Anthrocon Masquerade Rules & Regulations (2008 v10.0)

• The Masquerade is a Variety Show-style event where costumers can show off their costuming performance and visual media skills for the convention attendees. This is not a competition; our Masquerade is not a judged event, and there are no awards or prizes.

• In all performances, at least one participant must have a costume. For this event, "costume" is defined as wearing a significantly anthropomorphic disguise.

• Each performer is required to have an act or skit to perform. This can range from a dance to a comedy routine to any performance event that the participant can come up with. Creativity and originality is encouraged.

• All content must be rated G or PG. PG-13 acts are strongly discouraged and subject to director review. R-rated acts are not allowed. Performances may not include excessive violence or sexual situations inappropriate for a general audience.

• All performances in the Masquerade must be no longer than a maximum of 3 minutes in length without approval by the event director.

• Each performer will be permitted one act featuring themselves or a specific group. Second acts featuring the same performer or a similar large group are only allowed with permission.

• All visual media presentations must involve animal/anthro-related content.

• Visual media presentations may be provided by participants who will not be attending the convention, but they must be provided in advance and in a format presentable by the technical staff.

• Due to licensing laws, visual presentations cannot include licensed music unless the participant either can prove they have obtained a synchronization license directly from the publisher, are using music that they themselves recorded, or are using public domain material (published prior to 1922).

• Audio and Visual media should follow these requirements:

  CD Audio: One track CDs are preferred

  PC Audio: MP3/WAV
  Video: DVD, No VHS
  PC Video: QT, WMV, divx, xvid

  Media: For PC files please use CDs as much as possible. We cannot guarantee that we'll be able to open flash drives. Please avoid DVD-Roms for anything other than DVD-Video.

  Special requests: For special needs, e-mail tech-2008(at)anthrocon.org to discuss.

• All audio must be presented on a standard audio CD, playable on a standard CD player. If possible, please burn your audio onto a blank CD as a single track.

• Please review the Performance FAQ when developing your skit for valuable advice on constructing a high-quality act.

• All participants must attend a MANDATORY closed rehearsal where performances will be practiced, reviewed, and organized, and visual media will be previewed. Any costumer unable to attend and participate in the rehearsal must notify the event director beforehand and an alternate rehearsal may be provided for that person if available. If a costumer does not attend the rehearsal and does not provide notification, we cannot allow that costumer to take part in the Masquerade.

• All participants in the rehearsal must rehearse using the costumes and accessories that they will be wearing and utilizing during the Masquerade itself.

• All casting in each performance must be finalized by the rehearsal.

• Any performance that deviates from the prior rehearsal to circumvent the rules without permission from the Director risks immediate removal from the performance and exclusion from future Anthrocon Masquerade-related events. The show is a performance of creativity and ingenuity in costuming and its presentation. If you aren't sure, don't do it without Director approval.

• All performers wearing form-fitting body suits must take precautions to avoid any inappropriate displays.

• Costumers are encouraged to have a "handler" backstage to provide them assistance with their performance and activity. This is to prevent the event staff from being overwhelmed with providing support for any number of costumers who are not able to manage alone.

• All costumers for the performance are required to remain "backstage" during the event if they are not currently performing. This is to avoid any costumer's difficulty navigating in the crowd during the event.

• All costumers participating in the performance must arrive 30 minutes before the event is set to begin. This is to provide advance time to work out last minute bugs and other unexpected complications as well as a final review to provide a flawless show.

• If a performer is not present thirty minutes before the Masquerade, their performance may be cut from the show.

• For safety reasons, costumers are not allowed to interact with the attendees by going offstage or bringing anyone from the audience onstage during the performance unless this is approved beforehand by the event director as part of the performance.

• No liquids, particles, foam or otherwise messy props may be used in a performance.

• Items cannot be thrown into the audience (again, for safety purposes).

• Performance content that involves political statements or are politically-oriented or politically-motivated (fandom or otherwise) are not permissible.

• The performance order is decided after rehearsal, at which point it cannot be changed.

• All documentation provided to the MC for the peformance must be legible.

• Please do not submit the only recording of original media; Anthrocon cannot be responsible for its safety or return. Use copies instead.

• The Masquerade Director reserves the right to refuse a performance or act for any reason. If you have any concern about the appropriateness of your act or your costume, ask.

- Brian Harris (Anthrocon Masquerade Director)
masquerade-2008(at)anthrocon.org