Professional Cosplay Division
This is for cosplayers who are making a name for themselves.
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 Professional Division.
Hazard Con’s Cosplay Contest will be divided into 2 divisions. This is the page for the Professional Division.
Professional Division Rules:
- This division is open to all ages.
- Group cosplays are allowed however prizes may vary depending on group size.
- Limit to 5 per group cosplay
- Previous experience or awards are not required.
- Professional Division is open to cosplays from any genre of fiction.
- Cosplays must be predominantly (70%) fabricated by the cosplayer. The majority of the garments and props of the cosplay must have been handmade by the cosplayer, not alternated from preexisting pieces.
- No bought cosplays are to be permitted in this category. If the judges find out your cosplay has been bought from a 3rd party you will be disqualified.
- You must bring at least one reference photo with you to the judging. Cosplays without the reference photo 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. A reference photo is still required.
- Those entering the Professional Division will be judged similarly to the Novice Division but more harshly.
- 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?
- Did the fabrication of the cosplays look finished or were they tacked on with pins or loose stiches?
- 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 they have additional props?
- Did it consist of actual costume pieces or does their character wear street clothes?
- Was the cosplay detailed?
- 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.