We are so excited to invite you to the inaugural Let’s Glow Cosplay Contest! If you have any questions, please feel free to email bartcontest@craftysorceress.com . Can’t wait to see your cosplays!
Cosplays accepted:
Since we are thrilled to see your creativity, entries may be from ANYWHERE! Below is a short and not-extensive list:
- Cosplays from your favorite TV shows, video games, anime, book, etc
- BART anime mascot cosplays
- Cosplays based on original or fanart designs
Entries sourced from adult-oriented media (R, M, etc.) are permitted but must conform to the Dress Code and the family-friendly nature of the convention.
Cosplays and props must adhere to the Dress Code.
Contestants may not alter their skin tone with makeup, paint, etc. to another human skin tone. We will address this on a case-by-case basis, and it may ultimately result in immediate expulsion from the Cosplay Contest.
Please contact bartcontest@craftysorceress.com if you have any questions about accommodations.
We have two categories, or ways you can participate in the contest:
- Walk-On
- Craftsmanship, which includes a walk-on stage
Walk-On
The walk-on is a series of 2-4 poses, done throughout the stage, for no more than a minute per contestant. It is your chance to be in character and show off your lovely cosplay!
Microphones will not be provided unless discussed. If you need a microphone or any special equipment, please contact the contest director at bartcontest@craftysorceress.com. Special equipment will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
We will not be supplying assistants or ‘stage ninjas’ at this time.
We want the stage to be pristine for all of our contestants to shine, so the stage must be left the way you found it. Do not throw anything on the stage (glitter, flower petals, confetti, etc.).
If you’d like to do flips or acrobatics, please consult with the cosplay department head before the event at bartcontest@craftysorceress.com, and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Flips and other acrobatics will not be permitted without prior approval from the cosplay department head.
Craftsmanship
If you did not make your costume, we’d still love, love, love to have you in our walk-on category instead of craftsmanship!
Craftsmanship entries must be at least 20% made, thrifted, upcycled, altered, or tailored by the entrant. Some bought items (such as shoes & undergarments) are acceptable, but a plus if you made those yourself.
In the case of groups, 20% of the cosplays must be made by group member/s. This is a flexible rule, so any of the following is fair:
- A group of 4 and only 1 entirely made their costume (100% made). The cosplayer who made their costume fully, would be eligible for craftsmanship.
- A group of 4 but parts, or at least 20%, of everyone’s costume were made/tailored. Examples include a group armor cosplay, where everyone made their own helmets, weapons, and shields.
If your costume does not meet the requirement, you would still be eligible for awards under the walk-on category. Those in the craftsmanship category are the only ones eligible for Best Craftsmanship & Best in Show.
Similarly, costumes that have won awards at other cosplay contests/masquerades elsewhere should be submitted in the walk-on category and not in craftsmanship. Please contact bartcontest@craftysorceress.com if you have any questions.
The following is helpful, but not required for pre-judging or awards:
- A printed reference photo (3 copies please!) of your design from the original media source
- Progress photos, printed, 3 copies
- a portfolio of no more than 5 pages
Entries will be judged on cleanliness of execution and variety, quality, and difficulty of skills demonstrated.
How to sign up:
There are no pre-signups for the cosplay contest. All sign-ups are on-site, starting at 1pm on the day of the festival. We will fill out our slots on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you arrive and all slots are filled, please still let us know; we’re keeping track of the demand for our contest. Also, please let BART leadership know that you’d love for us to have a bigger contest next year!
The contest is on Saturday, Sept 19, 4pm-6pm, the opening show for the entire festival!
All contestants must attend the pre-show meeting, held from 3pm-4pm, on the main stage. Failure to attend the pre-show meeting will disqualify you from the Cosplay Contest.
If you signed up for craftsmanship:
- You will pick a timeslot to do your pre-judging.
- These timelots are also first-come, first serve, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your schedule.
- Pre-judging is required; if you signed up for the contest under craftsmanship, but were unable to go to your scheduled prejudging session, your category will change to walk-on.
