Masquerade - Discussion

[Ilpala]

Hey Everyone, glad to see you all posting and eager already!!

With the Masquerade growing in popularity and demand we need to make a few changes to the format of the show for October so that we can accomodate the number of cosplayers who wish to participate a bit better.

So... if you have feedback or suggestions on how we can improve the show for YOU, be you cosplayer or audiance member this is your chance to let us know!

We will post any changes we are making (or thinking of making) as soon as we can so that you all get some warning but in the meantime some things that arn't likley to change for October:

Advance Registration
Advance registration will probably open about a month before the London Expo, via a form on the website.

Weapons & Props Rules
These will probably be similar to the rules for May Expo 2009 which can be found here:
viewtopic.php?f=223&t=11102

Costume Eligibility
Bought or commissioned costumes will not be allowed except by express permission of the Cosplay Admins. This includes groups of mixed home made and bought costumes - only the home made ones will be allowed to take part. This is due to the ridiculously high demand for places.
If a costume is made by someone else other than the wearer, then it will only be allowed of the maker is on stage as part of the same group. If someone has made 3 costumes (for example) they can go on stage in one costume and have two others on stage with them to model the other two, rather than trying to wear three costumes simultaneously (which would be silly).

Note: 'Costume' refers to the main elements of the costume, those parts of it that are most recogniseable. generally it is allowable for small accessories and things like wigs and shoes to be bought or commisioned.


Performance Length
Performances will be limited, probably to 3 minutes for a group skit or 1.5 minutes for a solo entry.
They will need to be suitable for a family audience.

[Ilpala]

As always bought items like wigs, shoes and small costume accessories (like Naruto headbands or Vashes glasses) are likley to be fine.

[LadyLaraCroft]

My first masquerade and expo went very well last month so I'll defo be entering! ^^

[Tif9123]

Me and fusionrose watched the sunday one and it was amazing! We hope to get a place in the october one so we can do a dead fntasy skit ^^.

[Loxes]

Is this the right place? I'm sure you're fed up of hearing this already...

But queue control is urgently needed. It's not fair if I queue for an hour before and people who just joined the queue get better seats.

[Freyarule]

Ok, time for my biggo question 8D

on Sunday, I'm hoping to put together a Phoenix wright group, but the problem with me is that I need to wear a suit jacket, but I'm nowhere near good enough to make an actual jacket and so will need to buy one. But I will make everything else!
Since I'm in a group it won't be judged as competitively as it would if I were on my own, will it?

*crosses fingers*

[Tif9123]

Ok, time for my biggo question 8D

on Sunday, I'm hoping to put together a Phoenix wright group, but the problem with me is that I need to wear a suit jacket, but I'm nowhere near good enough to make an actual jacket and so will need to buy one. But I will make everything else!
Since I'm in a group it won't be judged as competitively as it would if I were on my own, will it?

*crosses fingers*

An aerith, zack and cloud did a skit on may and the aerith had not made most of her costume and she was allowed since she was in a group. So you should be fine ^-^

[Silver]

I have a question about the number of people per group.

I know that the Hetalia group had about 25 in their group and had to be slit in to quite a few smaller groups. On the Sunday there's due to be a LARGE Eternal Sailor group (pretty much the whole team, plus Galaxia) and as the number exeeds ten people, wondering if we'll be seperated due to the group size?

[Ilpala]

I have a question about the number of people per group.

After the Hetalia invasion we did realise we are in need of much clearer guidlines on group size so it is something that will be changing.

Maximum rather depends on what you are doing. for a standard walk on we will probably be looking at about 12-14 people, If you're wanting to perform we will have to concider what your doing on stage but the limit may be lower.

[Ilpala]

Ok, time for my biggo question 8D

on Sunday, I'm hoping to put together a Phoenix wright group, but the problem with me is that I need to wear a suit jacket, but I'm nowhere near good enough to make an actual jacket and so will need to buy one. But I will make everything else!
Since I'm in a group it won't be judged as competitively as it would if I were on my own, will it?

*crosses fingers*

If you and your group members have made everything else then you will probably be fine. We are likley to scritinize Phoenix Wright cosplay since a lot of the outfits are potentialy store bought so please keep this in mind.

Unfortunately with the interest in the masquerade as high as it is we need to be quite tight on the costume construction rules

[RanmaSyaoranSaotome]

Hello again!

Thankyou for letting me help out!

I do have a question about the entrace to the masq. as to where the steps are... With the larger sized cosplays... Is it possible for you to request a larger entrance part to the stage? (Say 10 foot wide, etc...)

Thankyou!

[Ilpala]

Is this the right place? I'm sure you're fed up of hearing this already...

But queue control is urgently needed. It's not fair if I queue for an hour before and people who just joined the queue get better seats.

We totally agree and will be feeding this back to those in charge of the queue. We hope the arrangements will be a lot better in October.

[Ilpala]

Hello again!

Thankyou for letting me help out!

I do have a question about the entrace to the masq. as to where the steps are... With the larger sized cosplays... Is it possible for you to request a larger entrance part to the stage? (Say 10 foot wide, etc...)

Thankyou!

No problem
Lol I know which costume your thinking of

We will bring it up, with the new backstage layout I imagine it may be possible to open the entrance up a little. I doubt we will be able to do away with the handrails by the steps though - there probably a H&S requirement.

[Novasry]

i was wondering about the Background you use on stage, the large amount of "London MCM" logos can detract ones eyes from teh cosplayer, and confuse cameras

[TurkFox]

Next time I enter the masquerade, can you asked the stage nicely not to scrape my knee please?

