HOW TO ENTER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Submit an entry form no later than July 7. Reserving a contestant spot early is advised, since in 2024 we filled up in early June. Photos of the costume you will be wearing are required for review for sufficient original crafting, quality, and content. Until the photos are approved your entry is only tentatively accepted. You may email your photos to masq@comic-con.org the same day you submit your form, or you can submit your form now and email the photos later by July 7. \u201dWork in progress\u201d photos are accepted if only a minor amount of work remains to be done. When you email your photos be sure to include your costume title and first and last name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MASQUERADE RULES:<\/p>\n\n\n\n (1) Costumes must be of original construction or show significant modification of pre-existing materials. No costumes are allowed that are purchased or otherwise obtained from a commercial or professional source. This is a show to celebrate creativity and craftsmanship, not shopping ability. It is expected that some costumes may include as minor elements some purchased items, and if your entry utilizes many of those, check with the Masquerade Coordinator for approval. As a general rule, at least 75% of what you bring onto the stage must not have been purchased. You did not need to have made it all yourself, perhaps a friend or relative did, or was a group effort, but must not have been commercially sourced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (2) Eligibility: If your costume has not already appeared on our Comic-Con stage and has not already been openly displayed inside the convention center during our previous Comic-Con International conventions, it is eligible to compete in this Masquerade. Costumes from WonderCon Masquerades but unseen here are welcome. However, competing costumes should not be worn at this Comic-Con in the days prior to Saturday evening, so please keep your entry out of sight and safe from damage or wear until Saturday night so it is perfect for the judges and photographers. You may, of course, wear it on Sunday! If your costume has been presented at conventions other than WonderCon or Comic-Con International, it is welcome here. You may enter as many costumes into the event as you like, but they must be worn by different people. One costume per body, unless it is a costume that transforms on stage. You are not required to be a U.S. citizen to participate and be eligible for awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (3) Maximum time on stage: 1\u20132 people: 1 minute 30 seconds. 3\u20136 people: 2 minutes. 7 or more people: 2 minutes 30 seconds. If you would like more time on stage, check with the coordinator. Show off your costume well and enjoy yourself, but remaining on stage too long can lessen the impact of your presentation, but do not be too quick to exit from the stage either!<\/p>\n\n\n\n (4) Prohibited items and actions: Liquids, messy substances, smoke, fog, flame, or anything that may pose a danger or might set off fire alarms is not allowed on stage. The unsheathing of bladed weapons is not allowed without clearance from the coordinator. No throwing items into the audience or touching the emcee. Nothing is allowed that would earn a movie an \u201cR\u201d rating. No nudity. Violating these rules can disqualify you and possibly result in a security escort off the premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (5) Category definitions: If you are unsure if your costume is an original design or a re-creation, or you feel it belongs in both categories, we will simply let the judges at the event sort it out after they take a close study of it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Re-Creation: a costume copied from a pre-existing design, such as from a movie, TV show, comic book, video game, artwork, Broadway show, collectible statuette, toy, or from history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Original Design: a design original to the maker\/wearer. It may be inspired by some work of fantasy, science fiction, mythology, fan art, and so on, but is not a copy of someone else\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Young Fan: ages 12 through 17. Young fan costumes are also in one of the other categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (6) Contestants must agree to check in with staff in the backstage rooms no later than 6:45 PM Saturday (6:00 PM or earlier is best) and agree to allow video recording and photography of themselves in their costumes for nonprofit promotional purposes, such as for use on our convention website, in our publications, and at Comic-Con Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (7) The Coordinator may reject an entry on the basis of inappropriate or unsafe behavior or content, or because of too many purchased items, or because the construction materials or techniques used do not meet the criteria of quality and content for the show, or because the event has reached its limit for entries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (8) You are not required to wear your costume yourself; someone else can present it in the show. But if it is worn on stage by someone other than you, that person should not be a paid individual, nor may your soundtrack or narration or costume include content that advertises an actual product, service, or commercial website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (9) Children under age 12 are not accepted