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44th Annual Comic-Con MasqueradeCelebrating costuming in the popular arts and the creativity of our attendeesSan Diego Comic-Con was only a few years old, back in the 1970s, when the many costumes worn by attendees made it clear that costuming was not only an important ingredient in many of the popular arts, but was a fun highlight of the convention, and deserving of its very own special event. Our Saturday night showcase is a unique evening of amazing costume creations and imaginative and entertaining ways to present them, starring our non-professional but highly talented attendees. Not a dance nor party as the name might imply, it’s an on-stage series of costume presentations in the style of an amateur talent competition, with a Master of Ceremonies, a panel of guest judges, and impressive awards given by the convention and generous prizes and awards given by many professional costuming and educational groups, as well as comics industry representatives.Why is it called a Masquerade and not simply a costume contest or fashion show? Because it’s more than just posing on stage, it’s about capturing the feel of the character, creating moods, and sometimes a sense of story. There can be elements of drama, comedy, suspense, a faux battle, unexpected surprises, and even song and dance. While most of the convention is about our many attending professionals discussing their work or sharing news on their projects, the Masquerade reminds us that the creative arts reside in ALL of us, and that among our attendees there’s plenty of amazing talents and creativity worth showcasing. More than a few times over the years we’ve seen our “cosplaying” contestants go on to professional costuming careers.Ballroom 20’s large elevated stage will have great viewing for all thanks to four huge high-definition video screens overhead and multiple cameras to capture close-ups. As an audience of 3,800 fills that ballroom for the Masquerade, an overflow audience of 2,000 more watch the show on large projection screens in the nearby Sails Pavilion and other ballrooms. It is free to participate in, or just be in the audience for anyone with a Comic-Con badge valid for Saturday. And if you just plan to be in the audience you don’t have to wear a costume, but as with the rest of the convention, wearing costumes is always encouraged to add to the fun!Some entries will be solo costumes; others can be groups with a shared theme. Many will be re-creations from movies, TV shows, anime films, Broadway shows, computer games, history, and of course comic books, but there will also be some completely original designs, some never seen before anywhere. All costume genres are welcome, but no purchased or professionally-sourced ones are allowed. It’s a celebration of imagination and craftsmanship, not shopping ability, and to have a fun evening is the main objective.Our Master and Mistress of Ceremonies will again be the very entertaining five-time Hugo Award-winning artists and writers Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio, who for many years have created, published, and contributed to a variety of comics, art, and games in the science fiction and fantasy genres through their company Studio Foglio. You’ll often find them in person at the Girl Genius booth in our Exhibit Hall.Since our audience always starts to line up hours early, to make life easier for our attendees we will, as usual, be giving out Masquerade tickets for Ballroom 20 seating FREE at noon on Saturday, July 21, to those in line, so they may then get out of line to enjoy other daytime events and return to the line later towards the evening knowing there will be seating for them. Tickets are not needed for watching the show in the Sails Pavilion or the overflow ballrooms, although the Sails Pavilion seating can fill up as well. And after the Masquerade, the Sails Pavilion becomes a lively venue of music and dance! Special reserved seating will be available for Comic-Con’s special guests.How to EnterThere’s only space and time in the event for a limited number of contestants, so if you’re an attendee that would like to share your costume creation with our audience you should apply for a contestant slot as soon as possible.For complete information, detailed rules, and an advance entry form,Click here to download the Comic-Con 2018 Masquerade Rules & Entry Form.All slots usually fill up several weeks in advance of the convention, so sending in an Entry Form early is advised. Photos of the costume you will be wearing will be required for full confirmation as a contestant. More details are on the download.Flash photography is NOT allowed in the ballroom during the event, but there will be an off-stage Photo Area in a nearby room, where the contestants pose after their stage presentations. Photographers or Press who wish access to this Masquerade “Photo OP” Stage Area should write the coordinator at [email protected] ahead of time to request a reserved spot, as it fills up quickly. Note this is a non-public area and access is only open to those with approval.Video photography of the Masquerade event is allowed for personal non-profit use. Any videography in the ballroom for professional purposes MUST be cleared with Comic-Con beforehand, please write to [email protected] to make a request.During the Judging