Anime North 2005 Masquerade

At Anime North we have two major costume competitions - the Friday Night Skit Competition and the Saturday Night Masquerade. The Masquerade is a costume showcase and competition and is a great opportunity to show off that costume you've been working on for months. The time limit for the Masquerade is 1 minute, so it's more focused on costumes as opposed to lengthy skits. The Skit Competition is for those who love to perform - lip-synching, dancing, acting, comedy etc.) and has a 5-minute time limit. See below for pre-registration information on both events - the form at the bottom of this page is used for applying to both events.

The "Masquerade" 4-class system has been in existence for over 20 years, rewarding the time and skill costumers at all levels put into their works, as well as how they present them on stage. It was developed for the World Science Fiction Convention - or Worldcon - by the best, most respected costume creators there are, in some cases the very same costumers who help to run and judge the Anime North Masquerade every year. We must be doing something right, since last year we had 143 separate entries, making the Anime North Masquerade one of the biggest, most spectacular competitions in North America and the envy of those who really understand and love costuming.

The Anime North Masquerade is an amateur costume competition for Anime/Manga costumes, Media costumes, (Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, computer games etc.); Fantasy and Science Fiction costumes, Japanese Historical Costumes and any other costumes related to one or more of these categories.

WRISTBAND POLICY FOR SATURDAY NIGHT MASQUERADE SEATING

Due to the ever growing popularity of the masquerade and limited space in our main room, Anime North will have a Wristband Policy for seating at this year's Saturday Night Masquerade. To be guaranteed a seat you MUST pick up your wristband at the Masquerade Registration Table during the hours of operation. To promote fairness attendees will only be allowed to pick up a maximum of TWO wristbands. (i.e. One for you and one for a friend). Wristbands only guarantee a seat, not a seat together. If you plan to sit with a large group of friends we recommend you arrive at the Main Room Early.

***YOU MUST SHOW YOUR CONVENTION BADGE
TO PICK UP A WRISTBAND***

SEATING IS LIMITED BE SURE TO PICK UP A GUARANTEED SEATING WRISTBAND AT THE MASQUERADE REGISTRATION DESK PRIOR TO 3PM SATURDAY.

Anime North is pleased to announce that this year the Saturday Night Masquerade will be broadcast on the in-house TV channel at the Doubletree hotel, on a short delay from the live event.

The Masquerade will take place on Saturday May 28, 2005 at 7:30 PM.
Note: Times are tentative, please check back closer to the event.
Key Registration Rules:

1. All contestants names must be included on the form.
2. Real names must be used.
3. Please write "Masquerade" or "Skit Competition" on the top right hand corner of the form, along with the name and e-mail of your contact person.
4. All preregistion forms must be received by the 13 May 2005.
5. The first 40 forms received for the Masquerade will receive a confirmation e-mail.
6. Preregistration will close after the first 40 forms are received and confirmed.
7. All contestants must check in with the Masquerade registration desk on site (at the Double Tree Hotel) prior to 1:00PM on Saturday.

We are offering a limited number of PRE-REGISTERED slots before onsite registration takes place. There are 40 (forty), slots availble for participants that would like to pre-register.

To Pre-register for the masquerade:

Please download the Masquerade Entry Form .PDF avaiable at the bottom of the page.

This form must be completed will all information including the real names of all group members participating in your entry. The signatures of all participants is required to participate. If you are unable to secure all signatures immediately group memebers MUST check in to the masquerade table during operating hours and sign.

Mail Entry forms to:
[address removed]

WRITE MASQUERADE AT THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE FORM ALONG WITH THE MAIN CONTACT PERSONS NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS. YOU WILL BE EMAILED EITHER A CONFIRMATION NUMBER OR BE NOTIFIED THAT ALL PREREGISTRATION SPACES HAVE BEEN FILLED. PEOPLE NOT INCLUDING THIS INFORMATION WILL NOT BE PROCESSED!

All pre register forms must be recived by FRIDAY, MAY, 13th. MUHAHAHA...ahem..

The remainder of the available slots in the masquerade will be avaiable for onsite sign up.

All contestants must check in at the Green Room at 5:30 PM.

