[list]
[*]GRAND PRIZE MASTERS:
[list]

[*]Neon Phoenix Theatre performing "FFVI: The Musical"
[/list]

[*]GRAND PRIZE OPEN:
[list]

[*]Tales of Cake performing "Gangnam Arcana"
[/list]

[*]BEST COMEDY:
[list]

[*]The Epic Toaster performing "A Rival is Born"
[/list]

[*]HONORABLE MENTION:
[list]

[*]Saucy Noodle Cosplay performing "Control"
[/list]

[/list]

Section I. General Cosplay Skit Rules

[list]
[*]All Cosplay Skit participants must be members of AnimeFest 2012. Your badge must be present and visible at all times.
[*]At least 50% of the group’s costumes must pertain to Anime, Manga or Video Games and originate from one of these sources in order to be entered into the event.
[list]

[*]For example, Adventure Time, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Hunger Games, My Little Pony, etc… did not originate from one of the above sources. However, for instance, if you have a group of 4, two of which are cosplaying from My Little Pony, two of which are cosplaying from Borderlands, this qualifies.
[/list]
[*]No costume is NO COSTUME.
[*]You MUST wear shoes at all times as this is a hotel regulation. Even if your character does not wear shoes, please bring something as simple as a flat or even a pair of tennis shoes that you might have. This will not be counted against you in the judging process. You may however remove your shoes for your on stage performance.
[*]Please remember AnimeFest is a family convention. Try to keep skits within the PG or TV-14 range. You can find more about the movie rating system here: The Motion Picture Association of America and the TV guidelines here: TV Parental Guidelines.
[*]You will have an approximate amount of usable stage space that is 20 by 20 feet. Please keep this in mind in preparing your skit.
[*]If you have any props in which you are going to use on stage, please make sure to clean up after yourself or hire a speedy stage ninja.
[*]No flash pots, explosives, fire, smoke, fog, or mist of any kind.
[*]No real weapons of any kind. Please read the convention Weapon Policy and if you have questions, contact the Cosplay Manager
[*]No more than 8 people on the stage for skits. You may trade players by having one walk off and another walk on, but no more than 8 at any one time. Only exceptions that might be made is in reference to stage ninjas, and please contact the Cosplay Manager for more information and accommodations.
[*]No microphones will be provided. All audio must be pre-recorded via cd, or .mp3/.mp4. Please make sure your tracks are clearly marked and turned in with your sign-up sheet. Do not attempt to mail your audio in advance. However, if you would like your audio reviewed due to its content, please contact the Cosplay Manager.
[*]Tables will not be provided. Chairs may be used if they are available. Please denote on your entry form if you need chairs.
[*]Time limits will be as follows: (If you go over your time, you will be asked to leave the stage.)


[list]
[*]Individual and/or group acts have 5 minutes.
[*]This event is for skits only. A skit is defined as a short, theatrical piece or performance. Fully choreographed dance skits are permitted, however must be original. You may not enter a fully re-enacted music video or Jpop dance.
[*]There will be no walk-ons, they will show their costumes at the Cosplay Runway.
[*]We are limiting skits that contain choreographed dance, please contact the Cosplay Manager first.
[/list]

[*]If you do have bulky props and need accomoddations for rehearsal preparations, please notify the Cosplay Manager in advance.
[*]You are permitted to enter into all three cosplay events. If you are participating in the Cosplay Skit Contest, you may enter the same cosplay for either Cosplay Runway or Hall Cosplay, since the competition does not rely upon the craftsmanship of your costume. However, you may not enter the same cosplay from Cosplay Runway into Hall Cosplay and vice versa.
[*]The AnimeFest Cosplay Staff reserves the right to disqualify anyone for any reason deemed sufficient.
[/list]

