Student Organization For Asian Studies

COSPLAY COMPETITION RULES

 

Costumes will be judged on quality and authenticity, as well as hair, makeup, accessories, personality or whether or not the cosplayer is "in character," and footwear. In the case of a tie, the difficulty level of the costume will be taken into consideration. All costumes must be made by the person competing. Store-bought or commissioned cosplays will result in an immediate disqualification. 

 

Upon registering for the competition you will be asked to provide contact information, and the name of the character you are cosplaying and what they are from. You will also be asked to describe the materials used for making your costume. 

 

WEAPONS POLICY

 

Here at J-Con, we know that costuming is an important aspect of the convention. With costumes come props as well. However, some props are not appropriate or safe in a public convention environment.  To ensure that all attendees have an enjoyable and safe time at J-Con, we are applying the following policies regarding all props and weapons.

 

Violation of these rules may result in a warning, having your prop removed from the convention grounds, or having yourself escorted off the convention property.  The most severe violations may result in action by KSU Police. 

 

Please note that all rules can be superseded the day-of con by requests from the venue, security, or KSU Police. Consideration will be taken into account for any last minute changes of this nature.

 

General Prop Rules:

• Props may be inspected at any time.  Depending on the realism, your prop may be reviewed by multiple staffers several times over the course of the convention.  We will take all reasonable precautions to not damage your item.

• Oversized props that pose a mobility hazard through doors, stairways or elevators are prohibited.  Recommended dimensions less than six feet in any direction; items in excess will be judged on a case by case basis.

• Overweight props that pose a danger to persons or property if dropped are prohibited.  Recommended weight is less than 30lb.  Items in excess will be judged on a case by case basis.

• Any prop or clothing or armor piece must not be made of a material that can hold an edge, point, spike or stud that can injure a passerby.  If those shapes are required use cloth or foam not metal or hardened/reinforced plastics.

• No explosives or chemicals including, but not limited to, fireworks, smoke pots, flash paper, etc.

• Objects that can generate excessive noise, light, smoke, or confetti are prohibited on convention grounds. 

• Props cannot be thrown, tossed, shot, or swung regardless of its construction and functionality. They must be under the holder’s control at all times.  No exceptions will be made for boffer/LARP weaponry or sparring equipment

• Props must be secured to a costume or held in a manner in such that they do not endanger others. Be aware that the convention will become quite crowded and take appropriate precautions.

 

Prop Weaponry Specific Rules (Note the more realistic, the more likely it will be inspected)

• No actual weaponry regardless if it is sheathed, holstered or peacebound.  This is includes (but is not limited to): firearms, knives, bludgeons, stun guns, brass knuckles, bows strung with actual tense string, bullets, grenades, landmines etc. 

• No “Live Steel” defined as any metal that can: hold a bladed edge (regardless if sharpened or not), or shaped in a way that has sharp edges or spikes.  Any actual metal used in a piece must be rounded and curved and not be the ‘edge’ portion of a prop blade)

• You may not point at a person or brandish the weapon in a threatening manner outside of posed photos.

• Any props that has a removable pin (grenades) must have it zip-tied (white or orange) or electrical taped in (white or orange).

• Realistic looking grenades, bombs, mines (explosives) must have a strip of orange electrical tape visible wrapped around the body of the device unless it already has one thru the pin as stated immediately above.

• Prop bullets and shells are allowed in bandoleers or holders but they CANNOT be inserted weapons or loaded into magazines or clips even if either one are NOT inserted in a firearm prop.

• Empty shell casings are allowed, de-commissioned or de-milled bullets still in the casing are not.

 

Firearm Prop Specific Rules

• No actual bullet firing weapons are allowed.

• No functional projectile weapons/toys that are modified into props are allowed (i.e Airsoft Guns, Waterguns, Bubble shooters, Spark guns BB Guns, Crossbows, Nerf guns etc).

• Disabled projectile weapons/toys that have been modified into props and are completely incapable of firing a projectile are only allowed if they adhere to these additional guidelines (broken out by type).

• • Realistic Silhouettes (those resembling actual civilian and military firearms i.e AK-47, M-16, Glock 17 etc)

    1. A Safety/Blaze orange tip is required; it must be noticeable from a distance.  This can be painted on, electrical taped on, or be a removable sheath. The tip must remain in place while at the convention.

    2. The barrel must be plugged.  This can be done permanently such as using an epoxy resin, or it can be done in a removable method such as a foam insert.  The method does not matter; the result does. The barrel must remain plugged while at the convention.

    3. The triggers must be peace-bound with a white or orange zip-tie.

       1. If no trigger exists, a zip tie must be secured through the trigger guard.

    4. Pistols with removable magazines cannot have them inserted.

  • Non-Realistic Silhouettes (does not resemble any actual civilian and military firearms: Space blasters, phasers, zat guns, video game light guns etc)

    1. A Safety/Blaze orange tip is required.  This can be painted on, electrical taped on, or be a removable sheath. It must be noticeable from a distance.

    2. The triggers must be peace-bound with a white or orange zip-tie.

       1. If no trigger exists, a zip tie must be secured through the trigger guard.

    3. Bows and crossbows cannot have tension bearing strings.

 

Additional Recommendations for any Firearm Props

• Transport your prop to and from the convention in a bag or box rather than out in the open.

• Long arms (carbines, rifles, muskets, etc)

  • Ideally just leave the removable magazine at home…

  • If you have to have it, do not insert it until you need it to pose for a photo

• Use proper discipline

  • Fingers off the trigger until posing for a photo.

  • Do not point it anyone until posing for a photo.

  • Always treat your weapon as if it were loaded.

 

*Adapted from MomoCon's weapons policy with permission from Jess Merriman.