group must fit this criteria to enter as Junior
Novice: Ages 16 +. You may have been awarded up to 2 Major Awards, or up to 5 Minor Awards. You may have created 5 or fewer costumes (Craftsmanship)/ or performances (Performance).
Journeyman: Ages 16 +. You may have been awarded up to 4 Major Awards, or up to 10 Minor Awards. You may have created 9 or fewer costumes (Craftsmanship)/ or performances (Performance)
Master: Ages 16 + . You may have been awarded up to 6 Major Awards, or up to 15 Minor Awards. You may have created 11 or more costumes (Craftsmanship)/ or performances (Performance)
Original Design OR Musical Act Divisions: Select from the list above but know all Original Design/ Musical Act entries are judged as Adult or Junior. You may have been awarded any number of awards and created any number of costumes (Craftsmanship)/ or performances (Performance).
*Junior division will be judged only if there are enough contestants
Guidelines to follow when deciding which division to compete in: Major Awards are considered Best in Show, Best in Division, or the like. Minor Awards are considered Honorable Mention, Merit Award, Judge’s Award, and the like. Only awards won at conventions count. Craftsmanship Awards count for Craftsmanship Competition Only. Performance Awards for Performance Competition Only. Awards won in a Hallway Contest are NOT counted. Awards won at non-convention events (i.e. clubs/organizations, stores etc.) are NOT counted.
If you placed as ANYTHING except Honorable Mention at WorldCon or Costume-Con, you are ONLY eligible to compete in the Master Division. In order to be fair, we ask cosplayers to account for both awards AND skill level (use the number of completed costumes as a guide) when making decisions regarding divisions.
Participants may compete in a higher division (i.e. Junior can compete as Novice), but cannot compete a lower division (Novice 16+ cannot compete as Junior).
You cannot compete in a lower division than you have already won an award in. If you have won a Best in Division - Master, you cannot compete as a Journeyman, even with 1 Major award. If participants in a group are Novice, but one participant is Master, the group must compete in the Master Division.
Participants may compete in both craftsmanship and performance masquerade competitions. In order to be eligible for the Best in Show award, they MUST compete in both the craftsmanship and performance competitions
If there are any questions regarding Divisions or you cannot decide which Division to compete in, please contact the Head of Masquerade.
Craftsmanship Competition
This is a contest where participants are judged on the craftsmanship (design, construction, execution, and general presentation) of a costume. Craftsmanship is judged BEFORE the Masquerade. Participants will also be in the Fashion Show during the Masquerade. Awards are presented during the Masquerade.
Registration and Pre-Judging IS required.
Craftsmanship participants MUST have adequate reference documentation with them at their judging appointment. Judges cannot possibly know every detail of every character in existence. References assist them in judging. Participants failing to provide documentation will receive a score of 0 in the aspect of Technical judging. Good references show (at the very least) the front and back, but side views are highly recommended as well. They may also have close ups of details and props. Printed references the judges can see and hold are required and may make or break a score. Examples of references include: screen captures, DVD covers, art books, PVC figurines, magazine articles, manga, color printouts, etc.
No outlets will be available for laptops and no computers will be provided. Please come prepared.
Exception: Original Design participants - Documentation isn't necessary, however in order to understand the overall look references showing the style or inspiration documentation would be beneficial. Additionally, design sketches are appreciated. Street styles MUST show East Asian influence.
EVERYONE has 5 minutes, regardless of group size to be judged so please be on time.
Participants MUST be in full costume and are REQUIRED to bring adequate reference documentation. Lack of reference documentation WILL result in a score of 0 in the aspect of Technical judging.
Catetories:
Craftsmanship: For costumes representing a known character, at least 60% handcrafted by participant.
Original Design: For original outfits, at least 60% handcrafted by participant and must be of original design. These may be inspired by street fashion styles, creative interpretations, or other original design.
Craftsmanship Awards:
Best Master
Best Journeyman
Best Novice
Best Junior
Best Original Design
Performance Competition
This is a contest where participants are judged on their physical performance (artistic presentation, technical skills, charisma, entertainment, script quality, and overall performance). Performance is judged DURING the Masquerade. Awards are presented during the Masquerade.
Registration, Approval, and Run-through IS required.
Performances are a total of three (3) minutes long. Participants will have 30 seconds to set up/enter and 30 seconds to break down/exit (in addition to the 3 minutes for performance).
Categories:
Performance: For acts that focus primarily on the delivery of lines (pre-recorded or live) and are not predominantly music based.
Musical Act: For performances that more than 75% based on pre-recorded music (i.e. lip-syncing, music video recreations, dance routine, etc.) and have a minimum amount of lines delivered before, during, or after the musical track.
This is an all-ages convention, so your actions and speech must reflect that. The rating of the material in the performance should not go much over PG/ TV PG- bordering on PG13. Actions, dress, or mannerisms that would not be allowed on a public street must be avoided. Specifically, the following must be avoided: explicit sexual gestures, nudity, and explicit swearing (i.e. Seven Forbidden Words of TV). Think about your material as such- if you cannot perform it for a first grade class or your grandmother’s friends- you probably need to tone it down.