in the show, and for safety concerns are not allowed on stage or in backstage areas, as these are deemed not adequately safe environments for them. Minors must have a parent or guardian backstage, and they will be asked to sign a permission and release form. Minors may not perform combat simulations on stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n IMPORTANT CONTESTANT INFORMATION:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soon after you arrive at the convention, make sure to check in at the Masquerade Desk in the Ballroom 20 lobby to confirm your arrival and complete your show forms. Completed forms must be submitted no later than 11:00 AM on Saturday, either at the Desk or at the optional but recommended Contestant Orientation. If you do not check in by 11:00 AM we may have to assume you have canceled and release your spot to someone from the waiting list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All contestants and their helpers need Backstage Passes, obtainable at the Masquerade Desk and at the Contestant Orientation. A contestant may bring a helper backstage with them if needed, but any helpers will also need a Saturday attendee badge. Desk hours are 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Thursday and Friday, and until 5:00 PM on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHelp! I have a great costume to display on the stage Saturday evening, but was unable to buy a badge during the online badge sales.\u201d Contestants who submit an entry form and photos and who have been confirmed as accepted can request a special online code to use to buy badges, even though the convention is sold out. This is also true for costume groups that are accepted or if you need to bring a helper. Purchase codes will be distributed in June to contestants that we confirm as eligible and accepted into the show. Let the coordinator know if you are already set for contestant badge needs or need purchasing assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We strongly recommend that contestants attend the optional but recommended Contestant Orientation at 10:30 AM on Saturday in our Rehearsal Room 31AB, where we will discuss your technical needs and other details of your evening ahead so you know exactly what to expect. You may bring in your costume that morning or in the afternoon if you like and store it there or wait until you check in that evening to bring it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ballroom 20 stage will be in use for other events during the day, but the rehearsal stage in our Room 31AB will be the same length and width, and will be available all Saturday afternoon for rehearsing. The actual stage is four feet high, and a full stage diagram will be sent to those sending in entry forms. A locking storage room is available for costumes and props starting Thursday. Loading dock access and a freight elevator are available for costumes, props, or set pieces that are impractical to carry into the building, but using them requires reserving a day in advance. If you are a mobility-impaired, deaf, or visually impaired contestant, let us know as soon as possible so we can make arrangements for your particular needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please do not wear your contest costume at the convention before it is seen in the show, or it will be ineligible for the competition. Our audience waits a long time in line to see something special, not what they have already seen posing in the lobbies and halls. This will also protect your costume from the wear and tear that can occur while wearing it during the day, especially in large crowds and if the July weather is hot or humid. We have seen great costumes drop out before the show from damage or the wearer\u2019s exhaustion, so keep yours safe and secret until Saturday evening to be a surprise to the audience, and also in perfect condition for the photographers and judges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For changing into your costume at the center we have private curtained dressing booths, also large contestant-only restrooms, or you may change elsewhere if you prefer, such as your hotel room. If you dress away from the center, please avoid lingering in public areas as much as possible and proceed straight to the backstage rooms. Sometimes a large coat is sufficient for keeping your costume out of sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MUSIC SOUNDTRACK:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are using music, recorded narration, or other sounds with your presentation (recommended), email an MP3 or MP4 format file to masq@comic-con.org by July 7 to allow us time to review it for content and any needed changes. There will be no microphones given to contestants, so any speech must be on your recording or printed for the Master of Ceremonies to read. We pay ASCAP\/BMI music performance fees, so we can play any copyrighted music without any legal issues. If you cannot decide what to use, we can supply something for you. But if you prefer dramatic silence, that is fine, it\u2019s what you would like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PROJECTED BACKGROUND IMAGES:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contestants can accompany their stage presentation with a background image behind them to suggest a mood or environment, such as a forest, castle, planet, city skyline, and so on. If you would like to submit a picture, choose a JPG or PNG file no larger than 2048 x 2048 pixels, but do not choose a small file or dark image, or it may project poorly. Email your image file to masq@comic-con.org by July 7, or sooner, to give us time to check it. NO copyrighted or proprietary characters should be in your projected image. Please use only scenery, sets, public domain images, artwork, or abstract designs. If you do not supply an image, that is fine. We can select something abstract to compliment your costume. Please, no video files!