[Freyarule]

Ok, time for my biggo question 8D

on Sunday, I'm hoping to put together a Phoenix wright group, but the problem with me is that I need to wear a suit jacket, but I'm nowhere near good enough to make an actual jacket and so will need to buy one. But I will make everything else!
Since I'm in a group it won't be judged as competitively as it would if I were on my own, will it?

*crosses fingers*

If you and your group members have made everything else then you will probably be fine. We are likley to scritinize Phoenix Wright cosplay since a lot of the outfits are potentialy store bought so please keep this in mind.

Unfortunately with the interest in the masquerade as high as it is we need to be quite tight on the costume construction rules

Thanks for replying, this has dented hopes a bit BUT, if all goes to plan everyone else's outfits will be handmade!
And I understand on the potential of store-bought costumes - if need be we shall present progress pictures!

another question that Silver has raised - our group are hoping to do a performance, so what would be the limit on time/people be? Also, in the horrific event that the skit overuns the limit, would there be a chance of having it in two parts (like the Hetalia people had it in 4-5 parts) or would it depend on how many other people participating on the day?

[SamW89]

Me and a friend are currently constructing Spartan armour from Halo with which we may try to enter the masquerade. They will be made with a card base, which will then be fiberglassed over, have car body filler applied to them, before we add details via sculpting and then we plan to paint them with car spray paint. This has worked for members of a site called 405th who specialise in making Halo armour. Though we are using their methods, we are doing all the work to create the costumes, so I assume such costumes will be eligible?

You have already addressed my previous concerns about the masquerade in another thread so I won't repeat them here.

[Ilpala]

Me and a friend are currently constructing Spartan armour from Halo with which we may try to enter the masquerade. They will be made with a card base, which will then be fiberglassed over, have car body filler applied to them, before we add details via sculpting and then we plan to paint them with car spray paint. This has worked for members of a site called 405th who specialise in making Halo armour. Though we are using their methods, we are doing all the work to create the costumes, so I assume such costumes will be eligible?

As long as you make them yourselves, it's all good
It's perfectly fine to follow construction guidelines that you have found elsewhere.

[Ilpala]

another question that Silver has raised - our group are hoping to do a performance, so what would be the limit on time/people be? Also, in the horrific event that the skit overuns the limit, would there be a chance of having it in two parts (like the Hetalia people had it in 4-5 parts) or would it depend on how many other people participating on the day?

The time limit for skits will probably remain at 3 minutes for groups. The limit for dance/song performances will probably be lower than this though - we have noticed that they are not so well recieved by the audiance if they go on for too long.

Splitting the Hetalia group up was very much an exception to the rule. I'm afraid we will be setting group limits in the future so splitting performances into parts won't be an option.

Please understand that with the number of people wanting to take part we have to make sure as many different groups as possible can enter.

[Ilpala]

i was wondering about the Background you use on stage, the large amount of "London MCM" logos can detract ones eyes from teh cosplayer, and confuse cameras

We will feed that back to the event organisers. I wouldnt expect it to change too soon though, those backdrops are quite expensive and intended to last several shows.

[Nocturne Rose]

Is this the right place? I'm sure you're fed up of hearing this already...

But queue control is urgently needed. It's not fair if I queue for an hour before and people who just joined the queue get better seats.

We totally agree and will be feeding this back to those in charge of the queue. We hope the arrangements will be a lot better in October.

I think part of this problem was that we were being filled into seats from front to back in three sections, so if you were waiting just under a third of the way into the queue you'd find yourself at the back of the hall whereas someone who joined 5 minutes after you or just-over two thirds of the way down the queue would get great seats right at the front.

I don't know how it could be done better though as getting everyone across all the first row then all the second etc could have ended up quite messy (or taken a heck of a long time), but it did seem unfair to those who'd got into the queue early

[SamW89]

How about setting a maximum of two tickets per person at the desk in the morning? Yes, some people will grab one for themselves and one for whoever they're with, and I think being able to give two tickets to one person is perfectly acceptable, but some were at the desk and being handed seven or more tickets (which I assume they gave to a large group of friends). If each person could only have a maximum of two tickets from the desk then more people would have a fair shot at getting a ticket.

The only people who should be allowed more than two tickets are those who are performing and want their friends/ family to see them.

[Freyarule]

another question that Silver has raised - our group are hoping to do a performance, so what would be the limit on time/people be? Also, in the horrific event that the skit overuns the limit, would there be a chance of having it in two parts (like the Hetalia people had it in 4-5 parts) or would it depend on how many other people participating on the day?

The time limit for skits will probably remain at 3 minutes for groups. The limit for dance/song performances will probably be lower than this though - we have noticed that they are not so well recieved by the audiance if they go on for too long.

Splitting the Hetalia group up was very much an exception to the rule. I'm afraid we will be setting group limits in the future so splitting performances into parts won't be an option.

Please understand that with the number of people wanting to take part we have to make sure as many different groups as possible can enter.

Hmm ok, we'll try and see what we can fit into 3 minutes. Thanks for replying!

[Loxes]

Is this the right place? I'm sure you're fed up of hearing this already...

But queue control is urgently needed. It's not fair if I queue for an hour before and people who just joined the queue get better seats.

We totally agree and will be feeding this back to those in charge of the queue. We hope the arrangements will be a lot better in October.

That's brilliant news, at least this time we weren't all put in those A B C D queues and treated like children. I think that was the worst time.

[Novasry]

For one of my Cosplays that i hope to enter i will be using a full body lycra suit, would i be penalised for wearing a bought one that had been customised for the cosplay itself instead of making it from scratch???