PMX's Cosplay Competition Returns

Whether you are competing for the first time or have a long history with competition, there is always the possibility that the rules and guidelines for Pacific Media Expo (PMX) Masquerade contain something you might not expect. It is every participant's responsibility to read the contest rules, and to make sure they understand and adhere to them. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Cosplay department.

Once you have read the following rules and guidelines, please click on the link below to register. We encourage all participants to register early! This will help ensure timely scheduling for craftsmanship judging, and it will allow the Cosplay staff to provide proper support for the contest.

All participants who register by October 25, 2013 at 11:59 PM will be included in a raffle for ONE (1) complimentary badge in 2014.

Masquerade, the Official PMX Cosplay Contest, will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 7:30 PM)) in Main Events (International Ballroom B on the Lobby Level).
The Cosplay Office will be located in Century A & B this year. This is on the Second Floor of the the Hilton. The office hours are
Friday, November 8, 2013 (12:00 to 8:00 PM)
Saturday, November 9, 2013 (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM)
Sunday, November 10, 2013 (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM)

Contents
I. Timeline
II. Eligibility
III. General Guidelines
IV. Audio
V. Presentation Rules
VI. Special Performances
VII. Craftsmanship Judging

I. Timeline

• Online Registration OPENS Sunday, September 1, 2013. Register now!
• Online Registration CLOSES on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at 11:59 PM
• At-Con Registeration CLOSES on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 12:00 PM

A PMX Cosplay staff member will contact you to make an appointment for Craftsmanship Judging.
It is strongly advised that all participants register online, prior to the convention, although there may still be limited registration available at the convention.

Please check back for a more detailed schedule.

II. Eligibility

1. All contestants must be paid attendees of Pacific Media Expo 2013 at the time of the convention.
2. A single entry may have a maximum of eight (8) costumed members. Special helpers, such as stage ninjas, costume assistants, medical assistants, etc., are allowed to accompany an entry. If an entry requires one or more helpers, please contact the Masquerade Coordinator for approval. Having more than the approved number of contestants on stage will result in disqualification.
3. All participating costumes must fall into the categories below. If you are not sure whether your costume qualifies, please do not hesitate to contact the Masquerade Coordinator.
   • Asian films
   • Asian animation
   • Asian comics
   • Asian-origin video game
   • Asian music stars
   • Asian history, culture, or mythology (e.g. historical recreation, Elegant Gothic Lolita, Elegant Gothic Aristocrat, original Asian folkloric costume, etc.)
   • Sources that are non-Asian in origin, but explicitly influenced by Pacific-Asian art or culture (e.g. Avatar: The Last Airbender, Kill Bill, Mortal Kombat)
4. Any costume entered in a previous Pacific Media Expo Masquerade (previously known as CosFest) is ineligible for re-entry.
5. Each contestant may only participate in a single entry. Each costume may only appear in one entry. A contestant may wear one costume, or a group of people may wear one costume simultaneously (e.g., a large construct that requires several people inside to move it).
6. Costumes that have been purchased or rented from a costume shop, designer direct, eBay, Yahoo Auctions, Yahoo Japan Auctions, Cospa, or any other costume store or online resource are absolutely prohibited.
7. Likewise, you may not enter with a costume custom-made for you by a designer, tailor, or seamstress. Any entries that violate this rule will be removed from Masquerade and disqualified from all award eligibility. Honesty is always the best policy.

   There are three (3) exceptions to this policy:

   1. The costume maker may elect a representative to wear his/her costume. Both the costume maker and representative must be present during the craftsmanship judging. This exception will only be eligible for craftsmanship awards.
   2. If the participant is in the Junior/Youth division, it is acceptable if a relative or guardian made the costume. However, if the costume is entered for craftsmanship judging, the party who made the costume must be present to answer the judges' questions.
   3. "Found Item" costumes are allowed. A "found item" costume is one built by collecting various pieces from thrift shops or normal clothing stores and combining them together in a unique way (with or without sewing/alterations) to make a costume. In this case, the craftsmanship judges will decide if an “altered found item” costume is eligible for the craftsmanship award.

