Masquerades/Variety shows
Depending on the convention itself, you may have to sign up for the masquerade, or just show up for the performances. Every masq has its own set of rules, stage setup, that kind of thing. Always talk to the technical people about your needs, if you have a tape, CD, require a microphone, etc. Different cons have them at different times. It's not unusual for one con to have it at noon, while another has it just after dinnertime, while yet another has it at midnight!
From: Kuddlepup
Subject: FL: Masquerade performance Guidelines
Just my two cents on masq performances.
One of the things that is most important (in my mind) is not just what we enjoy doing, but what the audience will enjoy watching.
Using songs that the audience will immdiately recognize, if not join in with, are great. Having a degree of humor or lightheartedness in skits isn't a bad idea either. A lot of us have seen skits where the acts take themselves WAY too seriously, and the entertainment aspect seems to just vanish. (Remember folks, most of us are doing this for fun.)
On the issue of time, I can see both sides of the argument, but can't say that either side is right. If you limit a skit to under one minute, you lose the ability to see some outstanding performances like the one given by YappyFox and BearClaw at AnthroCon ('99 or 2000) (a 2 minute-30 second skit). But you also tend to have “stage-hog” acts that go on for 5+ minutes and bore the audience. Fursonally..I think 3 minutes is a good cut-off point. (But that's just my opinion).
Again….just my two cents.
From: Lance Ikegawa
I realize that many costumers on this list are new to costume masquerades so I thought I'd help clear some things up about them. FYI, I've been in or worked on several masquerades at large-ish sf conventions (and have friends who–for whatever reason I can't imagine–run them regularly).
The first thing to keep in mind is that it is an often thankless job: the persons running the masq rarely have time to watch it themselves, let alone participate in them (and the best-run masquerades tend to be run by veteran costumers: they -know- what needs to go into making a good show, from both sides). Remember, these are volunteers putting in time to help -you- have a good time!
Equipment: Most masquerades are woefully under-budgeted. Special microphones, professional sound systems, audio equipment and lighting effects are beyond most budgets. The key to this is to ASK IN ADVANCE! And, if they can't provide you with this equipment, don't complain–you just need to modify your routine to do without. I realize that sometimes this can be a problem, but it's unreasonable to demand special treatment. With enough communication and advance warning, many things can be done (such as providing for a way for wheelchairs to get onto a raised stage–at one such con they just had six strong backs standing by to lift the chair onto the stage safely). Based on precedent, few conventions have had microphones for participants to use (for whatever reason–cost, logistics, etc.).
“What if I provide them with the equipment?” Sometimes this works, sometimes not. While it seems that this could be a solution, most masquerade directors are going crazy making sure all of the “standard” problems are taken care of (stage set-up, working sound systems, lighting set-up, making sure the water/triage is set up, wrangling all the contestents, starting one time and hundreds of other small emergencies). Though your request might seem simple and their veto seem unreasonable, often it makes sense given everything (and everybody) that needs to be taken care of. If they say they can't, just accept it; try to have some empathy for their position.
Thanks to people like Cary Sandvig and Andrea Adams (Confurence 9 and 10), it's easy to get spoiled (they studied under they guy who runs local sf masquerades, including the costume costest at the San Diego Comicon!). However, large masquerades are a new thing to furry conventions for the most part. If you really want to help make these events run better/be more accomodating, volunteer to help run the masquerade and maybe focus on that area you think is being ignored (say, handicap access, whether physical or audio, etc.). But remember, volunteering often means attending staff meetings, helping to set up the masquerade, and usually means that you're not planning on participating, which is why they're often so short-handed: everyone wants to have fun; few want to do the work. And…it never hurts to give your masquerade volunteers/directors a perk, like buying them a coke or just saying “Thanks!”
From: Spiked Punch
Subject: FL: Masquerade Guidelines/Suggestions…. according to ICG…..
Here are a few rough rules from The Beginning Costumer's Handbook by Toni Lay & Denice Giradeau
1.) There should be a weight limit for the purchase of leotards.
2.) Every contestant should first see him/herself from the rear.
3.) Learn to manage your props, accessories and music, or they will manage you.
4.) Select costumes and characters suited to your personality and/or body type.
5.) No nametages on costumes.
6.) Thy shoes shall match thy costume. Nikes were not around during the dark ages!!!
7.) Parts of your costume shall not be edible or smell. Parts of your costume should not fall off accidently.
8.) Consider really carefully before going nude or seminude.
9.) Numbers alone do not a coherent group make.
10.) No fire, explosives, loud noises, or dangerous weapons without full and proper clearance from the masquerade committee. In other words, surprise the audience, not the committee/director, EVER!!
11.) Carry a repair kit with appropriate tools and materials.
12.) Wether prince or pauper, act like it. Be in character.
13.) Speak distinctly, but not at length, or not at all. Learn to use the microphone properly, or not at all.
14.) Do not lecture your audience. You are not there to make long statements on your particular passions, but to entertain yourself and others, to show off and to exhibit a character or costume, not to convert, harangue, or bore.
15.) When in doubt, keep your mouth shut.
16.) Some people can grow beards, some can't.
17.) Hand in legible entry cards, even to the point of writing out phonetically any difficult or unusual words. Do not assume either the narrator, judges, or audience will know all of these words.
18.) If you have any doubt that your costume, based on some media source, is unfamiliar to the judges, provide them with reference materials to prove you did it right!!!
19.) If possible, give the judge sufficent time to examine your costume from all angles, giving special attention to any particularly interesting aspect of design or construction.
20.) If you have something for the narrator to read, keep it brief; eliminate as much as possible all unpronounceable, incomprehensible, made up names.
21.) If you are thinking of doing something you think is amusing, try it out on a honest friend or complete strangers before you go near the stage.
22.) If your going to do a costume cliche, you must either do it better than ever before of have a good variation, preferably comic. Short is better than long, funny is better than nonfunny, short and funny is best.
23.) Presenation can make a medicore costume and break a good one.
24.) Keep all presentations short. Action is better than words.
25.) Do not commit the unforgivable sin: DO NOT BE BORING!!!
26.) Three words to remember: Rehearse, Rehearse, REHEARSE!!!!
Again, this is from the Beginning Costumer's Handbook (C)1991 $13.00, postage paid to:
Glitziana Publishing Co. Extremely ltd.
C/O Toni Lay
190 West 170th St. #3D
Bronx, NY 10452
This is just a small sample of what I got from ICQ sources. Will have more on my webpage in a whiles. So visit often….. =D)
Costume masquerades will vary widely from con to con. Ask your local con-com for info. I have never been in two that were alike. Some are popularity vote, some are skill related, some both.
The closest thing to a standard is the rule set of the International Costumers Guild.
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