Cosplay Masquerade

The Masquerade is a major cosplay event, hosted on the Main Stage on Saturday. From Walk-ons, skits, dances, and the exhibition of costumes, each performance is judged and usually eligible for prizes. Cosplay staff are ineligible from entering the Masquerade. Cosplay Guests will make up the bulk of judges for the Masquerade. See Cosplay Judge Instructions.

Masquerade Tasks

• Make sure Beta opens up the Masquerade correctly
• Review and Update Judging Forms (Contact last year's judges for tips on revamping the forms.)
• Review & Update Masquerade Rules on Site
• Review & Update Cosplay Judge Instructions
• Make Sure Programming Schedules Things
  1. Masquerade
  2. Rehearsal
  3. Craftsmanship Judging
  4. Reception
• Email the Info on the Masquerade (Email the "Masquerade Interest" group in mailchimp to let people know the signups are open.)
• Find/Buy Masquerade Prizes In Theme
• Find/Buy Baskets for Prizes (Buy something like 9+ baskets. Can get from a thrift store but if you can find something inexpensive on Amazon they'll match which is nice.)
• Make Sure We Have Enough Clear Wrap For Prizes
• Bundle Up Prize Baskets
• Find/Determine Judges
• Email Cosplay Judge Instructions to Judges
• Put Together Masquerade Logistics Boxes (These boxes are specifically for things related to the masquerade and should follow the staff to the Masquerade events (rehearsal, judging, show, and reception))
  1. Clipboards (between 5 and 10)
  2. Copies of the Judges' Instructions
  3. Craftsmanship judging forms
  4. Performance judging forms
  5. Pack of Working Pens
  6. Yellow Notepads
  7. Blank Masquerade Signup Forms
  8. Printed / filled in signup forms for pre-signsups
  9. Poker chips (???)
  10. Masquerade fact sheets
  11. 50-ish pages of blank paper (for printer)
  12. Binder clips (mini size, at least 30)
• Plan for a Color Printer During the Rehearsal (Registration has a couple)

Masquerade Procedures

Participating

• Participants can sign up online, or in-person. Online sign-ups must still visit the cosplay station to fill out paperwork and receive their fact sheet.
• Participants will be given a fact sheet at-con, containing information on everything related to the Masquerade, including times and requirements, availability of amenities such as a printing station, as well as information on the Masquerade reception (If there will be free food, mention this -- people will always come for free food).
• All participants in the Masquerade or craftsmanship judging must fill out a judging packet (if the participant is going to be in the Masquerade as well as participate in craftsmanship, they must fill out one of each of the packets). This packet includes a cover page where they will put their badge number(s), name(s), what is being portrayed, etc., as well as judging sheets for the judges. This packet will be made available at the cosplay station during the con, and will remain at the cosplay station to be given to the judges. PARTICIPANTS MAY NOT TAKE THIS PACKET WITH THEM.
• Craftsmanship participants should attempt to include a hardcopy picture of what character they are portraying. A printer and computer will be made available for those who do not have access to these items at designated times. These times will be included on the cosplay fact sheet. Hardcopy pictures will be attached to the judging packet, to be given to the judges.

Judges

• Judging packets will be altered and streamlined year-to-year as problems arise.
• Prior to judging, judges should be given a printout containing a list of awards available that year, and a description of those awards. The allotted time for judging, during which the emcees of the masquerade will be performing, will also be included on this printout, so that judges know what their time limit for decision-making is.
• Judging will be done on a points system, but judges still have the ability to override that in favor of a superb cosplay or skit. The Con reserves the right to change rules as needed and modify policy on the fly, although this should only be done in extreme cases.