All contestants must register at the Masquerade Registration Desk. This will be open on Friday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and on Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 PM. You must register by 1:00 PM. on Saturday in order to be in the competition. Please note, since the masquerade has a cap this year, all slots may be filled before 1:00pm on Saturday."

JUDGING DIVISIONS AND INFORMATION

The Standard Division System, in accordance with the International Costumers’ Guild Guidelines, will be used as follows:

Junior Division
(Also known as the Young Fan Division)

Any contestant under 13 years of age at the time of this competition may compete in the Junior Division. The Junior Division is divided into two subdivisions.

Junior Self-made: A Junior contestant who has largely or wholly constructed his/her own costume.

Junior Adult-Made: A Junior contestant whose costume has been largely or wholly constructed by an adult.

Novice Division

A contestant who has not won a major award at a Masquerade other than as a Junior costumer. Workmanship Awards, an Honorable Mention or an Honored for Excellence Awards need not apply to this count.

Journeyman Division

A contestant who has won fewer than three awards at Masquerades while competing in the Journeyman Division.

Artisan Division

Any costumer who has won three or more awards; or who wishes to enter this division, provided that they do not belong in a higher division in use in the competition.

Master Division

A contestant who has won more than three times in the Artisan Division, or has won a Master award at a WorldCon, CostumeCon or a major award at a nationally recognized regional Anime Convention. Also, anyone who is a professional in a Costume-related business must compete as a Master. For the purpose of this competition, a professional is defined as making 50% or more of their income in the costuming-related business.

If there are not sufficient Masters competing to fulfill this division, those entries will be judged in the Artisan Division.

Out-Of-Competition Division

The Masquerade is an amateur competition. Purchased or rented costumes may not be entered in competition for awards, but may be shown on stage in the Out-Of-Competition Division.

Costumes made for business purposes, theatrical and professional events are not eligible for awards but also may be shown in this Division. In addition, anyone who wants to show their costume in this Division may do so.

Workmanship Judging

Judging for Workmanship Awards will take place backstage prior to the start of the Masquerade. These awards, for excellence in construction, will be given out in addition to the Masquerade awards. You can be judged on your costume or only on a specific piece or prop. Workmanship judging is optional, so please indicate on your entry form if you wish to be included in this judging. Workmanship applies to entries in any of the Divisions, except the Out-of-Competition Division. Quality is quality, no matter the Division, and a beautiful job deserves recognition. Our Workmanship Judge(s) will look for technical skill, finishing, fit, handling of fabric and materials, etc.

Documentation

Documentation can include any pictorial representation of your costume. Provide copies only; do not bring originals. It is strongly recommended that you provide documentation for re-creation costume entries if you feel the Judges may not be familiar with a particular Anime/Manga. If you are entering your costume for workmanship judging, bring two copies of your documentation.

Note:
A contestant may compete in a Division higher than the one they are eligible to enter. Keep in mind that if the contestant wins in this higher Division, they must compete in that Division in future competitions.

PRESENTATION TIME LIMITS:

Due to the great (and growing) popularity of the Anime North Masquerade, we have had to impose strict time limits for costume presentation. While many contestants were considerate of their fellow costumers and cosplayers and adhered to their time limits last year, many did not. To ensure fairness and a smooth-running Masquerade (and to avoid even more drastic measures, such as restricting the numbers of entries) we will be strictly enforcing the time limit this year.

ALL ENTRIES HAVE A TIME LIMIT OF ONE MINUTE (60
SECONDS).

ANY ENTRY THAT EXCEEDS THEIR TIME LIMIT WILL HAVE
THEIR MUSIC AND LIGHTS CUT OFF AND THEY WILL BE
ESCORTED FROM THE STAGE.

Those planning extremely complex or large presentations should strongly consider entering the COSPLAY SKIT CONTEST, which has considerably more generous time limits. Those wishing to enter the Skit Contest MUST preregister BEFORE the convention. Further information on the Skit Contest will be posted shortly.

Any queries concerning either Masquerade or the Cosplay Skit Contest should be directed to the Masquerade Director in advance of the convention.

INTRODUCTIONS, MUSIC and SOUND

If you have any special introduction for the MC to read, please have it typed or printed clearly so it can be easily read. Without an introduction, the MC will announce only your entry number, division and title at the beginning of your presentation. After your presentation is complete, general credits will be announced.

