*NEW* COSPLAY CONTEST UPDATE!!!
Due to continued last minute interest-We will be keeping cosplay registration open until January 15, 2012!
You now have another week or two to fill in your application and get the process rolling!
Please visit the Ohayocon Forums >Ohayocon 2012 oFFICIAL aNNOUNCEMENTS AND uPDATES for more information!! .
The Hallway Cosplay Awards have been around for a while but this year there will be no less than 50 ribbons awarded in three days (and maybe a few on Thursday as well). If one of our spotters stops you, if you have made your own costume and it is not entered in the Masquerade- you’re a winner! Non- Asian inspired costumes are prime for Hallway Awards (since they cannot compete in the Masquerade) but any costume that makes us go, “WOW!” could win an award.
Once you have your ribbon you can go to the Cosplay Registration Desk and register your win with your handle and a photo for the Ohayocon Forums. There is no limit to how many Hallway Awards you may win, though each costume may only win once.
Our Second Lindsay Howard Mascot Contest is up and running as well. You’ve all had your chance to see Ohayocon’s cute nurse mascot. Now we want you to BE Lindsay. This competition does not conflict with the Masquerade Competition and you may enter both! Are you a Lindsay Look-Alike? Join us for three categories of fun- Live Action Lindsay , Mascot Lindsay, and new for 2011 Found Item Lindsay!
The Lindsay Contest will happen Friday evening (so no conflict with the Masquerade!) The winner will take the stage during the Masquerade (if they are not competing in another outfit) to receive prizes and begin her reign as Ohayocon’s official Mascot!
And don’t forget the Space Competition, our Special Cosplay Event celebrating Ohayocon’s Space theme. Will you be the Space King/ Queen of Ohayocon? Will your group take home the prize? Join us Friday night for an awesome display of Space costumes and props. This competition does not conflict with the Masquerade Competitions and you may enter both! The Overall King/ Queen will be introduced during the Masquerade (if they are not competing in another costume) and receive some exciting prizes as well.
Cosplay Competition
Cosplay (short for "costume play") is type of performance art where in which participant(s) don costumes and/or various accessories in order to represent a specific character. The most notable sources of inspiration come from characters in Japanese anime, manga, video games, and tokusatsu, but they are not limited to these. Role play games, films, music artists, animals, inanimate objects and many other entities are subject to portrayal. Whether an outfit is hand made or found on a dime, cosplayers dress and come together at conventions, like Ohayocon, to admire and show off their dedication.COSPLAY COMPETITIONS
This year there will be FIVE separate cosplay competitions: Masquerade- Craftsmanship, Masquerade- Performance, The Lindsay Mascot, Space, and Hallway.
Registration is REQUIRED for Craftsmanship and Performance, The Lindsay Mascot, and Space, but NOT for Hallway. Before you register for any competition, Please take some time to review the Weapon & Costume Policy and the following documentation. You may compete in the Lindsay Mascot & Space competitions & either Craftsmanship OR Performance. The Lindsay Mascot & Space contest are special events with prizes of their own & will not conflict with the Masquerade! Enter as many as you like!
Registration will be open Aug. 1 to December 31. Register early!
Maximum number of members for a group is 6 people. If participant’s group has more than 6 members, they may petition Cosplay Coordinator to allow the group to compete.
All Masquerade Competition costumes must be based on Asian animation (i.e. Trigun, Wonderful Days), manga/manhwa (i.e. Angel Sanctuary, Faeries' Landing), an Asian-origin video game (i.e Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts), Asian music artists (i.e. Morning Musume, Malice Mizer), Asian Live Action Films (i.e. Battle Royale, House of Flying Daggers), Street Fashion (i.e. Lolita, FRUiTs, Gal), or East Asian mythology (i.e. Kirin, Ten-gu, Amaterasu, Fujin).
Generally, if it originated outside of East Asia (Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam), it does NOT qualify. Adaptations of foreign material that are nevertheless extremely Asian are permitted (i.e. Gankutsuou, Avatar, the Last Airbender). Other animation styles (i.e. Teen Titans), comics (i.e. X-Men), video games (i.e. Halo 2), TV series (i.e. X-Files), and films (i.e. Harry Potter) do NOT qualify for competition. Western Goth styles are NOT in line with Gothic Lolita or Elegant Gothic Lolita/Aristocrat. Hot Topic Lolita does NOT qualify for competition.
