Official Rules for Cosplay
 
 
Peace Bonding and Banned Weaponry

1. Brandishing - Brandishing is displaying the weapon in a threatening manner or inflicting harm to another with a weapon (peace bound or not). If you are found brandishing any type of weapon(s) your badge will be revoked and the police will be called by the security manager (no acceptations). Brandishing won’t be tolerated on Con space.{Must be approved of by a Security manager or executive}

2. Concealed Weapons-If you are caught with a concealed weapon, your weapon will be confiscated, and your badge will be removed for the remainder of the convention.

3. Peace Bonding- Any form of gun will be peacebonded at the front table before you are allowed into Con space.  All other weaponry will go under a short inspection by a Cosplay coordinator at the front desk.  This is to make sure that the weapon will not be hazardous to other patrons.  All weapons must be fake.  No real steel.
 

Cosplay and Costumes

1. All cosplay/costumes must be PG-13. Showing of the following is NOT acceptable: breasts, over exposed cleavage, genitals, buttocks, butt cleavage, and or any see through clothing or suggestive themes.  No vulgar words (Japanese or American), no drug or alcohol references, and if your dress or skirt runs high wear appropriate undergarments (bikini bottoms work great for this)(no showing of thongs) Remember this is a family environment.  Costumes must be "street-legal" and suitable for all audiences as OMG Con is an all-ages convention. If you would be stopped on the street for indecency, then it is most likely not appropriate. No less than the bikini area (NOT thongs or g-strings) should be showing. Children do not need to see your goods and children are all over the place! (Despite whether or not you like babies, they exist and do come.) If this rule is broken (depending on the severity of each case) there will be 1, 2, or all 3 strikes given at once by a security member. The person will be asked to leave and/or change into something more appropriate.  If you are found wearing a costume that may be prone to malfunctions (i.e. potentially showing body parts not deemed suitable for public display), you will be asked to prove to OMG Con Staff that such malfunctions will not happen.

2. Footwear is a must.  Do to the convention site policies, bare feet are not acceptable. (L from Death Note wears tennis shoes in episode 10.)

3. No roughhousing, flips, gymnastics, or anything that might put the entrant(s) or crowd in danger while within the Convention area. Mock combat will be allowed but must be approved by the cosplay coordinators. If you are unsure, please feel free to ask.

4. No liquids or substances that are harmful.  Fire, flash powder, and any form of explosive will not be allowed. A self-contained light emitting device (i.e. flashlight, glowstick, etc.) will be allowed. Talk to the cosplay coordinator to make sure it is safe.

 
Competitions

1. Categories: Individual Walk-ons, Group Walk-ons, Individual Skit, Group Skit (skits include singing and dialogue), Hallway, Crowd Favorite, Handmade, Found(piecing together a cosplay from stores), Bought

2. Prizes: Best of Show, Best of Individual, Best of Group, Best of Individual Skit, Best of Group Skit, Judges Favorite, Most Original, Best Craftmanship, Best Prop.  (It is possible that more than one person may win a category.  Additional prizes may be given as the judges see fit.)

3. Rules:
·       Walk-ons should not be on the stage for more than 45 seconds. 
·       Individual Skits should be no longer than 3 minutes. 
·       Group Skits should be no longer than 5 minutes.
·       If you need more time, contact the cosplay coordinators to validate time permission.  Remember for both type of skits, there is a fine line between “just long enough” and “too long”! Really. Trust us on this one.
·       All skits must take place on the stage. There will be NO jumping off the stage.
·       Due to safety concerns, all fight scenes and stage combat must be pre-approved by the masquerade director.  We will ask to see your routine at the tech rehearsal, and the stage manager may ask you to change your choreography if he/she feels you are a danger to yourself, others on the stage, or the audience. 
·       All vocals must be pre-recorded. Lip-synching is encouraged.  If live mics are needed they will be available.
·       Only one skit is allowed per cosplayer. You are not allowed to be in a group and then in another skit during the contest.
·       All participants must be registered for OMG!Con and bring their registration badge to judging.
·       Any costumes are allowed whether they are based or original.
·       Groups may not exceed 8 people on stage at one time.
·       Keep skits PG-13.  Remember this is a family oriented convention.

1. Judging will be based on:
·       Originality
·       Performance
·       Attitude
·       Presentation

1. You will be disqualified if any of the previous cosplay/costume rules are broken.
2. Please be courteous to all other cosplayers and convention goers. 
*REMEMBER THAT PEOPLE WILL BE TAKING PICTURES OF YOU*
 
If you have any further questions, please contact your friendly neighborhood cosplay coordinators!