Prop Rules and Other Cosplay Information

[Valkyrie]

Credit to TurkFox for the original rules and information which this topic is based off of.

 

- If you have any questions, please ask them in this topic, or alternatively email us on showmasterscosplay@googlemail.com

 

1. WEAPONS/PROPS & CONDUCT

All weapons and props should be brought to the cosplay desk upon arrival at an event to be checked by the organiser, even if you are not participating in any cosplay events. This is to prevent anyone wandering around with anything potentially dangerous.

 

Weapons and props should be no longer than 5ft (1.5m) to be carried around - anything longer than this can be stored at the cosplay desk at your own risk until the masquerade. They should be constructed of foam, plastic, balsa wood, cardboard or other lightweight materials. They should have no sharp edges and any dangerous things removed.

 

Wooden or other solid (LEGAL) replica weapons must be peace-bonded (unable to be drawn).

 

The organiser reserves the right to confiscate any weapon considered to be dangerous. Mock battles or 'play fights' are not allowed inside the event area. Please be safe with your weapon or prop. Anyone found behaving in a way which endangers themself or the public will have their weapon confiscated and/or be escorted immediately from the event without refund. During the event, you may be approached by a member of the cosplay team or security to check your weapon has been approved. If this happens, please be co-operative.

 

Finally, remember to be extra vigilant when transporting items to and from the event.

 

 

2. ELIGIBILITY

The competitions are open to all ages, but entrants aged under 15 must have their entry form signed by a parent or guardian - no exceptions. If you look young, please bring proof of age.

 

All types of costume may be entered within reason. Costumes from film, anime, video games, music, TV, comics, books, theatre and even original costumes may be entered.

 

We regret that bought costumes (as a whole or seperately-acquired outfit from a shop or from e-bay) are not allowed for entrants over 12 years in the Cosplay Masquerade if you wish to be Eligible for Prizes. If you haven't made at least part of your costume (or modified something bought heavily), it is not eligible to win a prize.

 

If you have previously won a Showmasters Cosplay Masquerade with a particular costume, you cannot enter that costume again without prior arrangement with the organiser. If you have previously entered a Showmasters event with a costume but haven't won a prize with it, you will probably be allowed to enter it again if it shows signs of being improved/worked on, but please check with the organiser in advance.

 

3. REGISTRATION

Registration will be available online in advance for all events. You should fill in the entry form and email it by the date given in the thread. There will also be limited spaces available on the day, but pre-registration is preferred (and essential if you wish to provide your own music). You must report to the desk on the day to sign in and be pre-judged.

 

All Masquerade entries must provide a reference picture if they wish to be judged for the Main Prize. This should be emailed in advance. If it is an original costume that you are entering, a drawing/sketch or concepts will be accepted. You should also provide your own music, attached with your registration or emailed shortly after.

 

We don't accept music on the day, even for pre-registered entries.

 

 

4. MASQUERADE CATEGORIES

Under 12 - This category will no longer be judged. It is simply to show off costumes and be part of the masquerade experience! If an under-12 is wearing a costume you wish to have judged, it must be entered into the appropriate category for the age of the person who made it, regardless of the age of the child wearing it. However, there will be a special surprise for all Under 12 participants so don't be shy!

 

Junior - This category covers the ages of 12 - 17. Costumes entered into this category should be mostly made by the entrant, though we understand they may have had some help.

 

Adult - This category is for 18+ entrants, plus any entrants wearing a costume made by an adult. Entrants will be held strictly to the rules.

 

 

5. MASQUERADE PERFORMANCE

From the moment you walk onto the stage, you are trying to impress us. Show us the character's movements, personality etc. and pose as the character would! You have around a minute to pose and show your costume off. The longer you are on stage for, the more time you have to score points in this area, so it's better not to just rush on and rush back off again.

 

If you are performing a skit, all sound must be pre-recorded and emailed before the closing date for entries. We can't provide microphones, so all dialogue should be pre-recorded. You should describe your skit on the entry form so we can allow/disallow things based on their suitability for a general audience. Staff have the right to stop a skit at any time if it becomes inappropriate. The maximum skit length is two minutes for an individual entry and three minutes for a group.