Section II. Rehearsal Rules and Regulations

[list]
[*]There will be a mandatory dress rehearsal the day of the Cosplay Skit Competition. Check with the Cosplay Manager if you need accommodations due to a bulky costume, hours worth of body paint for the event, etc...
[*]Bring a script if you are unsure about the rating of your skit. Times will be posted outside of the Cosplay HQ.
[*]Please be on time for your run-through; failure to show may disqualify you from the Cosplay Skit Competition.
[*]At the rehearsal, you will be issued numbers for entry arrangements, as well as for your seating arrangements.
[*]Please do not throw anything onto the stage or at the audience. We WILL make you clean it up and the Event Director WILL be grumpy about it. It could also potentially get you removed from the convention.
[*]If repetition isn't enough, again, please review the AnimeFest Weapons Policy.
[/list]

Section III. Divisions

There will be two divisions when filling out the Cosplay Skit form and they will be as follows:
[list]
[*]OPEN:
[list]

[*]This category is intended for skits with novice to intermediate experience.
[*]The individual and/or group could not have collectively won more than three minor awards and/or two major awards at previous conventions.
[/list]

[*]MASTERS:

[list]

[*]The master category is intended for people with extensive experience in skit performance and theatrical arts, or for those that have won multiple awards off skit/theatrical performances at previous conventions.
[*]Anyone may register for this division.
[/list]
[/list]
Craftsmanship only awards are not calculated in your Cosplay Skit Competition division. Awards of ranking commonly include Best in Show, Best in Division, Best Performance, or First Place, Second Place, etc. These types of ranking in a performance type of cosplay competition are considered “major awards.” Honorable Mentions, Judges’ Awards and/or other similar forms of recognition are not considered “major awards”, but “minor awards.”

An entrant’s appropriate division will be determined by the awards won by 50% or more of the group. As an example, if an entry consists of 3 participants, one participant has zero performance awards, and two participants have three major performance awards won, your group would be placed in the Masters Division.

If a Judge, Cosplay Manager, or Director feel that you should be placed in a higher division based upon your performance and/or history, you may be moved to a different division in which you had applied for.

Section IV. Awards

[list]
[*]GRAND PRIZE:
[list]

[*]The group/individual must display an exceptional monologue/dialogue as well as innovation of props, accessories, or movements that help identify the settings. A trophy is awarded to the winner(s). One is awarded to each division.
[/list]

[*]BEST COMEDY SKIT:
[list]

[*]The group/individual must use comedy at any level to appeal to the audience and judges, whether it is an irony, parody, satire, or screwball comedy. Please make sure your skit does not include lewdness or you will not be able to participate in the Cosplay Skits. A trophy is awarded to the winner(s).
[/list]

[*]JUDGE AWARD/HONORABLE MENTION:
[list]

[*]An award in which the judges give a group/individual that displayed great skills on their particular performance. This award can be given to someone that performed either a comedy or a dramatic skit. A certificate is awarded to the winner(s).
[/list]
[/list]
Awards are announced after the conclusion of the event. All prizes, including certificates and trophies, must be picked up by Monday, September 3rd, by 3pm, otherwise prizes will be forfeited.

Section V. Entry Form

[list]
[*]Form information can be found here: Sign-Up Forms
[*]We would encourage that in your application, you submit pictures of the character you are portraying in order to help the judges.
[*]Please DO NOT turn in your audio in advance unless you have questions relating to the content.
[*]The deadline to submit your online form is Wednesday, August 15th by 11:59p CST.

Section VI. Other

Q: Where is this Cosplay HQ you speak of?

The Cosplay HQ is located on the 2nd floor of the hotel in Pearl 5. There should be signs outside the door stating Cosplay HQ.

Q: What is Cosplay HQ's hours of operation?
[list]
[*]Friday: 12pm-6pm
[*]Saturday: 12p-6pm
[*]Sunday: 12p-3pm
[/list]

Please remember to use common sense. We want everyone to have a good time, so please respect the rules and the other players.

While no changes to these rules are foreseen, certain circumstances may require that the rules be changed. Any changes to the rules will be noted in bold red print. A complete set of the rules will be available at Cosplay HQ throughout the convention.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Cosplay Manager at cosplay [at] animefest [dot] org