If you have any questions, please ask. Whether this is your first masquerade or your fiftieth, it is always possible we are doing something different from what you might expect. It is your responsibility to read the rules and make sure you understand them. It is also your responsibility ask questions if you are confused. We are here to help you. Please contact the Masquerade Coordinator with your questions and/or comments.

Please be advised that members of Anime Boston staff will NOT be permitted to compete or hold a spot in the Anime Boston Masquerade or Hall Cosplay Contest.

Table of Contents:

1. Registering: Pre-Con Expectations
2. Checking in: At-Con expectations
3. Rules
4. Divisions
5. Awards
6. Craftsmanship Judging
7. Music and Sound
8. Announcements by the Emcee
9. Exhibition presentations
10. Damages
11. Weapons Policy
12. Special Requests

1. REGISTERING (PRE-CON EXPECTATIONS FOR MASQUERADE PARTICIPANTS)
   • You must pre-register for the Masquerade online. Online registration begins on December 15, 2007 and closes on February 1, 2008 (or when all spaces have been filled, or maximum backstage capacity of 150 people has been reached.) A list of registered groups will be posted by February 15th. We will initially have 15 spaces available for walk-ons, and 35 for skits.
   • We will "waitlist" a total of 15 groups in case cancellations occur. Any slots that open up due to cancellations before the convention will be given to waiting list groups in order. Cancellations are not uncommon, so the first ten groups on the waiting list have a very high chance of being in the show, and the next five still have a reasonable chance. If you are in the first ten spaces on the waiting list, you are required to come to masquerade check-in and judging, to see if there is space for you.
   • Groups who are performing skits are required to submit a short summary of their skits WHEN THEY SEND IN THEIR REGISTRATION FORMS. These summaries may be very brief, only one or two sentences, These are required to prove that you have started working on your skit and are not simply signing up to take the space.
   • Registration Confirmations are typically sent out by midnight of the day in which they are received. If you fail to hear back from us within 24 hours of submitting your application, please email us.
   • There will be NO AT CON REGISTRATION. No exceptions. Please do not ask.
   • The Cosplay Events Manager will be e-mailing the primary contact for your group on a regular basis with important updates. You must keep your contact information updated. If your e-mail is bouncing and/or your phone number no longer works, we will be forced to remove you from the Masquerade or the Waiting List. You can update your contact information by simply sending us an email alerting us of any changes.
   • The deadline for changes to group lineups and skits will be MARCH 1st at MIDNIGHT. Any changes submitted after this time may result in your group being dropped form the lineup. Cancellations will be taken up to the start of the convention, and the remaining spaces will be filled by wait-listed groups.
   • All contestants must be attending members of Anime Boston 2008 and will need to provide a badge at both check-in and at the Masquerade itself. Group leaders who are submitting Masquerade registrations should be pre-registered for Anime Boston 2008.
   • By registering, all Masquerade participants agree to let Anime Boston use their images for promotional purposes, both photographs and video. All participants will be required to sign a waiver at their at-con check-in acknowledging this. If you do not sign a waiver, you will not be allowed to appear in the Masquerade.
   • Minors (those under 18 years of age) may not participate in the Masquerade unless given written permission by a legal guardian. Forms will be available both at the convention and online prior to the event. Please bring the signed copy with you to registration check-in if you are less than 18 years of age.

