Masquerade

Yes, you’ve read that right! We are pleased to announce that there will be a masquerade during Otakuthon at Home 2020. As the event will be 100% virtual, certain policies will be different for this year.

Please read the following instructions attentively in order to fully understand how the Otakuthon at Home 2020 masquerade will take place.

What is a masquerade?

The Otakuthon Masquerade is an amateur costuming competition for anime, manga and gaming-related costumes as well as costumes inspired by such works. It is an opportunity to see cosplayers show off their superb costumes, craftsmanship and creativity.

Two types of entries are presented: skits and walk-ons.

*Only solo entries will exceptionally be accepted to encourage physical distancing.

• Skits are short theatrical performances of up to 1 minute in length in which participants wear costumes and perform a skit based on their favorite anime or manga. These presentations may be funny or serious, parody or action and may use characters from one or many shows, but they are always creative and entertaining.
• Walk-ons do not perform skits but walk in front of the camera to show their superb costumes like in a fashion show. These presentations allow fans to see the work of cosplayers who are great craftsmen but are less interested in writing and acting.

Awards will be given out to recognize the work of the participants.

How Does the Masquerade Work?

Participation in the virtual masquerade will be in three steps:

• Submission of a portfolio
• Video interview with the judges (“greenroom”)
• Submission of a video entry

All of these steps are mandatory.

Portfolio

After registering, you have until July 15 to send your portfolio

The portfolio must be submitted in full when registering.

It must be composed of the following elements:

1. Maximum of 1 page and 500 words describing your costume.
2. Maximum of 10 photos of you wearing your costume (including accessories, wig, full make-up; take pictures of you as if you were about to go on stage!).
   1. Make sure that we can see your costume from all angles and include closeups of any details you wish to bring attention to.
3. The full portfolio will have to be in one single document small enough to be attached to an email. Google Drive or other such links will not be accepted.

Greenroom

Every participant will have the occasion to speak with the panel of judges via a video conferencing platform like Zoom or others. The participant will have to be able to use a camera during the call. The call will last around 10 minutes and will be by appointment. It is very important that you connect to the call (“Greenroom”) 10 minutes before your appointment. If you miss your appointment or are late, you will automatically be disqualified. The link to join the Greenroom will be emailed to you following registration. The video call will not be streamed during Otakuthon at Home 2020 and will remain confidential.

To participate to the Greenroom, you will need:

• A computer with a webcam and microphone combo to communicate with the judges
• An Internet connection stable enough for a brief call
• The ability to install the video conference software used for the call

Video Submission

Each participant will have to supply a video of maximum 1 minute of themselves performing a sketch or a walk-on (see the “What is a masquerade” section for more information). The participants’ videos will be streamed during Otakuthon at Home 2020. The videos must be of a certain format and quality; any deviation may lead to disqualification.

To participate :

• Supply a video of 1 minute MAXIMUM that features the participant
• The sketch should be made so that it replicates being on a real stage, in front of a public. This means:
  • Fixed camera; no camera cuts, alternating shots and such editing
  • No special effects
  • If the sketch or walk-on is filmed outside, the background and scenery will be ignored by the judges

Here are examples of sketches that would be refused. This is a non-exhaustive list. Otakuthon reserves the right to refuse any video. Unsure if your sketch idea follows the guidelines? Please send an email to the Masquerade Director to check if it would be accepted.

• A character climbs up a tree and plays an instrument
• A character drives any kind of motorized vehicle
• A character swims in a lake

Format Requirements

• The accepted video formats are:

  • MPEG or AVI
  • 1080p or 1080i
  • 24fps, 30fps or 60fps
  • Ideally shot in Landscape format

• Audio files:

  • The camera’s audio track will not be used;
  • A separate MP3 audio file must obligatorily be submitted even if you do the next step;
  • The audio track must be added to the video using an editing software;
  • If you are unable to do so, we will add the submitted audio track to the video. No other modifications or editing whatsoever will be done.
  • All “customized” audio tracks of insufficient quality may be refused.

If you do not send a separate MP3 and the video only contains the camera audio track, no sound will be played during your video during the Masquerade.

Other Rules

Only 20 entry slots in TOTAL are available for the Masquerade. No EXCEPTIONS will be made, so register early!

1. No special effects will be allowed so as not to penalize those without the technology to use them. This is a costume competition, not an After Effects contest.
2. Due to the virtual nature of the event, people under 16 years of age may not participate in the masquerade this year, even with approval of their parents or legal guardians.
3. No flagrant nudity.
4. Each person may participate in only ONE entry during the Masquerade.
5. Contestants must absolutely respect submission deadlines as well as the date and time of their appointments (Greenroom). The schedule for the masquerade will be communicated in advance. **Tardiness will lead to disqualification. **Note that Acts of God may, to an extent, mitigate this.
6. Commissioned costumes are allowed only if (and only if) the designer of the costume has filled out and signed the registration sheet. While the designer does not have to appear in the video, his/her virtual and verbal presence in the Green Room is mandatory. If your costume is 100% purchased, it will NOT be accepted. Wigs and small accessories/jewel are exempted from this rule.
7. Professional costumers (those who receive at least 50% of their revenues from costuming) will not be eligible for prizes but may enter the “Out of Competition” category. However, as places are limited the masquerade direction reserves the right to prioritize amateur contestants.
8. The Masquerade Director reserves the right to remove anyone from competition for any reason deemed sufficient that can include but is not limited to: inappropriate, indecent, rude, racist or sexist behaviour. Threats and/or violence of any kind to staff, attendees and volunteers will not be tolerated and can result in immediate expulsion from the convention.
9. The decisions of the judges are final. Awards are selected for workmanship, presentation or a combination of both. The judges may opt not give out a ‘Best in Show’ or a ‘Best in Division’ award, or any award in a division if they feel none of the costumes entered are deserving of such award.
10. The names of the winners will be announced in a virtual award ceremony held on Sunday August 16, 2020 (hour to be determined). Prizes may be mailed or given in person during Otakuthon 2021.

How do I participate?

The 2020 masquerade registration will be 100% online. After having read ALL of the information on this page, you will find the link to register below. To register :

• You must be 16 years and over at the time of registration
• You must be available for participation in the virtual Greenroom
• You must send all the necessary information and documents to Otakuthon within the deadlines

To register: Register here (Registration starts on July 1, at noon, EST)

Awards Ceremonies

The award ceremonies will be streamed on Sunday August 16, 2020 (hour to be determined). The video will be composed of the judges and the masquerade Director who will list the prizes awarded. Prizes may be mailed or given in person during Otakuthon 2021.

Important Dates

• Registration and portfolio submission: July 15, 2020
• Video and audio submission: July 25, 2020
• Masquerade: Saturday August 15, 2020 (hour to be determined)
• Awards Ceremonies: Sunday, August 16, 2020 (hour to be determined)

Additional Information

Standard Division System