MARSCON 2003 MASQUERADE RULES:

1) REGISTRATION:

If you interested in presenting your costume at the masquerade, you must be a registered attendee of MarsCon. You may fill out a registration sheet at the MarsCon registration area or OPS. Fill it out and return it to registration or OPS at least 1 hour before the masquerade rehearsal (6pm)
Be sure to turn in your tape/CD at that time marked with your first and last name and the name of your presentation. Mark the side to be played "PLAY THIS SIDE" on tapes. For CDs mark the number of the song you wish us to play. Tapes need to be cued and ready to play. (It is recommended that you record the song you want onto a blank tape as it does avoid some confusion). If you have no music, it will be provided at our discretion.
All costume contestants are required to have a walk through on stage before the Masquerade. The costumes must be finished prior to the on stage walk through. Feel free to ask questions or make suggestions. We want to help you to make this the best show for you and your friends!

2) SKILL DIVISION:

Young Fan:
This is someone who is between the ages of 4 to 12 years of age.
Novice:
This is someone who is a first timer and HAS NOT placed in a masquerade show.
Journeyman:
This is someone who has placed in a masquerade before such as 2^nd place.
Master:
This is someone who has placed in a masquerade before such as 1^st place.

3) PRIZES:

Prizes will be awarded in the following areas:

BEST YOUNG FAN COSTUME
BEST NOVICE COSTUME
BEST JOURNEYMAN COSTUME
BEST MASTER COSTUME
BEST IN SHOW

4) GENERAL THEME:

Media:
Costumes based on television series, movies such as Star Wars, Star Trek.
Literary:
Any science fiction or fantasy novel. (Please let us know what your character costume is based on.)
Gaming:
Your character and from what game.
Other:
Your flights of fantasy or science fiction.

5) COSTUMES:

Please refer to the MARSCON weapons policy for any questions you may have on you costume. No costumes that could possibly damage the hotel, it's property and/or to the other contestants, yourself or any other living or dead beings. This is for the safety of our guests, the hotel and you. No live animals. We don't want to see our animal friends be hurt or hurt others. Costumes with electric power requirement need to be self-contained and approved by masquerade officials. There is no access to electrical outlets. Think about your costume and your personal safety as well as the safety of others around you.

6) TIME LIMITS:

There will be one winner per division. One costume per entry. One stage appearance per costume/entry. As a rule of thumb: Presentations should be limited to approximately 60 seconds for a group of 3 or fewer persons, or 90 seconds for groups of 3-6 with 10 seconds more for each additional person(s). Contestants are not required to use the full time for their presentations. If more time or information is needed, please see the masquerade director.

7) MICROPHONES:

A microphone is available to contestants.

8) WEAPONS/PROPS:

Illegal weapons of any kind are not allowed. You must employ good theatrical practices when having unsheathed steel. Realistic looking guns, pistols and string bow are allowed as long as it is only for a duration of the stage presentation, just before and after, as needed to prepare and put away the props. All must follow the MarsCon weapons policy. The masquerade director reserves the right to reject any weapons or props for safety concerns.

9) TECHNICAL AND STAGING:

Please remember that we are NOT planning on having a large amount of technical support. We will provide a microphone and an audio system, with spotlights, if and when you need them. Let us know if you may need assistance getting on and off the stage.

10) MESSY SUBSTANCES:

PLEASE, no messy substances, powders, oily things, water, etc... that might ruin the hotel/carpet or the costumes of other contestants. Safety and health are also major concerns. Also, NO pyrotechnics will be allowed and the use of the oil based smoke/fog machines. This will set of the hotel fire detection system.

11) RENTED COSTUMES:

You needn't have made the costume yourself but if it was commissioned by a professional or built by a friend then please give credit to that person(s). Please NO RENTED COSTUMES in the masquerade. We love to see them throughout MarsCon but we are reserving the masquerade for home designed costumes.

12) NUDITY:

We do not want to censor your creativity, no costume is really NO COSTUME. A good rule of thumb, if you can wear it on a Minnesota public beach, you can wear it at the masquerade. Please exercise taste because the masquerade is held for all ages of the convention goers.

13) NO WHINERS:

Entrants are assumed to be adults, or under the supervision of one. All judge's decisions are final.

14) SURPRISES:

Surprise the audience, not the masquerade staff. If you are planning something completely different, let us know well in advance. We may even be able to help out. All information will be held in the strictest of confidence. No improvising unless absolutely necessary.

15) COMPETITION EXPULSION:

The masquerade director and/or judges has full authority to eliminate or disqualify anyone from the competition on the basis of taste, danger to the audience or contestants, disorderly conduct, violation of the rules, or reasons to be deemed sufficient by the masquerade director. This protects you and the convention.

16) CONTEST:

Let the crew help you on and off stage so you do not fall. After you have gone on stage, you can go back into the audience and watch the rest of the masquerade! Be sure stick around for the awards, because you may have won, and you'll want to be present to receive your trophy.

Thanks to Mad Media and Archon in helping us develop MarsCon Masquerade Rules

Holiday Inn Select
I-494 & 34th Avenue South
Bloomington, MN

MarsCon 2003 contacts:
2003info@marscon.org - General questions
2003registration@marscon.org - Pre-registration
masquerade2003@yahoo.com - Info about the 2003 edition of our Masquerade
2003web@marscon.org - Webmaster

MarsCon 2003 home page
Historic pages: 2002 -- 2001 -- 2000 -- 1999
Words from the Pres of FenSF

This page last revised January 12, 2006 at 01:47 PM