2. CHECKING IN (AT-CON EXPECTATIONS FOR MASQUERADE PARTICIPANTS)
   • You must check in to confirm your registration at Masquerade Headquarters, located in room 201 of the Hynes, anytime during operating hours on Friday, March 21, 2008. The hours of the Masquerade Check-in will be posted closer to the convention. Please be sure to check in even if you are on the Waiting List in case some Registered Groups are unable to attend and spaces open up.
   • Craftsmanship judging will occur on Friday, March 21st between the hours of 10am and 6pm (exact times will be posted closer to the dates of the convention.) Participants will be given the option of a morning or afternoon slot when they register. We will reserve a few spaces for Saturday judging for those groups with special circumstances (difficult or elaborate costumes, travel difficulties, panels, etc.) If you require a Saturday judging time, please indicate this on your application, or contact the Cosplay Events Manager.
   • Please be advised that you will need to be able to remain through the entire masquerade. The masquerade often goes very late, and individuals will have the option if leaving for bathroom breaks and the like. If your group checks in but drops out before the actual performance, your name will be recorded and you will not be welcome to participate in the Masquerade at next year’s Anime Boston. In the case of exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies, very young children or personal issues, please contact the Cosplay Events Manager.
   • Everyone must be checked in and have their music/audio submitted by noon on Saturday March 22nd or you will not be allowed to participate.
   • There will be a mandatory walk-through meeting for all masquerade participants on Saturday March 22nd. This will likely occur around 5pm. PLEASE EAT BEFOREHAND since you will be seated backstage as the walkthrough progresses to that you are in order for performance. You must be stage-ready (in your costume) for the meeting. All contestants will need to be there for Roll Call and the Masquerade Orientation. Any participant who does not attend the preparatory meeting may not participate in the Masquerade.
   • The Masquerade will be held on Saturday March 22nd, in Main Events. An exact start time will be posted closer to the convention.

