ZIPCON 2020 MASQUERADE RULES
AND REGULATIONS
Please read all of this before submitting!
If you have any questions afterwards, please send us an email at: [email protected].
---
- Be sure to register before the masquerade! You can register online before the convention from October 18 till February 7. 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 skit, must be no larger than 5 people.
- For craftsmanship skill levels, you have to 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 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 its 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!
---
- There are 3 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 awhile; 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 - seasoned veteran of competitions; has won 7+ minor awards and/or 2+ major awards; has been crafting for 8+ years on their own
---
- Craftsmanship and skit have 2 BONUS categories in which you can enter:
Closet Cosplay (craftsmanship) - 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.
Walk-On (skit) - 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
---
- 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 and submit both forms. There are no costume changes allowed between craftsmanship and skit so plan accordingly. CLOSET COSPLAY SIGNS UP ARE ON THE CRAFTSMANSHIP FORM WHILE WALK ON SIGN UPS ARE ON THE SKIT FORM.
- 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.
---
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 (10AM - 3PM), and awards are given out after participants go on stage during the Masquerade (5PM - 7PM). There will be a feedback panel (8PM - 9PM) 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. 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!
---
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. If you are providing it on the day of Zipcon, please provide it on a flash drive or some other digital storage medium. Be sure that any audio is in .mp3 format.
- Performances will be judged at the Masquerade (5PM - 7PM), with awards handed out at the same time as the craftsmanship ones. Skit performers are also encouraged to come to the feedback panel (8PM - 9PM) 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 to not 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 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.
---
Submission/Signup Rules
- Participants who wish to preregister should fill out the necessary form from October 18 till February 7. You will then receive confirmation of your submission within 48 hours, and be asked to select a time for judging (for craftsmanship) and/or confirm skit preferences. Once all that is sent in, you will be emailed a final confirmation of your appointment time/preferences and chosen division. 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.
- You may ask to reschedule your appointment time up to 3 days (February 12th) before the convention, but we ask that you only do this if absolutely necessary.
AND REGULATIONS
Please read all of this before submitting!
If you have any questions afterwards, please send us an email at: [email protected].
---
- Be sure to register before the masquerade! You can register online before the convention from October 18 till February 7. 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 skit, must be no larger than 5 people.
- For craftsmanship skill levels, you have to 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 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 its 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!
---
- There are 3 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 awhile; 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 - seasoned veteran of competitions; has won 7+ minor awards and/or 2+ major awards; has been crafting for 8+ years on their own
---
- Craftsmanship and skit have 2 BONUS categories in which you can enter:
Closet Cosplay (craftsmanship) - 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.
Walk-On (skit) - 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
---
- 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 and submit both forms. There are no costume changes allowed between craftsmanship and skit so plan accordingly. CLOSET COSPLAY SIGNS UP ARE ON THE CRAFTSMANSHIP FORM WHILE WALK ON SIGN UPS ARE ON THE SKIT FORM.
- 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.
---
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 (10AM - 3PM), and awards are given out after participants go on stage during the Masquerade (5PM - 7PM). There will be a feedback panel (8PM - 9PM) 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. 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!
---
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. If you are providing it on the day of Zipcon, please provide it on a flash drive or some other digital storage medium. Be sure that any audio is in .mp3 format.
- Performances will be judged at the Masquerade (5PM - 7PM), with awards handed out at the same time as the craftsmanship ones. Skit performers are also encouraged to come to the feedback panel (8PM - 9PM) 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 to not 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 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.
---
Submission/Signup Rules
- Participants who wish to preregister should fill out the necessary form from October 18 till February 7. You will then receive confirmation of your submission within 48 hours, and be asked to select a time for judging (for craftsmanship) and/or confirm skit preferences. Once all that is sent in, you will be emailed a final confirmation of your appointment time/preferences and chosen division. 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.
- You may ask to reschedule your appointment time up to 3 days (February 12th) before the convention, but we ask that you only do this if absolutely necessary.