2022 San Diego Comic Con Masquerade Experience and Cosplay Competition Tips

I realize this is almost a year later, but since I saw that submissions are now open to the 2023 San Diego Comic Con Masquerade, I figured someone might find it useful to hear about one perspective prior to participating. This post isn't about how to win a cosplay competition. There isn't a guarantee for that, though I will share tips on how to better present your entry.

Background: the 2022 SDCC Masquerade was my fourth ever cosplay / costuming competition I've participated in. Previous competitions included the 2016 Silicon Valley Comic Con (later rebranded as Silicon) where I won Best Novice for my I See the Light (Tangled light up lantern 18th century inspired dress), the 2017 Disney D23 Expo Mousequerade, and the 2019 Disney D23 Expo Mousquerade. I was also in the 2020 SDCC At Home Virtual Masquerade but that experience is less relevant here.

Back to 2022 SDCC. Their submission requirements information about the show up front are quite detailed, which is very helpful for planning. SDCC's Masquerade didn't have a limit of how many files you can submit, but they do ask for photos of you wearing the final costume (or very very close to finished) so they can be sure you're ready for the show and to see your craftsmanship. Note that other cosplay competition submissions do limit the number of files allowed, so I would collage together related images such as inspiration or references.

Once you've been confirmed as a contestant, there will be deadlines for turning in various things needed for the show including a background photo to be projected on stage behind you, your audio to be played while you're on stage, and any additional technical requests like lighting (fade in, out etc). Submitting audio was a new one for me and it took me a while to think of what I wanted to do for my "skit" since I didn't want to only walk around on stage. It is a show, after all! You can see my stage performance below.

 

Onto the competition experience. The SDCC Masquerade is usually on Saturday. Be prepared to spend a good part of your day on the Masquerade, something to keep in mind planning your time at SDCC. There is a highly recommended orientation in the morning, which I did attend, since this was my first time. There's a practice stage and you can walk through your audio with tech. Other contestants and volunteers gave me useful feedback on my stage presence and performance. I also dropped off my costume in that room so I could walk around con without carrying a big bag. 

A little before 5pm, I was in the green room to start getting ready. The masquerade show starts at 8:30pm but you need to be ready much earlier for judging, so plan how long you need for hair, makeup, getting dressed. There were multiple volunteers so each contestant is assigned a "den parent" who's responsible for making sure you're on time and where you need to be when. I did have a "handler" backstage with me, Vivien of Fresh Frippery. She was really helpful making sure I remembered to drink water and eat snacks throughout the night, getting dressed, and of course, filming funny videos.

Me and my Den Mom

Tip: bring emergency costuming supplies. I had plenty of different sized safety pins, needles and thread that color matches different parts of my costume, snips, sewing pins, extra hooks and eyes, lacing cord etc. I usually have these on me whenever I'm cosplaying at a convention regardless of if I'm competing. You can even pre-threaded needles with those color matched thread so it's faster (something I learned backstage costuming theatre). If you need tools for getting dressed, pack those. I brought pliers and multiple bodkins for lacing my stays faster.

Tip: plan ahead for food, it's a long night. Vivien and I left the convention center at 11:59pm, aka midnight. I ate a late lunch and then bought a sub sandwich to bring backstage and even then, I only ended up eating various snacks I packed and Vivien had. That midnight sandwich tasted SO good though.

Vivien always has snacks

 Every competition handles judging differently, so read the rules, ask questions. For this one, you submit printed materials about your costume when you check in and you never meet the judge. Print an extra copy just in case. There was one exception, which was if you wanted to be considered for a specific craftsmanship category, then you got less than a minute in person with a judge after you are fully dressed, so have your elevator pitch ready. 

There were curtained off changing rooms, tables with mirrors and chairs, garment racks backstage, so it was comfortable and spacious getting ready. Everyone I met was so nice and supportive of each other. That's what I've always loved most about each competition I've been in. Not the competition aspect or going on stage, but being able to meet other costumers and cosplayers, and make new friends. 

Of course I was still thrilled to win Best Visual Media Design from the Art Directors Guild Local 800 for my 1740s Elizabeth Swann costume!

I hope these tips and sharing my experience help you if you ever decide to enter into any cosplay competitions!