We know there’s been a lot of new information recently about the Cosplay Masquerade and Showcase at the MegaCon Live events. If you only read one blog about the update, this should be the one!
What is the Cosplay Showcase?
The Cosplay Showcase ran for the first time at MegaCon Manchester 2023. We are very excited to bring this showcase back to all the 2024 MegaCon shows.
This will be held earlier in the day at the Performance Square and is a walk-on style event. Entrants are encouraged to pose and soak up the limelight! The Showcase is open for all ages, and you do not need to have made your cosplay to enter.
- How do I sign up? The Cosplay Showcase is for on-the-day sign-ups only. Sign-ups will close either 1 hour before the Showcase starts, or when spots are full.
- Can I pick my own music? Due to the AV capacity, you will not be able to select your own music for the Showcase, and a general track will be playing throughout.
- How old do I have to be to enter? The Cosplay Showcase is open to all ages! Those under the age of 16 will need their parent or guardians’ permission.
- Can I do a performance? This is a walk-on style performance space, with entrants spending around 30 seconds in the Performance Square. You are encouraged to strike some poses and include simple choreography if you’d like to!
There are a limited number of Cosplay Performance slots, separate from the Showcase and Masquerade, for cosplayers who wish to do longer or more choreographed routines.
Cosplay Masquerade Experience Classes
One of the biggest updates has been the switch over to an experience class system within the Masquerade. There will be three experience classes to help level the playing field between newer, less experienced cosplayers, and cosplayers who have been making costumes for a long time and competing longer. This means you will only be competing against people of similar experience to you. There will also be a performance focused class.
The three experience classes are Bard, Adventurer and Artificer. We’ve written a blog about the classes and advice on which one to enter which can be found here.
We know skill divisions have been lacking in the UK competition scene, and we’re so excited to bring experience classes to the UK and Ireland in partnership with MegaCon Live.
Bard
For cosplayers who are performers at heart, but haven’t made their cosplay. This class is a celebration of the performance and play part of Cosplay.
Requirements
- You have a performance in mind
- Over 16yrs old
- Or 12-15 and a parent helps you apply
- Complete an online application
- Identify with both of the following:
- You enjoy performing in cosplay
- You haven’t made 50% or more of your cosplay
Adventurer
For cosplayers with less experience competing or making cosplays, who are excited to get started!
Requirements
- You made at least 50% of the cosplay
- Over 16yrs old
- Or 12-15 and registered by a parent
- Pre-register online
- Identify with any of the following:
- You’re new to making cosplays
- You haven’t won a major award
- You’ve never entered a competition or have entered less than five.
Artificer
For more experienced cosplayers who’ve been competing for a long time, have won awards or have lots of making experience.
Requirements
- You made at least 80% of the cosplay
- Over 16yrs old
- Complete an online application
- Identify with any of the following:
- You consider yourself an experienced cosplayer maker or have professional costume-making, tailoring or similar experience
- You have won a major award
- You’ve entered more than five competitions.
Summary of Masquerade Rule Updates
With the introduction of experience classes, there have also been updates to the rules. The current version of the rules can be found on the MegaCon London and Dublin website. There will be a third edition coming soon to the site with some additional information included in it. We’re going to summarize the rules and highlight some changes in this blog!
New Rules and Updates
- Build Requirements- Adventurers must have made 50% or more of their cosplay, and Artificers must have made 80% or more of their cosplay. You can check out this post to learn more about determining how much of your cosplay is made.
- Performance Focused Class- We love the passion for performing at MegaCon, so we have created a third class for those who haven’t made their cosplay, but want to do a performance on the Mega Stage.
- Standardized Pre-Judging Times- Solo Adventurers get 3 minutes, Solo Artificers get 5 minutes. Groups in either class will get an additional 3 minutes.
- Applications and Registration- There will no longer be on the day sign ups for the Masquerade. Artificers and Bards must apply for their spot, and Adventurers will be a first-come first-serve pre-registration process online. There will be a waitlist operated for each class.
- Progress Books- Adventurer and Artificer Entrants are now required to bring progress books. While this is not a judged aspect in itself, the information within are meant to be a reference for judges about your build and process. Progress books should be printed and not digital. Reach out to our team if this will be an issue for you.
- Stage Ninjas- We’re encouraging folks to use Stage Ninjas in their performances. Check out our post about stage ninjas to learn more!
- Group Sizes- Groups are now capped at 6 people, and qualify for all the awards within their class. Their class is based on the most experienced member of the group.
- One Entry Per-Event- To help maximise the number of spots avalibale to cosplayers, there is a limit of one entry per person per event.
- Age Requirements- Artificers must be over the age of 16 to enter. Adventurers and Bards must be over the age of 12, and meet the made requirements for the class. Adventurers who are between the ages of 12-15 must be registered by a parent.
- Performance Times- All performances are capped at 2 minutes.
- Score Weighting- Best in Show and Best Adventurers are weighted at 35% Craftsmanship, 35% Accuracy/Creativity and 30% Performance.
Performance Options
What are the options for cosplayers who want to perform at the MegaCon Live shows?
If you’ve made at least 50% of your cosplay you’re eligible for the Adventurer class, and if you’ve made at least 80% you’re eligible for the Artificer Class, where entrants are encouraged to do a performance of up to 2 minutes. Cosplay Masquerade entrants can select their own music.
If you haven’t made at least 50% of your cosplay then you can enter the Bard class which is a part of the Cosplay Masquerade.
Original Characters, Concepts and Designs
Original characters, mash-up designs or concepts inspired by existing characters are encouraged to enter. While part of the scoring is on accuracy, if you are entering an original character, a mash-up design or a concept inspired by an existing character you can be scored on creativity instead. Our judges are trying to award each entrant as many points as possible, so will score you based on either accuracy, creativity or a combination of these two values based on the references for your cosplay.
You will still need to provide references even if your cosplay is an original character, design or concept! These can be photos of where you drew inspiration from, concept sketch’s/planning sketches, or similar. If it’s in your budget, consider commissioning an artist to create a concept drawing of your build before you start it.
If you have questions reach out to our team!
Summary
We’re so excited to be bringing experience classes to the UK for the first time. These changes are meant to help uplift cosplayers of all levels in the performance scene. There are a lot of great things coming to MegaCon Live for Cosplayers and we can’t wait to see everyone at the 2024 shows.