3. MASQUERADE RULES
   • Anime Boston is a Japanese Animation convention, so all costumes must be based on Anime, Manga, Japanese-origin video games, OR live action productions based on Anime or Manga (such as Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, NANA or Cutey Honey.) Generally, if the series and/or character originated anywhere else than Japan, it doesn't qualify. (Obviously, Japanese adaptations of foreign material are permitted-- such as Rose of Versailles, Gankutsuou, or RomeoXJuliet.) If you have doubt as to whether your skit of costume qualifies, please email the Cosplay Events Manager. A few exceptions do apply:
     Exception 1: Your skit is based on a Japanese series that includes western characters but focuses on the Japanese ones. For example, a Kingdom Hearts skit featuring Sora, Riku, and Kairi wanted to have Donald and Goofy as well, that would probably be approved. A skit featuring Donald and Goofy only would not.
     Exception 2: If your skit consists mostly of Japanese material but you want a brief supporting gag including a non-Japanese character or original character. A full script may be requested in advance.
   • NO J-ROCK, J-POP. (We do not count J-Rock/J-Pop/Drama doujinshi as manga.) We do allow J-pop and J-rock costumes to compete in the Hall Costume Contest.
   • We do allow the use of American (and other non-Japanese) music in your skit. You may use the latest popular American movies, commercials, TV shows, etc., as an influence, but we request that you act as your character would in that situation. If you aren't sure if your skit plans are appropriate, please ask.
   • We do allow costumes based on promotional art for anime and manga, even if the costumes do not appear in the actual series. In these cases you must notify us ahead of time that you will be using promotional art as the basis of your costume and be certain to bring the promotional image with you to judging as a reference picture.
   • You may not wear a costume at the Anime Boston 2008 Masquerade that was worn for any previous competition at Anime Boston. (This pertains to the Masquerade and Hall Costume Contests. Costumes that received ribbons in the Staff-Vote costume contest are still eligible.) For example, there is no limit on how many Ed Elric cosplayers we can have in a given Masquerade. Nor does it mean that someone can't dress up as Ed Elric every single year. All it means is that if you want to dress up as Ed Elric every year AND enter the Masquerade/Hall Costume Contest, you will need to have a new and different costume and a new skit each year (and it can't look exactly like the costume you used in a previous year. Make a different version of the character’s costume or something.)
   • You may not perform a skit at Anime Boston 2008 that was performed at any earlier Anime Boston.
   • You may not enter both the Hall Costume Contest AND the Masquerade. If we (for some unknown reason) have trouble filling up all of the available spaces for the Hall Costume contest, we may allow individuals in the Masquerade to take those spots, providing they enter with a different costume.
   • Judges for the Hall Costume Contest and Masquerade may not compete in either competition.
   • Anime Boston Staff may not compete in the Hall Costume Contest or Masquerade. If Staff would like to submit an idea for an EXHIBITION ONLY skit, they must first check with their Department Managers before communicating with the Cosplay Events Manager. MASQUERADE STAFF MAY NOT COMPETE IN EXHIBITION. (We need to backstage to help run the show.)
   • YOUR COSTUME MUST BE HOME MADE. Costumes purchased or rented or any costumes made for you by a professional designer or seamstress, are prohibited. Ignoring this rule result in disqualification of your group even if only one person in the group has an ineligible costume. Please tell us if one person in your group made all the costumes. That person (as long as they are a member of your group and not a professional seamstress or tailor) is still eligible for a Crafstmanship Award. Even if they happen to be a friend or relative who is NOT participating in the Masquerade, they are required to be at Craftsmanship judging in order to answer questions. There are exceptions to the "purchased or rented" policy:
     Exception 1: "Found Item" costumes are allowed. This is basically a costume that was built by collecting various pieces from normal clothing stores and combining them or altering them in a unique way, with or without sewing.
     Exception 2: If one or two minor components of the costume were professionally purchased. In such a case you MUST indicate all such items ahead of time, and these items will not be considered by the judges when they evaluate the costume for craftsmanship eligibility.
     Exception 3: For groups who are interested in presentation awards only (and do not intend to undergo Craftsmanship judging) the Cosplay Events Manager may be more lenient about the proportion of store-bought items in your costume. You are still required to have some homemade items in your costume.
   • Each contestant may present (wear) one and ONLY one costume, or a group of people may wear one costume at the same time (i.e., a large costume that requires several people inside to move it). Multiple entries worn by the same person, or one entry worn by multiple people at different times, will not be allowed. No exceptions. You may, if you wish, begin your skit wearing a concealing cloak or coat, and then remove it to reveal another costume underneath. (Please be advised that no strip-tease oriented skits will be permitted.)
   • We require prerecorded music and/or dialogue for both skit presentations and walk-on presentations. YOUR GROUP WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON STAGE IF YOU FAIL TO BRING PRERECORDED SOUND.
   • The maximum permitted length of a skit is 2 minutes. If the skit goes beyond the 2-minute mark, the judges will take note, and the group will be disqualified from receiving Presentation Awards. If the skit goes significantly overtime, the group will be removed from the stage.
   • The maximum number of members allowed in one group is 8 people. This is for safety reasons. If more than the approved number of contestants appears on stage, the group will be disqualified from receiving Presentation Awards. (Stage hands or assistants who do not come onto the stage may be exceptions to this rule.)
   • We will, as always, allow parents to be backstage with those participants aged 14 & under. This is not required, just recommended.
   • Please don't wear or use any messy substances that might ruin the costume of another contestant. If you are wearing body paint or make-up, please make sure it will not come off in casual contact with others.
   • Do not leave anything on the stage that cannot be picked up and removed in a few seconds - this includes glitter, confetti and rose petals.
   • No throwing things from the stage (for example, T-shirts or Beach Balls.) This is a safety precaution.
   • Costumes must be self-contained. Connections to electrical sockets will not be available.
   • Nothing the Anime Boston staff feels that may pose a danger to people or the stage area will be allowed.
   • Please review Anime Boston's Weapons Policy. All props used in the Masquerade MUST COMPLY with the Anime Boston 2008 Weapons policy.
   • No fire, flash powder, lasers, explosives or open flame of any kind will be allowed. Electronic flashes will be permitted provided that you notify the us in advance, and it must be announced in your MC introduction to protect those who may be affected by the flashing lights. Strobe lights are not permitted.
   • Nothing is allowed that would be banned in a "PG-13"-rated film. Actions, dress, or mannerisms that would not be allowed in public must be avoided. (ie: explicit sexual gestures, nudity, and explicit swearing.) iolating these rules will disqualify you and possibly result in your being escorted off the premises.
   • We do not allow jumping off the stage, nor do we allow entering or exiting the stage from any area that has not been approved by the Cosplay Events Manager. Jumping off the stage will result in instant disqualification. Please use the designated exits. All presentations must be confined to the stage area. The aisles and other audience areas are not to be used for any part of the presentation.
   • Please show respect to your fellow cosplayers backstage and during judging. Any heckling or threatening of other participants will NOT be tolerated, and may result in your dismissal from the Masquerade, as well as affecting your ability to participate in furure Anime Boston Masquerades.
   • Feel free to surprise the audience, but not the Staff. If you are planning something "unique", you must let the Cosplay Events Manager know in advance.
   • We have the right to cancel your performance at any time for any reason.

