CosFest Competition Guidelines

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.

• 1. Registration
• 2. Basic Requirements
• 3. Music
• 4. Emcee
• 5. Presentations/Walk-ons
• 6. Special Performances
• 7. Awards
• 8. Damages

1. Cosplay Festival (CosFest) Competition Registration

• You must pre-register for CosFest online.
• If there are still openings available by the time pre-registration closes, we will have at-con registration on Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8, 2008. CosFest space is limited to 45 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 at the CosFest Registration Desk before 6:00PM on Saturday, November 8, 2008 to see if there are any spots available. Please bring your entire group and your music and/or skit audio with you.
• All contestants must be paid attendees of Pacific Media Expo 2008. Badges will be checked, and a sticker for the contestant(s)' access to CosFest will be given. You will need to provide a badge at both check-in and at CosFest itself.
• The Cosplay Coordinator might e-mail 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• You must check-in at the CosFest registration desk to confirm your registration.
• Every member in your group must be checked in at the registration desk. We will verify your entry information and allow you to make changes, if needed. If you choose to participate in craftsmanship judging, you will also sign up for a judging timeslot
• All entrants under 18 must submit a parental consent form to be admitted into CosFest. All entrants 14 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• All entrants must sign a liability waiver to participate in CosFest.
• All entrants wishing to enter for craftsmanship judging (not required, but encouraged) must fill out a Craftsmanship Judging Form prior to their judging slot.
• If you do not check in by 10am, Sunday, November 9, you will be removed from CosFest.
• The CosFest show will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2008 from 5:00pm - 8:00pm in International Ballroom B.

2. Basic Requirements

• All costumes must be based on one of the following:


- 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)
- Asian music stars (such as Malice Mizer or Morning Musume)
- Asian history, culture, or mythology (such as a Pacific-Asian historical recreation costume, Elegant Gothic Lolita, Elegant Gothic Aristocrat, etc.)

The rule of thumb is: if the series and/or character originated anywhere else than the Pacific, it doesn't qualify. However, we will make some exceptions for things heavily rooted in or influenced by Asian culture and media (examples include Kill Bill, or Avatar: The Last Airbender). If you aren't sure whether a costume qualifies, 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 2008 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 (thus why we highly recommend bringing in those reference images if you are able!); 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:
  
  
  Exception 1: "Found Item" costumes are allowed. This is basically a costume that was built by collecting various appropriate pieces from normal clothing stores and combining them together in a unique way (with or without sewing) to make a costume.
  Exception 2: If the participant is in the Junior/Youth division, we completely understand if Mom and/or Dad (or a guardian) made or helped to make the costume. However, if this is the case, we would appreciate that Mom and/or Dad (or the guardian) be present at CosFest to answer the judges' questions and to supervise the participant.
  
  
• 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 pre-show meeting on Sunday, November 9, 2008 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. Contestants will then remain in the masquerade room until the show ends, so please plan accordingly.

3. Music

• We require some kind of pre-recorded audio (including music and/or dialogue) for both skits/presentations and walk-ons. Open mics on the stage will only be available upon special request.
• If you do not have audio, we can provide music for you at the convention if need be. However, we will be unable to help you record dialogue or edit a skit.
• If you are a walk-on, please pick appropriate music for your costume. If you forget, we will have a collection of songs 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 submitted and confirmed before the CosFest Office closes at 10am on Sunday, November 11, or you will not be allowed to participate. Please include the name of your entry when you submit your audio.
  
  - Pre-con: You may submit your audio before the convention by e-mailing it to c(dot)siwon(at)gmail(dot)com. Acceptable file formats include .wav, .mp3, and .wma. If the file is too large to send as an attachment, it's suggested that you use a file transferring service such as YouSendIt.
  
  - At-con: Bring your audio to the CosFest Office during open hours.
  
  Acceptable forms of submission include audio CD, data CD, and data DVD. We will have both a laptop and a USB drive in the CosFest office, so we can also take digital file submissions via USB drive, portable harddrive or another laptop. Should you choose to submit a digital file or data disc, acceptable file formats include .wav, .mp3, and .wma. No audio tapes.
  
• Please bring back-ups of your audio to the convention. While we will make every effort to keep data intact and backed up, there is always the chance that something may go wrong.
• Your dialogue and/or music "file" must be no longer than the time permitted for your entry. If your music and/or prerecorded routine is longer than the time limit your type of presentation is permitted, we will trim to the correct length. The time limits are:
             Walk-Ons -- 45 seconds (0:45)
             Individual Skits -- 1 minute and 20 seconds (1:20)
             Group Skits -- 2 minutes (2:00)
• If the sound runs longer than your presentation 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 in your recording at that point before continuing. Even if you get just a chuckle from the audience, at least it won't interfere with the following dialogue. The tech crew is not going to pause or resume your dialogue for you.

*What is a good piece of editing software?
Some have had good experiences with Audacity for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. You can download a copy (Open Source) and fiddle around with it. Otherwise, dig around, there are plenty of software packages out there.

4. 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.
• Emcee narration is optional. If you choose not to submit a narration, the emcee will read your entry name and number before 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.

5.  Presentations and Walk-ons

• We require music (and/or prerecorded dialogue) for all entries. (See Music guidelines above for audio submission details.)
• If a skit/walk-on goes beyond the time limit, all members of said entry will be removed from the stage and the entry will be disqualified. The time limits are as follows, based on entry type:
            Walk-Ons -- 45 seconds (0:45)
            Individual Skits -- 1 minute and 20 seconds (1:20)
           Group Skits -- 2 minutes (2:00) \n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and we will try to honor your request.
• UPDATE! We will only have access to house lights for the show. Therefore, we are unable to honor any requests for special lighting (i.e. spotlights, fade ins/outs). We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. -->
• The maximum number of members for your group is 8 people. If more than the approved number of contestants appear on stage, the group will be disqualified.
• We will 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 be tasteful in creating your presentation. 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.
• 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.
• 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.

6. Awards

• The following awards will be given in the contest:


- Best of Show
- Junior (Youth) Achievement
- Judges Awards
- Best Presentation
- Honorable Mention, Presentation
- Best Group Craftsmanship
- Best Individual Craftsmanship
- Honorable Mention, Group Craftsmanship
- Honorable Mention, Individual Craftsmanship

Note: Additional awards will be given out if the Judges deem it appropriate. There will be cash prizes and prize packages among the awards given out. At this time, we are unable to disclose what or how much the prizes will be.



• All Craftsmanship Judging occurs prior to CosFest itself. To be eligible for a Craftsmanship Award, you must make an appointment to be judged. Appointments for judging will be made at the CosFest Office check-in desk. Judging timeslots will be reserved when you check-in at the convention on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• All Craftsmanship contestants must fill out a Craftsmanship Judging Form, which will be provided when you check in at the convention.
• All Craftsmanship judging will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2008. There will be a limited number of special-need judging timeslots available between 8am and 10am on Sunday, November 9. If you need to be judged on Sunday morning, it must be prearranged with the Cosplay Coordinator before the Cosplay office closes at 6:00pm on Saturday, November 8, 2008.
• All Craftsmanship judging participants must also be approved entries for CosFest and must participate (with a presentation or a walk-on) in CosFest.
• The Craftsmanship Judges strongly recommend that each competitor bring at least one color reference picture, preferably more, 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), if possible. For original costumes, we recommend either concept/design sketches or images that show influences behind your creation. The judges also appreciate craftsmanship documentation (such as progress photos).
• Individual Craftsmanship Awards may be won by a single person that is not part 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 a 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.

8. Damages

• Pacific Media Expo 2008'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.