The Rapture Cosplay Masquerade – Rulesets

The Main Cosplay Masquerade will be taking place at Rapture Medway on Saturday and aims to give Cosplayers the opportunity to gain experience Cosplaying, show off a fantastic costume or simply come up on stage and perform in character! You can take part by using the signup form. Please arrive at least half an hour before the competition is due to begin. If you have signed up online you will be sent a confirmation email with all the details you need. We advise popping by the desk nice and early to check through your requirements.

The Rapture Gaming Festival MAIN cosplay Masquerade will be taking place on Saturday 3rd July.

TBC*

*Additional awards/honors may be included at the judge’s discretion, please see our prize terms for further information.

The Costume Element

• Costumes from any genre of video game, television, film, book, anime, manga etc. may enter the Masquerade. 
• A costume qualifies as handmade if it is 60% your own work. Heavily altered costumes and/or costumes containing stylised handmade elements are eligible to enter. If in doubt drop us a photo and description! It is advisable you include close up images of the costume, reference pictures and if possible construction photos with your application.
• A small selection of places will be open to those who wish to present either a costume containing specific handmade components and/or a performance piece. It will be up to the discretion of the cosplay team to allow these entrants and you will be informed if you are eligible to qualify for a prize, depending on your entry. 
• All applications will be checked over by the Cosplay Team, this will not influence any judges decisions and you will be notified for competition confirmation. 
• Groups of up to 3 may enter the Masquerade. However, if eligible for a prize, this will be split evenly between participants.  
• The competition is open for all ages, but if you are under the age of 13 please make sure to get parental consent. If you are under the age of 16 we may need to seek parental consent to award you a prize directly, we may request to send your prize to your parent/guardian in this event.

The Performance Element

• Performance details and requirements, such as music cues, should be written on your application form. We highly advise you to visit the cosplay desk to check through your requirements. If you do not visit the desk, your requirements for your performance may be refused. Please email us if you have any queries. 
• Performances/Skits must be no longer than two minutes in length. Please state the length of your skit time or if you are posing (e.g three point system) on your application form. 
• If you have additional requirements for stage (such as having something placed on stage before your performance,) this does not count towards your track time allowance, however you must contact us beforehand within a reasonable time frame. 
• For complicated requirements, please visit the cosplay desk no later than two hours before the event is due to start to check through your requirements. If you do not visit the desk, your requirements for your performance may be refused.  
• Arrive at the designated area ready NO LATER THAN half an hour before the masquerade is due to start. 

ALL ENTRANTS MUST COMPLY WITH THE PROPS AND GENERAL RULES.

Judging

Craftsmanship 45%

The quality of design, skill, technique and/or workmanship shown in all elements ranging from costume, props, accessories, makeup and any other handmade, altered or adjusted element. 

Performance  45%

Takes into account the use of general performance conventions and how you interact with the audience. For example; confident movements as well as general stage techniques used throughout the performance.

Costume/Character Concept 10%

This category is judged based on execution of your costume/character concept and a clear display of choices. Be it accuracy to a character, a presentation of genre, culture or concept. 

The inclusion of reference images and/or construction notes on your application will be viewed favourably.

THE JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL ONCE MADE

Props Rules

Weapons and props must be approved by venue security staff before it’s allowed into the convention. This may include checks which will be carried out by the cosplay team. Decisions made by venue security and staff are final and these rules serve as a guide only.

The general rule is – ‘If you were hit with the prop, would it break before you do?’

If your answer is ‘no’ then it means that someone could get hurt, were this to happen. If this is the case, we would recommend you leave it at home just so you are not disappointed.

When outside of the convention hall, please make sure you have a safe way to transport your props and that they are sufficiently covered. Take extra precaution when travelling through high traffic areas such as an airport or railway stations, so as not to cause alarm or issue to others.

