Balticon 55

General Rules

1. Balticon Code of Conduct: All contestants must conform to the convention’s Code of Conduct.
2. Costumers’ Guild Division System: Balticon follows the International Costumers’ Guild (ICG) Division system http://costume.org/wp/icg-guidelines-ensuring-fair-competition/
3. One entry per person: Each contestant may appear in only one entry in the competition. If there are special circumstances, requests can be made to the Masquerade Director (masquerade@balticon.org).
4. 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.
5. Not In Competition (NIC): Costumers have the option of presenting NIC if they do not wish to be judged. Costumes that have won major awards at an International Costume Competition may 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.
6. Weapons: Use of weapons in your virtual presentation is permitted. Be careful and do not violate laws in your locale.
7. Pyrotechnics: Pyrotechnics are welcome in this virtual format. Use caution and do not violate laws in your locale.
8. Nudity: “No costume” is not a costume and may not be presented. Costumes should be street legal.
9. Time Limits: Videos for solo entrants are limited to under 1 minute. Group entries may have up to 2 minutes. Any additional time must be approved by the Masquerade Director.
10. On Time: All submissions must be made by May 7, 2021 to allow time for the Balticon video editors to assemble them into the Masquerade video presentation.
11. Disqualification:
    • Verbal, physical or sexual harassment towards Masquerade and tech staff or towards other contestants
    • Bad taste as determined by the Masquerade Director and staff
    • Undue influence: Any attempt to influence the judging is grounds for disqualification from the competition. Undue influence includes gifts, nepotism, and showing costumes to judges ahead of time
12. Awards: We will mail certificates for the awards after the virtual convention.

How to Submit an Entry

Masquerade Registration is now closed. Please enter next year.

Since Balticon 55 is online only, the Masquerade will be presented as a compilation of videos and photos. For best results when creating your presentation, follow the video and audio requirements described in the following sections. Once your video is complete, register your entry and upload your media (video, audio, script) using the Masquerade Registration form.

If you want your entry to be judged for workmanship, provide well-lit still photographs of your costume from several angles and include close-ups of the construction details. Fill out the Masquerade Workmanship Registration form here to register for judging and upload your photos.

Video Requirements

• Please record at 720p or 1080p resolution. We plan to compile the masquerade video at 1280 x 720 pixels, also known as 720p. You may record at a different resolution, but we will have to convert your video to 720p. Any lower resolution will not look as good. Also avoid super high resolution such as 4K as the larger files will make it harder for you to get the video to us and will strain the editor’s computer.
• All videos must be in landscape (horizontal) orientation. Any submissions in portrait (vertical) orientation will be rejected and you will be asked to re-do your submission.
• We prefer the following file types: .avi, .mp4, .mov, and .mkv. If you wish use some other codec, we might not be able to read it. If you are using an uncommon codec, send us a test file first. Contact the Masquerade Director for directions on how to send a test file.

Video Hints:

• If you have several video recording devices, try them all to see which gives the best picture. Some phones can make amazing video. Some, not so amazing.
• Try to set up a performance location with a plain, non-distracting background. Clutter in the background will distract from the costume. Move some furniture to clear a wall.
• Closed full length living room curtains make a good backdrop.
• Do not shoot in a location with a brightly lit window behind you.
• Do try to get as much light on your shooting area as possible.

If you have any concerns about creating your video in the correct format, do not hesitate to contact the Masquerade Director.

Audio/MC script

Script read by Master of Ceremonies:

You may submit a script to be read during your presentation skit by the Master of Ceremonies.

• Submit the script as a PDF file using 18-point Arial font, double-spaced lines.
• Include your entry name in the filename.
• Email to masquerade@balticon.org with the subject: Script and your entry name.

Audio & Sound requirements:

• Please provide any audio or soundtrack as a single file in .WAV or .MP3 format. Upload it in the online registration form.
• Include your entry name as part of the filename.
• Edit the file to start exactly at the point where you want the audio to start during your presentation. Unless you want the sound to definitely stop at a specific point, it is OK to make the sound file longer than you expect to need – we will fade it as you leave the stage.
• If you are having trouble finding non-copyrighted music, please let us know and we can make suggestions.
• Please provide a transcript of any dialog in your audio for our close captioning provider. Create a PDF file and include your entry name in the filename. Email to masquerade@balticon.org with the subject: Audio transcript and your entry name.

NOTE: Balticon Masquerade CANNOT provide music for your costume presentation. It is against copyright law for us to stream music with your photo/video.

Masquerade Run Order

1. Young Fan Division
2. Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade
3. Announcement regarding donations for BSFS Books for Kids

Divisions

Contestants will register within one of the following Divisions:

• YOUNG FAN
  An individual or group where all members are 13 years of age or under may enter in the Young Fan division. The presentation will be judged at the Young Fan level. There are two options for the workmanship award in this level: Adult-Made and Contestant-Made. Adult-Made costumes will be judged at the level of the Division in which the adult maker qualifies (Novice, Journeyman, Master), while Contestant-Made costumes will 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 fewer 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.

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 further 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.

Major Award Definition

A major award is defined as the following:

• Best — (e.g,. Best of Show, Best in Class)
• Most — (e.g., Most Original)
• Judges Choice
• First Place —“ or “Second Place —“. (e.g., First Place Novice Category, Second Place Recreation)

“Honorable Mentions” and “Young Fan” awards do not count as major awards.