{"id":1802,"date":"2024-03-12T11:51:14","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T18:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comic-con.org\/cc\/?page_id=1802"},"modified":"2024-03-14T14:46:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T21:46:47","slug":"masquerade-information-rules-and-entry-form","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.comic-con.org\/cc\/things-to-do\/masquerade-information-rules-and-entry-form\/","title":{"rendered":"Masquerade Information, Rules and Entry Form"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Masquerade Information, Rules and Entry Form<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY MASQUERADE!<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was back in 1974 that after so many great costumes were seen at the first few San Diego Comic-Cons, a special on-stage event to show them off was added. Since then, there has been a Masquerade every single year, even during our two years of virtual conventions, and over those decades, our staging, our technology, and the costumes have evolved considerably! Our \u201cCosplay Competition,\u201d to use a newer term for it, showcases costumes crafted by our attendees and inspired by all the popular arts, plus original designs from the imagination. Trophies and generous cash or other awards are given to the top costumes. Not a dance or party,<\/strong> it is an exhibition on a stage, and is free<\/strong> for our Saturday attendees to participate in or be in the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most contestants supply recorded music to add mood and story to their presentation. Some entries will be individuals, and others will be groups with a shared theme. The large stage features special lighting and projections, and great viewing for all is provided by giant high-definition screens. During the judging break, we will have new performances by the Saber Guild Star Wars<\/strong> group and The Corps Dance Crew.<\/strong> Our 2023 audience filled all 3,900 seats in Ballroom 20, with a thousand more watching on large screens in the Sails Pavilion and Room 6A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Showtime will be Saturday, July 27, at 8:30 p.m.<\/strong> in Ballroom 20 in the San Diego Convention Center. The event will run for two and a half hours, and doors will open for audience seating at 8:00, but the line will start forming hours earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free tickets are available but not required.<\/strong> To reduce time waiting in line, tickets for seating will be passed out starting at 12:00 noon Saturday at the Masquerade ticket line, then again at the Masquerade Desk from 3:00\u20135:00. A ticket guarantees a seat until 8:30, so you can enjoy other daytime programming and return to the line later and know there is a seat for you. After the ticketed line has entered, those without tickets are welcome until the room is filled. Convention special guests and approved press can request reserved seats at masq@comic.con.org<\/strong> or visit the Masquerade Desk at the convention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOW TO ENTER:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Submit a completed Entry Form soon and no later than July 5 to masq@comic-con.org<\/a> Reserving a contestant spot early is advised, since in 2023 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.\u00a0 You may email your photos to masq@comic-con.org<\/a> the same day you submit your form, or you can submit your form now and email the photos later, by July 5. \u201dWork in Progress\u201d photos are accepted if only a minor amount of work remains. Groups must show photos of all costumes. For safety reasons Young Fans must be at least age 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMPORTANT CONTESTANT INFORMATION:<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Soon after you arrive at the convention, sign 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 10:30 AM on Saturday, either at the Desk or the Contestant Orientation. If you do not sign in by 10:30 we may assume you have canceled and release your spot to someone from the Waiting List. All contestants and their helpers need Backstage Passes,<\/strong> obtainable at the Desk and at the Orientation. Each entry may bring a backstage helper with them, but any helpers will also need a Saturday attendee badge. Desk hours are 10:00 to 5:00, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHelp! I have a great costume to display on the stage but was unable to buy a badge during the online badge sales!\u201d<\/strong> Contestants who submit an entry form and photos and are APPROVED as a contestant can request a special online code to use to buy a badge, 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. Codes will be distributed in June to contestants that we confirm as eligible and accepted into the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We strongly recommend that contestants attend the Contestant Orientation<\/strong> at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday in our Rehearsal Room 31AB,<\/strong> where we will discuss your technical needs and other details of your evening ahead. You may bring your costume at that time if you like and store it there, or wait until you arrive for the show check-in later to bring it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ballroom 20 stage<\/strong> will be in use for other events during the day, but the rehearsal stage in our Rehearsal Room 31AB will be the same size: 32 feet wide by 20 feet deep, and will be available all Saturday afternoon for rehearsing. The actual stage is 4 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 items impractical to carry into the building but require reserving a day in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please do not wear your contest costume at the convention before it is seen in the show,<\/strong> or it will be ineligible for the competition. Our audiences wait a long time in line to see something special, not what they have already seen in the halls. This will also protect your costume from the wear and tear that can occur while wearing it during the day, especially if the weather is hot or humid. We have seen great costumes drop out just 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 curtained dressing booths, or you may change elsewhere if you prefer, such as your hotel room or the large backstage restrooms. 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<\/a> by July 5<\/strong> to allow us time to review it for content and any needed changes. There will be no microphones<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a mobility-impaired contestant or helper,<\/strong> let us know as soon as possible so we can make arrangements for your particular needs regarding access to our 4-foot elevated stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PROJECTED BACKGROUND IMAGES:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have special projection equipment so our contestants can accompany their costume with a background image to suggest an environment. If you would like to submit a background image, it should be 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<\/a> by July 5, <\/strong>or sooner, to give us time to check it for suitability. 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 perfectly fine. We can select something to compliment your costume. Video files may be allowed depending on the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SHOW CHECK-IN TIME:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When arriving for the event Saturday evening, contestants must check in<\/strong> with the staff in Room 32. You may check in at 5:00<\/strong> but no later than 6:45<\/strong> and you must be stage-ready by 7:00<\/strong> to allow for pre-show photos to be taken and judges to get a close look at you. Sorry, but if you are late, we may have to pull you from the show. For those final touches or repairs, we\u2019ll have worktables, clothing racks, mirrors, and a make-up area. A costume repair kit will be available for emergency fixes, and large restrooms are close by for any preparations needing a sink and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REFERENCE MATERIALS:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your costume is a Re-Creation, we suggest providing the judges with one or more reference images of what it is based on, since not all 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 features, design, and construction process, even fabric samples. In addition to helping the judges, they can also be a resume item toward a career in costuming or a fun memory book of your experience.<\/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 inform us in advance so we are ready for it. We LOVE 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

TROPHY CATEGORIES AND PRIZES:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panel of guest judges will select winners of Comic-Con\u00ae trophies in categories of Best In Show, Judges\u2019 Choice, Best Re-Creation, Best Original Design, Best Workmanship, Most Humorous, Most Beautiful, and Best Young Fan. These winners will also receive Free 4-day badges for Comic-Con 2025! Badges are non-transferable. If a group wins in a category, up to six in the group will receive a trophy and free badges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


In addition to those awards, several companies, professional organizations, and others will present their own generous prizes to winners their representatives select:
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