Cosplay Triathlon

At Amecon we split the three main aspects of cosplay; costumes, competition and performance into three events so that you have plenty to do and look forward to through out the weekend.
We have our usual Competition, Masquerade Catwalk, 'Omake' show and this year we are also hosting a Eurocosplay qualifier.

Eurocosplay

This year we are extra lucky as we will be hosting a qualifying event for Eurocosplay! Yep one lucky cosplayer will be getting a travel and accommodation paid trip to Eurocosplay in October to represent England against some of the best cosplayers Europe has to offer!

For more information, visit our EuroCosplay page.

Catwalk

The Amecon Catwalk comes to Keele!

On Saturday evening the Students Union will be playing host to our epic catwalk, come along and watch the Parade. 

This is a chance for anyone in cosplay to strut their stuff in front of the assembled hordes. If you have a costume you think needs to be seen by a dedicated audience, then this is the event for you!

The catwalk passes through several rooms and ends on the main stage, allowing lots of opportunities for cool posing and plenty of photo opportunities. It’s open to individuals and groups of up to three cosplayers

To enter the Catwalk you must sign up in advance via the Cosplay Events Submission Forms page.

Competition

For those of you who appreciate the opportunity to put your work before a panel of judges, we will be running a dedicated cosplay competition separate from the catwalk. It goes without saying, but you must have made your costume yourself to enter this event. You do not necessarily need to be wearing the costume yourself however.

The competition takes place in private and will be scheduled for Saturday daytime. To enter the Competition you must sign up in advance via the Cosplay Events Submission Forms page. You MUST bring a picture reference of the character you are cosplaying along on the day.

Omake

Sunday is Omake time, our very own variety show. Do you have a skit you've been preparing for a masquerade? Are you dying to show off your singing abilities somewhere more formal than a karaoke? Is your demonstration of an art just a tad too theatrical to be confined to a panel? In that case, this variety show event is tailor-made for you! 

The Omake show will take place during Sunday daytime. To enter the Omake you must sign up in advance via the Cosplay Events Submission Forms page.

Other Cosplay Related Events 

Cosplay Workshop

This popular room will be returning. Need to make an emergency costume repair? Want to slap together a prop out of cardboard and acrylic paint? Just plain not yet finished your costume? This room will be available for you to use, or just chill out in, if you find the atmosphere of cosplay-construction relaxing!

Cosplay Ball

The Cosplay Ball returns, what better way to see Amecon off than by dressing up and stepping on your friends toes! With Ball music, amv’s, guest singers and much more to boot it’s going to be a blast.

The Ball is a formal event so you have to dress up to get in. Ball gowns and evening dresses for the girls and Shirt,tie, trousers and Jacket for the guys. Alternatively come in smart Cosplay, a Guide to Formal Wear for the Discerning Cosplay Ball-Goer will be available soon. If you've no clue what to wear, then pay it a little visit and see what ideas come up. 

Just remember dress SMART and RESPECTABLY.

The Cosplay Ball will run on Sunday night, then later on the doors will be thrown open and everyone invited to get down at the End Of Amecon Party!

Events Suggestions 

If you have a suggestion for any cosplay-related event or are interested in running a cosplay panel or workshop, send me an email (you can find it on the contacts section of the site) or post your idea on the AmeCon forum in the Events section.

We'd love to hear from you. ^_^ 
 

Cosplay Guidelines

Please note that these are only Guidelines and we cannot approve any items until we see them at the convention.

Costumes - Size and Construction

Costumes should be no more than 3ft (90cm) wide and 6ft 5" (192cm) tall, in other words you should fit through a door! If you are taller than this then your costume should be no taller than you! Hats may be worn that make you taller than 6ft 5", but you must be able to remove them easily.

Costumes that feature things like expanding wings can be made larger than 3ft wide, to a maximum of 5ft (150cm) but may only be used as part of the 'Catwalk', 'Cosplay Competition' and 'Omake'.

Costumes must not be constructed with sharp edges or hard (metal, wood etc) spiky or pointy bits. For example, metal armour is allowed but must have properly finished and turned edges.

Think! If your costume could hurt someone if they fell or bumped into you, don't make it!!

Weapons and Props - General

Upon arrival at Amecon all weapons and props MUST be brought to Ops, where they will be checked for safety and compliance to the rules. Approved weapons will be given a 'cosplay weapon licence' specific to the item.

If your weapon or prop is not approved it will either be held in Ops for safekeeping or you will be asked to keep it locked in your accommodation.

In some cases weapons will be approved for use in the 'Catwalk', 'Cosplay Competition' and 'Omake' but not for Floor costume use. Such Items will not be given a licence and must be kept in your accommodation or in Ops when not being used at the relevant event.

During the convention if a Gopher or Committee member asks to see your weapon licence and you cannot produce it, you will either be escorted to Ops to get your weapon checked or your weapon will be confiscated.

We trust you to act responsibly with your cosplay props BUT if you (or anyone else) is found to be acting inappropriately with them they will be confiscated for the remainder of the convention.

In ALL cases weapons should be kept sheathed, holstered or stowed while walking around Amecon, only being drawn for photo's and the like.

Weapons and Props - Size and Construction

Size
Normal weapons or props may be up to 5ft (150cm) long.

Oversized Weapons and props -may- be permitted up to 3ft (90cm) wide and 6ft5" (192cm) tall depending on construction. They must be light and safe, recommended construction materials are Foam, Foam board or Cardboard. If we can pick it up in one hand, without straining, then that's good.

Anyone carrying an oversized item will not be allowed into event rooms, the Dealers, Art, Games or Bring and Buy rooms. 

Floor Costume Construction
Replica, projectile, deactivated or real weapons are not allowed under any circumstances, this means no Airsoft, BB or Paintball guns no metal Katanas, Kunai etc. Even if you tie red electrical tape around the barrel!

Martial Arts training weapons such as Bokken, Shinai or Bo are similarly banned.

Toy weapons bought in UK shops and conforming to British standards (Woolworth's, Toys'R Us, Costume shops etc) are fine to use. As are unrealistic model weapons as long as they conform to the construction guidelines.

All other Props and Weapons should be constructed from lightweight materials and have no sharp edges, spikes or points. Do not use Metal, solid wood, solid plastic, plaster etc. Good construction materials are Cardboard, Foamboard, Foam, Polystyrene, Balsa wood and hollow Plastic. 

Catwalk, Competition and Omake Construction
Only real weapons, metal replica weapon or items restricted from sale in the UK are banned outright. All weapons and props for use in cosplay events are at the committee's discretion. If you wish to use a weapon or prop during these events please bring them to ops to be approved.

Most items will be allowed for use during these events but any weapon or prop that is banned for floor cosplay use will either be held in Ops for safekeeping or you will be asked to keep it locked in your accommodation until the event.

If you are found floor cosplaying with a Weapon or Prop that has not been Licensed for floor cosplay but has been approved for event cosplay that item will be confiscated and you will NOT be allowed to use it during the cosplay events.


Outside of Amecon

Lastly, Remember to keep everything, especialy replica weapons well-wrapped and out of site whenever you are not at Amecon. You are responsible for transporting props and weapons so be safe and have fun!