Anime Boston 2007
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Masquerade Rules

If you have any questions, please ask. Whether this is your first masquerade or your fiftieth, it is always possible we are doing something different from what you might expect. It is your responsibility to read the rules and make sure you understand them. It is also your responsibility ask questions if you are confused. We are here to help you. Please contact the Masquerade Coordinator with your questions and/or comments.

Please be advised that members of Anime Boston staff will NOT be permitted to compete or hold a spot in the Anime Boston Masquerade or Hall Cosplay Contest.

Table of Contents:

  1. Masquerade Registration
  2. Basic Requirements
  3. Divisions
  4. Presentations/Walk-ons
  5. Award Guidelines
  6. Craftsmanship Judging
  7. Music and Sound
  8. Emcee
  9. Special Performances
  10. Damages
  11. Weapons Policy
  12. Special Requests

  1. Masquerade Registration
    • You must register for the Masquerade online. Online registration closes on March 1st, 2007 or when all spaces have been filled, whichever comes first. A list of registered groups will be posted in early spring. Usually it takes two weeks or less for a masquerade registration to be received and confirmation to be sent out. If more than two weeks go by after you send in your registration and you have not yet had confirmation, then you can check to see whether your registration has been received by contacting the Masquerade Coordinator.

    • The Waiting List: Groups 61+ are the "Waiting List Groups". If you are Group 65, that means you are #5 on the Waiting List. Any slots that open up due to cancellations before the convention will be given to waiting list groups in order. There are usually many cancellations, so the first ten groups on the waiting list have a very high chance of being in the show and the next ten still have a reasonable chance. If you are in the first ten spaces on the waiting list, you are required to come to masquerade check-in and judging to see if there is space for you.

    • If there are cancellations at the convention due to registered groups not showing up to check in, these will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis to any cosplayer or group who shows up at Masquerade Headquarters on Saturday, April 21, 2007, from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm. If you intend to try to get one of these first-come, first-serve slots, please bring your entire group, your music (see Music), and your script with you. We cannot guarantee that there will be any first-come, first-serve slots, but there are usually a few.

    • The Masquerade Coordinator will be e-mailing the primary contact for your group on a regular basis with important updates. You must keep your contact information updated. If your e-mail is bouncing and/or your phone number no longer works, we will be forced to remove you from the Masquerade or the Waiting List. You can update your contact information by contacting the Masquerade Coordinator.

    • All contestants must be registered members of Anime Boston 2007 and will need to display a valid convention badge at both check-in and at the Masquerade itself. (You may put your badge away so it's not visible while appearing on stage.)

    • Minors (those under 18 years of age) may not participate in the Masquerade unless given written permission by a legal guardian. Forms will be available both at the convention and online prior to the event. Please bring the signed copy with you to registration check-in if you are less than 18 years of age.

    • You must check in to confirm your registration at Masquerade Headquarters on Friday, April 20 or Saturday, April 21, 2007. The hours and location of the Masquerade check-in will be posted when available. Please be sure to check in even if you are on the Waiting List. In some cases, registered groups are unable to attend and spaces open up.

    • All contestants must check in advance to make sure that you will be able to remain through the entire masquerade. The masquerade often goes very late. If individuals or groups leave early, it can cause great problems for the sound and scripts of other groups. If you check in but drop out before the actual performance, unless there are exceptional circumstances, your name will be recorded and you may not be welcome to participate in future masquerades at Anime Boston. In the case of exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies or personal issues, you may talk to the Masquerade Coordinator to give timely notice of your withdrawal, in which case you will be welcomed in future Masquerades.

    • Everyone must be checked in and have their music/audio (see Music) confirmed by Noon on Saturday, April 21, 2007 or you will not be allowed to participate.

    • By registering, all Masquerade participants agree to let Anime Boston use their images for promotional purposes, both photographs and video. All participants will be required to sign a waiver at their at-con check-in acknowledging this. If you do not sign a waiver, you will not be allowed to appear in the Masquerade.

