33 replies to this topic

[DestanyRay]

Post here your questions on the masquerade or ideas that you'd like to see happen this year.

[DGM]

How long do we get for skits? and do you know if the stage will be the same set up as last year? sinally, will there be online registration aswell?

[fennellgb]

DGM, on 20 December 2011 - 09:51 PM, said:

How long do we get for skits? and do you know if the stage will be the same set up as last year? sinally, will there be online registration aswell?

Rules will be out shortly
Same setup as last year
Yes on online registration

[DGM]

Thank you!

[luluko]

might I suggest that progress photos be a required item for craftsmanship judging this year, or inquire as to why they aren't? I just know of a couple instances where people have won awards with costumes they were dishonest about... those of us who do make our cosplays work our butts off on them, and it's disheartening to see awards go to people who haven't put forth the same effort.

[Muffin]

I'll keep that in mind when writing up the rules but every con I've been to that had a rule like that, only a couple people actually followed it. Plus usually judges can tell if it's been hand made or not.

[luluko]

Muffin, on 11 January 2012 - 01:38 AM, said:

I'll keep that in mind when writing up the rules but every con I've been to that had a rule like that, only a couple people actually followed it. Plus usually judges can tell if it's been hand made or not.

I know the judges can spot a commissioned costume a mile away, but they can't always tell if the costume has been made for the entrant by another person, and I know this has happened before. I can understand not making it mandatory at this point in time [although I would like to see it become so eventually] but I think it should really be encouraged, and that the judges should take into consideration whether or not progress pictures are provided.

[Muffin]

Mmkay. That sounds fair. I'll think of something. :3

[Meiye]

Joyce, while I totally understand where you're coming from (trust me, I know how upsetting it is to find out that you lost to someone who didn't even make their own costume), I think that making progress pictures a requirement would not be the best solution. I've done quite a few masquerades, and I always mean to take progress pictures and I always forget. That's assuming I plan that far in advance, which, a lot of times, I don't, and I know I'm not alone there. I'd rather not be barred from registering at-con because I didn't have progress pictures. Yes, progress pictures are good, and yes, the judges should take that into consideration when judging (although that does not mean that they should bump you up just because you have progress pictures.)

Here is my counteroffer:
When registering for a masquerade or checking in at the convention, we are required to sign a form stating that we made the 80% or whatever of our costume ourselves or with the help of our group members. Alternatively, we can check a box stating that we either purchased our costume or had it commissioned. By signing this form and specifying the origin of our costumes, we will also be acknowledging that if we are discovered to be lying (which, as you know, will happen) we will be banned either from competing in future masquerades or attending Arizona conventions in general for whatever time period the masquerade/convention director deems appropriate.

This is assuming that we need a solution at all, which, I feel, we do not. Yes, there have been a few cases of lying, however not enough to warrant such drastic action. Everyone knows who the liars are, and they've basically been shamed out of ever doing it again, in my opinion. I honestly don't think that this is a huge problem, but I realize how upsetting it can be, so here's my two cents on the matter.


On an unrelated note: Muffin, if you find yourself in need of a probably underqualified judge, contact me. No hard feelings if you don't, though.

[Nightide]

Will you be doing a separate Masquerade and Hall Cosplay at all?

[Muffin]

I'd like to but I'm not quite sure what I'm doing yet. I'll post once I figure it out.

[Mikoto]

luluko, on 11 January 2012 - 02:52 PM, said:

I know the judges can spot a commissioned costume a mile away, but they can't always tell if the costume has been made for the entrant by another person, and I know this has happened before. I can understand not making it mandatory at this point in time [although I would like to see it become so eventually] but I think it should really be encouraged, and that the judges should take into consideration whether or not progress pictures are provided.

Joyce, while it would be awesome for people to do that, when I take progress pictures I am usually not even in them, so no one could even tell if it was me or not. However, making them a requirement and then not allowing people who forgot to bring them enter, it would leave very few people in the show. I saw a show where they required people to bring a protfolio and only one entrant did, so they had to break their own rules in order to put on a masquerade. I like the idea mentioned above.

[DGM]

what is this "Hall cosplay" thing Nightide talking about? I have heard its name all around, but have no idea what it actually is.

[Muffin]

At some conventions they have a seperate Hall cosplay which is where they have "undercover" judges who give prizes to random cosplayers. You don't have to officially enter just go to the con in your costume. It's for people who have amazing costumes but don't have a skit or aren't confident enough to enter the masquerade.

And I'm thinking of doing one, it just depends on if I have enough time. I'll keep you guys updated. :3

[Red Comet]

Oh... When I first heard of hall cosplay, I heard it was an event where cosplayers compete by meeting and talking with some judges but not actually going on stage. I guess hall cosplay has different meanings at different cons.

[Nightide]

The other version of Hall Cosplay is for people who dot want to participate in Masquerade but still want to have te craftsmanship of their costume judge and compete against others. It also tends to cut down on the number of walk on skits and frees up slots for people who want to do skits.

[Muffin]

I've heard of both. I think right now I'm gonna do a regular masquerade with walk ons and skits and hopefully a hall cosplay contest in the way I mentioned. :3

[DGM]

I like that idea, sounds fun

[RobinSena]

Thing I dont like about making any rule with "only costumes you make are allowed" kind of thing is not everyone can make them myself included I comission my costumes but that's because I don't have the training or the tools to make them. But I also don't try to claim I make them myself and hope that balances things out a bit.

[Muffin]

This rule has been debated for ages. Let me explain how I see it. The masquerade is supposed to be an event where somebody can go up on stage and show off the costume they put their blood, sweat and tears into making. It's, at its core, a craftsmanship compititon. It's like, how would you feel if you enter a cake decorating contest or something of the sort and somebody comes in with a store bought cake and wins. It's kind of the same thing.

That being said, if I have room I'm totally down for having walk ons of bought/commissioned costumes. The people who make their costumes obviously are a priority though.