The main event for Saturday night is the Costume Contest. This is where all of the hard work comes to it's final end. Who will walk away with the coveted 'Best In Show' for this year's convention?
This, and many more questions, will be answered when the dust settles from the most intense comptetion of the year!
The Costume Contest is divided into four categories:
- Juvenile - any contestant under the age of 12
- Novice - any contestant with less than 3 wins at any convention
- Journeyman - any contestant with up to 6 wins at any convention
- Master - any contestant with 6 or more wins at any convention
Contestants are judged on 3 segments:
- Presentation - judged on stage... how well did you present your costume to the viewers and judges?
- Technique - how well executed is the construction of your costume?
- Craftsmanship - how well put together is your costume? It's the details that count.
*All contestants doing a 're-creation' costume must have all documentation with you at the time you are judged. Documentation may include any and all reference photos (if from a movie or TV series), painting, passage from a book, video game, etc). This documentation is to be presented to the judges so they can better understand the costume you are presenting, and have a frame of reference to go by.*
Award Categories
Awards for this year include:
Best In Show - Is judged to be the standout of the show encompassing all aspects of the judging. Technique, Craftsmanship, Presentation, and Ingenuity all rolled into one.
Best Craftsmanship - The most well put together. (No hanging strings, etc.)
Best Presentation - Is actually judged on the stage and whether or not the portrayal of your costume and character are convincing or not. Acting skills are a plus, but not a requirement.
Best ReCreation - Is just that, where the contestant is recreating their favorite character from a TV show, film, book, etc. It's the little details that can make or break the costume for this category. (Be sure to bring references with you. See rules below for clarification)
Best Juvenile - For our smaller contestants, for the best overall costume for that category.
Best Skit - For the most entertaining presentation on stage. Make us laugh, or cry... we really don't care... just entertain us!
Best Group - For 2 more more contestants being presented at the same time. There is no maximum of how many people can be in a group. There are times when the costumes work because you have everyone else around to accentuate the costume you're wearing.
Viewers Choice - This category is not judged by our panel of judges, but by the audience. Any costume entered in the Masquerade, including the Junkyard costumes too, can win this award. The lucky contestant will be awarded by popular vote of the entire audience.
So with all of the awards listed above, it's time to bring on the competition and we'll see who's left standing after the dust settles. Bring your best costumes, skits, and let the competition begin! Good luck to one and all!
Award Prizes
Why yes Virginia, there are awards involved. We do have trophies for the winning contestants in the following categories: Best in Show, Best Craftsmanship, and Best Presentation. Certificates are given to the winning contestants, as well as certificates for the winning contestants of all other categories.
With the addition of so many Fan Groups from different genres of the science fiction and fantasy realms to our convention, we have added a new section to our Costume Contest to highlight their specific skills in the trade.
The Fan Group costumes will be judged in most of the same categories as the non-Fan Groups, although held to a higher standard.
Best In Show - The 'Standout' of all of the Fan Group Costumes
Best Craftsmanship - This will be a tough one to judge - but we'll be looking at the costume's every detail.
Best Presentation - Judged on stage of course.
Best Recreation - Oh we'll be able to tell... it might be difficult given the level of skill and detail - but I'm sure we'll manage.
Best Skit - Get up there and do your best to entertain us!
Best Group - 2 or more contestants... let us see what ya got!
Viewers Choice - voted on by applause from the audience- so strut your stuff!
And yes, there will be awards!
• No Costume is No Costume. Period. End of Story. Please also remember, we are trying for a PG-13 rating or lower. Please make the attempt to keep it clean.
• All costumes must be of original construction, or show signifigant modifications/alterations to pre-existing materials. No costumes that are purchased or otherwise obtained from a professional or retail source may be allowed. It is expected that you may have to purchase some items from a professional source, as we don't expect you to make the screen accurate boots by hand. If you have any doubts about your costume being up to snuff, please check with the Masquerade staff. They will be more than happy to assist you.
• No messy substances, fire, or anything that may pose a danger is allowed on stage. Note that unsheathing of a bladed weapon, or any type of firearm style weapon is not permitted without clearance from the Masquerade Coordinator. Also, no throwing of objects of any type into the audience.
• All contestants doing a 're-creation' costume must have all documentation with you at the time you are judged. Documentation may include any and all reference photos (if from a movie or TV series), painting, passage from a book, video game, etc). This documentation is to be presented to the judges so they can better understand the costume you are presenting, and have a frame of reference to go by when viewing your costume.
• The Coordinator may reject an entry on the basis of inappropriate or unsafe behavior or content. Or if the entry does not meet the criteria of the rules.
