COSPLAY COMPETITION CONFESSIONAL
Judging a costume contest is an extremely difficult thing. I honestly do not even like calling it a "cosplay competition." To me, it is more of a COSPLAY SHOWCASE! But i'll just refer to it as a competition to avoid confusion. I was honored to judge at VA Comic Con along side other super talented cosplayers! Below is a photo of all the judges and host! (I am the Princess Celestia cosplayer). It was only my second time judging anything. AND MAN! It was soooo super hard to pick only a handful of cosplays out of 100 + contestants.
Let me just state that I and ALL cosplayers know first hand how much time, money, effort, and sanity is spent on crafting and/or putting together a cosplay! Even if a costume is purchased, there is still time, modifying, styling, make-up, acting the part etc, that goes into it. Every single person that walks across a cosplay competition stage deserves acknowledgment and appreciation for their cosplay! They are on that stage because they are proud of what they created and want to showcase it for all to see. Even if you may disagree with the end result of the competition, keep in mind that those who did win have feelings and deserve respect just like ALL other cosplayers in a competition.
At the end of the day, each judge for any one competition is going to have different styles of judging and what they are looking for. It will completely vary from competition to competition. For me, I judge an armor based cosplay exactly the same as a tailoring/sewing project. Just because a cosplay involves less clothing, does not mean it is any less creative. Just because it is a huge over the top armored cosplay, does not mean it automatically trumps the less detailed designs!
I personally look at craftmanship, Innovative techniques, showmanship, and accuracy of the character. I try to be well-rounded and open-minded. But my judging style may be different from someone else. Perhaps one judge has a strong acting background, thus weighs showmanship more so than anything else. Another judge may make a decision purely on accuracy, judging based on how close they look to the original design. At the end of the day, everyone has a different background and personality, which may be reflected in the way they judge and the outcome of the competition.
Not only that, each judge has to work together and agree on winners collectively. I can tell you now that when I judged (We had 6 judges total), there were things we disagreed on. We did not always have an anonymous decision. But as a team, we worked it out. We had to work it out and that may mean not getting your way. You can always present your case which may sway the other judges but majority rules!
I will say that one thing I refuse to judge on, is my personal relationship with any one cosplayer in a competition. I will judge solely on the cosplay itself. Under NO circumstance will I EVER outweigh a friends work over a cosplayer I do not know on a personal level. Everyone WILL be judged equally and should be!
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NOW, I have also been a participant in several cosplay competitions. So I have been on the "other side." I have never took home an award. But for me, the experience in itself was awesome enough and I have learned a lot from it! I will admit (I am only human) that I have questioned the judges decisions before. But I have never thought "That person did not deserve it." They did deserve it. It was what those particular judges were looking for! Respect them and use them as inspiration!
I have had several people come up to me following a costume contest and say "You should have won." ...No I shouldn't have. I shouldn't have won because the ones who did win deserve their time in the spotlight! You are basically telling me that the others did not deserve it. And those that did win should have their time to shine and be proud of their work. Not to be put down.
Walk away humble! Yes, it is sad when you don't win and it can be discouraging. You know more than anyone else how much time and effort you put into your work. But you also do not know the behind the scenes process of everyone else! Be proud. Learn from the experience. Improve yourself for next time! At the end of the day, your biggest competitor is yourself!
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Judging and Competing is a very exciting aspect of cosplay! It is truly an amazing learning experience. For me, competing is just something I do for the experience. I never go into a competition expecting to win something. But it can be a confidence booster. It can help you with future cosplays. It can help you market yourself as an artist. There are many many benefits to it! It may not be for you but just know that you are appreciated! And when judging, keep an open mind! Be thoughtful, appreciative and encouraging to everyone.
COSPLAYERS, Your work is amazing! Keep on keeping on! Continue learning and loving the art of cosplay! <3 Please, if you have any questions or concerns about competing, judging, or cosplay in general. I am here for you <3 I am by no means an expert! But I'll be happy to help in any way I can!!!
<3 Katie
www.facebook.com/katieflemingcosplay
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