Masquerade Ball

• Updates
• General Info
• Entry Requirements
• Contestant Rules
• Costume Rules
• Awards

Have you ever imagined creating an original costume based around your favorite anime character? Have you been dying to dance in your Gackt costume but haven’t had the opportunity? Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to ballroom dance in your costume? Have you found yoruself wondering what these questions have to do with each other? Are you sitting there wondering where this is going?

Updates

5/19/09 – Masquarade date is moved to July 2nd.
2/xx/09 – Rules updated.
For Cosplay Inquiries, please contact

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General Info

Have you ever imagined creating an original costume based around your favorite anime character? Have you been dying to dance in your latest cosplay, but haven’t had the opportunity? The Masquerade Ball is a cooperative event from the Cosplay Events and Dance Depts. It’s a Ballroom dance and individual costume contest, done in cosplay style!

This event will be held on Thursday evening, July 2nd, 6 pm to 9 pm, located in the Dance Room of the LACC. While all Anime Expo® attendees are welcome to this event, wearing a costume and mask are highly encouraged.

The costume contest is geared toward original ballroom style costume based off or inspired by any Japanese Pop Culture genre. Whether its anime based or Visual Kei influenced, this event is open to all who have a desire to develop a unique ballroom style costume.

PLEASE NOTE

The Anime Expo® Code of Conduct (link to code of conduct coming soon!) will be enforced at the door. If you are not dressed appropriately to go out in public, then you will be asked to change your attire.

Masquerade Ball Entry Requirements

1. The Online Registration form must be filled out by the individual entering Masquerade Ball.
2. Online Registration will close when all available primary and standby entries are filled or by May 15th, 2009.
3. All contestants must fill out and sign the General Release & Waiver Form.
4. Any contestant under 18 years of age at the time of the Masquerade Ball, must have their parent or legal guardian sign the appropriate section of the General Release & Waiver Form.
5. All contestants must check in at the Cosplay Events Info Desk for final updates, information and submission of updated paperwork by 3 pm, Thursday, July 2nd, 2009.
6. The Masquerade Ball may have up to 30 entries.
7. An entry may consist of an individual or a pair of contestants with matching cosplay.
8. At-Con Registration will be available at the Cosplay Events Info Desk as space permits until 3 pm, Thursday, July 2nd, 2009.

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Masquerade Ball Contestant Rules

1. Contestants must adhere to the Anime Expo® Code of Conduct.
2. Entries are either individual or a couple.
3. All contestants must be respectful and careful of each other, their costumes and props at all times. Willful damage of costumes and/or props as well as inappropriate manners toward other contestants or staff will result in disqualification.
4. Introduction narratives can be read by the MC at the costumer’s request. Any narration must be 35 words or less.
5. All contestants may only participate in a single entry.

Please check with the Coordinator if there are questions about certain aspects of your costume. Do not risk disqualification and possible expulsion from the convention by wearing or behaving inappropriately on stage.

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Masquerade Ball Costume Rules

1. All costumes being presented for costume judging must be accompanied by a reference book or album with the following information: (optional) can choose to bring one
   • Information of the costume being presented:
     Name of anime/manga/video game/ live action production/band/artist
     Name of character(s)/artist
     Pictures of original character(s) (front, back, side and any important details)
2. Wearing a mask is optional, although highly recommended.
3. Costumes should not be constructed with messy substances or materials. Paint or make up should not come off during casual contact with others.
4. Costumes must be self-contained. Connections to electrical sockets will not be available.
5. Purchased or Rental costumes are prohibited.
6. All Props must conform to Anime Expo®’s Weapons Policy.
7. Costumes and Props must be constructed by:
   • Contestant wearing the costume.
   • Family/friends without monetary compensations. Any assistance from family/friends is limited to one entry.

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Masquerade Ball Awards and Prizes

The awards for Masquerade Ball are different from other Cosplay Events in that it follows the more traditional pattern of Ballroom Dance events like Prom or Seasonal Formal.

All contestants will be reviewed by a panel of Judges who then select the Court.

The Court will then be presented to the Ball. The attendees of the Ball will select the King and Queen of the Ball.

The Awards are:

• The King & Queen of the Ball
• The Prince & Princess of the Ball
• The Duke & Duchess of the Ball

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