Cosplay Competitions

This year there will be three separate cosplay competitions: Craftsmanship, Performance, and Hallway. Additionally, we will have a SPECIAL Lindsay Howard Mascot Contest. Registration is REQUIRED for Craftsmanship, Performance, Howard Lindsay Mascot, but NOT for Hallway. The Fashion Show will feature Craftsmanship Competition participants and takes place during the Masquerade after the Performance Competition presentations. Please take some time to review the Weapon and Costume Policy.

Craftsmanship Competition

A contest where participants are judged on craftsmanship (design, construction, execution, and general presentation of costume). Craftsmanship is judged BEFORE the Masquerade. Awards are presented at Masquerade. Registration and Pre-Judging IS required. Participants may optionally be in the Fashion Show during the Masquerade.

• Craftsmanship Category
  For costumes 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."
• Original Design Category
  For original outfits that are at least 60% handcrafted by participant and are of original design. These may be inspired by street fashion styles (e.g. Lolita, Kawaii, FRUiTS, Decora, Kogals, Ganguro, Kodona, etc.), be creative interpretations (e.g. Jewish Wolfwood, Pimp Gaara), or other original design (e.g. faerie, inspired fashion, Dinah from Bizenghast, etc.).

SEE Craftsmanship Competition Requirements and Divisions for more information concerning this competition.

Performance Competition

A contest where participants are judged on performance (artistic presentation, technical skills, charisma, entertainment, and overall performance). Performance is judged AT the Masquerade. Awards are presented at Masquerade. Registration and Approval IS required.

• Performance Category
  For performances 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 (e.g. lip-syncing, music video recreations, dance routine, etc.) and have a minimum amount of lines delivered before, during, or after the musical track.

SEE Performance Competition Requirements and Divisions for more information concerning this competition.

Hallway Competition

An informal contest where judges circulate the hallways and hand out awards based on general presentation, craftsmanship, and likeness-to-character. Winners are given a 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. Winners may register their win at Cosplay Registration during registration hours.

SPECIAL: Lindsay Howard Mascot Contest

An informal contest where judges will examine and nominate the top three costumes in two categories (Live Action and Mascot) that are most representative of Lindsay Howard, Ohayocon’s Nurse Mascot. Lindsay Howard Mascot Contest is judged BEFORE the Masquerade. Awards are presented at Masquerade. Registration and Pre-Judging IS required.

SEE Lindsay Howard Mascot Contest for more information concerning this competition and how to request a registration form.

Registration/Appointments

BEFORE registering, please read the Weapon and Costume Policy, Competition Requirements (for competition you are registering for), and Division information. YOU are responsible for reading and understanding this information. If you have questions regarding any of this documentation, please contact the Cosplay Coordinator.

Craftsmanship and Performance Competition participants MUST register for pre-judging/audition appointments. There is no registration for Hallway Competition. Lindsay Howard Mascot Contest participants MUST register for pre-judging. There are a LIMITED amount of registration slots available. It is HIGHLY encouraged that participants PRE-REGISTER online. Participants may only compete in one competition (Craftsmanship or Performance) and one division (Junior, Novice, Journeyman, Master or Original Design, Found Item, Musical Act). If it is found that a participant competed in both competitions (either as an individual or part of a group), participant (and any groups they are apart of) will be disqualified from both competitions.

Registration

Online Registration is open October 1-December 31. Participants will electronically submit a Cosplay Registration Form (click here to request form). Once this 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. Participants are encouraged to print this e-mail out and bring to Cosplay Registration as soon as possible to receive a Competition Badge Sticker. Any handlers or gophers must also come to Cosplay Registration with the participant(s) they are assisting. Handlers/Gophers will receive a non-participant Competition Badge Sticker. To request a Cosplay Registration Form, please e-mail Cosplay Coordinator .

At Convention Registration is open on Friday (January 30th) 4:00P-10:00P and Saturday (January 31st) 10:00A-3:00P. It is encouraged that participants come to Cosplay Registration AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE to register, as there are LIMITED number of appointments available (it is HIGHLY suggested that you pre-register BEFORE the convention). There will be NO registration at the convention if Pre-Registration is 100% filled. Participants will fill out a Cosplay Registration Form. Next, participants will select an appointment time. Finally, they will receive a Competition Badge Sticker that will be placed on their Ohayocon Badge. Any handlers or gophers must also come to Cosplay Registration with the participant(s) they are assisting. Handlers/Gophers will receive a non-participant Competition Badge Sticker.

Appointments

You MUST have already registered and selected an appointment time either by Online Pre-Registration or at Cosplay Registration at the convention. You cannot just show up during these times. Please be sure you check in at Cosplay Registration at least 10 minutes before your appointment block starts. Handlers/Gophers must be present at time of appointment.

Craftsmanship appointments will be scheduled on Friday (7:00P-10:00P) and Saturday (10:00A-12:00N, 2:00P-4:00P). Individuals and Groups will have 5 minutes to present. Participants MUST be in full costume and are REQUIRED to bring adequate reference documentation to your appointment. Lack of adequate reference documentation WILL result in a score of 0 in the Technical judging area. Participants will be pre-judged at this time. Craftsmanship Call is at 5:30P on Saturday. Doors will be locked and no further participants allowed in at 5:35P. Participants failing to arrive ON TIME will NOT be able to participate.

Performance appointments will be scheduled on Friday (4:00P-7:00P) and Saturday (12:00N-2:00P). Participants will have 10 minutes to run through their act and talk with the MCs regarding performance introduction. Participants do not need to be in full costume at time of appointment, but all props must be present at the appointment. Participants will be expected to perform exactly how the intend to at the Masquerade. Participants are auditioning at this time. Up to 20 acts will be chosen to perform at the Masquerade. Upon check in, participants will be notified if they have qualified for 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 ON TIME will be DISQUALIFIED from the competition.

Revised 10.06.08