There will not be any microphones provided for the contestants. Directly addressing the audience is *strongly* discouraged as most of the audience will not hear you and this may distract from your presentation. If you have narration or dialogue included with your presentation it should be recorded on a tape or CD.

If you have an introduction, music or sound effects to accompany your presentation, record it on a standard cassette tape or CD. It is also advised that you bring two copies of your tape or CD in case of any problems playing the original. Make sure you label the tape with your name, costume title, and the correct side to be played. In the case of a CD write the track number to be played legibly on the CD.

If the sound runs longer than your presentation (e.g. a commercial CD) or must be cut on cue, please be very specific as to when to cut. The usual cue is to fade the sound as the entrant leaves the stage. It is best, when you want the sound to end at a specific point on a CD, to record the material you want onto a recordable medium such a cassette, or self-burned CD.

Do not submit valuable or rare original CDs or cassette tapes. Copy on to a standard cassette tape or self-burned CD.

Submit one copy of your CD or cassette tape to Masquerade Registration when you complete your registration forms. If you have made a second copy, bring it backstage with you to the Masquerade.

CDs and cassette tapes used in the Masquerade can be picked up at the Masquerade Registration desk on Sunday.

STAGING ORDER

Junior contestants will present first. Other entries which include children may request to go on next if they do so at the time of registration. If there are any special circumstances that would affect your place in line (such catching a ride home that night) please tell the Masquerade staff this when you turn in your forms at the Masquerade registration desk. We will attempt to comply with your requests, but cannot guarantee placement.

MASQUERADE RULES

1. No open flame, fire, flash powder or flash paper is allowed. Sealed electronic flashes are permitted. If you are using a strobe effect please note it on your form so the MC may warn the audience. No pointing of laser pens at the audience or tech crew.
    
2. No messy substances on stage. If in doubt ask the Masquerade Directors. The stage must be in as good a condition when you leave as when you enter. If you are leaving something on stage, it must be able to be easily picked up by the stage crew, or bring your own ninja.
    
3. No flagrant nudity. This Masquerade is rated PG-13. There will be children in the audience.
    
4. The weapons policy of the convention must be followed. No real firearms, no realistic copies, and no projectile weapons are allowed. Please transport your weapons to and from the Masquerade in a bag or closed container if they do not conform to the convention weapons policy. While weapons will be allowed on stage, they must be checked by our staff first.
   
   All weapons must be sheathed before leaving the stage. If your costume requires a bow, it must be unstrung when you are not on stage.
    
5. Each person may present only once during the Masquerade. While any individual may compete as many costumes as they like, they can only wear one of them. The others must be on other bodies.
    
6. Contestants must report to the Masquerade Green Room on time. Report times will be supplied at the convention: check at the Masquerade Registration Desk for this information. Failure to appear or to be ready to go on stage may result in disqualification. Note that Acts of God may, to an extent, mitigate this.
    
7. The Masquerade Directors reserve the right to eliminate anyone from competition on the basis of taste, danger to the audience or other contestants, or for any other reason deemed sufficient.
    
8. The Judges may choose not to give out a Best-in-Show Award, a Best-of-Division Award, or may not give out any awards in a division at all if they do not feel any costumes entered in that division are deserving of an award. The decisions of the Judges are final.

Masquerade Entry Form

For NON PRE-REGISTERED entries, Please Note: This form must be completed in full, with all signatures, and brought to the Masquerade Registration Desk at the con before Saturday 1pm. Please also be sure to read all the Masquerade Rules posted on the website: by filling out and submitting this form you acknowledge that you have read and agree to abide by all masquerade rules.
Thank you.

Masquerade Entry Form .PDF format

Costuming Panels

As always, Anime North will have a variety of fascinating panels for every skill level.

Also in answer to popular demands we will be broadcasting the masquerade on the hotels in house TV channel at the Doubletree Hotel.

(If you want to learn more about the Masquerade system and expert costuming check out Costume-ConNections)

contact: masquerade@animenorth.com

Please forward any problems, corrections, or
broken links in this site to webmaster@animenorth.com

Site content is Copyright © 2001-2005 Anime North.
All rights reserved.

All images, names, and logos are the copyright of their respective owners.