View source for Cosplay Judge Instructions

==Judges' Policies==
*The judges do not have to give out all the awards. If there are not enough entries to warrant an award, then an award need not be given. 
*That being said, providing there are enough entries, please try to give out the following awards (ordered by priority): Best in Show; Best in Division; Best Performance; Best Workmanship; Best in Theme.
*Be serious when granting an award. A serious award with a funny name is fine (Example: "Best Use of Duct Tape"), but please don't grant an award if you don't think the entry has any real merit.
*Every judge will have an award to give to whomever they feel deserves it, regardless of the other awards given out. 
*A great joke is not automatically a great costume.
*Only judge a costume against what is in this particular masquerade.
*Judges are to be impartial in their judging. If a judge feels that they can not be objective in their judging please talk to the director and your fellow judges about the problem and we will come up with a reasonable course of action.
*Judges are NOT to judge their fellow judges. If you feel that another judge is not qualified to be a judge, keep it to yourself. If you cannot keep it to yourself, please only tell the director. 

==Awards==
We have the following awards:
*Best in Show - best combined craftsmanship and performance
*Best in Division (Best Master, Journeyman, Novice, Youth) - best combined craftsmanship and performance that did not win Best in Show
*Best Performance - best performance that did not win Best in Show or Best in Class
*Best Workmanship - best craftsmanship that did not win Best in Show or Best in Class
*Best in Theme - A merit award given to the best overall "in theme" performance/costume.
*Merit awards given at the discretion of the judges possibly including but not limited to "Judge's Choice."

==Judging==
===How to Judge the Masquerade===
Judges are to discuss the "Best in" awards and entries and to come to a general consensus as to what entry wins each award. If the judges can not come to a consensus with a reasonable period of discussion, then the majority will decide. In the event that the judges are tied and can not come to any reasonable decision, the director will serve as a tie breaker (Please come to a reasonable and civil decision. The director does not want to be a tie breaker). 

Merit awards may be given by individual judges without any discussion or input with the other judges.