The Masquerade is an all ages event presented at Kabochacon and there will be very young congers in attendance. Violating these rules will disqualify you and possibly result in being escorted off the premises.
Feel free to surprise the audience, but not the Cosplay Staff. If you are planning something "unique," you must petition the Head IN ADVANCE to get it approved.
Music and/or prerecorded dialogue will be required at your appointment time. CDs, thumb drives, and electronically submitted before hand mp3 files are the ONLY media accepted. All CDs must be clearly labeled with participant’s Registration Number, Name of Performance, and Time (Length of File). Bring CD in a clear case with no labels (other than label on CD). CDs are NOT returnable. CDs will NOT be queued. The music and/or prerecorded dialogue must be ready to go as soon as it is put the CD player (this means the participant must edit the music and/or prerecorded dialogue before the convention and put it on a CD). Audio file must be exactly three (3) minutes or less. There are NO exceptions to the rule. If the audio file is longer than three (3) minutes, it will be stopped when time is reached (even if it cuts the performance). Please have files recorded exactly as you wish them to be played. No cutting or editing will be done by the stage crew. If the stage crew receives a CD that violates the guidelines, the participant(s) will be disqualified. It is suggested you bring a backup file of your performance in case problems arise.
Pre-Registrants may submit a copy of the audio file for review electronically, if there are questions as to suitability but are required to bring a final CD for use to the rehearsal.
Any introduction to be read by the Emcees will be limited to 50 words or less. All narration by the Emcees will be read prior to performance. Interaction with the Emcees is prohibited. Emcees may NOT be involved in any way with performance. Introduction must fit on a 4 x 6 index card and typed or neatly handwritten. Participants may discuss their introduction with the Emcees at the time of their appointment. Also inform the Emcees if your pre-recorded dialogue or music either begins before you enter the stage or continues after you exit. Failure to make this notice may result in audio problems during the rehearsal or performance.
All weapons must be cleared. For more information, please read Weapon & Costume Policy.
In the interests of safety, stage combat is severely restricted. All prop weapons must be used with extreme caution and never used in a manner that may cause injury to another. No projectile weapons will be permitted. No throwing objects (even soft ones) into the audience.
All stage combat and stunts must be cleared. If you intend to use any martial arts, falling techniques, gymnastic talents, etc., you must petition the Head IN ADVANCE to get it approved before being reviewed at the con prior to the rehearsal.
If it comes on stage, it must leave the stage. Confetti, rose petals, glitter, etc. will NOT be permitted. Fire, flash powder, lasers, explosives, or open flame of any kind will NOT be allowed. Strobe lights or other flashing lights are NOT permitted.
All presentations must be confined to the stage area. You must use the designated entrances and exits. No jumping off the stage will be permitted (doing so will result in disqualification) and audience members cannot be brought on stage. The aisles and other audience areas are not to be used for any part of the presentation.
If you break a piece of equipment, deface the facilities, or cause any other damages, then you will held responsible to pay for or replace what you damaged. No exceptions.
Be aware of floor microphones, cables, speakers, curtains, screens, etc. Head or Stage Manager has the right to cancel your performance at any time for any reason.
Performance Awards:
Best Master
Best Journeyman
Best Novice
Best Junior
Best Musical Act
Best in Show
Best in Show is awarded among the participants who competed in both the craftsmanship AND performance competitions.
Registration/Rehersal/ Judging
BEFORE registering, please read all the documentation. YOU are responsible for reading and understanding this information. If you have questions regarding any of this, please contact the Head of Masquerade.
Craftsmanship and Performance competition participants MUST register for pre-judging/rehearsal. There are a LIMITED amount of registration slots available. It is HIGHLY encouraged that participants PRE-REGISTER online.
Online Pre-Registration is open through September 31st. All pre-registration forms MUST be received by September 31st before Midnight. All unfilled spots will be open the day of the convention.
Participants will electronically submit a Cosplay Registration Form. Once a form is received, an e-mail will be sent with a registration number. Subsequently, registered participants will be asked to select an appointment time slot.
A final e-mail will be sent containing registration number, day, and time of appointment. You are not considered registered until an appointment time has been set and confirmed.
Please check in at Cosplay Registration AT LEAST 10 minutes before your appointment block starts. At that time you will receive your competition sticker and back stage admission.
Handlers/Gophers must be present. Any handlers or gophers must also come to Cosplay Registration with the participant(s) they are assisting at time of appointment. Handlers/Gophers will receive a non-participant competition badge sticker.
Craftsmanship – open Appointments (@ 5 minutes each)
Performance – open Appointments (@ 10 minutes each), only 20 Acts will be selected to perform at the Masquerade.
Some Reschedules/Changes are allowed during pre-reg, but please don't abuse this.
Participants failing to arrive on time or at all will be DISQUALIFIED.
Please e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions or issues regarding Cosplay Pre-Registration!
Register for the masquerade here!