 

You may use any song for your walk-on or skit, as long as it is suitable for a general audience (eg. no swearing or other explicit content). We don't accept music on the day so if you haven't sent in anything beforehand, something will be chosen for you from what we have. This includes on-the-day entries.

 

 

6. MASQUERADE JUDGING

Costumes will be judged in three areas - the quality of the costume and how well made it is; how much of a resemblance the costume and contestant have to the original; and how well you present the character's movements/mannerisms.

 

Pre-judging will occur on the day. If you are entering to win a prize (ie. you have made at least part of your costume), the judges will ask questions, take a closer look at the costume etc. This is compulsory if you wish to score any points in the "craftsmanship" category. The masquerade will take place in front of an audience and a panel of judges. The Pre-Judging will take place exactly 1 hour before the Masquerade is supposed to begin and all participants are to meet by the Cosplay Desk.

 

 

7. MISC

You may be filmed or photographed during the masquerade, talent-show or skit-show, and Showmasters or its associates may wish to use your image. By entering these events you agree to this.

 

 

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Looking forward to seeing you at this year's LFCC!

- Lise x

Cosplay Zone Crew

Edited June 8, 2012 by Queen_Sindel

[raiden58237]

I have just read through this and I just want to make sure Im safe with my M16. It says here "Wooden or other solid (LEGAL) replica weapons must be peace-bonded (unable to be drawn)." I was just going to carry it around all day inside the hall and then pack it away before leaving. It is an airsoft weapon so it can be easilly made safe just by removing the battery. Is this ok?

[naurarwen_fangorn]

Another thing to ask what if your weapon can't be peace bonded. I.e. its a flamer or pulse rifle from Aliens. How exactly am I'm going to piece bond that when I carry both round by the handle on them?

 

What about my Katniss bow does that need to be peace bonded too cause that might be kinda hard?

 

Also what about things that don't have holsters?

Edited June 10, 2012 by naurarwen_fangorn

[raiden58237]

What do you mean by Peace Bond?

[Valkyrie]

Another thing to ask what if your weapon can't be peace bonded. I.e. its a flamer or pulse rifle from Aliens. How exactly am I'm going to piece bond that when I carry both round by the handle on them?

 

What about my Katniss bow does that need to be peace bonded too cause that might be kinda hard?

 

Also what about things that don't have holsters?

For weapons we ask that you remove the battery (if it has one) and obviously doesn't load it with whatever it might have been made to fire. For all replicas we ask you paint or tape the tip of your weapon in a highly visible colour (usually neon orange or green) so we can tell it is not a real weapon. Please be careful when bringing it to the event and make sure to only bring it out once you are inside the hall or upon inspection by security at the entrance. Carrying around replica guns in public is serious business.

 

by Katniss I presume you mean from the Hunger games (as I am not familiar with the fandom and simply googled it). You are not allowed to bring a professional Bow to the event as this classifies as a full on weapon, whether you have arrows or not. If you have a bow which you would like to use, you would have to de-string it and re-string it with something less durable. (I suggest cotton string or very thin plastic)

 

For 'things that don't have holsters' I'm afraid you will have to be more specific so I can advise. A lot of things don't have holsters, a lot of things don't need holster, it's the dangerous, sharp objects we are most worried about.

 

What do you mean by Peace Bond?

Peace bonding means securing your sword to its sheath so that you are unable to draw it. It is also a way to show Staff that you are taking precautions with your weapon/prop. Edited June 11, 2012 by BlueEyedValkyrie

[naurarwen_fangorn]

Another thing to ask what if your weapon can't be peace bonded. I.e. its a flamer or pulse rifle from Aliens. How exactly am I'm going to piece bond that when I carry both round by the handle on them?

 

What about my Katniss bow does that need to be peace bonded too cause that might be kinda hard?

 

Also what about things that don't have holsters?