Intermission the audience will be treated to special live entertainment and short films. This year we’ve invited back the very impressive The Corps Dance Crew. Founded in 2013 by its current directors Kayla Mallari and Sonali Samarasena, the Corps Dance Crew is a talented team that brings anime and comics to life through dance. Coupling cosplay, popular music, and a variety of dance styles, The Corps has explored favorite fandoms with a twist. They have performed at numerous conventions including WonderCon, Anime Expo, and Comic-Con International.AwardsBeautiful Comic-Con awards, featuring our custom-created Comic-Con Masquerade medallions, will be presented in categories of:Best in ShowJudges’ ChoiceBest Re-CreationBest Original DesignBest WorkmanshipMost HumorousMost BeautifulBest Young FanOur award medallions (at right, above) were designed by fantasy artist and illustrator Sue Dawe, and manufactured by the same maker of the Emmy and Golden Globe awards.And, any costumed entry winning one of the above Comic-Con award categories will also receive a FREE 4-day membership badge to our 2019 Comic-Con! This is Comic-Con’s extra thank you for all your hard work and talent. Complimentary badges are non-transferable, and if a group wins, up to five free memberships will be given.In addition to the Comic-Con awards listed above, the following companies and organizations will be generously donating their own awards to outstanding costumes, as selected by their own representatives. More companies and groups will be added to this list as we get closer to Comic-Con, so check back often.Frank And Son Collectible Show, of the City of Industry, Calif., “Your one-stop show for ALL your collectible needs” will present to the entry they deem the audience favorite a $1,000 cash prize, plus a very impressive trophy!DC Comics representatives will present a special, limited edition DC Collectibles item to the finest costume entry portraying a DC Comics character or group of characters from the DC universe of publications and movies.The Costume Designers Guild IATSE Local 892: Celebrity Hollywood costume designer judges from the CDG will present to their favorite entry a special prize, plus a CDG Masquerade trophy provided by Legacy Effects and a full year’s subscription to Costume Designer magazine. The CDG is Local 892 of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.), and represents Costume Designers, Assistant Costume Designers and Costume Illustrators working at the highest levels of expertise in motion pictures, TV, commercials, music videos, and new media.The David C. Copley Award for Most Innovative Costume: UCLA's David C. Copley Center for The Study of Costume Design will bestow on their favorite entry the UCLA Copley Center Design Award of a $1,000 gift card to Amazon.com, plus a copy of Hollywood Sketchbook: A Century of Costume Illustration, (cover price $75) by Deborah Nadoolman Landis, Copley Center Director.Sideshow Collectibles: Do you think your costume entry into this year's contest will elicit lots of ooo's and ahhhh's from the crowd? If that's the case, you'll be in the running to win a $350 gift card from Sideshow Collectibles for use on their website! So bring your best costume creation to Comic-Con's Masquerade contest and you might walk (or strut) away with Sideshow's generously donated prize.The Will Eisner Spirit of Storytelling Award commemorates Will Eisner’s contributions to the comics medium and his imaginative storytelling skills as exemplified by his iconic comic character, The Spirit, and his many graphic novels and textbooks. 2017 marked the centennial of Will Eisner’s birth and this award is bestowed by Will Eisner Studios on the entry they deem best showcases that all-important “art of storytelling” in their stage presentation. The costuming and story are equally important. At its peak, The Spirit Sunday comic newspaper section reached 5 million readers and was known for its imaginative stories, creative artwork, and eye catching splash pages. The winning entrant will receive $250 in Amazon gift cards plus limited-edition Will Eisner giclée lithographs.Anime Pavilion, of Falls Church, Virginia, a source for all things anime and anime-related, will present to what they choose as best anime-inspired costumes $200 credit at their popular Comic-Con Exhibit Hall booth or their expansive website for their top choice, plus $50 cash to the best Young Fan anime-inspired entry.Costumer's Guild West, Inc. will be presenting a full scholarship and one night's hotel (valued at $300) to their weekend conference, Costume College®, held the last weekend in July at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, CA, awarded to the entry their representatives select as showing the most promise. Costume College provides educational lectures and workshops in every aspect of costuming. More details at: costumecollege.netFor any specific inquiries not covered here or in the Masquerade Information Pamphlet PDF, please email [email protected].
Ok... what are some tips for actually getting in to see the Masquerade? It seems that they have a massive VIP crowd that gets in first. I know they showed it live last year in the Sails Pavilion, but--- being in the same room is really cool.
New lighting, drinks and snacks? Hmm...that sounds like fun. I heard they do a dance party afterward in Sails?