  2. Basic Requirements
    • All costumes must be based on Japanese anime (such as Trigun), Japanese manga (such as Sanctuary), or a Japanese-origin anime-style video game (such as Final Fantasy). Generally, if the series and/or character originated anywhere else than Japan, it doesn't qualify. Obviously, Japanese adaptations of foreign material that are nevertheless extremely Japanese are permitted - for example we would not exclude Marie Antoinette (Rose of Versailles), the Count of Monte Christo (Gankutsuou), Lupin (Lupin III) or Utena (Revolutionary Girl Utena) for being adapted from French works. When in doubt, contact the Masquerade Coordinator.
      • Exception 1: If your skit is based on a Japanese series that includes western characters but focuses on the Japanese ones, you may petition the Masquerade Coordinator for an exception BY SUBMITTING A FULL SCRIPT IN ADVANCE. For example, if you were planning a Kingdom Hearts skit featuring Sora, Riku, Kairi and Ansem and wanted to have Donald and Goofy as well, that would probably be approved. A skit featuring Donald and Goofy only would not.
      • Exception 2: If your skit consists mostly of Japanese materiel but you want a brief supporting gag including a non-Japanese character, you may petition the Masquerade Coordinator for an exception BY SUBMITTING A FULL SCRIPT IN ADVANCE. For example a humorous one-line walk-on by Sylvester the Cat in the middle of a .hack//SIGN skit might be approved if the rest of the focus was on the Japanese characters.
      • Exception 3: If you wish to use material from a Chinese or Korean series or movie that is not obscure and is popular with American anime fans, you may petition the Masquerade Coordinator for an exception BY SUBMITTING A FULL SCRIPT IN ADVANCE. For example a skit from Demon Diary might be considered.

    • NO LIVE ACTION. NO J-ROCK or J-POP. We apologize, but we cannot accept J-Rock or J-Pop costume entries at the Masquerade cosplay competition. Please do not show up in J-Rock/J-Pop/Drama costumes at the Masquerade and expect us to make an exception. We can't bend the rules just for one person/group. We do not count J-Rock/J-Pop/Drama doujinshi as manga. Note that we do allow J-pop and J-rock costumes to compete in the Hall Costume Contest.
      • Exception: Japanese Live-Action series that have been based on animated series will be allowed. (Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon and Nana are good examples of this.)

    • We do allow the use of American (and other non-Japanese) music in your skit. You may use the latest popular American movies, commercials, TV shows, etc., as an influence, but we request that you act as your character would in that situation. If you aren't sure if your skit plans are appropriate, please ask.

    • With permission from the Masquerade Coordinator, we do allow costumes based on promotional art for anime and manga, even if the costumes do not appear in the actual series. In these cases you must notify the Masquerade Coordinator ahead of time that you will be using promotional art as the basis of your costume and to ensure that the judges are prepared for the unusual costume design. Be certain to bring the promotional image with you to judging as a reference picture.

    • Costumes for original characters are not eligible for craftsmanship awards. You may, with permission from the Masquerade Coordinator, have an original character appear in a performance, so long as the original character is based largely on Japanese anime or manga, interacts with characters from anime or manga, and is something the audience will understand and recognize. For example, the audience would probably not to understand if inserted your personal character from a role-play game into the skit, but they may understand if you performed a Naruto/Yakitate!! Japan crossover skit and made up "the Bread Ninja." If you intend to include an original character, you must secure approval from the Masquerade Coordinator. The presence of an original character does not make other characters appearing in the same skit ineligible for craftsmanship awards.

    • You may not wear a costume at the Anime Boston 2007 Masquerade that was worn for any previous competition at Anime Boston. (Costumes that received ribbons in the Staff-Vote costume contest are still eligible.) You may not perform a skit at Anime Boston 2007 that was performed at any earlier Anime Boston. We don't mind if you have worn these costumes or performed these skits at other conventions or competitions. Please note: this does not mean that we can't have 12 Eternal Sailor Moon costumes at one Masquerade. Nor does it mean that someone can't dress up as Eternal Sailor Moon every single year. All it means is: if you want to dress up as Eternal Sailor Moon every year, you will need to have a new and different costume and a new skit each year (and it can't look exactly like the costume you used in a previous year).

