GUILD OF NERDS PRESENTS
Cosplay Masquerade at MegaCon Live
XP CLASSES
Introducing experience classes to the judged Cosplay Masquerade, ensuring that crafters of similar skill levels are able to compete against each other. You need to meet all the requirements to enter that class. If you qualify for multiple classes use the identity questions to help decide which one you fit best into.
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
Identity Questions
- Identify with the following
- I enjoy performing in cosplay.
- I’m interested in competing against other performers.
- I’m not interested in making my own 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
- Complete an online application
- Do not have professional training or education in costuming/sewing
Identity Questions
- Identify with the following:
- I’m new to making cosplays.
- I haven’t won a major award.
- I’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
Identity Questions
- Identify with the following:
- I consider myself an experienced cosplay maker
- I have professional costume-making, tailoring or similar experience.
- I have won a major award.
- I have entered more than five competitions.
TIMELINE
01
Prepare
Entering a Masquerade does take some preparation. From deciding on your cosplan, to building, coming up with a performance, and rehearsing, there is a lot to be done.
Make sure you start preparing with enough time to be ready for the competition.
02
Apply or Register
Applications for the Artificer class open approximately 8-10 weeks before the event.
Registration for the Adventurer class open about 6 weeks before the event.
If you miss out on applications or registering you can join the waitlist for your class.
03
Pre-check
A few weeks before the event you’ll receive a link via email to complete pre-check.
Pre-checks are required, so make sure you keep you eye on your inbox, and complete your pre-check by the deadline so you can keep your spot in the Masquerade.
This is also when you’ll schedule your pre-judging slot!
04
Check-in
You’ll also need to check in on the day at the Cosplay Village by 12pm. Thanks to the pre-check system this is a quick and easy process.
There will be self-serve check-in options in addition to our Masquerade team standing by to help.
05
Pre-Judging
Head to the pre-judging area at your assigned time block and queue up. You’ll have 3-5 minutes depending on your class to talk to the judges.
With our new scheduled pre-judging system you should only need to queue for less than half an hour for your pre-judging block.
06
Masquerade
The final moment you’ve been preparing and waiting for, the Masquerade!
You’ll have gotten a return time during check-in or pre-judging. Return to the Cosplay Village at this time to queue up in stage order for the show.
Now it’s time to bask in the limelight and have fun on stage!
For more specific date information and to apply/register for the Masquerade, head over to the MegaCon Cosplay Page for the show you are interested in.
ARTIFICER application
What to expect on the Artificer application
Eligibility
A few confirmation questions such as did you make 80% or more of your cosplay, are you over 16 and which days you are available to enter. You can only enter one day, but if the specific day doesn’t matter to you this can increase the number of spots available for you.
About your Costume
All the details about your costume. You’ll need to upload at least 3 (and a maximum 6) high-quality reference photos, as well as 5 work-in-progress photos ideally from the front, back and sides. We’ll also need you to break down the elements of your cosplay, which items were made, modified and bought.
There’s a box to share with us your inspiration for the cosplay, what inspired you, why you chose to cosplay this character and other similar info can go here.
Finally, we’ll ask about what is left to finish on your cosplay if it’s not complete at the time of applying. Con crunch is a way of life, but we want to know where you are at in the build.
Q: How is my application ‘judged’?
Application content is not judged so much as the completeness of your application. If there are more applicants than spots, then places will go to those with the most thorough and complete applications.
About You
This is your contact info, name and character/source information. Make sure your email is correct as this is how we will contact you about your application.
About your Performance
We’ll want to know about your performance plans. There are some checkboxes for the type of performance, the approximate length of the performance (all performances must be under two minutes) and room for you to go into detail about your stage performance plans. You also will be able to upload sample audio work, stage plans and/or previous performances.
Additionally, you’ll need to have your backing track ready, and upload that to the form. It must be 2 minutes or less, otherwise, our system will automatically cut it at the 120-second mark.
If you have any lighting, screen or other media requests you’ll share those requests now. We can’t guarantee anything beyond mics, but you can make requests.
Q: When can I apply?
Artificer applications open 8-10 weeks before the event, and the applications stay open for 10 days. You can apply anytime in that 10-day window, as all applications will be reviewed in a batch at the end of the application period.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I still enter if I haven’t made my cosplay?
We have three classes within the Masquerade, the Bard Class is open to those who haven’t made their cosplay but want to do a performance.
