Pacific Media Expo || cosplay

CosFest Competition Guidelines

Cosplay Main Page | Guidelines (Updated 08/30/05)

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Whether you are competing for the first time or have a long history with competition, it's always possible we are doing something different than you might expect. It is your responsibility to read the rules and make sure you understand them. It is also your responsibility ask questions if you are confused. We are here to help you. Let us know your questions and we will do our best to clarify. Please feel free to contact the Cosplay Coordinator with your questions and/or comments.

Registration
Basic Requirements
Music
Emcee
Presentations/Walk-ons
Special Performances
Awards
Damages

Cosplay Festival (CosFest) Competition Registration

You must pre-register for CosFest online. Online registration opens on August 1, 2005 and closes on August 31, 2005. You can check to see if you are registered here. Groups 1 - 50 are "Registered Groups", Groups 51+ are the "Waiting List Groups". So, if you are Group 55 that means you are #5 on the Waiting List.
The Cosplay Coordinator will be e-mailing the primary contact for your group on a regular basis with important updates. You must keep your contact information updated. If your e-mail is bouncing and/or your phone number no longer works, we will be forced to remove you from CosFest or the Waiting List. You can update your contact information by e-mailing the Cosplay Coordinator.
If there are still openings available, we will have at-con registration on Saturday, September 3, 2005, from 10am - 6pm. CosFest space is limited to 50 spots, therefore you are urged to sign up as soon as possible.
If you are on the Waiting List, especially if you are in the top 20 groups, please be sure to check in at CosFest Registration Desk on Saturday, September 3, 2005, at 5:00 pm to see if there are any spots available. Please bring your entire group, your music (see Music Section), and your script with you.
All contestants must be attending members of Pacific Media Expo 2005 and will need to provide a badge at both check-in and at CosFest itself.
For legal reasons, minors may not participate in CosFest unless given written permission by a legal guardian. We request that the minor's guardian sign the permission/waiver form in advance. Please bring the signed copy with you if you are under 18 years of age.
You must check-in to confirm your registration at CosFest Registration desk Pacific Media Expo on Saturday, September 3, 2005. The hours and location of CosFest Check-in will be posted on CosFest Timeline.

Basic Requirements

All costumes must be based on Asian film, such as characters from Battle Royale (Japan) or Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (China), Asian animation, such as the Japanese animation Yu-Gi-Oh or the Korean animation Wonderful Days, Asian comics, such as the Japanese Card Captor Sakura, Korean I.N.V.U, or Chinese Story of the Tao, Asian-origin video game, such as Final Fantasy or Ragnarok Online, or Asian music stars (such as Malice Mizer or Morning Musume). The rule of thumb is: if the series and/or character originated anywhere else than the Pacific, it doesn't qualify. If you aren't sure, ask.
Your presentation must be directly related to Asian popular culture. We do allow the use of American (and other non-Asian) music in your skit. You may use the latest popular American movies, commercials, TV shows, etc., as an influence, but we request that you act as your character would in that situation. If you aren't sure if your skit plans are appropriate, please ask.
We don't mind if you have worn your costumes to other 2005 conventions or competitions.
Please note that costumes purchased or rented from a costume shop, designer direct, eBay, Yahoo Auctions, Yahoo Japan Auctions, Cospa, any other costume store or online resource, or any costumes made for you by a designer or seamstress, are prohibited. Ignoring this rule will negate your eligibility (and your group's eligibility; even if only one person in the group has a disqualified costume) to participate in CosFest and will also disqualify you for any performance and/or craftsmanship awards. Honesty is always the best policy; tell us if one person in your group made all the costumes. That person (as long as they are a member of your group) is still eligible for a Design Award (see the Awards section for more details). There are two notable exceptions to the "purchased or rented" policy:
Each contestant may present (wear) one and only one costume, or a group of people may wear one costume at the same time (i.e., a large costume that requires several people inside to move it). Multiple entries worn by the same person, or one entry worn by multiple people at different times, will not be allowed. No exceptions.
There is a mandatory meeting on Sunday, September 4, 2005 at 1:30pm in the Concert Hall (LBCC 104AB). You must be stage-ready (in your costume) and contestants need to bring their Backstage Passes. All contestants will need to be there for Roll Call and CosFest Orientation.
CosFest will be held on Sunday, September 4, 2005 from 3pm - 6pm in the main Concert Hall.