    • You may not wear a costume at the Anime Boston 2007 Masquerade that is also entered in the Anime Boston 2007 Hall Costume Contest.

    • Individuals who serve as judges for the Anime Boston 2007 Hall Costume Contest may participate in the Anime Boston 2007 Masquerade, and vice versa.

    • YOUR COSTUME MUST BE HOMEMADE. Costumes purchased or rented from a costume shop, designer direct, eBay, Yahoo Auctions, Yahoo Japan Auctions, Cospa, any other costume store or online resource, or any costumes made for you by a professional designer or seamstress, are prohibited. Ignoring this rule will negate your eligibility (and your group's eligibility; even if only one person in the group has a disqualified costume) to participate in the masquerade. Honesty is always the best policy; tell us if one person in your group made all the costumes. That person (as long as they are a member of your group and not a professional seamstress or tailor) is still eligible for a Design Award (see the Awards section for more details). There are exceptions to the "purchased or rented" policy:
      1. Exception 1: "Found Item" costumes are allowed. This is basically a costume that was built by collecting various appropriate pieces from normal clothing stores and other sources and combining them together in a unique way (with or without sewing) to make a costume. In this case, the costume will be judged based on the uniqueness and creativity of use of the items; simply buying an ordinary suit and wearing it is unlikely to win a prize, but modifying it substantially to look like something else may do so.
      2. Exception 2: If one or two minor components of the costume were professionally purchased, if you describe precisely which and why, and IF THEY ARE NOT MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE COSTUMES, we may, at the Masquerade Coordinator's discretion, permit the costume. In such a case you MUST indicate all such items to the Masquerade Coordinator and judges, and these items will not be considered as part of the costume by the judges when they evaluate the costume for craftsmanship eligibility. For example, if you were Naruto from Naruto and used an official store-bought Naruto headband, that would probably be approved to appear in a Masquerade skit so long as you hand-made all other elements of the costume - it would not be approved if you had purchased your jacket as well. Please note that the use of too many purchased items will disqualify you from any craftsmanship award - you would nonetheless be allowed to appear on stage and be eligible for performance awards and judges' awards. If you purchase a basic costume item but then transform and improve it substantially, that is much more acceptable than a plain store-bought item, but is still not quite as good as an item made from scratch.
      3. Exception 3: Some people are in this only for the performance. If you are interested in performance awards only and do not intend to undergo Craftsmanship judging, then the judges will be more lenient about the proportion of store-bought items in your costume. You are still required to have some homemade items in your costume. You must contact the Masquerade Coordinator in advance to give notice that you are registering for performance only, and to describe exactly which costume items are store-bought and why you could not make them yourself. In such a case you may be required to submit a full script of your skit in advance, to demonstrate that it is of a quality sufficient to justify taking up a space in an event largely intended to showcase craftsmanship.

    • You may wear a costume that was not made by you but by a friend or relative. In this case, any Craftsmanship award is presented to the creator of the costume, not to the model wearing it. Remember, no costume made by a professional tailor is eligible, no matter who wears it.

    • Each contestant may present (wear) one and only one costume, or a group of people may wear one costume at the same time (i.e., a large costume that requires several people inside to move it). Multiple entries worn by the same person, or one entry worn by multiple people at different times, will not be allowed. No exceptions.

    • NOTE ON EXCEPTIONS: If for some reason you believe you have good cause to petition for an exception to one of the basic rules, you must contact the Masquerade Coordinator. If you can justify your special request, it may be permitted. You will probably be required to SUBMIT A FULL SCRIPT before your request can be approved.

    • There will be a mandatory preparatory meeting for all masquerade participants at some point before the masquerade on Saturday, April 21, 2007. You must be stage-ready (in your costume) for the meeting. All contestants will need to be there for Roll Call and the Masquerade Orientation. Any participant who does not attend the preparatory meeting may not participate in the Masquerade.

    • The Masquerade cosplay competition will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2007 in Main Events.