• You may enter as many costumes as you like, but they must be worn by different people. You cannot enter a costume, and then change into another to be presented later as another entry. All contestants under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult or parent. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. (Don't worry though, Mom or Dad will be given a badge to get into the Green Room.)
• There is no real maximum on the total amount of people that can be in a skit. However if your skit has only 1 or 2 people and you need helpers, you may bring 2 extra people up to assist you with getting ready. That's up to 2 people per costume. Please remember we will have some staff, monkey/gorilla helpers in the back should you need a hand. As well as a 'Con Mom'. And of course security. For anyone under the age of 15, you must have a Mom or Dad, or adult with you. This is non-negotiable, and not up for debate.
• Stage Time Limits. 1 Person = 1 Minute. 2 People = 2 Minutes. 3 or more People = 3 Minutes. We have the time limits because we have a lot of people wanting to compete and we are on a time schedule. We want to give everyone a chance to show off, so we kind of have to put the time limits on. This is the best way to be fair to everyone.
• No flash photography during the show. We don't need any of our contestants or staff members blinded, as they might fall off the stage or injure themselves or others.
• DO NOT TOUCH THE TROPHY GIRL.... she might break you in twain.
• All presentations will be previewed and okay'd by the Coordinators. This will also allow you some time to work with the tech crew for any sound needs. There are no exceptions. Presentations are previewed for everyones protection and safety.
• If you require music during your presentation, or a pre-recorded narrative, please have it available on a CD. If it is in another format other than CD, please speak with the sound crew to see if they can play it or not. Also please feel free to ask the sound guys for theme music, they may have something on-hand that you can use. Also, the sound guy's ruling is final. If they cannot play it, we appologize in advance. Anything given to the sound crew needs to be properly labeled with your name and costume name on the box, CD, or case so that we may return it to you. This also helps ensure that your music is cued in time with your presentation.
• There will be some very expensive equipment, and irreplaceable staff nearby during the show. If you break it, we're sending the bill to you.
• We here at SheVaCon know that there may be a few, "Uhhhmmmmm...", costumes. To make sure that everyone passes the bar and conforms to our PG-13 or lower rating, Please follow these guidelines:
- If a costume is clearly too revealing, you are required to wear a nude bodysuit underneath.
- Mastisol, double-sided tape, and safety pins only work so well....
- If you are not sure about this portion and how it applies to your costume, the Coordinators will make the final judgement call for you.
• No foul language is to be used please. Usage of the 7 deadly words or any type of abusive or obscene language will result in immediate disqualification of yourself, and possibly your entire group. This is a 'Think before you speak' thing. Anything allowable on network TV (abc, nbc, cbs) is okay to use.
• The Director of the Costume Contest is in charge. Their word is law, and is final. Do not try and make their job any harder than it already is. Please follow all instructions without fail. This is primarily for your safety, and the safety of those around you. They will not make unreasonable demands. Their number one priority is the safety of the contestants/entrants, and that the show comes off as smoothly as possible.
• Please do not try and bribe, cajole, entice, offer favors, or otherwise try to influence the judges in your favor. This is flat out bad form. Besides, everyone knows that you bribe the Costume Contest Coordinators! We like Bourbon and Whiskey. The MC is a trained professional. He is good at improvising on the spot, especially when he's had a few too many. Please do not take anything said personally, and do not try to heckle. You will lose and end up as cannon fodder. Also please do not touch the MC. He will like it too much and become terribly distracted.
• Now... for the most important rule.... HAVE FUN!
Reintroducing the Best Costume Event of all, The Hall Costume Competition! That's right, just wearing a costume at the con can get you a nifty "Hey that's an awesome costume you got there," nod from our roving secret judges.
This competition runs from the start of SheVaCon on Friday, and goes until 6pm on Saturday of the convention. So throw on your favorite costume, walk around, have a good time, and you just might get a pleasant surprise.
Hall costumes are any costume worn during the con that are not specifically entered into the Masquerade contest. These costumes are judged by roving secret judges and are awarded on the spot by those judges. These awards are a nod to all of the hard work that goes into a costume that is just being worn for fun by a fan. Recipients of the Hall Costume awards are asked to display their costumes during the Masquerade for all to see.
There will be a 'Best Hall Costume' Award that is awarded at the Masquerade. Hall costumes are not subject to the close scrutiny of those entered in the Masquerade, as this is a 'just for fun' segment. Best Hall Costume award is by popular vote. Hall costumes are not required to produce any documentation or reference material at all for their pieces.
You may sign up one of two ways. Here at our website by clicking the link below, or at the registration table at the con. If you sign up through the website, please make sure you are a confirmed member. Only paid memberships will be allowed to compete. We will be taking sign-ups until 6pm on Saturday of the convention.
All Contestants must submit an entry form to participate. No form = No participation.
Entry Form Coming Soon!