Cosplay/Costume Contest
General Entry Guidelines
- A costume that has won a major award may be entered under the following conditions:
- At the discretion of the directors (if the audience, competitors, and judges are significantly different);
- The costume is entered as an exhibition piece;
- OR, the competitor is willing to enter in a more experienced skill division.
- Purchased or commissioned costumed are ONLY allowed as exhibition pieces, and are NOT eligible for any awards.
- You must have constructed or altered at least 50% of the costume.
- While we are an anime convention and put a strong emphasis on anime costumes, manga, Japanese video games, etc. However, costumes from sci-fi, movies, American comics, Korean sources, original designs, etc. are also allowed for entry.
- The cosplay directors reserve the right to refuse entry to any entrant for any reasons.
Regulations, Rules, and Guidelines
Read these rules and regulations carefully, please!
- This is a family friendly convention.
- Costumes must maintain a PG-13 rating. No excessive violence, sexual content, exposed bodies, etc. This pertains to both skits and costumes.
- All awards are presented at the judges’ discretion. That being said, in order to be eligible for an award, you must have made at least 50% of your costume. If you are the maker of a costume, but have a “model” wearing it, you are also eligible for an award, but you MUST be present at pre-judging.
- You may still enter the contest if you did not make your costume, but as a walk-on or skit only. You will not be eligible for any craftsmanship awards.
- Please be sure to bring at least one color reference picture with you. While the judges are highly skilled, it is unfair to ask them to know what every anime or sci-fi character is. Bringing a reference picture will ensure that they can accurately judge you. If you are entering with an original character, a drawing is fine. Reference images cannot be guaranteed to be returned, so please make sure it is not on anything you will miss.
- Costume judging is NOT open to the public. Only participants, handlers, and parents of those in the YOUTH category will be allowed inside.
- Children aged 12 and under will be judged separately in a YOUTH category. Parents are required to accompany those in this category.
- You MUST attend the cosplay pre-meeting or you will be cut from the show.
- You must turn in both your reference picture and your completed entry form no later than Saturday, before pre-judging.
- Nothing is to be left on the stage. You may also not dirty the stage. If it goes on with you, it comes off with you. You may also not throw anything into the audience or at the judges. Examples include: props, glitter, confetti, water, petals, etc.
- For safety concerns, any battle or fight scenes must be done at ¾ speeds, and one leg must remain on the stage at all times.
- Costumes should be self-contained. (aka not plugged into a wall) If your costume has any excessive or flashing lights, you must inform us by making a note of it on the sign-up sheet so that the appropriate warning can be issued to the audience in case of any medical issues that may be caused by the flashing lights.
- Skits will have 3 minutes (after setup) and walk-ons will have 30 seconds.
- Groups are allowed, but only 4 people are allowed on the stage at one time.
- If you are a group, only use ONE group registration form and use the back if necessary.
- Competing in multiple groups is not allowed.
- Skits will also be subject to an in-person pre-screening. You do not have to be in costume, but a time will made available to you to meet with the cosplay directors, where you will act out and talk about your skit. Any changes will be made at this time, and all say is final.
- All audio must be turned into staff at sign up. Only audio formatted CDs will be accepted (MP3, wav, etc.) No data discs or flash drives are allowed.
- If any contestant becomes unruly or disruptive during judging or the contest, you will be asked to leave and disqualified.
- Professional costumes are not allowed to enter. A professional costumer is anyone who makes a significant portion of their income from costume design, construction, or sales.
Available Categories:
Youth
Novice
Intermediate
Advanced
Cosplay Entry Types and Skill Level Guidelines:
Entry Types:
Skits – Contestants perform on stage. Performance can be a skit, music, dancing, martial arts, etc. Skits are restricted to three (3) minutes on the stage.
Walk-ons – Contestants walk onto the stage and do several different poses for at least 30 seconds to show off their costume.
Skill Levels:
Minor Awards may be counted towards skill placement at the discretion of the judges and staff.
Junior/Youth:
-Contestants 12 years and younger are eligible to enter this category.
- A child wearing a costume designed and built entirely by an adult should be entered in either the appropriate skill division for the adult or as an exhibition piece.
Novice: Novices are any contestants who have won two or fewer awards in Novice divisions.
DO NOT enter the Novice division if:
-You are a professional costumer.
-You have won an award in Journeyman/Masters/Advanced at BayouCon or any other convention.
-You have won Best in Show, Best Novice, or Best Youth at any convention.
-You have won more than three awards in the Novice or Youth divisions at any convention.
ENTER IF:
-If you have won three or more awards in the Youth category, or at least three “minor” awards (Judge’s awards).
-If you are above 12.
-You have won less than three major awards in the Novice category.
Advanced: Advanced competitors are any costumers who have won three or more major awards in any competition.
DO NOT enter the Advanced division if:
-You are a professional costumer.
ENTER IF:
-You are allowed to enter if you are a “Master” in this category. A “master” is anyone who has won more than three awards in Journeyman/Advanced categories or a Best in Show or Best Journeyman at any convention.
-Both Masters and Journeyman will compete together in the Advanced category. You belong in this category if, again, you have won more three major awards (Best in class/best in show) at any convention.
Exhibition-Only: Any competitor can enter in the Exhibition Only category. If you simply want to show off your costume, then this division is for you!
-These entries are not eligible for any awards given EXCEPT performance and Judges’ Awards.
-We welcome Professional Cosplayers to display their skills or those who have not made their costumes who still want to be on the stage to enter this category.
-Exhibition Only entrants must still abide by all rules set forth by BayouCon Masquerade.