Masquerade Rules (downloadable version - MS Word file)
Call for costumes and props.
Hi, your friendly neighborhood masquerade director here,
Just a couple (ok, a lot) of words regarding MarsCon and its Masquerade. There are a few changes from last year anyone who is interested in entering must be aware of.
The categories for contestants used to be young fan, novice, journeyman, and master classes. (These were based on Costumer Guild criteria). This year, we will eliminate the journeyman division, leaving just young fan (12 years old and younger), beginner and experienced. It's hoped that this will streamline the judging process, and eliminate the confusion that the grey area of journeyman had caused.
If you have never entered a costume contest before, or are just getting involved, you will probably be a beginner. But if you've been doing this for awhile, and if you've entered and/or won contests here or elsewhere, (and especially if you are a (semi) professional costumer!) you are experienced. If you have any questions, just check with the masquerade staff during your masquerade contest registration.
Speaking of registration, you can find the registration desk in the Masquerade Lounge. This year we will be located on 3rd floor, in room #306. That is where the many masquerade-related panels/demos will be held, as last year. Registration will be opened at 4pm Friday until 2am. Then again opening at 10am saturday until 3pm . (AGAIN, this is a change from 4pm last year). Everyone who appears on stage or backstage or off-stage (as a helper or costume creator) must register, and sign a liability and photo release form.
If you want to have background music, or voice over, you must record it to a CD. That CD must not be the original (you might not get it back), and it must have only your music/voice on it, so we can't possibly miss-cue. And label it, so there isn't a mix-up. This needs to be attached to your registration, so it can be given to the MainStage lights/sound people as soon as possible.
As a thank-you to all who participate in the Masquerade, you will be given a free photograph of your costume/group. When you register, you will be given a voucher for your free photo. You can take it to the 'official' photography studio set up on 4th floor, and have your picture taken there, preferably after your walk-through and workmanship judging on Saturday (between 5:30pm and 7:30pm, or after the masquerade).
We hope to have the MarsCon photo backdrop available for all con-goers again this year. It will be set up on the 2nd floor near the pool mezzanine near the entrance to the parking ramp. Your con photos will have a decorated background that will add a little pizzaz!
What about the Hall Costume Contest? Most conventions will insist that a costume worn for a hall costume contest can not be entered for the masquerade (and vice versa). Here at MarsCon, we do things a little bit different. If you are caught wearing a really great costume in the hall, a hall costume judge will give you an award button right then and there, which you can show off proudly. You will also be encouraged to enter the Masquerade - if you already haven't decided to. And, yes, you can enter that same costume. Or you can be really secretive and dazzle us with yet another new costume. We want to encourage as many people as possible to enter.
Can you enter more than one costume? Not by yourself, it would be just too hard to display one costume, dash backstage and into a 2nd. However, if you have constructed several costumes for yourself, and friends you can enter them together as a group presentation. No, you can't enter more than one presentation. (Otherwise, one person could conceivably dominate an entire contest).
We have many Masquerade-related panels again this year.
Friday at 9pm will be the Judging 101 (where you can quiz judges and masquerade directors about how judges go about deciding stuff). Following that at 10pm will be the Masquerade 101 panel, where you can pick up tips and hints on how to enter a costume contest.
Saturday programming continues with a combined wig/make-up/costume demo with Bill Hendrick and Elizabeth Sloan (and yours truly) where we will join forces to create Queen Elizabeth I in all her aged glory! This goes from 11am until 1:30pm. Following this at 2pm will be Patrick Fischer who will describe how he created his gargoyle mask. Then try your hand at 3pm at making your own mask with materials provided in the Masquerade Lounge (a small donation will be asked to cover cost of materials).
Masquerade registration will close at 3pm, so the staff can organize the info. The Lounge itself will close at 5pm, so masquerade personnel can get to the MainStage for walk-through/rehearsals with the contestants from 5:30-7:30pm.
At 7:30pm, the doors to the Main Stage will open for early seating, while the contestants will assemble in the Green Room (same small room just off the Main Stage as last year).
And, tah-dah, the Masquerade goes on at 8pm! During the half-time show, we have a new treat for you, the Parapara Dancers from the U of MN. (You may have seen them at last year's Anime Detour.) We hope to streamline the judging process to reduce the wait time between judging and presentation of awards.
After the Masquerade, contestants will remain outside the MainStage in the 2nd floor lobby area for photographs. The Masquerade Lounge will reopen at 10:30pm, and will remain open until 2am Sunday morning.
Sunday has even more events! The Lounge opens again at 10am, and the Dolphie (costumed doll) display and contest starts at 11am, with the winners announced at 1:30pm.
At 2pm, the first meeting of the newly organizing Costumer's Guild will be held in the Masquerade Lounge. All con-goers are welcome, as is the public. (So if you know someone who might be interested, please invite them to the meeting.) No one will need a con badge to attend this meeting.
The Masquerade Lounge will closes (reluctantly) at 3pm, to give masquerade volunteers a chance to attend the closing ceremonies at 4pm, and start clean-up.
Of course, all conventions need volunteers, and WE NEED YOU! Volunteering in advance is very much appreciated, and you can certainly attend any of the upcoming meetings (located at the Holiday Inn Select, Sundays at 1pm, Feb. 4th and 18th). Or just come on up to the Masquerade Lounge (Room #306). You will receive lots of appreciation, hugs, Coke and chocolate (always in supply in the Lounge – it's what keeps the Masquerade Diva (director) sane!) We need volunteers to help register costume contestants, organize and assist in the green room or backstage, or help with panels, demos, and displays. (and, of course, set-up and clean-up).
Of course you have questions! Just e-mail me (the Masquerade Diva/Director) at masquerade22b@marscon.org, or call me 612-722-8868 (just not before 10am, there is NO intelligent life around here before then. But calling until 10pm is ok.) Looking forward to seeing you and all your wonderful costumes!
--Rae Lundquist / The DreamStitcher / MarsCon Masquerade Director
Judging Guidelines
Call for costumes and props
MarsCon 2007
March 2-4, 2007
Holiday Inn Select
Bloomington, MN
If you're looking for the Marscon held in Williamsburg, Virginia click here.
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