If you haven’t made your cosplay and you don’t want to do a performance, then our Cosplay Showcase is a wonderful opportunity to show off your cosplay without having to do a performance or have made the cosplay.
Do I have to perform?
The Masquerade is made up of 3 classes. The Adventurer and Artificer classes must have made some portion of their cosplay (exact percent depends on class) and particpate in both the pre-judging and stage portions of the contest. Adventurers and Artificers can do a simple walk-on stage entry.
The Bard Class is for our performers, so for that class you must have a performance.
You should be aware that Best in Show and Best Adventurer both include performance as 30% of your overall score. However, the Artificer and Adventurer Craftsmanship awards do not take performance into account at all.
I want to do a full performance but haven’t made my Cosplay, what can I do?
Enter our Bard class! This class if for those who haven’t made their cosplay but do want to perform. The two minute performance limit applies to all classes. You can apply to the Bard class at the MegaCon Live site.
Can I enter with an original character or design? What about fursuits?
Original characters and designs are allowed and welcomed to be entered. In the case of an original character or design your progress book should include inspiration images, sketches and other supporting designs in lieu of reference images. Fursuits can be entered if the wearer made 50%/80% (percent depending on class entered) of the suit/costume elements.
Can I enter as a group?
Yes! Groups of up to 6 people can enter.
I made all the cosplays for my group, can we still enter?
As long as all the cosplays for the group have been made by a member of the group who is participating in both pre-judging and the onstage presentation of the cosplays, you can enter. If not all your cosplays are made, but you do have a performance in mind, you can enter the Bard class.
What categories are there?
There is a Craftsmanship and Performance category for both Adventurers and Artificers. Additionally, there is Best in Show and Best Adventurer which take craftsmanship and performance into account.
We are finalizing the details for the categories within the Bard class.
What happened to the group category?
We’ve restructured the categories for the Masquerade to work with the new classes. Groups are treated the same as solo entries and are eligible for the same categories as solo entries.
Is there a place to store my items?
Masquerade entrants can store their bags and cosplay items with the Cosplayer Cloakroom for free during the day and during the performance.
Can I use a Stage Ninja or assistant on stage?
Stage Ninjas are allowed to be a part of your performance. They must be in all black and not play a named character in your performance. Check out our post on stage ninjas for more in depth
information.
Can I enter both days?
To help give as many cosplayers as possible a chance to enter, you can only enter once per event.
Can I enter the Masquerade and Showcase?
Masquerade entrants can enter the showcase if there is room, as the showcase is a non-judged event. Masquerade entrants who are interested in entering the showcase should see if there are spots 1hr before the showcase starts at the Cosplay Village.
I’ve won before can I still enter?
If you’ve won a Megacon Masquerade before, you can enter but should be entering as an Artificer. Cosplayers may not enter cosplays that have won a major award at any shows before unless there has been 50% worth of modifications made to the cosplay. These modifications or updates should be reflected in the progress book. The performance should be at least 80% different.
Do I need a build book?
We require progress books, which are similar to build books. We’ve decided to call them progress books as these are not judged themselves, rather the material contained in the progress books are used by judges to confirm someone has in fact made their cosplay, to see elements that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to see such as undergarments the entrant has made, or internal seams.
Progress books should be printed out, as this allows judges to easily refer to entrants’ progress books during deliberation periods.
Please note, as the Bard class does not need to have made their cosplays, they do not need to bring a progress book.
How long can my performance be?
Performances must be 2 minutes or less. Oftentimes less is more, so the advice is to lean towards less time than more. This is not a challenge to be exactly two minutes long. It’s a limit not a goal. We cannot make exceptions to the 2 minutes rule, and trying to get around it while onstage may result in disqualification.
Walk on entries are limited to 30 seconds
Can I have a mic check or stage rehearsal?
Unfortunately, this is not possible due to the Mega Stages busy schedule. There are on-stage monitors for mics, but singers should be advised that on-stage monitors can get out of sync.
I need accommodations for a disability- how do I request this?
We will do everything in our power to provide reasonable accommodations. Please email the Cosplay team at cosplay@megaconlive.com if you need accommodations.
Do I need a ticket?
Yes, all Masquerade entrants and stage ninja’s must have a valid ticket to enter the event and the Masquerade. The Masquerade is included in the event ticket.
Is the stage wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Mega Stages at Megacon have ramp access. If you need additional assistance please let the cosplay team know.
Tips and Advice