If a costume or genre rides the line you may petition the Cosplay Coordinator for an exemption. Occasional exemptions have been allowed- but are not the rule. Please contact the Coordinator as far in advance as possible.
At least 60% of the costume should be handcrafted by the participant. Modifications to purchased/ commissioned costumes will not constitute an original design and do not qualify in the Craftsmanship competition. No commissioned, purchased, or rented costumes. Costumes from a costume shop, designer direct, eBay, Yahoo Auctions, Cospa, or any other store-bought costumes are prohibited and will negate participant's eligibility (or group's eligibility, even if only one participant in the group has a disqualified costume).
Exception 1: The costume's creator is present (the creator wins, not the model). However the creator must be the owner of the costume, not the model.
Exception 2: Junior Division participants (at least 50% of the work must be done by the participant).
Exception 3: If competing as a group and the creator is part of the group.
Craftsmanship Participants MUST have adequate reference documentation with them at their Judging Appointment. Judges cannot possibly know every detail of every character in existence. References assist them in judging. Participants failing to provide documentation will receive a score of 0 in the Technical judging area. Good references show (at the very least) the front and back, but side views are highly recommended as well. They may also have close ups of details and props. Printed references the Judges can see and hold are required and may make or break a score. Examples of references include: screen captures, DVD covers, art books, PVC figurines, magazine articles, manga, color printouts, etc. No outlets will be available for laptops and no computers will be provided. Please come prepared.
Exception: Original Design participants- Documentation isn't necessary, however in order to understand the overall look references showing the style would be beneficial.(i.e. Sweet Lolita style, bring Gothic & Lolita Bible or photos/scans; Harajuku Free Style, FRUiTs magazine; for visual kei bring SHOXX, album inserts with photos or magazine articles) or inspiration documentation (i.e. if you were doing Jewish Wolfwood, reference original Wolfwood). Additionally, design sketches are appreciated. Street styles MUST show East Asian influence.
Craftsmanship and Performance Divisions
Junior: Junior division is solely reserved for participants 15 years of age or younger regardless of awards or skill level. They may have won any number of awards & made any number of costumes (Craftsmanship)/ or Performances (Performance)
Novice: Ages 16 +. You may have won up to 2 Major Awards, or won up to 5 Minor Awards. You have possibly made 5 costumes or fewer (Craftsmanship)/ or created 5 performances or fewer (Performance)
Journeyman: Ages 16 +. You may have won up to 4 Major Awards, or won up to 10 Minor Awards. You have possibly made 9 costumes or fewer (Craftsmanship)/ or created 9 performances or fewer (Performance)
Master: Ages 16 + . You may have won up to 6 Major Awards, or won up to 15 Minor Awards. You have made 11 costumes or more (Craftsmanship)/ or have created 11 performances or more (Performance)
Original Design/ Found Item OR Musical Act Divisions
Select from the list above but know all Original Design/ Found Item/ Musical Act entries are judged as Adult or Junior. You may have won any number of awards and made any number of costumes (Craftsmanship)/ or Performances (Performance)
GUIDELINES to follow when deciding which division to compete in.
Major Awards are considered Best in Show, Best in Division, or the like.
Minor Awards are considered Honorable Mention, Merit Award, Judge’s Award, and the like. Only awards won at conventions count. Craftsmanship Awards count for Craftsmanship Competition Only. Performance Awards for Performance Competition Only.
Awards won in a Hallway Contest are NOT counted. Awards won at events (i.e. clubs/organizations, stores, 1-day mini-conventions, etc.) are NOT counted.
If you placed as ANYTHING except Honorable Mention at WorldCon or Costume-Con, you MUST compete in the Master Division.
In order to be fair, we ask cosplayers to account for BOTH awards and skill level (use the number of completed costumes as a guide) when making decisions regarding divisions.
To allow participants who have not won anything before a chance at an award, participants may NOT compete with a costume that has previously won any Major Award at any convention.
Participants may compete in a Division higher (i.e. Junior can compete as Novice), but cannot compete a Division lower (Novice 16+ cannot compete as Junior). You cannot compete in a division lower than you have already won an award in. If you have won a Best in Division - Master, you cannot compete as a Journeyman, even with 1 Major award. If participants in a group are Novice, but one participant is Master, the group must compete in the Master Division.