  3. Divisions
    • All entries will register under ONE of the following skill Divisions:
      • NOVICE: No member of the group has won three or more major prizes at Novice level (or equivalent) at previous conventions, and no member of the group has won any major award above Novice level (Advanced, Journeyman, Craftsman or the equivalent).
      • ADVANCED (equivalent of Journeyman or Craftsman): At least one contestant in the group has won three or more major prizes at Novice level (or equivalent) or one major award at Advanced (Journeyman or Craftsman) level at previous conventions.

    • A major prize is any prize that starts with the words "Best," "Most," "First," "Second," or "Judge's" "Masquerade Coordinator's" or "Masquerade Coordinator's" or the equivalent. Honorable Mentions count only when they are the equivalent of second place, so if a contest had First place, Second place, Third place and Honorable Mentions then Honorable Mentions, like Third Place, is not a major prize, but if the contest had only First place and Honorable Mentions then Honorable Mentions counts as a major prize. Both performance and craftsmanship awards count, as do Hall Costume Contest awards. When in doubt about your eligibility for a division, contact the Masquerade Coordinator.

    • Novice participants may opt to register and compete the Advanced division if they wish. If you think the quality of your skit or costume is above the usual standards of Novice level, due to extra preparation, a more ambitious project, extensive stage experience, or for some other reason, then you are encouraged, though not required, to participate at Advanced level.

    • If you have opted to register and compete in a higher skill division (Advanced, Journeyman, Craftsman) in the past, and won one or more major prizes in that division, you are obligated to compete in that Division thereafter. Knowingly entering Novice division when you ought to be in Advanced is grounds for disqualification. When in doubt about your division, contact the Masquerade Coordinator.

    • There will be separate Youth prizes, for skits or walk-ons of which all members are fourteen years of age or younger. Youth participants should indicate their eligibility for the Youth prizes to the Masquerade Coordinator when they register. Youth entrants are also eligible for other prizes.

  4. Presentations/Walk-ons
    • Two kinds of entries are permitted in the Masquerade, presentations, which consist of short skits, and walk-ons, which consist simply of walking on the stage and presenting your costume, without dialogue or script. Walk-ons and presentations are both eligible for Craftsmanship awards, Youth awards, and Discretionary awards, but only presentations are eligible for the Presentation awards. For full details see Awards section below.

    • Performance groups are required to submit a short summary of their skits when they send in the registration form. These summaries may be very brief, only one or two sentences, and do not need to summarize the whole skit, but simply state the premise. No group will be denied registration on the grounds of the content of their skit summary – we require the summaries only to prove that you have started working on your skit and are not simply taking the space. You may, if necessary, change your skit idea later on, but you must contact the Masquerade Coordinator and obtain permission. For samples of summaries, see the Masquerade FAQ.

    • We require music (and/or prerecorded dialogue) for both skits/presentations and walk-ons. All presentations must bring prerecorded sound. PRESENTATION GROUPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON STAGE IF YOU DO NOT BRING PRERECORDED SOUND. Walk-ons should also bring prerecorded music. An extremely limited selection of music will be available at check-in for walk-ons who fail to bring music, but we cannot guarantee that there will be anything appropriate for your skit. See Music for further details.

    • The maximum permitted length of a skit is 2 minutes. If the skit goes beyond the 2-minute mark, the judges will take note, and the group will be disqualified from all main awards, both craftsmanship and performance, but not from judges' awards. If the skit goes significantly overtime, the group will be removed from the stage.

    • The maximum number of members for your group is 8 people. If more than the approved number of contestants appears on stage, the group will be disqualified. Stagehands or assistants who do not come onto the stage may be exceptions to this rule. When in doubt, contact the Masquerade Coordinator.

    • We will, as always, allow parents to be backstage with participants age 14 & under. This is not required, just recommended (and encouraged), especially for participants age 12 & under.

    • Please don't wear or use any messy substances that might ruin the costume of another contestant. If you are wearing body paint or make-up, please make sure it will not come off in casual contact with others.

    • Do not leave anything on the stage that cannot be picked up by the stage ninjas in a few seconds - this includes glitter, confetti and rose petals.

    • Costumes must be self-contained. Connections to electrical sockets will not be available.

