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Masquerade FAQ
- How long does it take for the Masquerade to fill up?
- Why do you require summaries for skits to register? Are you pre-judging or censoring the Masquerade? What should be in my summary?
- What if my character's shoes, or another part of the costume, are never shown?
- Why can't I enter the same costume I entered last year, or enter my costume in both the Masquerade and the Hall Costume Contest?
- Why do you insist on prerecorded sound?
- Who are the judges? What are their qualifications?
- Is it better to have craftsmanship judging on Friday or Saturday?
- I am on staff. May I compete in the Masquerade or Hall Cosplay Contest?
- I have some other questions that are not answered here.
For questions about sound and music, see the separate Masquerade Sound and Music FAQ.
- How long does it take for the Masquerade to fill up?
A: It's nearly impossible to predict how long it will take the masquerade to fill up. Last year it took less than two months. Remember, if you do not get a space in the Masquerade, you can register for the Hall Costume Contest.
- Why do you require summaries for skits to register? Are you pre-judging or censoring the Masquerade? What should be in my summary?
A: We want to make sure that the skits in the Masquerade are of good quality and well-planned out, so we prefer groups to start working on them early. We require that you submit a brief summary of your skit in order to prove that you have started working on it, and are not simply registering now to snatch up a space and will not start working on your skit until the week before the convention.
- What if my character's shoes, or another part of the costume, are never shown?
A: If some part of your costume is not shown, then you should look at the other costumes in the show and come up with an idea of what you think the artist might have done if they had drawn the missing part. What is important is that it fit with the costume and the art style
- Why can't I enter the same costume I entered last year, or enter my costume in both the Masquerade and the Hall Costume Contest?
A: A majority of Anime Boston attendees cosplay each year. There are only fifty spaces in the Masquerade and thirty-five in the Hall Costume Contest, so every year many people who want to participate don't get to. To be fair, we can't give one person more than one space, and we can't give a space to a costume which was also entered last year, since many costumes which have never had a chance to be judged. Remember that there is always the Staff-Vote Contest in which ANY costume seen in the halls is automatically eligible, no matter whether it participated in the Masquerade last year or this year, so you can still win prizes for your old costumes.
- Why do you insist on prerecorded sound?
A: This is a requirement that is based on the logistics of our Main Events venue. The Anime Boston Main Events space is a HUGE CONCRETE HALL that seats over 4000 people. Miking the stage is difficult, expensive and unreliable. With so many different participants and levels of volume, it is impossible to set up microphones capable of reliably catching the sound from all types of skits. The requirement of prerecorded sound ensures that your dialogue will be audible, and will come out the way you want it to sound.
- Who are the judges? What are their qualifications?
A: The craftsmanship judges are experienced, award-winning cosplayers. The performance judges are a mixture of experienced cosplayers, staff, and even celebrity guests.
- Is it better to have craftsmanship judging on Friday or Saturday?
A: By default, craftsmanship judging occurs on Friday. Exceptions may be made for costumes that are difficult to get into, or that involve elements such as body paint. It is best to check in and get your badges and Registration packet as soon as you can on Friday, even if you do not have judging until later that day. The earlier you check in, the more time the Staff has to verify your sound and get your skit set in the script. On Friday, we have more judging hours available, and the judging is less rushed. In addition, if there is some problem with your judging time on Friday, it is possible for you to come back on Saturday, but if you wait until Saturday and there is a problem then you may be out of luck.
- I am on staff. May I compete in the Masquerade or Hall Cosplay Contest?
No. Anime Boston staff members are not permitted to compete or hold a spot in the Anime Boston Masquerade or Hall Cosplay Contest. IF we find ourselves in need of groups to fill spots closer to the convention, you may considered for an "exhibition" performance and would not be eligible for prizes.
However, staff members may be considered for Anime Dating Game or Cosplay Human Chess.
- I have some other questions that are not answered here.
E-mail the Cosplay Events Manager.
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