All About Music

There will be microphones on the stage.
We strongly suggest, due to our time constraints, that you pre-record your dialogue and mix it in advance (see the Music Submission FAQ for tips).
We require music (and/or prerecorded dialogue) for both skits/presentations and walk-ons.
If you are a walk-on, please pick appropriate music for your costume. If you forget, we will have music CDs at the convention for you to choose from. We will fade the music as you walk off the stage.
Everyone must have their music/audio confirmed by close of registration, or you will not be allowed to participate.
Please make sure you read CosFest Timeline to see when Music Submission will be at Pacific Media Expo.
All music for your skit must be provided in advance (i.e., online or during Pacific Media Expo 2005 Music Submission hours).
Please read the Music Submission FAQ for further details on the types of files and media that we can accept. We will not accept audio tapes.
Due to popular demand, we will offer limited services for pre-recording and mixing (speech with music) at the convention. Please keep in mind that if you choose to record at the convention that it will be your responsibility to make sure the mix is appropriate to your needs. Also, plan accordingly (get to CosFest Music Submission Desk early), practice in advance, make sure your entire group is there for the recording session, bring a script with you, and come back during Music Submission hours to confirm that the mix is suitable for your needs.
Your dialogue and/or music "file" must be 2.5 minutes exactly, or under. Please note there are no exceptions to the 2.5 minutes rule. If your music and/or prerecorded routine is longer than 2.5 minutes, we will trim to 2.5 minutes.
If the sound runs longer than your presentation (i.e. a commercial CD) or must be cut on cue, please be very specific as to when to cut. The usual cue is to fade the sound as the entrant leaves the stage. It is best, when you want the sound to end at a specific point on a CD, to record the material you want onto a recordable medium (such a self-burned CD) in advance and bring it to Music Submission at CosFest Check-in Desk.
If you think something is going to get a laugh, leave a pause after the line before continuing. Even if you get just a chuckle from the audience, at least it won't interfere with the following dialogue. It also makes the tech crew's job easier. They aren't part of your group and don't attend your skit rehearsals. They won't know when to "pause" a dialogue. It's not their job to do that.

The Emcee (MC)

Any narration to be read by the emcee will be limited to 35 words or less. All narration by the emcee will be read prior to your performance.
Please do not interact with the emcee. We prohibit any involvement with the emcee in your skit. We also prohibit any emcee dialogue during your performance.

Presentations and Walk-ons

We require music (and/or prerecorded dialogue) for both skits/presentations and walk-ons. See the Music Section for further details.
If the skit goes beyond the 2.5 minutes mark, the contestants will be removed from the stage (and you will be disqualified).
The maximum number of members for your group is 10 people. If more than the approved number of contestants appear on stage, the group will be disqualified.
We will, as always, allow parents to be backstage with participants aged 14 & under. This is not required, just recommended (and encouraged), especially for participants aged 12 & under.
Please don't wear or use any messy substances that might ruin the costume of another contestant. If you are wearing body paint or make-up, please make sure it will not come off in casual contact with others. Do not leave anything on the stage that cannot be picked up by the stage ninjas in a few seconds. Costumes must be self-contained. Connections to electrical sockets will not be available.
Nothing the Pacific Media Expo staff feel that may pose a danger to people or the stage area will be allowed.
Display weapons are allowed if appropriate to the costume. Display means display; live steel (metal) will not be allowed under any circumstances. If you have any questions concerning what qualifies as "live steel", please ask the Cosplay Coordinator ahead of time. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Please bring your weapons when you check in because it may need to go through a security check. Any weapons not checked in will not be allowed on stage. Please see our full Weapons Policy.
No fire, flash powder, lasers, explosives or open flame of any kind will be allowed. Electronic flashes will be permitted provided that you notify the Cosplay Coordinator in advance, and it must be announced in your MC introduction to protect those who may be affected by the flashing lights.
Nothing is allowed that would be banned in a "PG"-rated film. Actions, dress, or mannerisms that would not be allowed on a public street or thoroughfare must be avoided. Specifically, the following must be avoided: explicit sexual gestures, nudity, and explicit swearing. Violating these rules will disqualify you and possibly result in your being escorted off the premises.
We do not allow jumping off the stage, nor do we allow entering or exiting the stage from any area that has not been approved by the Cosplay Coordinator. Jumping off the stage will result in instant disqualification. Please use the designated exits. All presentations must be confined to the stage area. The aisles and other audience areas are not to be used for any part of the presentation.
Feel free to surprise the audience, but not the Cosplay Coordinator. If you are planning something "unique", please let the Cosplay Coordinator know in advance.
Following the stage appearance, contestants will be escorted to a Photo Area to pose for a few minutes. Cosplayers will then be guided back to their seats and are expected to remain in CosFest areas until the awards presentation concludes.
We have the right to cancel your performance at any time for any reason.

