presents
So you read all the rules (or you saw the sheer size of them and didn't read them) and they freaked you out? No worries here are a few common questions that come up that we'd like to try and ease your mind on.
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Q: I think I’d like to participate, but I am scared I’ll make a mistake due to the long list of rules and regulations, what should I do?
A: Just shoot us an email! We would love to help you out and we want everyone to feel like they are a part of the show. Many of the guidelines are just there to ensure that things work well and some things are flexible. So just email us with your questions and ideas and we will work with you to make it happen! Q: Will people in the Costume Contest make fun of me if my cosplay isn’t good enough?
A: Forget what you’ve seen on TV! Costume Contests are filled with cosplayers who are excited about each other’s creativity and their fandom. They’re excited to share what they know. Sure, many people love to do well and win, but not by putting down another cosplayer. If somebody is behaving in a way that makes you feel unwelcome backstage, let a Coal Hill or Time Eddy staff member know and we’ll handle it immediately. We want all of you to have a great time. Q: How much of my time will this take up? I still want to have fun at the convention!
A: While we’d be lying if we said that the masquerade won’t take any of your time, especially on Saturday evening you should plan to spend several hours in prep and then doing the show. We have an hour-long meeting on Saturday afternoon. You’ll spend an hour or two in the Green Room pre show getting ready and doing your workmanship judging, but this is also a time for you to talk to other cosplayers, play a round of Cards Against Humanity, or just chill out and read your favorite Target Novelization. Once you have gone on stage, if you are in a judged category, we ask you to stay together until the end of the show for the awards presentation. |
Q. I am worried about being “judged” for my costume, but I would like to show it off, can I participate and not be judged?
A. YES! We welcome everyone to be a part of the show. If you don’t want to be a part of the judging process, just sign up for our Exhibition category. Exhibition entrants get to enter the stage and show off their costumes, but are not judged or awarded. And for those who do want to compete, rest assured, even for the judged categories (Novice, Journeyman, and Master) our judges will show the utmost respect to you and your costume! Q. I have little experience in cosplaying and I am afraid I’m not good enough to compete, should I participate in the Masquerade?
The Time Eddy Costume Contest are for all cosplayers at any and every skill level, all the great cosplayers had to get their start somehow. The categories exist so that somebody making their first costume won’t be competing against a professional who has been at this for years or decades. No matter where you are in your cosplay journey, taking the stage is a great way to experience a masquerade, make new friends, and try something new! Your masquerade team will be 100% behind you every step of the way. Q: I don’t really look like the character I am cosplaying, can I still be in the Costume Contest?
A: The Time Eddy Costume Contest is not a look-a-like contest. It is open to everyone of any body type, gender, identiy etc and we encourage anyone who wants in to participate. Our judging categories are based entirely on the quality of the costume and the quality of the performance. |
Meet the Judges
CHRISTINE EVANS
Christine is a multi-talented individual with many years of experience as both a professional actress and a seamstress. Her costumes have been recognized at conventions across the country. In addition she has served as judge at many masquerades including LI Who, ReGeneration Who, & Gallifrey One. She creates custom costumes for Star Wars, Doctor Who, Harry Potter and many other types of fans through her etsy store The C&C Costume Factory. Photo credit: Christopher Pasatieri of CMP Designz |
CAT SMITH
Cat Smith has been cosplaying since before they had a word for it. She is an actor and a musician as well as a costumer, and is the founder of the Facebook group “Cosplayers of a Certain Age”. She has served as masquerade judge at LI Who and Gallifrey one, and has built cosplays for (among others) Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Xena: Warrior Princess, Once Upon A Time, and Magic School Bus. Visit her website , and her bandcamp . One of her greatest joys in life is making costumes for her daughter. Photo credit: CosplayCulture |
AMANDA COLE
Amanda crafted her first costumes for stage and show back in the nineties. In the last five years she has created over 30 Doctor Who cosplay creations for conventions and charity, many of which have been seen on contest stages including Chicago TARDIS, WhoFestDFW, & the first Time Eddy! She is particularly fond of costumes and cosplay which take on a creative, artistic, or funny personality, showcasing the artist’s personality. |
DEREK LEDFORD
Derek has been cosplaying since 2012 and is now known as Big-Ten Cosplay. Derek is known for cosplaying the Tenth Doctor, which was his first and favorite cosplay. He is the regional president of Cosplay Gallifrey, a nationwide Doctor Who cosplay organization. Derek is returning as a judge after having the privilege of judging the inaugural Time Eddy masquerade in 2015. |
