RULES, REGULATIONS, AND SUBMISSION Forms
Open November 8Th TO JAN 27th
Skit Registration Forms Are CLosed!
If you have any concerns please email [email protected]
Please read the rules below for the masquerade
ZIPCON 2023 MASQUERADE RULES
AND REGULATIONS
Please read all of this before submitting!
If you have any questions afterward, please send us an email at: [email protected].
- Be sure to register before the masquerade! You can register online before the convention from November 8 till January 27. There are a limited number of slots, so please register early! If there are any slots remaining on the day of the convention, at-con registration will be open before the event begins.
- Your group, whether for the craftsmanship or for a skit, must be no larger than 5 people.
- For craftsmanship skill levels, you must have made 60% of your cosplay on your own, from scratch! BOUGHT COSTUMES WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
- We accept characters from Eastern or Western video games, animations (cartoons and anime), movies, TV, AND original design! Please bring an officially licensed reference image for non-original design entries. If you are entering original design, you MUST bring in an officially licensed reference image of the character AND your concept behind the design (whether it's drawn by you or a collage of inspiration). If you have any questions regarding the submission of original designs, please feel free to email us!
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- There are three skill-level categories you can enter for both craftsmanship and skit:
Novice - never competed before; competed 2-3 times but never won anything; has been crafting for less than 5 years on their own; won 2-3 minor awards (Judge's Award, Honorable Mention, etc.)
Intermediate - has been competing for a while; has won 4-6 minor awards and/or 1 major award (Best in category, Best in Show, etc.); has been crafting for 6-8 years on their own
Master - a seasoned veteran of competitions; has won 7+ minor awards and/or 2+ major awards; has been crafting for 8+ years on their own
[Judges reserve the right to bump up or down competitors based on the competition and deserving scores; if you have any questions regarding this, please email us]
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- Craftsmanship and skit have 2 BONUS categories in which you can enter:
Closet Cosplay - using thrifted or used clothing in modified ways; modifications have to account for 50% of the costume. Store bought cosplay pieces (such as from Hot Topic) will not be accepted. [Preregistration available via the craftsmanship form]
Walk-On - store bought cosplays allowed! This is purely based on your stage presence during the walk-on portion of the masquerade; stay in character (within reason) and sell it [At-Con registration only]
[Slots for these categories are limited and will be capped]
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- THERE WILL BE AN ORIGINAL DESIGN CATEGORY IF THERE ARE 3 OR MORE ENTRIES OF ORIGINAL DESIGN.
- There are 2 SEPARATE SUBMISSION FORMS: one for craftsmanship and one for skit. You are encouraged to enter both if you so wish! But please make sure you fill in and submit both forms. There are no costume changes allowed between craftsmanship and skit so plan accordingly.
- Be sure to show up on time for your judging! Craftsmanship participants must show up at the appointed time or risk being disqualified.
- All costumes and props must follow the regular Zipcon rules.
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Craftsmanship Only Rules:
- You or a member of your group should personally make at least 60% of your cosplay. You cannot use commissioned or purchased/pre-made costumes.
- Craftsmanship judging takes place BEFORE the Masquerade, and awards are given out after participants go on stage during the Masquerade. There will be a feedback panel AFTER the masquerade where you can receive your craftsmanship feedback and score sheets.
- PLEASE BRING REFERENCES FOR YOUR COSTUME! Be sure to bring shots of the outfit from the front, back, and side and any other angle you think would be helpful. Physical copies of references are easiest for our judges to work with, but anything in color is okay, even if it’s just a picture on your phone (please put all digital references in their own folder so judges can scroll freely). As well as printed or digital pictures you could bring an artbook, a statue or figure, or anything else that you think is an effective representation of your character. LACK OF REFERENCE WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION!
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Skit Only Rules:
- Your performance must be FAMILY FRIENDLY and exceed no more than 3 minutes and 30 seconds in length!
- If you need to have music or other audio playing during your skit/act, you may submit it beforehand by email. Be sure that all audio is in .mp3 format. Skit audio MUST be sent in by the specified cut-off date. If you are unable to meet this date provided in emails, please contact our cosplay staff to make arrangements.
- Performances will be judged at the Masquerade, with awards handed out at the same time as the craftsmanship ones. Skit performers are also encouraged to come to the feedback panel after the masquerade to receive feedback and their score sheets.
- If you are considering doing anything special and/or unscripted onstage, please be sure to ask for approval from staff beforehand.
- All performers must show up before the Masquerade to do a practice run. This is partly so you can get used to the stage, but also so we can be sure that your skit/act will not endanger you or anyone else. Cosplay check-in at the con will tell you when to show up for the practice run! FAILURE TO SHOW UP TO COSPLAY CHECK-IN AND THE PRACTICE RUN WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.
- Be sure to inform the staff if your music/audio needs to start playing at any point besides the beginning of your performance.
- Stage combat and stunts are discouraged, but not restricted. Any props must be used with care. Projectile weapons of any kind are not allowed. Please be careful when throwing anything and be absolutely sure not to throw anything into the audience. Be sure to mention if you want to have combat and/or stunts when submitting. Staff will then approve or deny your request to be double-checked during your practice run.
- Anything that comes onto the stage with you, leaves with you. No confetti or anything else that can make a mess, no open flames, and no flashing lights will be allowed.
- There will be no bringing audience members, cosplay staff, or emcees onstage, or using anything or anyone not on-stage during your performance. Use the proper stage entrances and exits, please do not jump on or off the stage.
- If you break anything, you will be asked to pay for the damages.
- Be aware of your surroundings (floor mics, cables, speakers, curtains, etc.)
- Breaking any of these regulations will cause your performance to be disqualified.
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Submission/Signup Rules
- You will then receive confirmation of your submission within 48 hours; this email will also contain your time for craftsmanship judging and/or skit check-in times. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL WITHIN 48 HOURS OF SUBMISSION, PLEASE EMAIL COSPLAY STAFF.
- Please check into Cosplay Registration at least 20 minutes beforehand with your name and appointment time.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct will NOT be tolerated and contestants should be aware of the potential for denial into future contests upon the evidence of such behavior.
- You have till February 2, 2024, to ask for a potentially different judging appointment time, but we ask that you only do this if absolutely necessary and changes are not guaranteed.