Special Performances

We will allow 2 special performances (total) at the Pacific Media Expo 2005 CosFest. A special performance is exhibition-only (i.e., does not qualify for awards consideration).
An accepted entry will be allocated 5 minutes maximum for a special performance.
If you are interested, please send us a proposal for what you want to do in advance. August 2005 is the latest we will take proposals. We can't guarantee to accept all proposals. Send your proposals here. If it's past the deadline you can still ask for special consideration, but we can't guarantee anything due to time and equipment constraints.
Whatever you propose to us is what you must present (minor adjustments allowed) at Pacific Media Expo 2005. If your performance turns out to be something other than what we discussed, or the Cosplay Coordinator believes it to be inappropriate, it will be cut from CosFest.
Also, please consider that this performance needs to be something really special; this should not be simply an extended CosFest skit. By "special" we mean instrumental performance, professional-quality vocal performance, or highly choreographed professional-level dance routines. We may request some sort of demo tape and/or video.
If you register for a special performance you may not have a CosFest spot (the 2.5 minutes spot). It's one or the other. No exceptions.
Keep in mind that you can't cancel your special performance and expect to instantly be given a registered spot in the normal CosFest. Unless there is an opening, you will be put at the end of the Waiting List.
We have the right to cancel your performance at any time for any reason.

CosFest Award Guidelines

Award Category 1: Presentation
The presentation awards are based on your skit, routine, walk-on, or performance. The quality of your costume often factors into your presentation, but simple costumes have won the highest awards in the past when coupled with a superior skit or routine.
- $500 -> Best of Show
- $100 -> Judges Award
- $100 -> Judges Award
- $100 -> Judges Award
- Prize Package -> Best of Show, Junior/Youth
- Prize Package -> Honorable Mention
Award Category 2: Craftsmanship
The craftsmanship awards are based on the design, construction, execution, and general presentation of your costume.
- $500 -> Best of Show, Group
- $300 -> Best of Show, Individual
- $200 -> Design Award *
- $100 -> Judges Award
- $100 -> Judges Award
- $100 -> Judges Award
- Prize Package -> Honorable Mention, Group
- Prize Package -> Honorable Mention, Individual
All Craftsmanship Judging occurs prior to CosFest itself. In order to participate in the Craftsmanship Award category, you must make an appointment to be judged (at CosFest Check-in Desk). Details on times & locations for Craftsmanship Judging will be provided on CosFest Timeline.
All Craftsmanship contestants must fill out a Craftsmanship Judging Form. These forms will also be available at the convention.
Everyone must be judged for Craftsmanship on Saturday, September 3, 2005. The only exceptions (who will be judged on Sunday, September 4, 2005) are: those who need to apply heavy makeup or body paint and Waiting List groups (who may be accepted into CosFest on Saturday morning). If you need to be judged on Sunday, September 4, 2005, it must be prearranged with the Cosplay Coordinator before August 31, 2005.
All Craftsmanship judging participants must also be approved entries for CosFest and must participate (with a presentation or a walk-on) in CosFest on Sunday, September 4, 2005.
The Craftsmanship Judges recommend that each competitor bring at least one color picture, preferably two, of each character the costume entry represents. A black and white image is acceptable if you have designed a manga-based costume. We recommend that the images you choose show the character from head-to-toe (especially if they are in the costume you are presenting), but this is not required. The judges also appreciate craftsmanship documentation (also known as costume construction diaries).
Individual Craftsmanship Awards may be won by a single person (not a member of a group) or by a group member being judged as an individual. Being judged as an individual does not preclude you from being judged as part of a group (we actually encourage you to be judged as both; but you must be judged for both all at one time).
Please note that an entire group does not have to participate in the Craftsmanship judging. If any individuals from a group choose to be judged as individuals, and not at all as a group, that's fine.
If the entire group designed and constructed the costumes together and if you wish to win a Group Craftsmanship award, you must be judged as a group and all members of the group must be judged at the same time.
If one person in your group made all of the costumes for that group, solely that person is eligible, and only for an Design Award. The group is ineligible for Group Craftsmanship Awards. Also, that person must be a participating and costumed member of said group.
An individual (or a member of a group being judged as an individual) must have designed or constructed his/her own costume by himself/herself to win an Individual Craftsmanship Award.
Every contestant needs to be prepared to answer the judges' questions about his/her role in the construction of his/her costume. Here are some sample questions that the judges may ask.
Each contestant may present (wear) one and only one costume, or a group of people may wear one costume at the same time (i.e., a large costume that requires several people inside to move it). Multiple entries worn by the same person, or one entry worn by multiple people at different times, will not be allowed. No exceptions.
* What is a Design Award?
One designer may design and construct the costumes for an individual model or for a group who serve as model/models. This designer must be present at the judging to explain the construction techniques used, and they must be present at CosFest with his/her model/models. If this is a group presentation, the designer must also wear a costume. The designer wins the award, not the group.

Damages

Pacific Media Expo 2005's damages policy is basically this: if you break a piece of equipment, deface the facilities, or cause any other damages, then you pay to replace what you damaged.
How does one prevent damages? Please simply exercise care when you are on the stage. Be aware of floor microphones, cables, speakers, curtains, screens, etc.