44TH ANNUAL COMIC-CON MASQUERADE! YouTube’s Origin Presents the 2018 Comic-Con Masquerade2018 Comic-Con Masquerade Award WinnersThe 44th annual Comic-Con Masquerade, generously sponsored by YouTube and their exciting new original show Origin, filled Ballroom 20, most of the dedicated overflow rooms and the Sails Pavilion. It featured 40 entries. Our Masters of Ceremonies were artist/writers Phil and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio. An impressive group dance performance was the main feature at Intermission, performed by the amazing Corps Dance Crew, followed by a Star Wars light saber performance by the Saber Guild performance group.Awards were given for:Best in Show: Sarah and Jareth the Goblin KingWorn by Liz Todd and Heidi Schilling; designed and made by Ambrose CosplayJudges’ Choice: Big Daddy Delta & Big Sister EleanorWorn by Angus & Aubin Duff; designed and made by Angus & Aubin DuffBest Re-Creation: The Grand Apothecary, PutressWorn by Vincent Clervi; designed and made by Vincent ClerviBest Original Design: Howl’s Moving CastleWorn by Nina London Cosplay; designed and made by Nina LondonBest Workmanship: Sylvanas WindrunnerWorn by Heather Waters of Cosplay Siren; designed and made by Heather WatersBest Presentation: Crouching Prince, Hidden DragonWorn by Brooke Bowman, Arron Bowman, Rob Bowman, Natasha Bowman, and Jacob Rodebaugh; designed and made by Brooke Bowman, Rob Bowman, Natasha Bowman, and Jacob RodebaughMost Humorous: Princess Vanellope Von Schweetz ... and RalphWorn by Bri Sloth, Taylor Robinson and PrueDense; designed and made by Bri Sloth and PrueDuctions CosplayMost Beautiful (TIE):Claire Fraser: The Outlander WeddingMade and worn by Rebecca Roberts RyanandAlice from Scissor CrownMade and worn by Daniela Lo PrestiBest Young Fan: BakugouWorn by Gabrielle Jones; designed and made by Gabrielle Jones & Brad JonesIn addition, the judges awarded:Honorable Mention for Presentation: Timelord of the DanceWorn, designed and made by Rich, Kym, Jackie, Susanne, Caitlin, Heather, Annalisa, Marcia, Holly, Ava, Mikaela, Dani, Nicky, Melissa, Gome, Sissy, Lisa, Robert, Jason & BethanyHonorable Mention for Workmanship: Hawkgirl Armored VigilWorn by Julia Fields; designed and made by Julia Fields and Chris MuiseHonorable Mention for Creative Use of Material: La MuerteWorn by Tala; designed and made by Tala and her MotherThe following entities sponsored prizes:DC Comics: The Last Day on KryptonWorn by Ken Hazelett, Natalie Lawson, Bryn Hazelett Lawson; designed and made by Natalie LawsonAnime PavilionBest Anime: Howl’s Moving CastleWorn by Nina London Cosplay; designed and made by Nina LondonBest Young Fan Anime: BakugouWorn by Gabrielle Jones; designed and made by Gabrielle Jones & Brad JonesThe Will Eisner Spirit of Storytelling Award: Timelord of the DanceWorn, designed and made by Rich, Kym, Jackie, Susanne, Caitlin, Heather, Annalisa, Marcia, Holly, Ava, Mikaela, Dani, Nicky, Melissa, Gome, Sissy, Lisa, Robert, Jason & BethanyThe David C. Copley Award for Most Innovative Costume: Alice from Scissor CrownWorn by Daniela Lo Presti; designed and made by Daniela Lo PrestiThe Costume Designers Guild IATSE Local 892: A Beautiful Golden AfternoonWorn by Cosplay on the Rocks: Cindy, Mike, Kate Martin, Lynleigh, Kie, and Ashley; designed and made by Cindy, Lynleigh, and KieMotion Picture Costumers Union, Local 705Award for Best Technical Costume Construction: Alice from Scissor CrownWorn by Daniela Lo Presti; designed and made by Daniela Lo PrestiCostumer of Tomorrow Award: Ursula the Sea WitchWorn by Kyra Kasner; designed and made by Kyra Kasner & Carmen Kasner ,with help from Kevin KasnerThe Art Directors Guild (ADG, IATSE Local 800)The Art Directors Guild Cosplay Award for Original Concept Design: Davy JonesWorn by Jose Davalos; designed and made by Jose DavalosThe Art Directors Guild Cosplay Award for Best Graphic Design: Alice from Scissor CrownWorn by Daniela Lo Presti; designed and made by Daniela Lo PrestiThe Costumer's Guild West: Imp MercyWorn by Jacqueline Soto aka Jakurina; designed and made by Jacqueline Soto, Elisabeth Duty, and Yasu TanoSideshow Collectibles: Timelord of the DanceWorn, designed and made by Rich, Kym, Jackie, Susanne, Caitlin, Heather, Annalisa, Marcia, Holly, Ava, Mikaela, Dani, Nicky, Melissa, Gome, Sissy, Lisa, Robert, Jason & BethanyFrank & Son Collectible Show: Timelord of the DanceWorn, designed and made by Rich, Kym, Jackie, Susanne, Caitlin, Heather, Annalisa, Marcia, Holly, Ava, Mikaela, Dani, Nicky, Melissa, Gome, Sissy, Lisa, Robert, Jason & BethanyComic-Con gives a hearty thanks to everyone who participated in the show!Posted on Jul 23, 2018