Awards
The judges will award Best Craftsmanship, Best Skit, and Best in Show, among others!
- Best Craftsmanship: Prize TBD (but it’s excellent!)
- Demonstrates the highest quality & mastery in craftsmanship. This includes significant mastery of skill/s.
- Best Walk-On: Prize TBD (but you’re going to love it!)
- This is equivalent to best performance.
- Best in Show: Prize TBD
- This is the highest award given, demonstrating the best in performances and craftsmanship.
- Best BART Mascot Award: Prize TBD
- This special award represents the most love for our favorite public transportation mascots in the country. Whether it’s a stellar performance that captures the character, or love crafted in the details of the costume, this is for the love letter a BART mascot, in the form of a cosplay.
- And potentially more! Stay tuned!
Schedule
Our general schedule is here, and below is a subset of that schedule for contestants:
- Cosplay Contest Sign-ups: first come, first serve: 1pm-3pm
- Pre-Judging: If you signed up for craftsmanship, you’ll also pick a pre-judging timeslot of 10 minutes. Slots are by appointment, first-come, first-served. first-come, first-served.
- Cosplay Contest Green Room Meeting: Required for all contestants, 3pm-4pm, second stage
- Contest: Saturday, September 19, 4pm-6pm
FAQ:
How come there are no skits?
We LOVE skits, but have concluded that we do not have enough time nor resources to support it at this time. Please, please demand it in all feedback forms, because we can’t do it if ya’ll don’t ask for it!
How come there are no pre-sign-ups?
We wanted to provide this, but due to the scope of this contest, we had to cut it to provide an excellent experience for you. Please add in the feedback to include it, so we can include it for next year!
Gosh, I’m so excited to start on my first cosplay! Do you have resources and tips?
Of course! Here are some general tips:
- Cosplay Basics by Pennydox
- How to Start Cosplaying by Crafty Sorceress
- How to Cosplay for Beginners by Roger Senpai
I’d love to get a picture of a cosplayer, but I’m shy! How do I ask??
We got you! Here are some more guidelines on etiquette, by Pennydox!
What are some tips for doing an amazing walk-on?
Here are some of our favorite resources to make your cosplay shine on stage!
- Look at the walk animation or walk cycle of your character. How do they enter a room? How do they hold themselves/their props?
- Plan for 2 – 4 poses on stage, and be sure that you have covered all parts of your awesome cosplay, whether it’s extra props, that amazing armor, etc. The limit is 1 minute, and it’ll go by rather quickly!
- Be in character! By Kamui Cosplay
Where can I go?
Because we all have had the above happen to us, we invited the Cosplay Cleric to help support your cosplays when you need it the most!
Also, our judges are experienced in fixing and supporting! Come find your cosplay department head, and I’m happy to help!
Do I get rewarded/punished if I wear contact lenses that match the cosplay I’m doing? Or, if I wear glasses but the character I cosplay does not?
For various reasons, eyewear is not considered in judging, so you will not be punished or rewarded. We support you in all wonderful glasses-wearing variants of your cosplay! Also, to be informative, there are safety concerns with using colored contact lenses; check out Cosplay Cleric’s video (who has expertise in opticianry!) about the whole topic.
The sign-up form says something about rank or division; what does that mean?
We ask this to accommodate the needs of our contestants, both in terms of programming and support.
Because we love how other conventions do things, this is what Fanime’s division description is like, from here:
Novice
- You have just started competing in costume contests
- You do not have a background in costuming. You are still learning sewing/crafting skills
- You have won no awards or no major awards
Intermediate
- You demonstrate sewing/crafting skills above the novice level but not at the master level
- You have won minor craftsmanship awards
Master
- You have advanced training in sewing/crafting/fashion
- You have won major craftsmanship awards at an Intermediate or Master Level (Best in Show, 1st Place, Best Master, etc.)
As always, please feel free to ask us when signing up, and we’re happy to help!
