Rules for the Balticon 54 Virtual Masquerade

  1. Balticon Members: All contestants must be convention members and conform to the convention’s Code of Conduct.
  2. Once Per Costumer: Each contestant may appear only once in the competition. If there are special circumstances, special requests can be made to the Masquerade Director (masquerade@balticon.org).
  3. Group Presentations: If you are a part of a group costume, only one member of the group should register for the entire group, and the group will be given a single entrant number. Each group member is required to complete a release form and must be a member of the convention.
  4. Not In Competition: Costumes that have won major awards at an International Costume Competition can only be entered as Not In Competition (NIC). Costumes presented as NIC will not be eligible for judging or awards for either presentation or workmanship. Costumers also have the option of presenting NIC if they do not wish to be judged.
  5. Time Limits: Entrants are permitted a maximum of one minute (60 seconds) on stage. Any additional time must be approved by the Masquerade Director (masquerade@balticon.org). We are looking for exciting presentations, don’t hesitate to experiment.
  6. Weapons: can appear in any way, shape or form you wish.
  7. Pyrotechnics: is welcome in this format.
  8. Nudity: “No costume” is not a costume and won’t win any prizes. Costumes should be “street legal” to accommodate the venue and audience. Please use this as an opportunity to have fun, but be safe.
  9. On Time: All submissions must be made by 12 am (Midnight) Friday May 15 , 2020 to allow time to set up the presentation.  This deadline may change. See the Masquerade Spec Sheet section for details about creating and submitting your presentation media.
  10. Masquerade Run Order: 
    1. Young Fan Division
    2. Marty Gear Masquerade 
    3. Announcement regarding donations BSFS Books for Kids
  11. Disqualification:
    1. Harassment (verbal, physical, sexual): towards Masquerade and tech staff, or towards other contestants
    2. Dangerous behavior (weapons, roughhousing, threats): Unapproved weapons, tripping people intentionally
    3. Bad taste (determined by the Masquerade Director and staff)
    4. Undue influence (including nepotism): getting dinner with the judges, showing WIPs to judges ahead of time, sleeping with the judges
  12. Awards: We will mail certificates of appreciation after the virtual convention.

DIVISIONS

Contestants will be registered within one of the following Divisions:

  • YOUNG FAN
    Any con member 13 years of age and under may enter as a young fan. There are two classes of workmanship awards: Adult Made and Contestant Made. Adult Made costumes will be judged at the level of the adult’s Division. All presentations will be be judged at the Young Fan level.
  • NOVICE
    An individual or group where all members have won fewer than three major awards* in costume competitions (other than as a Young Fan) at any convention.
  • JOURNEYMAN
    An individual or group where one or more members have won three or more major awards* as a Novice, but less than three additional major awards in the Journeyman Division.
  • MASTER
    An individual or group where one or more members have won three major awards* as a Journeyman.

* A major award is defined as the following: “Best —“, “Most —“, “Judges Choice”, “First Place —“, or “Second Place —“. “Honorable Mentions” do not count as major awards.

All entrants may choose to compete at a higher level. If you have questions about the Division you should be competing in, contact the Masquerade Director.

All division entries are at the discretion of the Masquerade Director.

SUBDIVISIONS

Costumes may be farther judged within each Division Level.

  • Original
    Original costumes are what the name implies, an original design by the maker. 
  • Recreation
    A costume copied directly or with minor modifications from a previously existing work, such as a television show.
  • Historical Recreation
    A historical recreation costume is made to the specifications of the period in which the clothing was worn. Documentation, including techniques used, should be provided in print.