Rules:

1. Keep skits and costumes to a PG or PG-13 level. There will be young children present. This means no explicit sexual gestures, nudity, or explicit swearing.
2. NO live steel or firearms. If you are unsure about a weapon or prop, bring it to the Cosplay Desk for determination.
3. Anything you bring onstage with you MUST come off with you. No toilet paper, tissues, rice, water, etc. Fireworks, pyrotechnics, or any fire in general is NOT allowed.
4. Each participant may appear only ONCE on stage. You cannot be a prop in multiple skits.
5. You may not have more than TEN people on stage at the same time in your presentation. You may have more than that in your group, but if either the Stage Manager or the Masquerade Director observes a number that deems to be unsafe, your presentation will be cancelled. Your safety is more important.
6. Stage acrobatics: Because the stage is portable, it cannot take heavy abuse. Full blown stage acrobatics or martial arts are not allowed. We will allow slower, choreographed, dance-like movements. Be sure to indicate such presentations when you register. Again, your safety is paramount to any “cool” thing you may be able to do.
7. No microphones will be provided. All dialogue MUST be prerecorded. All entries must attend rehearsal on Saturday. You will have an opportunity to rehearse on stage. You will be given an appointed time to attend. Label all media so it can be returned to you afterwards.
8. Time Limits: 1-2 People: 90 seconds; 3-5 People: 2 Minutes; 6+ People: 3 Minutes
9. NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY IS PERMITTED.
10. All costumes must originate from Asian culture, which includes anime, manga, video games and J-rock/J-Pop. Costumes from Asian online role-playing games (aka MMORPG) may be entered, but you must have printed references for your costume. Although we love to see fellow fans wearing traditional Asian clothing, generic "outfits" cannot be allowed to compete. Costumes must be a copy of a character's design. However, original or fanfic characters are not permitted.
11. You may not wear a costume on stage that was entered in our Hall Costume Contest.
12. Only one person in a group needs to fill out the registration form, but we need the names of ALL members, plus a liability waiver from each person.
13. Be on time -- your act will be dropped if you miss lineup.
14. All members of a pre-registered entry must check in at the Cosplay Desk during stated check-in times (preferably on Friday) to confirm your entry and any appointments, and to receive your backstage pass. Should you need to cancel your entry, please inform the Masquerade Director as soon as possible.
15. Keep in mind that the Masquerade is a costume competition, not a talent show. Do your best and have fun!

Violating the Masquerade or Convention rules will disqualify you.

We have the right to cancel your presentation at any time for any reason.

Guidelines:

Listen up, boys and girls! This is stuff you will need to know too!

Additional Presentation Notes: DO tell us in advance of anything “unique” you have planned in your presentation. We will do our best to accommodate your requests, but keep in mind that we are not on Broadway and are limited in the special effects department. *wink* Don’t worry, we won’t leak it!

Background audio: This means any background music or prerecorded dialogue. The only media we can accept is CD format. No cassette tapes. Label your CD with your Leader’s name so that it may be returned to you after the masquerade. Even though our tech crew will take great care of your CD, we recommend that you copy whatever music you may use on a recordable CD to prevent that rare import CD from being damaged, lost or stolen and to avoid any confusion as to which track you want played.

Prerecorded Dialogue: Our audio engineer recommends Audacity to do your recording and mixing. There are tutorials for using this program in their help section. If you are unable to prerecord your skit at home, we are providing an on-site “studio” so you may do so during the convention. However, this will be available on a limited basis, so please try to do this before the convention. Also, please supply your own blank CD.
Location: It's a secret!
Times: We will have sessions on both Friday and Saturday, during the Cosplay Desk hours

Stage Information:
Dimensions: 32' long x 24' deep
The stage will be one level, about 4 feet high.

“Walk-ons” are certainly allowed, but do use the time to fully show off your costume. Walk slowly on the stage so everyone can get a good look at you! Remember, you will have up to a minute and a half, so do something in character! Make it fun!

All entrants who are under the age of 13 will go on stage first.

Awards Note: There are no divisions for Presentation. Awards will be given as First Place, Second Place and Third Place. We will have a Best In Show award, but to qualify, the entry must show excellence in both presentation and craftsmanship. Our aim is not to award the best actor, but to recognize excellence in the creativity that is displayed in this particular expression of fandom.