    • Nothing the Anime Boston staff feels that may pose a danger to people or the stage area will be allowed.

    • Display weapons are allowed if appropriate to the costume. Display means display; live steel (metal) will not be allowed under any circumstances. If you have any questions concerning what qualifies as "live steel", please ask the Masquerade Coordinator ahead of time. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Please bring your weapons when you check in, because it may need to go through a security check. Any weapons not checked in will not be allowed on stage. Please see our full Weapons Policy.

    • No fire, flash powder, lasers, explosives, or open flame of any kind will be allowed. Electronic flashes will be permitted provided that you notify the Masquerade Coordinator in advance, and it must be announced in your emcee introduction to protect those who may be affected by the flashing lights. Strobe lights are not permitted.

    • Nothing is allowed that would be banned in a "PG-13"-rated film. Actions, dress, or mannerisms that would not be allowed on a public street or thoroughfare must be avoided. Specifically, the following must be avoided: explicit sexual gestures, nudity, and explicit swearing. Kissing on stage is permitted, but we ask that you keep it clean and brief; this is Toonami, people, not Adult Swim. Violating these rules will disqualify you and possibly result in your being escorted off the premises. If you are in doubt about the appropriateness of some content in your skit, contact the Masquerade Coordinator.

    • We do not allow jumping off the stage, nor do we allow entering or exiting the stage from any area that has not been approved by the Masquerade Coordinator. Jumping off the stage will result in instant disqualification. Please use the designated exits. All presentations must be confined to the stage area. The aisles and other audience areas are not to be used for any part of the presentation.

    • Feel free to surprise the audience, but not the Masquerade Coordinator. If you are planning something "unique", you must let the Masquerade Coordinator know in advance.

    • We have the right to cancel your performance at any time for any reason.

  5. Award Guidelines
    • Award Category 1: Presentation
      The presentation awards are for performances only and reflect the quality of your performance. The quality of your costume often factors into your presentation, but simple costumes have won the highest awards in the past when coupled with a superior skit or routine.
      • First Place, Novice division, Presentation Second Place, Novice division, Presentation First Place, Advanced Division, Presentation Second Place, Advanced Division, Presentation Best Script or Acting
      • Best Choreography

    • Award Category 2: Craftsmanship
      The craftsmanship awards are based on the design, construction, execution, and general presentation of your costume. Both walk-ons and performances are eligible for Craftsmanship awards. All Craftsmanship judging takes place before the Masquerade itself - see below.
      • First Place, Novice division, Craftsmanship
      • Second Place, Novice division, Craftsmanship
      • First Place, Advanced Division, Craftsmanship
      • Second Place, Advanced Division, Craftsmanship
      • Best Costume Design
      • Best Accessory or Weapon
      • Honorable Mention, Craftsmanship - several awarded

    • At the judges' discretion, Honorable Mentions will be awarded for excellent costume craftsmanship that would otherwise go unrecognized. No Honorable Mentions are given for Performance because the time constraints of the show mean that performance judges do not have as much time for judging as craftsmanship judges and because all 60 groups usually participate in Craftsmanship, but only 40 in Performance.

    • Award Category 3: Youth
      Any presentation or walk-on group or individual whose members are all fourteen years of age or younger are eligible for Youth awards.
      • First Place, Youth
      • Honorable Mention, Youth

    • Award Category 4: Discretionary Awards
      These awards are given for any and all exceptional entries whose merits are not covered by the basic awards. These awards are granted by the members of the Judges' panel and by the Masquerade Coordinator based on their own criteria decided while watching the Masquerade itself. Each Judge's award will be named specially for its recipient when awarded (For example, "Judge's Choice award for the Best Use of a Chair" or "Judge's Choice award for the Most Musical Gundam")
      • Judge's Award - five or six awarded
      • Mistress of Ceremonies' Award - one awarded
      • Masquerade Coordinator's Award - one awarded

    • No single entry may receive more than two awards

    • Each entry may receive a maximum of one award in each Division – one for Craftsmanship and one for Performance. Thus, the winner of "First Place" for craftsmanship cannot also win the award for "Best Accessory," but that group could win "Best Script and Acting." Craftsmanship Honorable Mentions may not go to groups who have won another craftsmanship award.

