San Japan Cosplay Rules
Class System
San Japan is going to implement a Two Class competition system for Craftsmanship, Performance, and Walk-On judging. This is to ensure fairness in competition that is otherwise not seen at most cosplay-related events seen in the State of Texas. It is HIGHLY important that all potential entries read and understand the layout of this system. This system is a bit of an experiment, so if you have any questions at all, we strongly encourage you to ask away.
Novice:
This is the class for first time costumers or people who have been costuming for less than a year with no major awards (Judge's Awards are not counted). They will have their own award category for all three major judgments. If you have been costuming for over a year and are not perfectly confident in your skill, please discuss this with us so we might negotiate your placement in this category.
Open:
This is the class for all cosplayers whom have been cosplaying for some time or have won major awards. They will have their own award category in all three major judgments. There may be some who do not fulfill the normal requirements of Open placed in this category if the directors and judges feel you should be competing at this level given situations where a first time costumer is able to produce a higher level craft (it has happened, we promise).
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Basic Rules for the Stage
As a note, all Skit entries will be pre-screened before being allowed on stage. Signing up for the show does not guarantee you a place in the show.
1. Content: We expect all stage entries, both walk ons and skits, to ensure their entry maintains a TV-PG rating (not how PG is defined for film, but for television). To quote Wikipedia
"TV-PG (Unsuitable for young children)
This rating signifies that the program is unsuitable for younger children without the guidance of a parent. Some game shows are rated TV-PG, including Deal or No Deal, The Power of 10, 1 vs. 100,early episodes of Futurama, Family Feud (current episodes) and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader & Run's House, mainly for their suggestive dialog. Most reality shows are rated TV-PG, including Supernanny, Wife Swap, Kid Nation, and American Idol, for their suggestive dialog or coarse language. Sitcoms such as Everybody Loves Raymond, The Steve Harvey Show, The Simpsons, and Seinfeld also usually will carry a TV-PG rating. Also some unamericanized anime sometimes receives this rating such as Princess Tutu, One Piece (the FUNimation version, though some episodes are rated TV-Y7-FV), Naruto and Kodocha. Some feature films originally rated PG-13 are edited for network or basic cable and are rated TV-PG. Despite edits, all episodes of the show Naruto are given a TV-PG rating. Some shows may skip over from TV-PG to TV-14 between episodes, such as House or 30 Rock, in some rare instances when switching networks as well."
Basically, if it can't air on Toonami, then it won't fly on our stage. This rule applies to ALL ENTRIES.
2. Time: Skits are allowed three minutes. You are not allowed any more, and are encouraged to take less. We strongly suggest your skit use pre-recorded audio to ensure the smooth running of the show. We only have two hours to work with, after all. Skits that go over time will be disqualified and removed from the stage.
3. Stunts: Any choreographed fighting or stunts must be done at 3/4s speed and jumping/tumbling, while not against the rules, is discouraged. You will not be counted against for jumping/tumbling, but for your safety we'd rather you did not. Please discuss it with the directors if you plan to do any of this.
4. Karaoke: There will be karaoke related events at the convention at other times, including Anime Idol. Therefore, we see no reason for these types of performances during the cosplay show and are thusly not allowed. If you desire to sing on stage, please do so at an event other than the Cosplay Show. We suggest singing up for Ani-Idol.
5. Cleanliness: Anything that goes on stage with you leave with you. Do not bring any sort of particle/fluid/other projectile on stage with you. It is not our responsibility to clean up after your performance.
6. Bulky Costumes: Please inform us ahead of time if your costume is difficult to move around in so we can make proper accommodations. We are willing to do almost anything in order to allow an amazing costume on stage so please talk to us!
7. Craftsmanship: The Gear Project endorses a "50%" rule on craftsmanship that means at least half of your costume must be your own work and not just bought/found. Plain clothes costumes unless made by you will not be allowed as Walk-Ons. We are willing to make exceptions to this rule for skits.
---
Awards for Stage
There will be several awards presented at the San Japan Cosplay Show. The following are brief descriptions of each:
Judge's Award:
These are the personal awards of each judge that they may present to whomever they wish. Class does not mean anything here and the qualifications of the award are dependent entirely on the judge presenting it. There will be 5, one for each Judge.
Best Performance (Walk-On):
There will be an award for both the Open and Novice class for this category. This will be based entirely on an entry's ability to command the stage and entertain the audience with both posing and stage presence.
Best Performance (Skit):
Once again, there will be an award for both Open and Novice class. This will be based on the quality and execution of a skit entry, given their ability to execute their performance as well as entertain the audience and keep people excited about their entry. This applies to all skits, be they dance numbers, dramatic scenes, or comedic sketches.
Best Craftsmanship:
Both Novice and Open will have their own awards here as well. This award is based purely on the skill of your craft and performance is not factored in at all. Excellence in costuming as well as prop/accessory construction will be looked at here.
Best in Class:
Basically, there will be two Runner Up awards for Best In Show based on Class, and these are it. See below for Best in Show
Best in Show:
This is a category that both Novice and Open will compete for. This will be awarded to the entry that shows the best examples of both craftsmanship and performance together. This is considered the top award in the show.
If you have any questions, PLEASE ASK us.
---
Hall Cosplay
As an alternative to going on stage, there is also a Hall Cosplay competition at San Japan. This contest will be a craftsmanship only based competition that will see costumes being judges as they signed up. There is no pressure to perform on stage and your work will be able to speak for itself in a more intimate experience with the Cosplay Staff and Directors. Awards for Hall will be presented at the same ceremony as the Stage awards at the end of the Cosplay Show. The awards are as follows:
Best Group (Open and Novice)
Best Single (Open and Novice)
---
If you have any questions/concerns, please post them here or IM us directly on AIM at The Gear Projekt
San Japan is going to implement a Two Class competition system for Craftsmanship, Performance, and Walk-On judging. This is to ensure fairness in competition that is otherwise not seen at most cosplay-related events seen in the State of Texas. It is HIGHLY important that all potential entries read and understand the layout of this system. This system is a bit of an experiment, so if you have any questions at all, we strongly encourage you to ask away.
