Judging Instructions

These are the instructions that two experienced masquerade directors have given to their judges to help make the judging process easier. Ricky Dick came up with the first version and gave it to other masquerade directors on the east coast to use. Marty Gear added some more rules, and Ricky likes the rules that Marty added.

Marty Gear notes:
We are not giving cash prizes, just "Wallpaper and Horse Ribbons" to quote Jaqui Ward, so I don't place any limit on the number of awards you can give. At the same time, too many awards cheapens them all, so it is up to you to decide what is "the right number" in any particular masquerade.

Try your best to always give a Best-in-Show and a Best-in-Class.
The quality of Best-in-Class or Best-in-Show may vary from con to con, as they are only the best on that one particular night.
Only judge a costume against what is in this particular masquerade.
All the kids (if any are entered) get an award.
Don't judge a style of costume against others you have seen in the past of a similar style.
Don't judge a specific costumer by what they've done in the past.
Originality is important and should be looked at as one of the many areas of costume creation. Not higher valued, not lesser valued but equal to that of design, fit, color choices, presentation, etc.
Originality is certainly one factor to consider in making an award, but a poorly done original costume should not outrank a perfectly done recreation costume.
A great joke is not automatically a great costume.
Only the workmanship judge(s) should make an award for a part of a costume. The presentation judges (Who see what the audience sees.) should base their awards on the overall costume.
It's a costume event, and presentation routines are there to provide a better forum to view the costume.
You can award a "Best Presentation," but, primarily, you should be judging the costumes.
When in doubt, "make nice."
We're only giving wallpaper and horse ribbons.

Page maintained by Carole Parker