For weapons we ask that you remove the battery (if it has one) and obviously doesn't load it with whatever it might have been made to fire. For all replicas we ask you paint or tape the tip of your weapon in a highly visible colour (usually neon orange or green) so we can tell it is not a real weapon. Please be careful when bringing it to the event and make sure to only bring it out once you are inside the hall or upon inspection by security at the entrance. Carrying around replica guns in public is serious business.

 

by Katniss I presume you mean from the Hunger games (as I am not familiar with the fandom and simply googled it). You are not allowed to bring a professional Bow to the event as this classifies as a full on weapon, whether you have arrows or not. If you have a bow which you would like to use, you would have to de-string it and re-string it with something less durable. (I suggest cotton string or very thin plastic)

 

For 'things that don't have holsters' I'm afraid you will have to be more specific so I can advise. A lot of things don't have holsters, a lot of things don't need holster, it's the dangerous, sharp objects we are most worried about.

.

 

My flamer for my Colonial marine is actually a mixture of resin and plastic so there is actually nothing working on it what so ever. It doesn't even have a trigger if I remember rightly. I'm the one on the right in the photo and thats my non functioning flamer

 

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/534289_427878420579009_1406568413_n.jpg

 

Yes sorry by Katniss I meant from The Hunger Games. The bow I use is actually just a training bow painted silver. I'm not sure a cotton string would hold as it does have a 20lb draw weight and not sure the cotton string would take the strain without snapping. If it did it would probably cause injury to myself when the plastic restraightened. The thing is I have seen people from costume groups such as UK Garrison carrying round as you would call them "professional" bows at cons and have never been approached or told they can't have them.

 

If daggers/swords/etc are what need to be holstered then thats fine cause its things like my Colonial marine pulse rifle and flamer that don't have a holster.

[Valkyrie]

 

My flamer for my Colonial marine is actually a mixture of resin and plastic so there is actually nothing working on it what so ever. It doesn't even have a trigger if I remember rightly. I'm the one on the right in the photo and thats my non functioning flamer

 

https://fbcdn-sphoto...406568413_n.jpg

 

Yes sorry by Katniss I meant from The Hunger Games. The bow I use is actually just a training bow painted silver. I'm not sure a cotton string would hold as it does have a 20lb draw weight and not sure the cotton string would take the strain without snapping. If it did it would probably cause injury to myself when the plastic restraightened. The thing is I have seen people from costume groups such as UK Garrison carrying round as you would call them "professional" bows at cons and have never been approached or told they can't have them.

 

If daggers/swords/etc are what need to be holstered then thats fine cause its things like my Colonial marine pulse rifle and flamer that don't have a holster.

 

Your flamer should be just fine, definitely no problem there. :)

 

I see what you are saying about the bows at other events, bare with me whilst I check with our Organisers whether it would be okay to bring a proper stringed bow to the show, since it's been done at other shows as you mention. I might need to draw in some expertise since I don't know very much about bows or whether or not 20lb is dangerous or not in small spaces, so I might be a little while but I will let you know as soon as I do!

 

Peace bonding only applies to actual heavy or sharp knives (wood, metal, plastic) where they need to be secured, and for replica weapons such as handguns to be brought to the Cosplay Desk for us to make sure they are not dangerous and add a tag on it if it hasn't been done by the attendee already with a bright coloured tape/paint on the tip.

[naurarwen_fangorn]

My flamer for my Colonial marine is actually a mixture of resin and plastic so there is actually nothing working on it what so ever. It doesn't even have a trigger if I remember rightly. I'm the one on the right in the photo and thats my non functioning flamer

 

https://fbcdn-sphoto...406568413_n.jpg

 

Yes sorry by Katniss I meant from The Hunger Games. The bow I use is actually just a training bow painted silver. I'm not sure a cotton string would hold as it does have a 20lb draw weight and not sure the cotton string would take the strain without snapping. If it did it would probably cause injury to myself when the plastic restraightened. The thing is I have seen people from costume groups such as UK Garrison carrying round as you would call them "professional" bows at cons and have never been approached or told they can't have them.

