Anime NJ++ 2024 Masquerade
The big show with $1,000 in cash prizes! Compete in Craftsmanship, Performance or both!
The Masquerade has two categories: Craftsmanship and Performance.
The Craftsmanship contest is where contestants present homemade costumes to our judges, and walk on stage during the Masquerade.
The Performance contest is where contestants perform in short skits before an audience during the Masquerade.
The Masquerade is Saturday evening and awards for both the Craftsmanship and Performance categories are awarded then.
Applications will close on November 15, 2024 and will not be taken at the con!
Looking to participate? Please read the rules closely and apply below.
Masquerade Submissions Rules and Guidelines
- Professional costumers and/or performers are not permitted. If you are unsure if you qualify, contact the Head of Cosplay (hailiumworkshop@gmail.com).
- All competitors must have a paid Weekend or Saturday badge to Anime NJ++ 2024.
- You may apply as either an individual or as a group.
- Once you submit your application, our judges will review your application, and you will be notified if you were accepted, waitlisted, or declined.
- All cosplays will be considered, but preference will be to those influenced by Japanese culture; anime, manga, kaiju, tokusatsu, and J-Cinema (Japanese movies and series).
- Please refer to the Anime NJ++ costume and weapon policies.
- Anime NJ++ 2024 staff, volunteers, celebrities or cosplay guests are prohibited from competing in the Masquerade.
- Entry into the event is at the discretion of the event staff, and we reserve the right to reject ANY entrant who does not adhere to these rules or whose costume is in violation of them.
Craftsmanship
- If you are selected, you will be assigned a time slot for judging.
- All judging will take place on Saturday.
- Please do not be late. If you miss your time slot, you will be disqualified.
- Contestants consent to have their costumes touched and examined closely by the judges during judging.
- Costume Composition:
- Store-bought costumes are NOT PERMITTED! Your costume needs to be made or modified by you.
- 80% of the costume must have been made or modified by you.
- Original character designs and concepts are accepted as well! We are also allowing mashups and different takes on existing characters. Please be prepared to show the judges your reference for all characters not cannon to their original intellectual property.
- Submitting (and bringing) a build book is required.
- A build book should include:
- Reference images of the character(s)
- Work-in-progress pictures
- A list of any purchased items (e.g., patterns, STL files, wigs, or modified found items)
- A list of any third parties who helped with the costume and the components they assisted with (e.g., 3D pieces that were printed by someone else) .
- We recommend that you keep your build book to 10 or fewer pages (that includes front and back).
- Builds do not need to be complete at the time of application, but having the costume at least 75% complete and documented is highly encouraged.
- Craftsmanship entries will be scored on:
- 20% Design Accuracy
- 20% Technical Proficiency
- 20% Creativity/Problem-Solving
- 20% Attention to Detail
- 20% Level of Difficulty
Performance
- Costumes do not need to be homemade. If they are and meet the Craftsmanship criteria above, then you can also compete in Craftsmanship.
- Contestants may not perform a skit that was performed at any earlier Anime NJ++; this includes sequels or derivatives of skits performed previously.
- Contestants are encouraged not to perform skits that have been entered into other competitions.
- Skit lengths are limited to:
- Novice - 2 minutes
- Intermediate - 3 minutes
- Master - 5 minutes
- Skit duration does not factor into judging. You do not need to fully use your allowed time.
- Items that cannot be picked up and removed in a few seconds are not permitted, including glitter, confetti, fake blood, bubbles, and rose petals.
- Smoke, fog, vapor, flash powder, lasers, explosives, open flame, electronic flashes or strobe lights are not permitted.
- Performances must be confined to the stage area. Throwing objects off the stage or jumping off the stage is not permitted.
- Performances must be PG-13.
- Anime NJ++ staff reserve the right to cancel a performance at any time for any reason.
- Live microphones will not be available.
- Electrical sockets will not be available.
- Video will not be available.
- Special lighting will not be available.
- Stage rehearsals will not be available.
- Audio is expected to be clean, clear, and well-balanced.
- Recommended audio format is MP3.
- Staff may ask contestants to correct or re-record audio.
- Performance entries will be scored on:
- 20% Originality
- 20% Execution of Concept
- 20% Choreography/Blocking
- 20% Portrayal and Use of Costumes
- 20% Props and Set Pieces
Competition Levels
- Novice – A cosplayer who has never entered a contest, or a cosplayer who has not won an award in any costume competition at the adult level.
- Intermediate – A cosplayer who has won one (1) but less than three (3) awards in adult competition such as Best Costume, Best Skit, Best Workmanship, First Place, etc., and has not won a "Best in Show" or "Best in Class" award, or won any kind of award at the Master level; including Judge’s Awards.
- Master – A cosplayer who has won three (3) or more awards in adult competition, has won a "Best in Show" or "Best in Class" award, or has won any kind of award at the Master level.
Contestants can always compete in a level higher than their level.
If you compete as a group, the competition level will be the level of the highest cosplayer in the group.
Prizes
The following prizes will be awarded…
Performance
Best-In-Show: $250
Masters: $125
Intermediate: $75
Novice: $50
Craftsmanship
Best-In-Show: $250
Masters: $125
Intermediate: $75
Novice: $50
Host Award and 5 Judges Awards: Certificates
If you have any questions, please contact our Head of Cosplay hailiumworkshop@gmail.com
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