    • Discretionary awards may not go to groups who received any other award, except Honorable Mention.

    • These requirements for award distribution and overlap mean that awards will be received by a minimum of 14 groups and a maximum of 21 groups, not counting Honorable Mention.

  6. Craftsmanship Judging
    • All Craftsmanship Judging occurs prior to the Masquerade itself. In order to participate in the Craftsmanship Award category, you must make an appointment to be judged (at the Masquerade Check-in Desk). Details on times & locations for Craftsmanship Judging will be provided on the Masquerade Timeline.

    • Everyone must be judged for Craftsmanship on Friday, May 28th. The only exceptions (who will be judged on Saturday, April 21, 2007) are: those unable to arrive on Friday, those who need to apply heavy makeup or body paint, others with similar reasons for participating in emergency check-in on Saturday, Waiting List groups and At-The-Door registrants (who may be accepted into the Masquerade on Saturday morning). If you need to be judged on Saturday, April 21, 2007, it must be prearranged with the Masquerade Coordinator before March 26th, 2007. If you miss Friday craftsmanship judging and have not arranged ahead of time for Saturday judging, we cannot promise that we will have time to judge you. Friday judging will be extended later this year to allow groups who arrive late on Friday to be judged then.

    • All Craftsmanship judging participants must also be approved entries for the Masquerade and must participate (with a presentation or a walk-on) in the Masquerade on Saturday, April 21, 2007. If you want to be judged for craftsmanship prizes but do not want to go on stage, you may register for the Hall Costume Contest.

    • All Craftsmanship judging participants must bring at least one color picture, preferably two, of each character the costume entry represents. A black and white image is acceptable if you have designed a manga-based costume for which no color image is available. We recommend that the images you choose show the character from head-to-toe both back and front, including shoes, but this is not required if such an image cannot be found. This means you should bring an actual image from the anime or manga – a screen cap, a manga page or a piece of promotional art. A photograph of yourself in your costume is not a sufficient reference picture, because it does not allow the judges to compare the costume to the original character design. Failure to bring a reference picture may disqualify you from craftsmanship judging, since if the judges don't know what your costume is supposed to look like, they cannot judge it.

    • Digital photographs of all costumes will be taken at Craftsmanship judging. The photographs of winning entries will be projected on the video screens during the awards ceremony, to allow the audience to see costume details. These photographs are property of Anime Boston and may be used by us for promotional purposes.

    • One of the major craftsmanship judging criteria is how closely the costume matches the original. If some portion of your costume is never shown, such as the back or the shoes, then you should design the missing components based on other costumes from the same series – in such a case we recommend that you bring supplementary images showing the other costumes you have used as the basis of your design. Many craftsmen also like to embellish simpler costumes with details that would not be visible in the stylized images that appear in anime, such as complicated layers underneath the surface layer, detailed embroidery, or beadwork. These embellishments are permitted so long as they are in line with the style of the original artist, and so long as the costume as a whole matches the reference pictures. A costume that deviates too much from the original may be impossible for our judges to evaluate fairly. When in doubt, look at the Craftsmanship Judging sample questions or contact the Masquerade Coordinator. Note that an embellished costume does not necessarily have any advantage in competition over a costume that strictly follows the original design.

    • Please note that an entire group does not have to participate in the Craftsmanship judging. If any individuals from a group choose to be judged as individuals, and not at all as a group, that's fine. If members of your group intend to request separate judging, you must contact the Masquerade Coordinator ahead of time and arrange for separate judging. The judging process takes time. If you show up at the convention and request separate judging without arranging it in advance, we cannot guarantee that the judges will have time to judge you separately.

    • If one person in your group made all of the costumes for that group, solely that person is eligible, and only for the "Best Costume Design" Award.

    • Every contestant needs to be prepared to answer the judges' questions about his/her role in the construction of his/her costume. Here are some sample questions that the judges may ask.