If there are any questions regarding Divisions or you cannot decide which Division to compete in, please contact Cosplay Coordinator.
Craftsmanship Competition
This is a contest where participants are judged on the craftsmanship (design, construction, execution, and general presentation) of a costume. Craftsmanship is judged BEFORE the Masquerade. Participants will also be in the Fashion Show during the Masquerade. Awards are presented at the Masquerade. Registration and Pre-Judging IS required.
· Craftsmanship Category
For costumes representing a known character that are at least 65% handcrafted by participant.
Found Item Costume Category
For costumes that are less than 65% handcrafted, assembled by collecting various pieces from stores and putting them together, with or without sewing. Purchased, but modified items would be considered "found item." Found Item will be offered only every other year (on odd numbered years)
· Original Design Category
For original outfits that are at least 60% handcrafted by participant and is of original design. These may be inspired by street fashion styles (i.e. Lolita, FRUiTS, Decora, etc.), creative interpretations (i.e. Jewish Wolfwood, Pimp Gaara), or other original design (i.e. faerie, Space, Dinah from Bizenghast, etc.)
Craftsmanship Awards
Best In Division Master
Best In Division Journeyman
Best In Division Novice
Best In Division Junior*
Best Original Design
Performance Competition
This is a contest where participants are judged on their physical performance (artistic presentation, technical skills, charisma, entertainment, script quality, and overall performance). Performance is judged AT the Masquerade. Awards are presented at Masquerade. Registration, Approval, and Audition IS required.
· Performance Category
For acts that focus primarily on the delivery of lines (pre-recorded or live) and are not predominantly music based.
· Musical Act Category
For performances that more than 75% based on pre-recorded music (i.e. lip-syncing, music video recreations, dance routine, etc.) and have a minimum amount of lines delivered before, during, or after the musical track.
This is an all-ages convention, so your actions and speech must reflect that. The rating of the material in the performance should not go much over PG/ TV PG- bordering on PG13. Actions, dress, or mannerisms that would not be allowed on a public street must be avoided. Specifically, the following must be avoided: explicit sexual gestures, nudity, and explicit swearing (i.e. Seven Forbidden Words of TV). Think about your material as such- if you cannot perform it for a first grade class or your grandmother’s friends- you probably need to tone it down. The Ohayocon Masquerade is an all ages event and there will be very young congers in attendance. Violating these rules will disqualify you and possibly result in being escorted off the premises.
Feel free to surprise the audience, but not the Cosplay Staff. If you are planning something "unique," you must petition the Cosplay Coordinator IN ADVANCE to get it approved.
Music and/or prerecorded dialogue will be required at your appointment time. CDs are the ONLY media accepted. All CDs must be clearly labeled with participant’s Registration Number, Name of Performance, and Time (Length of File). Bring CD in a clear case with no labels (other than label on CD). CDs are NOT returnable. CDs will NOT be queued. The music and/or prerecorded dialogue must be ready to go as soon as it is put the CD player (this means the participant must edit the music and/or prerecorded dialogue before the convention and put it on a CD). Audio file must be exactly three (3) minutes or less. There are NO exceptions to the rule. If the audio file is longer than three (3) minutes, it will be stopped when time is reached (even if it cuts the performance). Please have files recorded exactly as you wish them to be played. No cueing or editing will be done by the Ohayocon Stage Crew. If the Ohayocon Stage Crew receives CDs that violates the guidelines, the participant(s) will be disqualified. It is suggested you bring a backup CD in case problems arise. Pre-Registrants may submit a copy of the audio file for review electronically, if there are questions as to suitability but are required to bring a final CD for use to their appointment.
Any introduction to be read by the Emcees will be limited to 50 words or less. All narration by the Emcees will be read prior to performance. Interaction with the Emcees is prohibited. Emcees may NOT be involved in any way with performance. Introduction must fit on a 4 x 6 index card and typed or neatly handwritten. Participants may discuss their introduction with the Emcees at the time of their appointment. Also inform the Emcees if your pre-recorded dialogue or music either begins before you enter the stage or continues after you exit. Failure to make this notice may result in audio problems during the rehearsal or performance.
