Cosplay
General Cosplay Information
Costume Rules for the Convention
- Costumes must be appropriate for wear in public. No public indecency. We are a family-friendly event.
- No hateful, offensive, or provocative symbols, designs or text are to appear on your costume.
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially with large, bulky, and extravagant costumes and props.
- Do not block hallways, passageways, or exits for photos. Please step to the side. Please do not climb on or take photos on property that is not yours, and you do not have permission to utilize!
- Please try to plan your visits to crowded rooms such as Artist Alley and the Dealer Room when you are in less bulky costumes or plain clothes. Please step to the side and do not block vendor tables or place your belongings on them if asked for photos. You may be asked by staff to take photos outside due to crowd control.
- Be cool and kind to each other. Harassment is not tolerated. Cosplay is not Consent.
Saturday Cosplay Contest
Cosplayers compete for prizes based on their hard work and dedication in craftsmanship or performance! It’s also the best place to see amazing costumes on stage and get photos!
Rules for Saturday Cosplay Contest Participants:
Craftsmanship Entries:
We ask that everyone enter costumes that are at least 70% handmade by YOU, and are from a published source material. We are testing out an Original Design division and would love to see your entries this con! If you have questions regarding whether your costume can be entered, please reach out to: conventioncosplay@gmail.com.
Be polite and courteous:
We ask that everyone be kind and courteous to each other and cosplay staff. Entrants who are rude, hostile, harass or stalk cosplay staff, judges, and/or other cosplayers will be removed from the event lineup. They may be disqualified from entering future events. This extends to online interactions before and after the event.
No-show/No-Contact = Disqualification:
Everyone is expected to show up to appointed times such as judging sessions, mandatory green-room seating, and performance rehearsals. Failure to show up on time without communication may result in disqualification or removal from the line-up. If you feel like you may be running late, please let us know ahead of time. If you show up late to an in-person judging appointment, we can try to squeeze you in, but this is not guaranteed. You may be placed in the exhibition category for walk-ons or disqualified for the best in show award if you miss your judging time!
Mandatory Masquerade “Green Room” for ALL Entrants
This is labeled as “setup” one hour before the Cosplay Contest on the guidebook, web schedule or paper schedule.
You must appear on time, as it is imperative that we get everyone seated and arranged in order as quickly as possible and go over instructions for the event. If you are going to be late, please communicate this beforehand or send someone to hold your place. If you are not there or have someone holding your spot for you when your name is called, you will be considered a no-show and disqualified for any awards you may have won during pre-deliberation.
Mandatory Rehearsal (For Performance Entrants ONLY)
This is from 10am-12pm labeled as “Rehearsal” on the guidebook, web schedule or paper schedule.
This time is to run-through any and all technical needs for the contest. Your audio and tech here is what is final, as we cannot make changes to ANY tech needs after this time. You must appear on time, as it is imperative that we go through everyone’s performance with tech, and go over instructions for the event. If you are going to be late, please communicate this beforehand or send someone to hold your place. If you are not there, you will be considered a no-show and will not be allowed to perform.
Waitlist
Once we have reached capacity on entries we may continue to accept them. Any entries past capacity will be “waitlisted”.
When our initial acceptance emails go out to entries, waitlisted emails will also be sent out. This is to ensure we give an opportunity to as many entrants as possible in the event that someone drops or doesn’t check in by their appointed time. At that time we will begin reaching out to those waitlisted in the order they submitted. If there is no response, we will continue down the line and admit those we can contact and are prepared for the contest.
Emergencies:
An exception will be made for any emergency situation. In the case of an accident or emergency, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make arrangements.
How to sign up:
There are two types of entries you can choose from:
Walk-ons ( this includes our pre-judged Craftsmanship entries AND non-judged walk-ons):
You will have about 30 seconds to walk on stage, pose for the audience and cameras and walk off. It’s a great way to show off your costume and be seen (with fancy stage lighting!). There is no speaking involved, and is great for those who get stage fright.
Sign up for Craftsmanship & Walk-On
Performance:
Performances are 1-3 minutes in length. These typically involve a skit, dance routine, or some other rehearsed live performance. You should know exactly what you are doing and have audio prepared at the time you submit!