Well I found something to rant about for a bit. And it has been driving me crazy these past few weeks.
Portcon Maine's Masquerade. Specifically the craftsmanship portion. It has been run by the same group since before I have been going- back in 2006, and I just don't understand them.
In 2009 I entered my Maka Albarn from Soul Eater costume. I spent days on the skirt. I wanted it to be the very specific black plaid so I made it. Cut black strips and sewed each stripe on. It took FOREVER! Then I made my first button down shirt with modified sleeves, made the vest, and fully lined jacket- oh the skirt was lined too- and made the boots as well. The only thing I did not have a hand in was the wig (commissioned from Elise) and the tie-store bought. I was only a novice then so I was pretty impressed with myself. It was the first thing I had tried really hard to impress with. Well I got nothing in craftsmanship that year. Lost to a guy who sewed 2 store bought suits together to make a 2 Face from Batman costume. I did get Best Skit with my group, so it was all good. My friend Rivith entered her Death the Kid from Soul Eater in to craftsmanship that year as well, and she made a suit and hand weft-ed the stripes into her wig and she got nothing either. The next 2 years I entered with large groups and we got Best in Show Craftsmanship in 2010, and then they bumped us up and gave us 2nd place Masters Craft. So then we competed as Masters at Anime Boston in 2012 and got Best Overall Craftsmanship.
So that brings us back to this past Portcon Maine. I was alone again this year. So I decided to do Q from [C]. It is a fairly new series, but I haven't seen a lot/any cosplayers for it. So it would be fresh for them. Heck they take original designs into the competition so what the heck. I made it in 2 days. Finished every seem and hem, dyed a wig, wired feathers together and made horns from scratch, as well as my first time using body paint. So I thought I had a shot at some craftsmanship award. Well I did till judging.
Walked in the room, they said- "Oh you must be some kind on Pokemon!" After I told them no, they had no interest and rushed me around then out. Hardly glanced at my reference images, and then- this is the part that gets me- one judges flipped down my top hem and said "Edges are finished, but not French seemed." WHAT?! I said "Um, actually they are." And flipped up the bottom so they could see the triple hem and French seems on the sides. Seems are when 2 edges of fabric come together, not on the top or bottom- that is a hem. I thought these judges knew what they were looking for. They always stress finishing every other year! I know it was a simple design so I took care to make sure everything was perfect.
Well in the Masters category someone got bumped up (thought she was already in masters...) to take 2nd place- and her bead work that they were gushing about was falling off as she walked up the stage. It was a lovely costume- but the rows of pearls were just hot glued on. And the girl who won first was someone I have seen around and does fantastic work, She had an original design. Best in Show went to a guy who did some amazing armor. The said that there weren't a lot of Masters entered so they bumped some one up. I hate to sound like an elitist but, please. I did a hula hoop and chain flag routine and my costume never busted a seem, and my paint didn't smudge.
The biggest issue was that original designs and recreations are together. How do you judge accuracy on an original design? You can't. I think they are great costumes, and do deserve a good look at, but need a separate judging section. So I expressed this on the forums and the head of judging says it will all be together since this is a geek culture convention not just Anime. Okay, not my point.
They say they follow the Northern Lights Costuming Guild guidelines. I will have to take a look at these- but will have to look it up on my own time since they don't have them posted, or have a link to them.
Well in the end I guess its all okay since I have walked away with an award of some kind every year I have entered.
Not to sound stuck up-- most of the awards are shared with a group, I only have 2 individual awards.
Q from [c] The Soul and Possibility of Money- Control
Made for Portcon Maine 2012
