The Cosplay/Costume Music Video Showcase

Thanks to the affordability of digital cameras and smart phones, we can not only snap still images of costume art, now we can see it in motion. Over the past 5-6 years, popularity of cosplay music videos has spread across the Internet. We want to give you the opportunity to display your music video producer chops and have it applauded by your fellow costume-loving peers. This is not a competition – it’s strictly a showcase for fun. There will be 5 different categories (although you can mix them up).

Below are some examples with each one, to give you ideas:

Now, while this IS for fun, there have to be a few rules:

1. Costume must be featured prominently – this is for costumers convention, after all!
2. Length of video should be anywhere from 1 to 6 minutes.
3. Minimum resolution should be 640 x 480 – 1280 x 720 (HD) is ideal. Remember, this will be projected on a big screen, so you want your video to look as sharp as possible!
4. Your video should be of people in costume moving – not a slide show.
5. While your audience will be nearly all (chronological) adult, keep the content to an age 13 and up appropriateness.

Some helpful tips:

• Use a tripod, monopod or steadicam device where possible – don’t make your audience “ralph” from jumpy camerawork.
• Make sure your video is well lit so we can see the costumes – either shoot outdoors or make sure you have good indoor lighting.
• The more costumes you have in the video, the better. Think of this as “Short Attention Span Theatre”.
  • (By the same token, be sure to change shots relatively frequently, but not without reason – too short is just as distracting as too long.)
• While filking is fine, use good judgment – keep your music from being “cringeworthy”.
• Narration over music does not make a music video, unless it’s the introduction.
• FYI, if you’re shooting footage at a convention in a public space, you do not need to get model releases. However, it is good etiquette to request the costumer’s permission to record their image.
• Remember, your video will be shown to a roomful of fellow costumers, not your immediate, close friends. What may be entertaining to your friends may not be hilarious to people who don’t know you. In other words, a “dance off” will probably fall flat.
• The more catchy and/or popular your music, the more likely you will “hook” your audience.
• All videos will be subject to screening by the Showcase Director before they are included in the program. Depending on the number of entries, the videos will be shown during the masquerade halftimes while the audience awaits the return of the judges.
• Details regarding submission formats and where to send them will be announced as the convention date gets closer.

Get those cameras whirring now!