4. DIVISIONS The division system HAS CHANGED from previous years. All entries will register under ONE of the following skill Divisions:

   Novice: Your group may compete in the Novice division as long as:

   • No member of the group has won more than one minor award at Novice level at previous conventions
   • No member of the group has won ANY major award.
   • No member of the group has won any award above Novice level (Journeyman, Advanced/Craftsman or the equivalent).

   Journeyman: Your group may compete in the Journeyman division if:

   • No member of the group has won more than one major award at Journeyman level at previous conventions.
   • No member of the group has won any award above Journeyman level (Advanced/Craftsman/Master or the equivalent).

   Craftsman (previously called "Advanced." Also referred to as "Masters" in some contests.): Your group will be required to compete in the Craftsman division if:

   • If any of the group members have won more than one major award at Journeyman level at previous conventions.
   • If any member of the group has won any award above Journeyman level (Advanced/Craftsman/Master or the equivalent.)
   • If any member of the group is a professional tailor/commissioner

   Youth: Your group may compete in the Youth division if all group members are age 14 or younger.

   You may always choose to compete at a higher level than that for which you qualify. For instance, if you think the quality of your skit or costume is above the usual standards of Novice level, due to extra preparation, a more ambitious project, extensive stage experience, or for some other reason, then you are encouraged, though not required, to participate at the Journeyman or Craftsman level.

   If you have opted to register and compete in a higher skill division (Journeyman, Craftsman etc.) in the past, and won ANY AWARD in that division, you are obligated to compete in the same Division (or higher) thereafter. Knowingly entering Novice division when you ought to be in Journeyman or Craftsman is grounds for disqualification.

5. AWARDS LIST
   • Presentation Awards:
     
     • First Place, Novice division, Presentation
     • Runner Up, Novice division, Presentation
     • First Place, Journeyman Division, Presentation
     • Runner Up, Journeyman Division, Presentation
     • First Place, Craftsman Division, Presentation
     • Runner Up, Craftsman Division, Presentation
     • Best Script and Acting
     • Best Choreography

   • Craftsmanship Awards:
     
     • First Place, Novice division, Craftsmanship
     • Runner Up, Novice division, Craftsmanship
     • First Place, Journeyman Division, Craftsmanship
     • Runner Up, Journeyman Division, Craftsmanship
     • First Place, Craftsman Division, Craftsmanship
     • Runner Up, Craftsman Division, Craftsmanship
     • Best Costume Design
     • Best Accessory

   • Youth Awards:
     Any presentation or walk-on group or individual whose members are all fourteen years of age or younger are eligible for Youth awards.
     • First Place, Youth
     • Runner-up, Youth

   • Discretionary Awards:
     These awards are given for any and all exceptional entries whose merits are not covered by the basic awards. These awards are granted by the members of the Judges’ panel and by the Event Manager and Emcee
     • Judge's Awards: Six awarded. Three for presentation and three for craftsmanship.
     • Emcee's Award - one awarded
     • Contest Manager's Award - one awarded
     • Honorable Mentions (at Judges’ Discretion)

   • Best in Show
     These awards are given for any and all exceptional entries whose merits are not covered by the basic awards. These awards are granted by the members of the Judges’ panel and by the Event Manager and Emcee
     • One award. This is the second year Anime Boston has given out a Best in Show award. In order to qualify for Best in Show, the entry must participate in both Craftsmanship and Presentation judging. The winning entry may be from any division (Youth, Novice, Journeyman or Craftsman.)

