Masquerade Advice


MOCHI > The Scrapbook > Convention Memories > Masquerade Advice

Attend at least one masquerade before competing in one.

It may take some planning to do this, but it really helps to know what you might be getting yourself into!

Make sure that you are in the right shape and state of mind to compete.

If you are really tired, sick, or hurt, reconsider whether or not you should compete in the masquerade. Yes, you have spent a lot of time, energy, and love making your costume. But people can enjoy that costume while you wear it in the halls or you can save the costume for the next convention. Is it worth trying to push yourself?

If you have your heart dead-set on winning a prize, you may want to reconsider why you are competing in the masquerade. Prepare to be disappointed at least once -- probably oftener. There are some very good competitors out there -- and masquerades are only getting bigger. If you aren't in it for the fun of it, how do you expect to get any fun out of it?

Please read any rules set up by the masquerade organizers and follow them.

Yes, there are people who regularly ignore this. Guess what -- they're usually the reason that conventions get stricter and stricter about what can be done on stage. This is especially true of time limits. Think of it this way: if you run over your time limit by a minute, it may seem like no big deal. Multiply that by sixty contestants and the masquerade is an hour longer than it should have been. Add in the people who decide that they are special and get to run two to five minutes longer than their time limit and we're looking at a masquerade that runs at least two hours late.

Some conventions will allow "oddball" skits if you discuss it with the masquerade organizer ahead of time, but you should have a backup plan if the organizer tells you "no".

Take some snacks and something to keep you occupied while you wait in line.

There are members of MOCHI whose mood definitely takes a turn for the worse when their blood sugar drops. Depending on how hectic your schedule is, you may not be able to get in a good meal before the masquerade line-up. Heck, with some conventions, even getting a good meal before the line-up isn't sufficient to carry you through the next six to eight hours.

Those small fruit snack packets or granola bars are handy for fighting off munchies. You may also want to bring something to help keep you amused while you're in line: a book, a Gameboy, a pack of cards, etc. can help keep you sane while you wait in line. Depending on where the organizers have placed your entry, you may be waiting for several hours before getting on stage. Some hotel layouts may mean that you will be lined up in a place where any conversation that you have will carry out into the audience. There's only so much you can do with pre-stage jitters!