    • Each contestant may present (wear) one and only one costume, or a group of people may wear one costume at the same time (i.e., a large costume that requires several people inside to move it). Multiple entries worn by the same person, or one entry worn by multiple people at different times, will not be allowed. No exceptions. You may, if you wish, begin your skit wearing a concealing cloak or coat, and then remove it to reveal another costume underneath -- for example the Hokage from Naruto could enter, then remove his cloak and hat to reveal that he is actually someone else in disguise. In such a case, the two layers are considered to be one costume. No strip tease will be permitted.

    • The Best Costume Design award may be won by a costume designer for a costume or costumes being modeled by another person. If possible, the designer should be present to receive the award; otherwise it will be presented to the model on the designer's behalf.

  7. Music and Sound
    • There will be no microphones on the stage.

    • Any skits that incorporate spoken dialogue (other than the initial emcee introduction) must be prerecorded. No contestant may directly address the audience. You must pre-record your dialogue and mix it in advance – no recording or mixing equipment will be provided at the convention (see the Music Submission FAQ for tips).

    • We require music (and/or prerecorded dialogue) for both skits/presentations and walk-ons. PRESENTATION GROUPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON STAGE IF YOU DO BRING PRERECORDED SOUND – NO EXCEPTIONS. No matter how loud you think your voice is, it cannot be heard by the audience, even if you shout. Walk-ons should also bring prerecorded music.

    • If you are a walk-on, please pick appropriate music for your costume. If you forget, we will have extremely limited selection of music available for walk-ons who fail to bring music, but we cannot guarantee that there will be anything appropriate for your skit. We do our best to return CDs but cannot guarantee it; we recommend that you bring your music on a home-recorded CD which you don't mind losing, rather than a professional copy, since there is a risk that any disk you bring will be lost.

    • Your sound must be all on one track. Any skit soundtrack that is divided into multiple tracks cannot be used. You may bring a disc with multiple tracks on it, and specify that we play only one, but we cannot play multiple tracks. ANY SKIT WHO BRINGS MULTIPLE-TRACK SOUND WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MASQUERADE.

    • Everyone must have their music/audio confirmed by 2:00pm Saturday, April 21, 2007. This time requirement may change, so be certain to check the Masquerade Schedule for updated times and locations.

    • If you prepare your sound ahead of time, you may submit a digital sound file or MP3 by contacting the Masquerade Coordinator. Submitting your sound by e-mail will help ensure the safe transfer of your sound to the Masquerade sound track. The earlier you send in your sound the better. E-mailed sound must be received at least two weeks before the convention. Be certain to include your name, registration number, character names, series name, and skit title (if you are a skit) in the body of the e-mail. IF YOU SUBMIT SOUND AHEAD OF TIME, YOU ARE STILL REQUIRED TO BRING A CD OF YOUR SOUND WITH YOU TO THE CONVENTION AS A BACKUP. E-mailed sound files could fail, or get lost or damaged, or pirates could steal the computer holding the masquerade sound. IN THE EVENT THAT THE E-MAILED SOUND FAILS, IF YOU DID NOT TO BRING A COPY BACKUP OF YOUR RECORDED SOUND WITH YOU, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MASQUERADE.

    • Please read the Music Submission FAQ for further details on the types of files and media that we can accept. We will not accept audio tapes.

    • Your dialogue and/or music "file" must be 2 minutes exactly, or under. Please note there are no exceptions to the 2-minute rule. If your music and/or prerecorded routine is longer than 2 minutes, we will trim to 2 minutes.

    • If the sound runs longer than your presentation, we will fade it out as you walk off the set. If you do not want your sound to end with a fade-out (if you want a cut off) you must make the recording such that it cuts off at the point you want. It is best, when you want the sound to end at a specific point on a CD, to record the material you want onto a recordable medium (such a self-burned CD) in advance and bring it to Music Submission at the Masquerade Check-in Desk.

    • If you need silence at the beginning of your sound, you must record it into the track. All sound tracks are started automatically when the Emcee announces your skit; we cannot delay and wait for a cue from you before beginning the music. If you need a specified period of silence at the beginning of your skit, you must adjust your own sound accordingly. Similarly, we cannot pause sound, or make any special cut-offs other than fading out at the 2-minute mark. Edit your sound to fit your skit exactly – we can't do it for you.