 

If daggers/swords/etc are what need to be holstered then thats fine cause its things like my Colonial marine pulse rifle and flamer that don't have a holster.

 

Your flamer should be just fine, definitely no problem there. :)

 

I see what you are saying about the bows at other events, bare with me whilst I check with our Organisers whether it would be okay to bring a proper stringed bow to the show, since it's been done at other shows as you mention. I might need to draw in some expertise since I don't know very much about bows or whether or not 20lb is dangerous or not in small spaces, so I might be a little while but I will let you know as soon as I do!

 

Peace bonding only applies to actual heavy or sharp knives (wood, metal, plastic) where they need to be secured, and for replica weapons such as handguns to be brought to the Cosplay Desk for us to make sure they are not dangerous and add a tag on it if it hasn't been done by the attendee already with a bright coloured tape/paint on the tip.

 

Not to worry if you need to check it. To be honest bows are pretty "safe" as long as they aren't being aimed at anyone with a projectile on the string. Say for someone cosplaying Hunger Games if they are wanting to draw the string back as long as it being aimed at the floor the likelihood is if they accidently let go that if the arrows are made of wood they will just break (not that I know this after messing with mine in my house and hitting the cupboard and it snapping in half *looks all innocent*. Disclaimer: I wouldn't even attempt this at a convention, I was actually aiming at a cereal box leant on the cupboard). Though bows like everything can be dangerous if in the wrong hands. As long as the person carrying it is is safe with it I can't see any incidents occuring.

Edited June 13, 2012 by naurarwen_fangorn

[Valkyrie]

In general arrows will not be allowed unless the tip is made absolutely completely blunt (read: flat) or has a sponge for a tip (the kind you use with nerf guns and such) :)

[EllieJane]

Hi, I wasn't sure where to ask this question, so I thought I'd try here. I have a Farscape pulse pistol prop. It's solid (resin, I think) with no moving parts or sharp edges. I'm considering bringing it to the event, to see if it would be possible to get Ben Browder to pose in a photo shoot with it.

 

Three questions:

1) It's not part of a cosplay outfit and I don't intend carrying it around outside the (potential) photo shoot area. Do I still need to get it looked at by someone?

2)From what you've said above, it sounds like you'd want the end of the pistol taped up or something similar, which would ruin a photo if it's pointed/posed at the camera. Is there a solution to this, if it is the case?

3) Are you allowed to take this kind of prop into a photoshoot? Never tried to do this before, so I have no clue!

 

Hoping someone can help me on this. I'm not sure if I have the nerve to ask for a photo with it, to begin with, so I want to make very sure I won't be doing anything wrong before I decide to go ahead and bring it! Thanks in advance :)

[raiden58237]

I have an M16 Carbine Airsoft Rifle (Plastic). I will gladly remove the batteries, put no ammo in the clips and also put the green or orange tape on the flass nozle (end of gun) but is it ok if I just carry it around in my hands all day. An M16 Carbine does not really have a holster. I dont have a strap for it either so it can't just dangle from my body, I would have to carry it around in my hands. Is this ok? I am willing to follow all the rules and submit to random weapon inspections like stated in the rules, I was just wondering about carrying the weapon around like this thats all. Thanks for your help.

[Valkyrie]

I have an M16 Carbine Airsoft Rifle (Plastic). I will gladly remove the batteries, put no ammo in the clips and also put the green or orange tape on the flass nozle (end of gun) but is it ok if I just carry it around in my hands all day. An M16 Carbine does not really have a holster. I dont have a strap for it either so it can't just dangle from my body, I would have to carry it around in my hands. Is this ok? I am willing to follow all the rules and submit to random weapon inspections like stated in the rules, I was just wondering about carrying the weapon around like this thats all. Thanks for your help.

Carrying around in your hands will be just fine, unless you wanna balance it on your feet.. Slightly more difficult, dozen times more entertaining, still absolutely OK with us.