Novice:
This is the class for first time costumers or people who have been costuming for less than a year with no major awards (Judge's Awards are not counted). They will have their own award category for all three major judgments. If you have been costuming for over a year and are not perfectly confident in your skill, please discuss this with us so we might negotiate your placement in this category.
Open:
This is the class for all cosplayers whom have been cosplaying for some time or have won major awards. They will have their own award category in all three major judgments. There may be some who do not fulfill the normal requirements of Open placed in this category if the directors and judges feel you should be competing at this level given situations where a first time costumer is able to produce a higher level craft (it has happened, we promise).
---
Basic Rules for the Stage
As a note, all Skit entries will be pre-screened before being allowed on stage. Signing up for the show does not guarantee you a place in the show.
1. Content: We expect all stage entries, both walk ons and skits, to ensure their entry maintains a TV-PG rating (not how PG is defined for film, but for television). To quote Wikipedia
"TV-PG (Unsuitable for young children)
This rating signifies that the program is unsuitable for younger children without the guidance of a parent. Some game shows are rated TV-PG, including Deal or No Deal, The Power of 10, 1 vs. 100,early episodes of Futurama, Family Feud (current episodes) and Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader & Run's House, mainly for their suggestive dialog. Most reality shows are rated TV-PG, including Supernanny, Wife Swap, Kid Nation, and American Idol, for their suggestive dialog or coarse language. Sitcoms such as Everybody Loves Raymond, The Steve Harvey Show, The Simpsons, and Seinfeld also usually will carry a TV-PG rating. Also some unamericanized anime sometimes receives this rating such as Princess Tutu, One Piece (the FUNimation version, though some episodes are rated TV-Y7-FV), Naruto and Kodocha. Some feature films originally rated PG-13 are edited for network or basic cable and are rated TV-PG. Despite edits, all episodes of the show Naruto are given a TV-PG rating. Some shows may skip over from TV-PG to TV-14 between episodes, such as House or 30 Rock, in some rare instances when switching networks as well."
Basically, if it can't air on Toonami, then it won't fly on our stage. This rule applies to ALL ENTRIES.
2. Time: Skits are allowed three minutes. You are not allowed any more, and are encouraged to take less. We strongly suggest your skit use pre-recorded audio to ensure the smooth running of the show. We only have two hours to work with, after all. Skits that go over time will be disqualified and removed from the stage.
3. Stunts: Any choreographed fighting or stunts must be done at 3/4s speed and jumping/tumbling, while not against the rules, is discouraged. You will not be counted against for jumping/tumbling, but for your safety we'd rather you did not. Please discuss it with the directors if you plan to do any of this.
4. Karaoke: There will be karaoke related events at the convention at other times, including Anime Idol. Therefore, we see no reason for these types of performances during the cosplay show and are thusly not allowed. If you desire to sing on stage, please do so at an event other than the Cosplay Show. We suggest singing up for Ani-Idol.
5. Cleanliness: Anything that goes on stage with you leave with you. Do not bring any sort of particle/fluid/other projectile on stage with you. It is not our responsibility to clean up after your performance.
6. Bulky Costumes: Please inform us ahead of time if your costume is difficult to move around in so we can make proper accommodations. We are willing to do almost anything in order to allow an amazing costume on stage so please talk to us!
7. Craftsmanship: The Gear Project endorses a "50%" rule on craftsmanship that means at least half of your costume must be your own work and not just bought/found. Plain clothes costumes unless made by you will not be allowed as Walk-Ons. We are willing to make exceptions to this rule for skits.
---
Awards for Stage
There will be several awards presented at the San Japan Cosplay Show. The following are brief descriptions of each:
Judge's Award:
These are the personal awards of each judge that they may present to whomever they wish. Class does not mean anything here and the qualifications of the award are dependent entirely on the judge presenting it. There will be 5, one for each Judge.
Best Performance (Walk-On):
There will be an award for both the Open and Novice class for this category. This will be based entirely on an entry's ability to command the stage and entertain the audience with both posing and stage presence.
Best Performance (Skit):
Once again, there will be an award for both Open and Novice class. This will be based on the quality and execution of a skit entry, given their ability to execute their performance as well as entertain the audience and keep people excited about their entry. This applies to all skits, be they dance numbers, dramatic scenes, or comedic sketches.
Best Craftsmanship:
Both Novice and Open will have their own awards here as well. This award is based purely on the skill of your craft and performance is not factored in at all. Excellence in costuming as well as prop/accessory construction will be looked at here.
Best in Class:
Basically, there will be two Runner Up awards for Best In Show based on Class, and these are it. See below for Best in Show
Best in Show:
This is a category that both Novice and Open will compete for. This will be awarded to the entry that shows the best examples of both craftsmanship and performance together. This is considered the top award in the show.
If you have any questions, PLEASE ASK us.
---
Hall Cosplay
As an alternative to going on stage, there is also a Hall Cosplay competition at San Japan. This contest will be a craftsmanship only based competition that will see costumes being judges as they signed up. There is no pressure to perform on stage and your work will be able to speak for itself in a more intimate experience with the Cosplay Staff and Directors. Awards for Hall will be presented at the same ceremony as the Stage awards at the end of the Cosplay Show. The awards are as follows:
Best Group (Open and Novice)
Best Single (Open and Novice)
---
If you have any questions/concerns, please post them here or IM us directly on AIM at The Gear Projekt