III. General Guidelines

1. All contestants must sign a liability waiver. Minors must submit a parental consent form in addition to the liability waiver.
2. Children aged fourteen (14) and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
3. Please provide current, accurate contact information so that the Masquerade Coordinator can inform you of important updates. Please notify him/her if your contact information changes.
4. Contestants must come to the Cosplay Office to check in and confirm their presence at the convention. Failure to check in by 12:00 PM (noon) on Saturday, November 9, 2013, will result in removal from the Masquerade.
5. For Group Entries, every individual member must personally check in at the Cosplay Office. Individuals may check in at separate times for convenience, but all must do so before the deadline.
6. There is a mandatory pre-show meeting and rehearsal on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, mandatory pre-show meeting on November 9, 2013 at 6:30 PM, both in Main Events, International Ballroom B). We will do a roll call and go through a brief orientation. Contestants who do not attend this meeting will be assumed as drop-outs and removed from the Masquerade.
7. Please do not wear or use any messy substances that may ruin the costumes of others. If you are wearing body paint, glitter, or make-up, please make sure it will not come off in casual contact with the other contestants.
8. Please do not leave anything on the stage that cannot be easily picked up by the staff.
9. Costumes must be self-contained. Connections to electrical sockets will not be available.
10. Pacific Media Expo and the Cosplay staff reserves the right to decide if anything poses a danger to people and/or the stage area. Should the staff deem it to be unsafe, it will not be allowed.
11. Display weapons are allowed if appropriate to the costume. However, live steel (metal) will not be allowed under any circumstances. If you have any questions concerning whether a prop/weapon is allowed, please ask the Masquerade Coordinator. Please bring your weapon(s) when you check in. All weapon(s) will need to go through a security check. Any unchecked weapons will not be allowed on stage. Please read and understand the Weapon's Policy.
12. Pacific Media Expo's damage policy is:
    1. Anyone who breaks a piece of equipment, defaces the facilities, or causes any other damages, is responsible for all related costs.
    2. How does one prevent damages? Please exercise care when you are on or near the stage. Be aware of floor microphones, cables, speakers, curtains, screens, etc. "Horse-play" will NOT be tolerated. Please practice carefulness, and ensure that large props/costumes will not cause any problems. Be mindful of other people and do not leave a mess.
13. Please be respectful and civil to your fellow contestants, the audience, and the Cosplay staff.
14. While we certainly would not exercise it lightly, Pacific Media Expo and its Cosplay staff have the right to cancel a performance at any time.

IV. Audio

1. A pre-recorded audio, such as background music or skit dialogue, is required for all entries. Skit entries have a maximum time limit of two (2) minutes, and Display Entries are allowed a short audio clip of your choice, or the Cosplay staff will provide one for you.
2. Microphones are available for vocal performances only (e.g., singing). However, mics are limited, so please inform the Masquerade Coordinator accordingly.
   1. If you and/or your group plan to sing, you must provide a karaoke audio track for us to play during your singing performance.
   2. If you plan on doing a skit or any other type of performance, a pre-recorded skit dialogue is required.
3. Please submit your audio to us at the convention in the Cosplay Office during office hours on Friday, November 8, 2013, and by 12:00 PM (noon) on Saturday, November, 9, 2013. We cannot guarantee your participation with audio if it's not submitted by the deadline.
4. Accepted audio formats are: .wav, .mp3 file formats, or you may bring your audio via audio CD, data CD, data DVD, USB device, or SD card. Audio from mobile phones is not guaranteed. We will do our best to return your items, but Cosplay staff are not responsible for lost devices.
5. PMX Tech Staff will play all audio tracks as-is. They will not pause or resume your dialogue for you. Audio longer than two (2) minutes will be cut off.
6. Please do all audio recording, editing, and splicing, prior to the convention. The PMX Cosplay staff will have limited equipment during the convention and do not have the capability to record or edit your skit. Audio editing is the responsibility of the participants.
7. Please bring audio back-ups to the convention. There is always the chance that something unexpected may happen that is beyond our control. Please be prepared just in case something goes wrong.

