‘Behind the Curtain’ is a bi-weekly advice column written by masquerade judges answering anonymous questions from the community. These columns are written with the perspective of how Guild run competitions are, and may not apply to non-Guild run contests. Our column is built on your questions, there is a form to submit your question anonymously at the footer of every column!
With the introduction of experience classes to the MegaCon Live competitions, you may be dreaming of entering the Artificer class, a class for cosplayers who consider themselves more experienced, have been creating cosplays for some time now, or have lots of competition experience. While you may dream of entering this class, self-doubt and questioning your own experience may be holding you back. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize your own talent, and take the leap of faith on yourself.
Feeling inadequate to enter a higher experience class is not an uncommon feeling, and even if you make the leap, apply for and get a spot in the class, it’s not unusual to feel out of place, especially if it’s your first time competing in that kind of experience class.
The Artificer class isn’t reserved for an elite few, it’s a class that celebrates experience and skill, as well as the craftsmanship, dedication and love you pour into your creations. While this class is an application system, applications aren’t judged on ‘worthiness’. If you’re applying for the Artificer class, we’re trusting that you want to be in this class. The application review process becomes relevant only if the class is oversubscribed, prioritizing spots for the most detailed and comprehensive applications. You can read up more on our advice for a thorough and detailed Artificer application here.
Assessing Your Cosplay
The first step in deciding on if you should apply to the Artificer class, is do you meet the base requirements? If you’ve made over 80% of your cosplay, are over the age of 16, and are willing to fill out a detailed application, then you’ve met the base requirements. If you’ve met those base requirements though, then you’ve also met the requirements for Adventurer, which is where the inner reflection comes into play.
If you have professional training or experience then you should definitely be entering the Artificer class, similarly if you’ve won a major award that took Craftsmanship into account, then you also should be entering the Artificer class. These two things automatically put you into the Artificer class, but they aren’t prerequisites for the class. Artificer welcomes those without professional experience or previous awards, and these questions are not part of the Artificer application.
So, you meet the basic requirements for both Artificer and Adventurer, but you lack major awards and professional experience. How do you decide which class to enter? Consider your cosplay journey. Do you feel like you’ve been crafting cosplays for some time, or have a lot of competition experience? Are you generally happy with your work, and don’t think it needs significant improvement? With your recent cosplay builds, do you feel like you’ve improved significantly from your first builds?
These are all good questions to consider, and if you feel like your answers are trending towards yes on any of them, then that’s a good sign that Artificer is for you.
The Artificer Experience
Entering as an Artificer can be an incredibly rewarding experience. You compete alongside cosplayers with similar skills and experience, showcasing your creation amid a diverse array of backgrounds and personal stories.
Craftsmanship: The Artificer class celebrates hands-on craftsmanship. If you’ve invested time and effort into creating at least 80% of your cosplay, you’ve already demonstrated the essence of this class.
Competition Experience: If you’ve participated in multiple cosplay competitions, or even if this is your first competition, it’s a testament to your commitment and courage in the realm of competitive cosplay.
The Cosplay Journey: Artificer values the journey, acknowledging cosplayers with years of experience or those who recently discovered the joy of crafting. The class respects your enthusiasm for cosplay, regardless of when you embarked on this creative adventure.
Artificer Spirit: The Artificer class is not just about what you’ve accomplished, but also about the passion that propels you forward. Artificers are artists, creators and storytellers. If you find joy in the creative process, relish the challenges and continuously strive for improvement, you are embodying the very core of this class.
The class name, Artificer, holds significance. It refers to a skilled worker practicing a trade of handicraft, synonymous with artisans, craftsmen, and journeymen.
Seeking Guidance
It’s absolutely okay to seek help in determining your class. The Guild of Nerds team is dedicated to assisting MegaCon Live competition entrants in choosing the right class. Reach out to us at guildofnerdscosplay@gmail.com for any questions.
If you’re struggling with feelings of self-doubt in regards to crafting experience it can also be helpful to talk with friends and get them to hype you up a little. Sometimes it can be hard to see your own talents and merits, and friends can be a great mirror. If you feel like Artificer is the class you want to enter, don’t hesitate—go for it!
Remember, the Artificer class isn’t just a category; it’s a celebration of your artistic journey as a cosplayer. Embrace the opportunity to showcase your skills, share your passion, and connect with a community that applauds every step of your creative journey. Your work isn’t merely ‘good enough’; it’s a masterpiece in progress, and we eagerly anticipate the magic each participant will bring to the MegaCon Live Masquerades stage.
