At this time cosplay signup is not available.
- Due to the stress that convention signups cause, Nekocon will be accepting Pre-Registration for the Cosplay online. You can use the online form located on the main website http://www.nekocon.com or E-Mail your entry to Cosplay@nekocon.com.
If you Email your entry you must include the following in the below format:
A) Group Leaders Real Name and email address.
B) Contact person if different from above with email address.
C) The Real names of all participants in your group. NO NICKNAMES.
D) The name of your skit.
E) A brief outline of your skit. No need to go into super detail, we'll let you know if there are any questions about it. "Vash the Stampede meets Spike who's out for that bounty reward, chaos ensues." Will do just fine.
There are no written submissions accepted.
- Online registration will be limited to the first 30 confirmed entries. Confirmed means they have been contacted by the Cosplay Staff and have replied to this contact. Once 30 entries have been reached, we will post here that Cosplay signup is full. On site at the convention there will be an additional five(5) slots open, with preference being given to young Cosplayers. This limit will be strictly enforced. Any unused pre-registration slots will be transferred to the At-Con signups.
If you have any problems due to Spam filters eating our attempts to contact you, or the other way around, post a message in the Cosplay forum at the Nekocon website and your issues will be addressed.
- There will be a mandatory Dress Rehearsal for the Cosplay Saturday morning. This will take place between the hours of 10am - 1pm in the Main Programming room. All Cosplayers must show up for this as we will be taking roll call for entries, sorting you into groups, and previewing all skits.
There are no exceptions. All skits must be performed in full and will be reviewed by the Cosplay coordinators. You will also be given ample time to work out any details with the Tech Crew that you needed. You are expected to arrive no later than 9:30 for the rehearsal, as there is a lot of information to be given out and gone over.
Tech Crew will only accept CD music media. No cassettes. No MP3s. Make sure you have previewed your sound BEFORE bringing your home made CDs to the convention. Tech Crew is not responsible for balancing your sound once you give them the CD, they simply put it in and press play at the proper time.
Failure to attend the Rehearsal, or arriving after 10:30am can and will result in the disqualification from the Cosplay of you and/or your group. If you cannot make the Rehearsal your entire group must talk with the Head of Cosplay before Saturday morning.
Rehearsal time is subject to change. If it does this will be posted either on the forums before the convention or in the following locations at the convention: Operations, Info Desk, Registration, Main Programming.
- Speaking of Rehearsal, here are some points to consider while preparing your skit.
Time limits for each group are as follows:
1 person = 1 minute
2-4 people = 2 minutes
5+ people = 3 minutes
For safety reasons, there are to be no more than 8 people on stage at any given time. You can have more than 8 people in your skit; just choreograph so that no more than 8 are on stage at any one time.
- While we all do enjoy a good martial arts sequence, we must insist that there be no jumping, kicking or bouncing around on stage. This also includes brandishing weapons. If your presentation absolutely requires any of these things, you must clear it with the Cosplay coordinators at Rehearsal. Remember, there will probably be fragile equipment on the stage, and if you break it, we're sending you the bill.
- We will publish the stage dimensions on the website as soon as we possibly can.
- We know that there are some risque costumes out there. We have no problem with these as long as you follow the below guidelines:
You are required to wear a nude body suit under your costume if your costume would be rated above a PG rating. If you are not sure, bring one anyway and consult the Cosplay coordinators, or email Cosplay@nekocon.com for an abbreviated list of costumes that require a body suit.
Intentional flashing of any kind will result in the immediate disqualification of you and/or your entire group.
- No foul language please! Usage of any of the 7 restricted words or any other foul or abusive language is ground for instant disqualification and removal from the Cosplay area.
- Remember do not anger Tex for he is one with the All Spark.
- We will be using our interpretation of the World Costuming Guild's rules in our categorizations. Below use the descriptions to find which group you fall into:
Youth - Any entrant aged 13 years and younger. For safety reasons, children under the age of 8 cannot be allowed on the stage during the Cosplay for any reason.
Novice - Any costumer(s) who has won 2 or fewer awards. This is the category you select if you have never cosplayed before, or have not won any contests.
Journeyman - Any costumer(s) who has won 3 . 7 awards.
Master - Any costumer(s) who has won 8 or more awards.
If you have a group, determine who had the highest skill level and use that when registering.
Example 1: You have a group of 4 Novices and 1 Journeyman. You will be entered as Journeyman level.
Example 2: You have 3 Masters and one Novice in your group. You will be entered as Master level.
Entrants are always welcome to compete at a higher level should they wish. Awards will be given for the best Craftsmanship and Performance in each level, Overall Best Craftsmanship, Overall Best Performance, and Best in Show. Judges may wish to add their own special notes for outstanding entrants.
- Craftsmanship Judging will be on a first come, first served Signup basis at the convention itself. If you wish to have your costume judged for Craftsmanship, you can signup at Rehearsal. Information about where Craftsmanship judging will be done will also be handed out during Rehearsal.
- The Head of Cosplay is in charge of the Cosplay. Their word is law and final. Do not try to make their job harder than it already is, and follow any instructions without fail. They will not make any unreasonable demands. Their #1 priority is to ensure the safety of the entrants and that the Cosplay comes off as smoothly as possible.
- Please, do not try to bribe, cajole, entice, offer favors, or otherwise influence the judges in your favor. They are mighty oaks that are immune to your wiles, plus it just looks bad, and Tex will frown upon you.
- The MC is a trained professional improvisational actress/actor and has mastered the art of combat sarcasm. Please do not take anything she/he says personally, and do not try to heckle her/him. You will loose, and you just might be escorted out of the Cosplay.
- Remember, these rules are subject to change at any time with no prior notice. The Head of Cosplay, and a select few officers of Nekocon have the right to reject any skit that they feel crosses the boundaries of good taste and decency, or might be inappropriate. (Don.t karaoke in the Cosplay, do it Friday night at the karaoke event!)
- And keeping all these rules in mind, remember, the most important rule: Have fun!