   • Each entry may receive a maximum of one award in each Division - one for Craftsmanship and one for Performance. No single entry may receive MORE than two awards

   • IMPORTANT INFO ON CRAFTSMANSHIP JUDGING:
     • All Craftsmanship Judging occurs prior to the Masquerade itself. In order to participate in the Craftsmanship Award category, you must make an appointment to be judged by expressing so on your registration application. You will be assigned a time slot by the Cosplay Events Manager, and will be notified of this time slot by February 15th. Craftsmanship judging will be held in Masquerade Headquarters (room 201 of the Hynes.)
     • Craftsmanship judging will occur on Friday, March 21st 2008. The only exceptions (who will be judged on Saturday March 22nd) are those who need to apply heavy makeup or body paint, or those groups with traveling or scheduling difficulties. If you need to be judged on Saturday, it must be prearranged with the Cosplay Events Manager before February 15th 2008. If you miss Friday craftsmanship judging and have not arranged ahead of time for Saturday judging, we cannot promise that we will have time to judge you.
     • All Craftsmanship judging participants must also be approved entries for the Masquerade and must participate in the performance on Saturday March 22nd 2008. (If you want to be judged for craftsmanship prizes but do not want to go on stage, we suggest registering for the Hall Costume Contest.)
     • All Craftsmanship judging participants must bring at least one color picture, preferably two, of each character. A black and white image is acceptable if you have designed a manga-based costume for which no color image is available. We recommend that the images you choose be full length (including shoes), and show both, back and front, This is not required if such an image cannot be found. You should bring an actual image from the anime or manga - a screen cap, a manga page or a piece of promotional art. Failure to bring a reference picture may disqualify you from craftsmanship judging, since if the judges don’t know what your costume is supposed to look like, they cannot judge it.
     • One of the major craftsmanship judging criteria is how closely the costume matches the original. If some portion of your costume is never shown, such as the back or the shoes, then you should design the missing components as best you can.
     • "Embellishments" such as beadwork and embroidery are permitted so long as they remain consistent with the style of the original artist, and so long as the costume as a whole matches the reference pictures.
     • Please note that an entire group does not have to participate in the Craftsmanship judging. If any individuals from a group choose to be judged as individuals, and not at all as a group, that's fine. If members of your group intend to request separate judging, you must notify the Cosplay Events Manager ahead of time and arrange for separate judging.
     • If one person in your group made all of the costumes for that group, solely that person is eligible for Craftsmanship Awards.
     • Every contestant needs to be prepared to answer the judges' questions about his/her role in the construction of his/her costume. Some sample questions that the judges may ask can be found HERE. (ß link to Sample Craftsmanship questions page.)