 

Thanks for sticking without our rules, very much appreciated :)

Lise x

[raiden58237]

Thanks for getting back to me. Balancing on my feet would be fun but I think some people might find me a bit weird.

[Queenie]

My friend wants to bring his wooden sword for a costume. It looks like this: http://www.jmcremps.com/images/ClaymoreGreatsword_WEB.jpg

 

It is a child's toy, really, so does it need to have a scabbard or be peace bonded, or is he alright to just have it hanging from his belt and not draw it?

 

Thanks for your time!

[elrond_peredhel]

I'm hoping to use an Airsoft replica pistol for one of my costumes, but the person I'm borrowing it from doesn't want the end painted neon (he uses it for actual airsofting). You mention we can use coloured tape instead of paint on the end of guns. Wis the taping I've done on this ok, or does the entire tip need to be taped over?

 

Edited July 3, 2012 by WhovianRingerTrekkie

[Valtharen]

My Costume is my own design, however being a sculptor and not a drawing artist, I have no concept art for my costume...

Can I still enter the competition?

[matt black]

My wife is going to wear her Catwoman costume for the first time. Her gloves have the claws attached. They are exact metal replicas and I wouldn't call them sharp but are a bit pointy. The problem is that they cannot be removed from the gloves. Do you think they will be OK to wear?

By bsac15 at 2011-11-18

 

Many thanks,

Rob.

[Valkyrie]

Hi Everyone

 

Sorry for the delay in replies. I will reply to you all shortly.

 

- Lisa x

[Valkyrie]

My friend wants to bring his wooden sword for a costume. It looks like this: http://www.jmcremps....atsword_WEB.jpg

 

It is a child's toy, really, so does it need to have a scabbard or be peace bonded, or is he alright to just have it hanging from his belt and not draw it?

 

Thanks for your time!

This would be just fine, not a problem. It does not need to be peace bonded.

I'm hoping to use an Airsoft replica pistol for one of my costumes, but the person I'm borrowing it from doesn't want the end painted neon (he uses it for actual airsofting). You mention we can use coloured tape instead of paint on the end of guns. Wis the taping I've done on this ok, or does the entire tip need to be taped over?

 

This is absolutely fine, thank you for your effort :)

My Costume is my own design, however being a sculptor and not a drawing artist, I have no concept art for my costume...

Can I still enter the competition?

Of course! Email us your form tomorrow before 6pm and we will still be able to process it. :)

My wife is going to wear her Catwoman costume for the first time. Her gloves have the claws attached. They are exact metal replicas and I wouldn't call them sharp but are a bit pointy. The problem is that they cannot be removed from the gloves. Do you think they will be OK to wear?

By bsac15 at 2011-11-18

 

Many thanks,

Rob.

Even though these might not be particularly sharp they would still be quite dangerous in crowded places. I ask that you take extra precaution when wearing them and would also suggest you try and keep your hands as closed and close to your body as you can whilst wearing them so the likeliness that you might poke or hurt someone when moving around is kept as low as possible.

[matt black]

Not a problem.Thank you very much for your help. We will be careful.

[Valkyrie]

A note to all Cosplayers wishing to attend the Masquerade.

Early Sign-ups have now closed so please come to the Cosplay Desk at least 1 hour before the Masquerade on each day and fill out a form if you wish to sign up. Please also brig with you your preferred Music if possible.

Many thanks and see you there!

- Lise x

[jedirulz123]

Hi,

 

I'm going the LFCC on Sunday & thinking of taking my jedi cloak & lightsaber. Would I be able to take my lightsaber? It's one of those plastic kids lightsabers that you press the button & flick to get the "blade" out.

 

Thanks

[Valkyrie]

Hi,

 

I'm going the LFCC on Sunday & thinking of taking my jedi cloak & lightsaber. Would I be able to take my lightsaber? It's one of those plastic kids lightsabers that you press the button & flick to get the "blade" out.

 

Thanks

 

That won't be a problem, feel free to bring it.