Strange Land Costuming

This is going to get lengthy, because there's actually a lot to be said about spicing up masquerade/cosplay contest performances overall. First, though, some terminology so that we're all on the same page.

I've directed, judged, and emceed contests of all kinds at conventions of all sizes. I've also competed for a long a time, so I've seen masquerades from every angle. For the sake of shorthand, I default to the term "masquerade" for the cosplay contest, costume contest, whatever it's called at various cons. The term originated in the 1960's when the traditional masquerade ball - aka costume party - at major sci-fi cons morphed into more of a stage show and the party gradually faded away. In the 1970s every sci-fi con had adopted this new format, but still called it the Masquerade, even though it was now a stage presentation of costumes and contest to judge their impact and workmanship. Since most present-day genre cons owe their existence, format, and traditions to those established in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, I still call it the Masquerade. Many anime cons call it the cosplay contest, but it's the same thing.

( and now, on with the show )

I still regularly visit cosplay.com in order to see what people are up to, offer advice on people's costumes, and get a read on the current trends. Having been a costumer for almost 14 years and a competitor for at least 12, with almost 20 awards under my belt - and planning to direct my first masquerade, at CostumeCon 34 in 2016 - I like to roll through the Masquerade sub-forum to help out people with genuine concerns and questions about their skill levels, complying with rules, etc. But it feels like lately I've been repeating myself a lot, the same questions keep coming up over and over. So, just in case, this post is about competitions: mainly, why we have so many problems trying to figure out The Rules. If anyone needs a permanent reference to check when they have a dilemma, here is my take on it.

Disclaimer: this blog post assumes the reader knows what a masquerade is already. If you've never been to a con before or attended the masquerade, consider doing so first and then try to figure out whether it's something you want to participate in someday.

( winning is never a guarantee but the challenge is worth it )