General Rules

1. To participate, you must be registered for PopCult Anime Con 2024.
2. You may not compete if you are on PopCult Anime Con’s volunteer staff.
3. The online application form must be submitted by noon of August 19, 2024. Any changes to an application must be sent to popcultmasquerade@gmail.com before August 19th.
4. It may be possible to enter the Masquerade AT THE CON. Last minute entries should check in with Masquerade staff before 12:30pm Saturday. We cannot guarantee last minute entries as space is limited, thank you for understanding!
5. Participants must check in:
   1. If competing in craftsmanship, before your judging time.
   2. If only performing, by 12pm on Saturday.
6. You cannot enter multiple costumes or multiple times.
7. Your performance must be kept PG-13.
8. You must be 17 or older to enter without guardian consent. If you are 16 or under, please print and bring with you a completed consent form, linked here.

Cosplay/Craftsmanship Rules

1. To enter, the character must exist in popular media. Source material can come from: Anime, TV shows, Movies, Manga, Graphic Novels, Comics, or Video Games. 
2. If you wish to submit a costume based on fan art etc. then please contact popcultmasquerade@gmail.com. The masquerade department reserves the right to deny eligibility.
3. 80-90% of the cosplay must be handmade. Some minor components may be professionally purchased, but they must be noted in judging and will not count towards your score. “Found Item” cosplays (costumes built by collecting various pieces from normal clothing stores and combining or altering them in a unique way) are allowed.
4. Cosplays must follow dress code and weapon policy, reposted below for your convenience.
5. If the costume has previously won any major award (eg. a number placement or “Best” category) it is ineligible for our masquerade.

Performance Rules

1. Skit time limits are as follows:
   1. 1-3 participants: 2 minutes
   2. 4+ participants: 3 minutes
2. Audio should:
   1. Not contain profanity or offensive language.
   2. Be in .mp3 format.
   3. Be devoid of audio defects.
   4. Be clear and concise.
   5. Be submit by 12pm Saturday of the convention. Masquerade staff reserves the right to not accept and audio track or request changes.
3. If your skit has a stunt or shocking part, please contact the masquerade staff for approval.
4.  No more than 9 people are allowed on stage during the skit, including stage ninjas.
5. Idol performances should be submitted to our Idol Festival. Masquerade staff reserves the right to decline idol performance skits as they have their own separate event.

Options for Entering the Masquerade

1. Craftsmanship: you ONLY want to be judged on the construction and accuracy of your cosplay(s).
2. Performance: you ONLY want to be judged on your performance as the character(s).
3. Both: you want to be judged on the construction and accuracy of your cosplay(s) AS WELL AS your performance as the character(s). 

and

1. Novice: You have little to no experience cosplaying or performing in a masquerade (Awards: 0-2).
2. Advanced: You have experience cosplaying or performing in a masquerade (Awards: 3+)

Convention Weapon & Dress Code

• Your outfit should only expose what is considered appropriate at a pool or beach. A bikini or swim trunks, for example.
• Footwear must be worn at all times. Our definition of ‘footwear’ is that you must have a pad between the bottom of your foot and the floor. To enter the hotel restaurants and other public areas, you may require a shoe with more coverage.
• Seal your body paint, if you are using it. Please be extremely considerate of the hotel, fellow cosplayers and the convention space while in your paint.
• Absolutely no live steel props.
• No projectile weapons unless non-functional. Includes Airsoft, BB guns, dart guns, etc.
• Prop guns must have an orange tip that is clearly identifiable.
• Prop weapons made of foam, wood, Worbla, plastic, etc. are acceptable, but must be checked by Con Security.
• PCAC Staff reserves the right to deny clearance of any prop or weapon considered unsafe at our event.
• If you are concerned about your cosplay or prop(s) please contact popcultmasquerade@gmail.com before the event.

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