Novice Cosplay Division
This is for cosplayers just getting started.
Cosplay Contest Rules and Guidelines:
All cosplays must adhere to all Hazard Con safety rules and guidelines obtaining to obscenity and weapon/prop safety and protocol. If you are unsure your cosplay adheres to these rules please check here.
Hazard Con’s Cosplay Contest will be divided into 2 divisions. This is the page for the Novice Division.
Hazard Con’s Cosplay Contest will be divided into 2 divisions. This is the page for the Novice Division.
Novice Division Rules:
- Cosplayers of any age are permitted into this category.
- Cosplays from any genre are allowed.
- Group cosplays are allowed however prizes may vary depending on group size.
- Limit to 5 per group cosplay
- Cosplayers with previous awards or recognition are permitted in this category as long their cosplay strictly adheres to the remaining rules.
- Cosplays in the Novice Division are predominantly (70%) premade or alternated costume pieces.
- Example: You bought a plain black gown and merely added additional details to the gown. You did none of the actual fabrication of the costume pieces
- No premade or professionally made cosplays are permitted. The majority of the cosplay must be of your own creation or design. No cosplays bought offline will be allowed.
- You must bring at least one reference photo of the character you are cosplaying. If no reference photo is given the cosplay will not be judged.
- Mashup or crossover characters are permitted but a reference photo is still required.
- Original characters are permitted but shall be judged on a case by case basis and are left to the discretion of the judging panel.
- Those entering the Novice Division will be judged accordingly
- You will each enter the judging panel and will be asked a series of questions from each judge. These questions will pertain the inspiration of your cosplay and your process in making the cosplay. The judges may ask to more closely inspect and touch sections of your cosplay to judge quality.
- After these questions the judges will grade your costume by a point system in the following categories:
- Overall craftmanship:
- Did the cosplay hold together well?
- Was it made of quality materials?
- Did the cosplayer seem to have put real time into creating the cosplay?
- Creativity:
- Was this a character we frequently see?
- Did this cosplay bring something new to the character?
- Functionality/Fit
- Did the cosplay properly fit the cosplayer?
- Was the cosplay functional?
- Could the cosplayer safely walk in it?
- Could it move in a way that did not compromise the cosplay?
- Complexity:
- Was the cosplay detailed?
- Did it consist of actual costume pieces or does their character wear street clothes?
- Characterization:
- Did the cosplayer stay in character or were they merely wearing a costume?
- Overall craftmanship:
- Each contestant will have 10 minutes with the judge’s panel to be interviewed and judged. Group cosplays may take longer.
- If the judges believe your cosplay is of a higher standard they hold the right to move you to the Professional Division.