All weapons must be cleared. For more information, please read Weapon & Costume Policy. In the interests of safety, stage combat is severely restricted. All prop weapons must be used with extreme caution and never used in a manner that may cause injury to another. No projectile weapons will be permitted. No throwing objects (even soft ones) into the audience. All stage combat and stunts must be cleared. If you intend to use any martial arts, falling techniques, gymnastic talents, etc., you must petition the Cosplay Coordinator IN ADVANCE to get it approved.
If it comes on stage, it must leave the stage. Confetti, rose petals, glitter, etc. will NOT be permitted. Fire, flash powder, lasers, explosives, or open flame of any kind will NOT be allowed. Strobe lights or other flashing lights are NOT permitted.
All presentations must be confined to the stage area. You must use the designated entrances and exits. No jumping off the stage will be permitted (doing so will result in disqualification) and audience members cannot be brought on stage. The aisles and other audience areas are not to be used for any part of the presentation.
If you break a piece of equipment, deface the facilities, or cause any other damages, then you will pay to replace what you damaged. No exceptions. Be aware of floor microphones, cables, speakers, curtains, screens, etc.
Cosplay Coordinator or Stage Manager has the right to cancel your performance at any time for any reason.
Performance Awards
Best In Division Master
Best In Division Journeyman
Best In Division Novice
Best In Division Junior*
Best Musical Act
Lindsay Mascot Competition
You’ve had your chance to see Lindsay Howard, Ohayocon’s cute nurse mascot. Now we want you to BE Lindsay. This year Ohayocon will host its second annual Lindsay Look Alike! This competition does not conflict with the Masquerade Competitions and you may enter both!
You can enter as no matter your age or skill level!
· Live Action Lindsay is for any Lindsay that does not use a mascot type head. You can wear a wig. Costumes must be at least 65% handcrafted by participant.
· Mascot Lindsay is for any Lindsay using a mascot type head, hands, or feet. Costumes must be at least 65% handcrafted by participant.
Found Item Lindsay is for a Lindsay made up of costumes that are less than 65% handcrafted, assembled by collecting various pieces from stores and putting them together, with or without sewing. Purchased, but modified items would be considered "found item."
All Lindsay’s must be PG13 and convention appropriate. All Weapon & Costume policies apply. Please read all the rules before registering.
Participants MUST be ready to appear for judging Friday Evening at Ohayocon (Time TBA, but after 8 P). Judges will nominate the top three for the final Judging by Audience vote (with Judges as tie breakers) Please be sure you are available. Exact times will be available before the convention begins.
This competition will take place on Friday and the winner will be introduced to Ohayocon during the Masquerade (provided they are not competing in another costume). Winner will receive convention admission and a prize, as well as the bragging rights to be Ohayocon’s official Lindsay Howard!
Space Competition
You can enter as no matter your age or skill level!
Space Awards
Overall Space King/ Queen (highest overall score)
Best Male Outfit
Best Female outfit
Best Group/ Outfit
Best Prop
Honorable Mention (up to 5, selected by Judges)
Hallway Competition
This is an informal contest where judges circulate the hallways Friday evening and Saturday before the Masquerade and hand out awards based on general presentation, craftsmanship, and likeness-to-character. Winners are given an award ribbon. Registration is NOT required. This contest is open to everyone, regardless of how many awards have been won or costumes made. Attendees may only win once per costume, but the same person may win multiple ribbons for different costumes. Non- Eastern costumes (i.e Ghostbusters) are eligible for Hallway Awards.
The Hallway Competition will have a "register your win" list at Cosplay Registration for anyone who would like to have their name listed on the Ohayocon forums as a winner.
Registration/Appointments
BEFORE registering, please read all the documentation. YOU are responsible for reading and understanding this information. If you have questions regarding any of this, please contact the Cosplay Coordinator.
Craftsmanship and Performance Competition participants MUST register for pre-judging/approval appointments. There are a LIMITED amount of registration slots available. It is HIGHLY encouraged that participants PRE-REGISTER online. Lindsay Mascot & Space Participants will have a separate but similar registration process. There is no registration for Hallway Competition.
*Note* There have been NO AT CON registration spots available for several years. We expect to continue 100% on-line pre-registration. If you want the chance to participate- Please follow the instructions to register before the convention.