   • MUSIC AND SOUND GUIDELINES:
     • We require pre-recorded sound for all presentations, including walk-ons. No exceptions. Please record it ahead of time. No recording or mixing equipment will be provided at the convention. PRESENTATION GROUPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON STAGE IF YOU DO BRING PRERECORDED SOUND - NO EXCEPTIONS
     • There will be no microphones on the stage. Please don’t ask for them.
     • IT IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED that you prepare your sound ahead of time and submit a digital sound file or MP3 by e-mail, or via a file sharing site such as SendSpace or MegaUpload. These files should be sent directly to the Cosplay Events Manager. The earlier you send in your sound the better, and sending it in ahead of time will allow us to pre-screen it and notify you of any problems.
     • Please read the Music Submission FAQ for further details on the types of files and media that we can accept. We will not accept audio tapes.
     • We do our best to return CDs but cannot guarantee it; we recommend that you bring your music on a home-recorded CD which you don’t mind losing, rather than a professional copy, since there is a risk that any disk you bring will be lost. Any media left in our possession will be available to be picked up at Masquerade Headquarters on Sunday.
     • Your sound must be all on ONE TRACK. Any skit soundtrack that is divided into multiple tracks cannot be used. If you need silence at the beginning of your sound, you must record it into the track. Conversely, if you think something is going to get a laugh, leave a pause after the line before continuing.
     • Your dialogue and/or music "file" must be 2 minutes exactly, or under. Please note there are no exceptions to the 2 minute rule. If your music and/or prerecorded routine is longer than 2 minutes, we will trim to 2 minutes. If the sound runs longer than your presentation, we will fade it out as you walk off the set. If you do not want your sound to end with a fade-out (if you want a cut off) you must make the recording such that it cuts off at the point you want.
     • Everyone must have their music/audio confirmed by 12:00pm Saturday March 22nd 2008 so that we can check and verify the final playlist.

   • WHEN YOUR GROUP IS ANNOUNCED BY THE EMCEE:
     • Any narration to be read by the emcee will be limited to 35 words or less. All narration by the emcee will be read prior to your performance. Your names and character names will be read after the performance.
     • On the Registration form, you will be requested to supply an introduction to be read by the emcee. If you do not supply one, we will write a simple introduction for you. Introductions may not contain profanity, sexual innuendo or anything else that does not comply with the PG13 rating.
     • Please do not interact with the emcee. We prohibit any involvement with the emcee in your skit. We also prohibit any emcee dialogue during your performance.

   • EXHIBITION PERFORMANCES
     • We will allow a certain number of slots for special performances at Masquerade. A special performance is exhibition-only (i.e., does not qualify for awards).
     • The length of special performances will be worked out by the performers and the Cosplay Events Manager. The special performances may come at the beginning, middle or end of the Masquerade.
     • If you are interested in a special performance, please send us a proposal for what you want to do in advance. We can't guarantee to accept all proposals. Send your proposal to the Cosplay Events Manager.
     • You may wear a costume for a special performance that has been worn in a previous Anime Boston Masquerade, or Hall Costume Contest. You may not wear a costume that will also appear in an Anime Boston 2008 Masquerade skit or walk-on.
     • If you register for a special performance you may not have a Masquerade spot. It's one or the other. No exceptions. You also cannot cancel your special performance and expect to instantly be given a registered spot in the normal Masquerade. Unless there is an opening, you will be put at the end of the Waiting List.
     • We have the right to cancel your performance at any time for any reason.

   • DAMAGES:
     • "You Break it, You Bought it:" If you break a piece of equipment, deface the facilities, or cause any other damages, then you pay to replace what you damaged. No exceptions.
     • To help prevent damages, please simply exercise care when you are on the stage. Be aware of floor microphones, cables, speakers, curtains, screens, etc.
     • Remember - no jumping off the stage, at any time, for any reason. Jumping off the stage, by any member of your group, will result in disqualification.
     • NO THROWING THINGS either onto the stage or into the audience

   • WEAPONS POLICY
     • Please review Anime Boston's Weapons Policy.

   • SPECIAL REQUESTS
     • If you have any special requests or concerns (such as requiring large props, or needing to be judged early or late on a given day, or anything else unusual) contact the Cosplay Events Manager as soon as possible, or place the request on your registration form. Because of the complexity of the event, few special requests will be able to be met, but the sooner you notify us about them, the more likely it is that we can accommodate you. Please contact us in advance. Special requests made at the convention itself are likely to be impossible for us to accommodate.

Questions? Contact the Cosplay Events Manager.

• Masquerade Information
• Masquerade Rules
• Masquerade FAQ
• Masquerade Sound and Music FAQ
• Craftsmanship Judging sample questions
• Masquerade Registration Form - NOT READY YET - Check back in December
• Masquerade Participation Form for Minors