Participating in Masquerade Rules and Info (all rules and info are subject to change up until the Masquerade)

Masquerade is divided into two categories: Judged Entries and Exhibition Only (non-judged).

Judged Entries:

• There are 4 categories for judged entries: Novice, Journeyman, Master, Youth and Group.
• Definitions:
  Novice= a beginner level new to competitions, or having only won two or fewer costuming awards. 
  Journeyman= an intermediate skill level for competitors who have moved beyond the beginner stage but are not yet considered Masters. They typically have won awards at the Novice level but don’t feel ready for the Masters division.
  Master= the highest skill level of competition, designed for experienced creators who have moved beyond beginner and intermediate stages. It is characterized by high-level craftsmanship, intricate detail that is seamless, flawless, and polished. Masters have won Best in Show or top tier awards in other competitions.
  
  
• There are 6 major award categories: Best Novice, Best Journeyman, Best Master, Best Youth, Best Group, and Best in Show. Additionally there may be up to 3 Judge’s Choice awards. 
• Judging for Novice, Journeyman, Master, Youth, and Group will be based on workmanship and stage presence (poised, confident, have attitude, and engaging with the judges and audience).
• Solo entries will have up to 30 seconds on stage and groups will have up to 1 minute. Any dialogue or music must be pre-recorded.
• In order to be eligible to win Novice, Journeyman, Master, Group, or Best In Show, your costume must be 75% made by you from raw materials using any number of techniques. Your costume may also be constructed by significant modification of existing garments, objects, materials, etc. The remaining 25% allows for support garments or hard to construct components that are included in your cosplay (footwear, belts, socks, gloves, crinoline hoop, hats, wigs, etc). Youth entrants (ages 6-14) can have assistance making their costume (see below). 

Exhibition Only Entries:

• Exhibition only (or “Runway”) costumes are non-judged, just for fun to show off! They can be store bought, commissioned, made by you, etc. 
• Individuals will have 30 seconds to walk on, strike some poses, and walk off. Groups will have up to 1 minute.

All Entries (Judged and Non-Judged Exhibition Only):

• Minimum age for Masquerade entry is 6 years old, and MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times. 
• Ages 6 – 14 will be in the youth category for judging, and will be judged separately from all other entrants. Youth category is not eligible for Novice, Journeyman, Master, or Best in Show awards. ALL entrants 14 and under MUST have a parent/guardian present at all times during all portions of Masquerade.
• For youth entrants ages 6-14, a parent/guardian/someone else can assist with your costume design & construction, but you must give that person FULL CREDIT during judging and say what parts of your costume was made by them.
• For all other (judged) entrants ages 15+, 75% of your costume must have made by you to be eligible for a Best Novice, Best Journeyman, Best Master, Best Group, or Best in Show award.
• Group entries are limited to 6 members.
• ALL Masquerade participants including parents/guardians must be registered for MarsCon, and must adhere to all MarsCon Policies.
• Your MAX presentation time on stage is up to 30 seconds for individuals and up to 1 minute for groups. You don’t have to take all that time if you don’t need it. 
• Exhibition-only costumes are not eligible for any of the judged awards
• Retail store bought costumes or costumes that are commissioned are exhibit only. They are not eligible for Best Novice, Journeyman, Master, Group, or Best in Show.
• If you’ve won Best In Show at MarsCon for a specific costume, you cannot compete in Masquerade with that same costume, but we’d love to have you do Exhibition only to show off your winning costume! Costumes that won at other costume contests are fully eligible to compete at MarsCon Masquerade.
• No live dialogue on stage. Your entire stage presentation (dialogue, music, etc.) must be pre-recorded and given to the Masquerade director by the time judging happens on Saturday afternoon of the contest.
• Props and costumes that are oversized or present mobility issues should be discussed with the Masquerade director during orientation, since you need to be able to get on and off stage without injury to yourself, others, or destruction to your surroundings. All props must follow MarsCon Props Policies.
• Stage fighting may be approved, but must be run past the Masquerade director in advance.
• No smoking or smoke effects whatsoever on stage.
• Handler: each entrant may have ONE handler to assist them in the green room. They may walk you up to the stage entrance, but NOT go on stage with you. 
• Masquerade is rated PG-13 (parental guidance advised). No nudity, and if your costume is tight, overly revealing, etc, you must have proper support/modesty garments underneath.
• Food in the green room: be mindful of any food or drink you have with you- you don’t want to spill on someone else’s costume or bring something in that could cause a food allergy to someone else. NO open drink containers, everything must have a lid or cap! 
• Liability Waiver Form: EVERYONE will need to sign the Liability Waiver Form at the mandatory Masquerade orientation on Saturday.