    • If you think something is going to get a laugh, leave a pause after the line before continuing. Even if you get just a chuckle from the audience, at least it won't interfere with the following dialogue. It also makes the tech crew's job easier. They aren't part of your group and don't attend your skit rehearsals. They won't know when to "pause" a dialogue. It's not their job to do that.

    • Any media left in our possession will be available to be picked up at Masquerade Headquarters on Sunday, or can be requested after the convention by contacting the Masquerade Coordinator.

  8. Emcee (MC)
    • Any narration to be read by the emcee will be limited to 35 words or less. All narration by the emcee will be read prior to your performance. Your names and character names will be read after the performance.

    • As the registration process proceeds, you will be invited by the Masquerade Coordinator to supply an introduction to be read by the emcee. If you do not supply one, we will write a simple introduction for you. Introductions may not contain profanity, sexual innuendo or anything else that does not comply with the PG rating.

    • Please do not interact with the emcee. We prohibit any involvement with the emcee in your skit. We also prohibit any emcee dialogue during your performance.

  9. Special Performances
    • We will allow up to 2 special performances (total) at the Anime Boston 2007 Masquerade. A special performance is exhibition-only (i.e., does not qualify for awards consideration).

    • The performers and the Masquerade Coordinator will work out the length of special performances. The special performances may come at the beginning, middle or end of the Masquerade.

    • If you are interested in a special performance, please send us a proposal for what you want to do in advance. Please contact us as soon as possible, since special performances need extensive planning. We can't guarantee to accept all proposals. Send your proposals here. Your initial proposal may be a simple description of your idea, number of participants, estimated length, and technical requirements. You will be required to submit a full script and possibly an audition cassette or video before your special performance is approved.

    • With the Masquerade Coordinator's approval, you may wear a costume for a special performance that has been worn in a previous Anime Boston Masquerade, or in the Anime Boston 2007 Hall Costume Contest. You may not wear a costume that will also appear in an Anime Boston 2007 Masquerade skit or walk-on.

    • Whatever you propose to us is what you must present (minor adjustments allowed) at Anime Boston 2007. If your performance turns out to be something other than what we discussed, or the Masquerade Coordinator believes it to be inappropriate, it will be cut from the Masquerade.

    • Also, please consider that this performance needs to be something really special; this should not be simply an extended Masquerade skit. By "special" we mean instrumental performance, professional-quality vocal performance, or highly choreographed professional-level dance routines.

    • If you register for a special performance you may not have a Masquerade spot (the two minute spot). It's one or the other. No exceptions.

    • Keep in mind that you can't cancel your special performance and expect to instantly be given a registered spot in the normal Masquerade. Unless there is an opening, you will be put at the end of the Waiting List.

    • We have the right to cancel your performance at any time for any reason.

  10. Damages
    • If you break a piece of equipment, deface the facilities, or cause any other damages, then you pay to replace what you damaged. No exceptions.

    • How does one prevent damages? Please simply exercise care when you are on the stage. Be aware of floor microphones, cables, speakers, curtains, screens, etc.

    • Remember – no jumping off the stage, at any time, for any reason. Jumping off the stage, by any member of your group, will result in disqualification.

  11. Weapons Policy

  12. Special Requests
    • If you have any special requests or concerns (such as requiring large props, or needing to be judged early or late on a given day, or anything else unusual) contact the Masquerade Coordinator as soon as possible. Because of the complexity of the event, few special requests will be able to be met, but the sooner you notify us about them, the more likely it is that we can accommodate you. Please contact us in advance. Special requests made at the convention itself are likely to be impossible for us to accommodate.

Questions? Contact the Masquerade Coordinator.



Related Information
  • Panels / Workshops
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  • Masquerade
  • Other Cosplay
  • Music Video Contest
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  • Game Shows
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  • Art Show
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  • Swap Meet
  • Karaoke
  • Dances
  • Video Games
  • Live Gaming

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