Cosplay Contest Application (FIRST COME FIRST SERVE)

Thank you for wanting to take part in our cosplay contest!

The Weebcon cosplay show divides entrants into four competitive classes and two performance divisions. While entrants may enter any class they qualify for, judges reserve the right to bump up a competitor’s class anytime. Entrants may only enter one class and one division.

Class restrictions are strictly enforced. If any competitor is found to have entered a class below their skill level, they will be immediately moved to a higher class. If a competitor is found to have intentionally entered a class below their skill level, they risk immediate disqualification.

When entrants are in the cosplay room, pre-judging panels, and backstage for the show, the staff and judges monitor their sportsmanship. Rude remarks, put-downs, or other unsportsmanlike conduct will have consequences. Egregious cases may result in immediate disqualification. Respect the staff, the judges, and your fellow competitors. Competitors will not be notified if they have been disqualified, and judges are not permitted to discuss the judging process or the results. This is to protect entrants, judges, and staff, as well as to maintain the professionalism of the contest.

Any information in your online entry may be changed on-site when you check in. If you wish to guarantee your spot in the Cosplay Contest then you are required to sign up online in advance.

Please complete the following form to be considered for entry.
Keep in mind that cosplay sign up is on a first come first serve basis, and you must be the age of 13 or older.

Once a category or category is full, it is full. Please do not enter in another class and then email that you want to be in another class but it was full at sign up. We have entry caps for a reason.

Entries will be capped as the following:
30 Novice Walk-ons
20 Journeyman Walk-ons
15 Master Walk-ons
10 Skits (total)

CLASSES
Novice

This is for newer competitors and crafters who wish to compete but don’t feel they’re quite up to journeyman standards.

Examples:

• You are new to costuming and/or to competing
• You have competed in the Novice division but have not won any major awards.

Journeyman

For competitors with more experience in crafting and/or competing, or competitors who have won any of the following:

• Multiple major awards in novice category
• Multiple awards in Hall contests

Master

For competitors who are professional seamstresses, tailors or customers, or competitors who have won:

• Best in Journeyman/Masters multiple times
• Best in Show (In Conventions with more than 15 thousand attendees)
• Best in Show (Hall)

DIVISIONS

Walk-on

• Competitors have 30 seconds of stage time beginning when the competitor crosses onto the staging area from backstage.
• Competitors are allowed custom audio.
  Audio must be music and is preferred to be from the series being cosplayed.
• No microphones will be available for walk-on competitors.
• Competitors are highly encouraged to upload or submit files in .MP3 format when signing up for the competition.
• Tracks are limited to 1:00 in length and may be cut or faded.
• No YouTube rips are allowed due to low-quality output.
• Staff may contact you about your file if it is too low-quality for stage. If you do not submit custom audio, music will be chosen for you.
• Audio must be rated TV-PG.
• Entrants with bulky costumes or other concerns crossing the stage will be allotted time within reason to clear the stage outside of their 30 second performance window.

Skit

Competitors have 3 minutes and 30 seconds of stage time beginning when their audio starts. (not required to be the full 3:30 in length)

• All introductions, if applicable, must be made by the MC.
• All skits must submit scripts to be screened by staff on content, coherence, originality, and entertainment value.
• All dance skits must be originally choreographed by the entrant.
• Skits are required to submit pre-recorded audio, as microphones will not be available.
• Skit entrants may be contacted if their audio is too low-quality for the stage.

Craftsmanship

All competitors are required to construct their own costumes. No store-bought costumes are allowed in the show. Cosplay staff and judges may disqualify any entrant at any time for not meeting craftsmanship requirements.

• If the competitor’s costume was constructed by a third party, the third party must be present at the competition. The third party, not the model, will be eligible for all awards.
• As a general rule, at least 75% of the costume must be constructed or heavily modified by the competitor. Borderline costumes will be accepted or declined by staff or judges on a case-by-case basis.
• Craftsmanship requirements may be waived for skit entries only.

PREJUDGING:
All competitors are required to be pre-judged before the cosplay contest begins. Pre-judging panels will be scheduled throughout the weekend.

• All competitors are required to sign up for a specific time slot for pre-judging. Time slots are 3 minutes for individual entries and 5 minutes for groups. If you are not present when your time slot is called, you will be moved to the end and called when all assigned time slots have been completed if time allows.
• At the time of pre-judging, the costume may be brought in on a hanger and is not required to be worn.
• Competitors who have not been pre-judged when the lineup begins for the competition will be disqualified.
• Competitors who are entering as the model for a present commissioner/tailor/seamstress must have the commissioner/tailor/seamstress present during pre-judging.

• WHILE COMPETING AS A WALK-ON, IT IS REQUIRED THAT AT LEAST 75% OF THE COSPLAY BE MADE BY, OR HEAVILY ALTERED BY, THE WEARER OR THAT THE CREATOR IS PRESENT FOR THE CONTEST AND PREJUDGING.
• Build books are not required by HIGHLY suggested. Please bring them to prejudging to show the judges.
• Costume does NOT need to be worn for prejudging.
• Entrants may not be a Weebcon staff member or volunteer.

By filling out an application you agree that you have read all the rules in this form and on the weebcon website.