Participants may compete only in one Masquerade competition –Craftsmanship or Performance and one division- Junior, Novice, Journeyman, Master. If a participant is found to have competed in more than one (either as an individual or part of a group), the participant (and any groups they are a part of) will be immediately disqualified from both competitions.
Online Pre-Registration is open August 1-December 31. Participants will electronically submit a Cosplay Registration Form. Once a form is received, an e-mail will be sent with Registration Number. Next, registered participants will be asked to select an appointment time slot. A final e-mail will be sent containing Registration Number, Registration Day, and Appointment Time. You are not considered registered until an appointment time has been set and confirmed.
To request a Cosplay Registration Form, please e-mail Cosplay Coordinator.
At Convention Registration will only be available if all of the appointment times haven’t been filled during Online Pre-Registration. For the past several years, At-Con Registration has not been available because ALL appointment times have been filled during Online Pre-Registration Only 80 total slots are available and none will be held for At- Con Reg. It is strongly suggested that if you wish to participate you complete the on-line registration process.
Appointments
You MUST have already registered and selected an appointment time before the Convention. Please check in at Cosplay Registration AT LEAST 10 minutes before your appointment block starts. At that time you will receive your Competition sticker and Back Stage Admission. Handlers/Gophers must be present any handlers or gophers must also come to Cosplay Registration with the participant(s) they are assisting at time of appointment. Handlers/Gophers will receive a non-participant Competition Badge Sticker.
Craftsmanship – open to 80 Registration/Appointments (@ 5 minutes each)
Performance – open to 30 Registration/Appointments (@ 10 minutes each), only 20 Acts will be selected to perform at the Masquerade (as chosen by the pre-judges)
When requesting a form from cosplay.ohayocon@gmail.com, be sure to include which competition you are interested in registering for. All Pre-Registration Forms MUST be received by December 31 before 12:00M ET.
You are not completely registered until an appointment has been set. Some Reschedules/Changes are allowed during pre-reg, but please don't abuse this. Please e-mail cosplay.ohayocon@gmail.com if you have any questions or issues regarding Cosplay Pre-Registration!
The Audition Process
In order to encourage high quality performances for the Masquerade, Ohayocon has implemented an Audition process for the Performance category. 30 groups will be permitted to pre-register for Performance and make pre-judging appointments. Auditions will take place during pre-judging appointments. All participants will be permitted to perform their entire skit at that time and to present the Emcees with an Introduction.
A list of selected performances (up to 20 on the main list and 2 on the standby list) will be posted by the Cosplay Check- in desk approximately 2 hours before the call for the Masquerade. If your name is on the list or the standby list you are expected to be at call ON TIME. Failure to show for call will result in your spot being given to the next name on the standby list.
If you are not willing to participate in the audition process and accept that your skit may not be selected for the final Masquerade Performance, please do not register.
Craftsmanship Call (for Masquerade) is at 5:30P on Saturday. Doors will be locked and no participants allowed after 5:35P. Participants failing to arrive will NOT participate. Craftsmanship participants are welcome to show up at 4:30 to watch the Performance Rehearsal. This is encouraged, because Ohayocon cannot 100% guarantee that Craftsmanship participants will be able to view any/ all of the Performance part of the Masquerade.
Performance Rehearsal is at 4:30P on Saturday and is mandatory. Doors will be locked and no further participants allowed in at 4:35P. Participants failing to arrive will be DISQUALIFIED. The Selected skits will be notified by a list posted at Cosplay Registration approximately 2 hours before call time (approx. 2:30 P) Please check there to see if you are required to report for call. If you are not selected please DO NOT attend the call. You may discuss any issues with the Cosplay Staff at the Recap and Photo Panel following the Masquerade. Please understand the Staff will be unable to address your issues until that time and if you are not supposed to be in the area Security can and will remove you.
We are offering unselected Performance participants priority seating for the Masquerade. You may pick up a voucher at the Cosplay Registration when the list is posted until 4:30 P. Vouchers will not be available elsewhere or after that time.
Recap & Photo Panel
Recap and Photo Panel will happen approximately 30- 60 minutes after the end of the Masquerade, location TBA. At this panel the winners of all the Performance and Craftsmanship will be present to collect their awards and will take some time to pose for photos and answer questions about their costumes and their processes to give everyone an inside look at what makes a winning cosplay or skit.
After that the Cosplay Staff will be available to answer questions, address concerns, and accept kudos!
