Masquerade Monthly Newsletter for June 2005

Hi again, this is your friendly neighborhood Masquerade Director, Rae Lundquist. I'm on board again for MarsCon 2006. They twisted my arm (owie, owie – ok, maybe they didn't, I volunteered! Heck, I had fun last year!) and I'm BAAACK!

We have had some great feedback and some great suggestions for new ideas. A couple that were discussed at the Alien Autopsy are outlined below:

#1: Chaos Costuming

I think we have some terrific costumers out there, amateur as well as pros and semi-pros. And it would be fun to give them a place and a time to show off their skills. So, on Friday evening of the con, a hall will be turned over for a few hours to these costumers. Armed with donated materials, these intrepid fashion mavens will tackle any (unsuspecting) volunteer who walks in the door, and create a one-of-a-kind costume out of egg cartons, PVC pipe, vinyl siding, who knows what! Anyone is welcome to be a guinea pig. If you've just come to the con, see all the cool costumes running all over the place, and want one too, this is the place. If you've started a neat costume idea, but need some help putting it all together, this is the place. If you have a great idea, but don't know how to go about it, this is the place. This is the place with the skills, the know-how, the creativity to help you come out looking out-of-this-world. A donation towards the cost of materials (duct tape, hot glue, etc.) will be very greatly appreciated. And, if you have materials that you have no use for (weird fabric; left overs – paint, tagboard, staples – from an art class; even home construction project) please contact us. We'd be delighted to take it off your hands. Please contact me (well in advance of the con) if you'd like to be a Chaos Costumer, or have something to donate, or BOTH!

#2: Masquerade Lounge

There is always a problem at any con as to where the masquerade participants can congregate. The proverbial "Green Room" isn't always located right next to the Masquerade stage, and usually isn't a secure place for purses, etc., left behind while the participant walks across stage. As I have found out sponsoring the Costume Emergency First Aid Station, there are a LOT of last minute crises with costumes – wings fall off, zippers come apart, etc. But there isn't always a private area where repairs can be made.

Costumers (like myself) are a chatty bunch. We like to congregate at cons and pick each others brains, share costuming nightmare stories, and ogle each others' portfolio photos. A 1-2 hour panel discussion just doesn't cut it, as we tend to gab for hours if permitted to do so. Therefore, the Masquerade Lounge will be a place for the fabric-addicted to congregate during Masquerade "off-hours" (when we're not running around in a frenzy, getting ready for panels, or Chaos Costuming, or the Masquerade itself.)

The Masquerade Lounge will also be open to performers, bands, comedy shows, etc. *** This gives them a secure place to stash their stuff (like instruments, props, costumes, etc.) so they don't have to attend the rest of the con dragging along their drum set, or whatever. This will not be a place for every masquerade entrant to stash their stuff, however. (That's what your hotel room is for.)

#3: New Stage Manager position

After much crying and hand wringing (well, actually, just a little. He's really just a big softie) Larry Andrle (of the Gravediggers) has agreed to be the Main Stage Manager. This means there will be a central authority to coordinate all the different groups and uses of the main stage. Hopefully, no more confusion as to when what group goes on, and what group is running over another group's time slot. He will be the one who organizes the stage helpers, equipment set-up and solves dilemmas. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Larry.

#4: Masquerade photos

We got photographs of most of the Masquerade contestants, but next year's photo ops will be better. A permanent MarsCon Masquerade photo backdrop will be constructed, and installed in the Green Room during and after the Masquerade, and an experienced photographer will be assigned to take every contestant's picture for the website and archives. Feel free to contact me with ideas for our new backdrop.

#5: Masquerade forms

The forms for 2005 were kind of kludged together. (Not having ever been a masquerade director before I wasn't sure just what to include.) Next year's will be a little clearer to understand (I hope). They will also include photo release forms and liability release forms.

Rehearsal are going to be a little more strict this year. Last year's flying leap from the stage by the Jedi was not done in the rehearsal, and gave this director a heart attack when she saw it from backstage. One slip, and the front row could have been casualties.

While light saber fights and stage combat are cool to watch, they are fraught with legal liability potential. Hence, the necessity of a liability release form. Most stage platforms at cons simply don't have the space for a lot of movement. (We just got lucky last year with the dance floor space in front.) Therefore stage performance is going to have to be more subdued in the future. (We'd HATE to have you take out anybody with your activities, or take yourself out with a misplaced kick.)

While most people in costume love to have their pictures taken, it can present problems when picked up in publications or on the net. So, a photo release form will be mandatory. Saves people having to chase you down for permission, or you having to sign half a million times.

A lot of things went right at MarsCon 2005 Masquerade (like Guest of Honor Stephanie enjoying being MC so much, she wants to come back!) A few things didn't. Running times went over, liability and photo release forms were overlooked, and staging and green room didn't have enough room, etc., etc., etc. If you have complaints, suggestions or even a pat on the back for the Masquerade crew please contact me directly. I welcome any and all comments (just don't get nasty). I want MarsCon to have the best Masquerade around! And I'd appreciate your help.

Thanks,
the DreamStitcher,
your friendly neighborhood MarsCon Masquerade Director
(a.k.a. Rae Lundquist)

Contact me at masquerade--2006 mail addresses disabled
612-722-8868 (but not before 10am; there is NO intelligent life at my place before 10am – calling after 5pm and before 11pm is quite ok.)

P.S. If you are still missing music/sound effects tapes, CDs or DVDs from MarsCon 2005 Masquerade please call me. I have several left over and want to get them back to their owners.

Back to the MarsCon 2006 Masquerade page.

MarsCon 2006
March 3-5, 2006
Holiday Inn Select, Bloomington, MN

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