Swancon Masquerade judging guidelines
Nov. 28th, 2008 05:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stephbgThe "official" version of this notice is over at the Swancon lj community http://community.livejournal.com/swancon/107826.html and has been posted to the Swancon list. It's here now because it started here :-)
------------------
Greetings all
In an effort to demystify the process of awarding prizes at the Swancon Masquerade, the Contact: Swancon 2009 committee presents for your review and comment a set of draft Masquerade Judging Guidelines. After a public consulation process (you're looking at it), these will be published on the Swancon website, and supplied to the judges so we're all on the same page.
Swancon Masquerade Judging Guidelines 2009
==============================
Main/best prizes will be awarded based on these judging guidelines. Main prizes are traditionally one or two full memberships for the following Swancon, each valued at $120+. Prizes are subject to change at short notice, but fame and glory are guaranteed.
Costume judging is ultimately an art, rather than a science, but these are the general guidelines that will be used to assess each entry. Note that the costume is being assessed, rather than the person wearing it.
All participants in the Swancon Masquerade are automatically included in the judging. Judging usually occurs in the first hour of the advertised start of the evening, so beware the fashionably late grand entrance.
Judges will circulate in the crowd, observe, and interview members about their costumes and how they were made. A quiet corner may be set up for this purpose.
Preference for major awards will be given to costumes that are:
===============================================================
Related to the advertised theme of the masquerade and/or con
Nice pantomime cow. Why is it here?
Made for this particular masquerade and/or on Swancon debut.
This is a requirement for a major prize. While we all love recycling and seeing old favourites, the major prize is for new work in this arena.
Either a good character copy or an interesting original
Costumes may be cosplay-type copies of particular characters (e.g. Sailor Moon, Iron Man, Dr Who etc), extrapolated from the world of historical or fictional characters (e.g. medieval wenches, samurai warriors, generic Jedi etc), or completely original designs (e.g. aliens, dragons, fairies, vampires etc). If you claim to be a specific character, it should be recognisable--and it wouldn't hurt to bring along a picture to educate the non-fans-- but extreme accuracy is not required, nor sufficient for a win.
Made, assembled, and/or designed by a member of Swancon
Hired it? No major prize. Bought the whole thing off e-bay the day before? Unlikely. Got it made by a professional? We'll see; are they a member and standing next to you? This is a members-only competition, but there's room to breathe. Your Mum can help.
Made well or creatively
Safety pins are not a crime, but we'd like to see a certain amount of thought or effort go into it. Sometimes a good costume is assembled from ready-made components. It doesn't have to be sewn from scratch or perfectly tailored to be the best, but it helps if it all stays together for at least an hour. And doesn't kill you or innocent bystanders. That's important.
Imbued with X-, wow-, and/or ooh-factor
You may not be able to put a finger on it, but you'll know it when you see it.
Bonus points if the costume is:
=====================
A particularly nice effort and it's your first Swancon or first Masquerade attempt
Because we like to encourage new people.
Worn or presented well or creatively
You don't need to be an extrovert, but you should at least try to pose for photos, and give a twirl on request. Actually pretending to be the character adds to the fun of the evening, but please, keep it legal.
Worn with dedication
Gone to extra effort with hair, makeup, bodypaint, or major surgery to look Just Right? Good for you. Uh, did it hurt?
And finally, did you 'give it a go'?
Tried your best to make something ambitious but it didn't quite work out? Spent long hours making wings that ultimately sagged, a realistic but unwearable alien face-hugger that actually suffocated you, or space armour that dissolved after 10 minutes of photos? Tell the judges about your hours of effort. But please, don't cry.
On my honour
==========
Honourable mentions with possible spot prizes are awarded as deserved, in categories to be determined on the night. The following "best of" are examples only:
" Group
" Child
" Mask
" Accessories
" Workmanship
" Funniest/wittiest
" Scariest
" Cutest
" Presentation/characterisation
" Shiniest
------------------
Greetings all
In an effort to demystify the process of awarding prizes at the Swancon Masquerade, the Contact: Swancon 2009 committee presents for your review and comment a set of draft Masquerade Judging Guidelines. After a public consulation process (you're looking at it), these will be published on the Swancon website, and supplied to the judges so we're all on the same page.
Swancon Masquerade Judging Guidelines 2009
==============================
Main/best prizes will be awarded based on these judging guidelines. Main prizes are traditionally one or two full memberships for the following Swancon, each valued at $120+. Prizes are subject to change at short notice, but fame and glory are guaranteed.
Costume judging is ultimately an art, rather than a science, but these are the general guidelines that will be used to assess each entry. Note that the costume is being assessed, rather than the person wearing it.
All participants in the Swancon Masquerade are automatically included in the judging. Judging usually occurs in the first hour of the advertised start of the evening, so beware the fashionably late grand entrance.
Judges will circulate in the crowd, observe, and interview members about their costumes and how they were made. A quiet corner may be set up for this purpose.
Preference for major awards will be given to costumes that are:
===============================================================
Related to the advertised theme of the masquerade and/or con
Nice pantomime cow. Why is it here?
Made for this particular masquerade and/or on Swancon debut.
This is a requirement for a major prize. While we all love recycling and seeing old favourites, the major prize is for new work in this arena.
Either a good character copy or an interesting original
Costumes may be cosplay-type copies of particular characters (e.g. Sailor Moon, Iron Man, Dr Who etc), extrapolated from the world of historical or fictional characters (e.g. medieval wenches, samurai warriors, generic Jedi etc), or completely original designs (e.g. aliens, dragons, fairies, vampires etc). If you claim to be a specific character, it should be recognisable--and it wouldn't hurt to bring along a picture to educate the non-fans-- but extreme accuracy is not required, nor sufficient for a win.
Made, assembled, and/or designed by a member of Swancon
Hired it? No major prize. Bought the whole thing off e-bay the day before? Unlikely. Got it made by a professional? We'll see; are they a member and standing next to you? This is a members-only competition, but there's room to breathe. Your Mum can help.
Made well or creatively
Safety pins are not a crime, but we'd like to see a certain amount of thought or effort go into it. Sometimes a good costume is assembled from ready-made components. It doesn't have to be sewn from scratch or perfectly tailored to be the best, but it helps if it all stays together for at least an hour. And doesn't kill you or innocent bystanders. That's important.
Imbued with X-, wow-, and/or ooh-factor
You may not be able to put a finger on it, but you'll know it when you see it.
Bonus points if the costume is:
=====================
A particularly nice effort and it's your first Swancon or first Masquerade attempt
Because we like to encourage new people.
Worn or presented well or creatively
You don't need to be an extrovert, but you should at least try to pose for photos, and give a twirl on request. Actually pretending to be the character adds to the fun of the evening, but please, keep it legal.
Worn with dedication
Gone to extra effort with hair, makeup, bodypaint, or major surgery to look Just Right? Good for you. Uh, did it hurt?
And finally, did you 'give it a go'?
Tried your best to make something ambitious but it didn't quite work out? Spent long hours making wings that ultimately sagged, a realistic but unwearable alien face-hugger that actually suffocated you, or space armour that dissolved after 10 minutes of photos? Tell the judges about your hours of effort. But please, don't cry.
On my honour
==========
Honourable mentions with possible spot prizes are awarded as deserved, in categories to be determined on the night. The following "best of" are examples only:
" Group
" Child
" Mask
" Accessories
" Workmanship
" Funniest/wittiest
" Scariest
" Cutest
" Presentation/characterisation
" Shiniest