V. Presentation Rules

1. The show will be limited to thirty (30) entries, but may be increased at the discretion of the Cosplay staff, based on time.
2. Pre-recorded audio is required for all entries. (Please see the Audio section for more information.)
3. There are two (2) types of Masquerade entries:
   1. Skits are performance entries such as a comedy sketch, dramatic scene, action sequence, song/dance routine, etc. Skits will be given two (2) minutes for a presentation (usually a skit, dance number, song, or comedy routine).
   2. Display Entries ("Walk-Ons") are simply to model a costume without any performance aspects. Display Entries will walk onto the stage, pose while we describe your costume, and then walk off the stage.
4. If you want the emcee to read an introduction speech, it must be limited to thirty-five (35) words or less. Emcee narration is optional. If you choose not to have one, the emcee will only read your entry name and number before your performance.
5. Please do not interact with the emcee. The emcee is prohibited from talking during your performance.
6. 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. No explicit sexual gestures, nudity, or explicit swearing. Violating these rules will disqualify you and possibly result in being escorted off the premises.
7. Your entry must somehow be relevant to your costumes and/or directly related to Asian popular culture. We do allow the use of non-Asian music in your skit. You may use the latest popular American movies, commercials, TV shows, etc. as an influence, but we strongly request that you keep your presentation's content appropriate to your character. If you are not sure whether your skit plans are appropriate, please ask the Masquerade Coordinator.
8. Fire, flash powder, lasers, and explosives of any kind are prohibited. Electronic flashes may be permitted if you notify the Masquerade Coordinator in advance and announce it in your emcee introduction to protect those who might be affected.
9. All presentations must be strictly confined to the stage area and cannot incorporate the aisles or other audience areas. Do not jump off of or jump onto the stage; doing so will result in instant disqualification. Use only the designated stage entrances and exits. Throwing objects from the stage is also prohibited.
10. Feel free to surprise the audience, but not the Masquerade Coordinator. If you are planning something "unique", please discuss it with him/her in advance.

VI. Special Performances

1. Special Performances are non-competitive entries for showing off one's costume(s) and/or doing a performance just for fun. They are not judged and do not receive awards.
2. If you wish to participate as a Special Performance, please e-mail the Masquerade Coordinator for approval.
3. Special Performance entries may potentially be allowed to exceed the time limits of competitive entries. Please discuss time allocation with the Masquerade Coordinator. (He/she might ask for a sample of your work if you wish to exceed two (2) minutes.)

VII. Craftsmanship Judging

1. Being judged for craftsmanship is optional, but you must meet with the craftsmanship judges if you wish to be eligible. Group entries must have all members meet the craftsmanship judges to qualify for Best in Show awards.
2. You must confirm your entry by checking in at the Cosplay Office, and you must appear on stage during the show. If your entry drops out of Masquerade after seeing the craftsmanship judges, you will be disqualified.
3. All craftsmanship judging occurs prior to Masquerade itself on Friday, November 8, 2013 (preferred), or Saturday, November 9, 2013 (by 12:00 PM), at the convention. Craftsmanship judgings are by appointments only. Appointment times are given on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Two (2) weeks before the convention, entries may begin requesting craftsmanship appointment times. The Masquerade Coordinator will contact all registered entries by e-mail. Appointment time slots may be requested at the convention as well, but options will be limited based on availability. Please be on time. We cannot guarantee a second appointment will be available.
5. All craftsmanship competitors must fill out a Craftsmanship Form prior to their appointment with the judges.
6. It is required to bring at least one (1) color REFERENCE PICTURE of each costume in your entry. (Black and white are acceptable however, color reference images are preferred.) For recreation costumes, your images should show the character from head-to-toe if possible, and you may include other aspects you feel are important. For original costumes, you may share design sketches or images that show influences behind your creation. You may also provide progress photos or other documentation.