1. Live weapons (deactivated guns, Airsoft, metal knives, swords, axes, live bows or slingshots, bokken, hanbo) are expressly prohibited, whether sheathed or peace bonded.
2. No pyrotechnics, gas canisters, explosives (including cap-guns) or incendiary items.
3. No sharp points, protruding points or sharp edges, make sure they’re sanded, rounded, padded, covered or otherwise protected adequately.
4. Props made out of wood cannot be too heavy, large or unwieldy (I.E. to the point they may hurt or inconvenience others.) 
5. You cannot perform any action which may lead event staff, attendees or members of the general public to believe you are in possession of a real live weapon.
6. No Items presenting a ‘mess’ or ‘spill’ risk.

No exceptions will be made regardless of any special licences, training or memberships!

Please be aware that these rules are here to ensure we have a safe event for both staff and attendees. If you have been asked to put your prop away, please do so. In an extreme case you may be escorted from the event.

If there is any doubt, please send photos and a description of the prop to cosplay@costumeandplay.co.uk.

General Masquerade Ruleset

• Costumes must be appropriate for a family friendly convention and include enough body coverage to be worn in public.
• We ask you to fully fill out your application form. This includes confirming any music cues, performance requests and medical conditions.  
• Please make sure to bring a spare copy of any notes and photos you have supplied with your application on the day.
• All applications will be checked over by the Cosplay Team, this will not influence any judges decisions and you will be notified for competition confirmation.
• Costumes entered that were used in the saturday masquerade who also wish to enter the sunday masquerade may be put on a waiting list if we are getting full. We will let you know in the unlikely event this may happen and will give as much notice as possible should you get a space. 
• Under the grounds of fairness, if you have placed top three on saturday please be aware that you will not be able to place top three a second time on sunday. 
•  We reserve the right to decline or stop any performer at any time for any reason.
•  Use or performance of the following will be immediately stopped and you may be disqualified from the competition or convention floor:

1. Excessive/inappropriate language such as swearing.
2. Committing an act which is viewed as something which may potentially harm yourself or others.

•  You agree to be filmed and photographed during the event, all rights of this belong to the event organizers and/or Costume and Play.
• In order to keep up with latest advancements in social issues and concerns within the cosplay and competition community, Costume and Play reserve the right to change the rules at any time. However, rules for individual events may be amended at any time to maintain the safety of attendees and staff by venue staff or organisers. 

Rulesets and materials are provided for use to the event at the discretion of Costume and Play and cannot be copied or altered without prior permission from Costume and Play, except where doing so would constitute a threat to safety of the staff, attendees or other members of the public.

Prize Terms

• Groups of up to 3 may enter the Masquerade. However, if eligible for a prize, this will be split evenly between participants.
• Cash Prizes awarded after the event will be paid directly to you. 
• The competition is open for all ages, but if you are under the age of 13 please make sure to get parental consent. If you are under the age of 16 we may need to seek parental consent to award you a prize directly, we may request to send your prize to your parent/guardian in this event.
• Any prizes provided by third parties will be the sole responsibility of the group providing said prize. Costume and Play accepts no liability for the provision of these prizes. A list of all prizes not being supplied by Costume and Play for the event, and the third party providing said prizes will be available upon request.
• Costume and Play handmade trophies are only awarded to first place winners. If the winner is a group, there will be one trophy only.
• No cash or alternative prize will be awarded in replacement of items such as (but not limited to) trophy, items, certificates, sponsor prizes etc.
• Due to the handmade nature of the trophies, postage and Bank processing times a timescale of 8 weeks is set for the processing, sending and arrival of prizes. This starts the day following the concluding day of the event.
• Should any issue beyond our control arise that may extend the 8 week processing time (weather, postal/bank strikes, damage ect) all receiving applicants will be made aware of the situation and kept in contact until the situation is resolved.
• The judges may choose to award and honor/special mention or shout out above and beyond the listed categories. All judges’ decisions for any award/mention/ honor are final.