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n SHOW CHECK-IN TIME:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When arriving for the show on Saturday evening, contestants must check in with the staff in Room 32AB. You may check in at 5:00 PM but no later than 6:45 and you should be stage-ready by 7:00 to allow for pre-show photos to be taken and the judges to get a close look and talk to you about your costume. Sorry, but if you are late arriving, we may have to pull you from the show, since the music and background images are programmed before the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n GETTING READY FOR THE SHOW:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the pipe and drape private dressing rooms for your use, for those final touches or repairs to your costume we will have worktables, clothing racks, mirrors, and a make-up area. Various costume repair supplies will be available for emergency repairs, including assorted glues, glue guns, duct tape, fabric tape, sewing supplies, spirit gum, wire, staplers, drinking straws and more, as well as repair staff to assist you. Some contestants find the large restrooms nearby helpful for any preparations needing a sink and large mirrors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n STAGE INFORMATION:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The performance area of the stage will be 32 feet wide by 20 feet deep, elevated 48 inches from the floor. Going up to stage level will require climbing steps. Normal entry will be stage right (when you are facing the audience, your right is stage right), with exit on stage left. Groups may enter and exit from both sides. The lighting will darken between presentations but will not go completely black for safety reasons. Curtains at stage left and right will conceal the stair entry areas. The emcee will be at stage left, and the judges will be seated at the center-front of the audience. We will send you a diagram of the stage, backstage areas, and additional information after receiving your entry form to further assist you in your planning. Special accommodation for people with disabilities or a language barrier is possible if we are informed of the specific needs in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AFTER YOU HAVE APPEARED ON STAGE:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following all the applause of your stage appearance, you will be escorted to the Photo Area to pose for a few minutes in front of a backdrop. You may wish to prepare a few poses in advance. Most of the people who take your photos will be hobbyist photographers, but occasionally a member of the press may be there. Some photos taken there will end up on our website. You will need to remain in the backstage contestant areas until the award presentations conclude since you may win one or more awards and be called back on stage to receive them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n REFERENCE MATERIALS AND BUILD BOOKS:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your costume is a re-creation, we suggest providing the judges with some reference images of what it is based on, since not all the judges may be familiar with your design. You may submit reference materials at the convention and they will be returned afterward. Most contestants simply provide a photo or two, but some create elaborate booklets detailing the history of the designing, construction process, and even fabric samples. In addition to helping the judges, your build book can also be a resum\u00e9 item toward a career in costuming or a fun memory book of your experience. Sometimes entries with original design costumes also provide a build book, showing the inspiration, materials, and step-by-step procedures they used to conceive, design, and complete their unique costumes. Again, none of this is required, simply an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LARGE OR HEAVY ITEMS:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While our backstage crew are happy to assist you if they can, they are not intended to be your primary means of lifting and carrying heavy items. If you are bringing an item challenging for you to carry alone, consider bringing a helper, and please inform us in advance so we are ready for it. We LOVE big costumes, set pieces, and large props, but if you are bringing something unique, surprise the audience, but never the backstage crew!<\/p>\n\n\n\n FINAL NOTE:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is called the Masquerade because it is not just about displaying costumes but also about bringing characters to life and storytelling too. It is about creativity, celebrating the arts, and creating thousands of smiles that evening. The Masquerade team has many skilled and experienced volunteers who donate their time because they love costuming, and they want you to feel like a star for the night, so please help us to assure your participation goes smoothly and fun by following all these instructions. And thanks for entering!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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