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[CapsuleCorp]

I would generally think so too, but the best bet is to ask the director to be sure. Some competitions can be run really weirdly and I'm never certain if giving the generally-speaking rules advice applies to any specific con.

[Kaijugal]

Originally Posted by Elycium

Technically, though, if the two masters are contributing their "acting skills" by taking active parts in participating in the skit (not costume craftsmanship for the skit, since that's not required to be judged), wouldn't they have to compete as masters? I've 98% of the time seen it stated in the rules that you go by your highest skilled member in the group.

Generally at my shows it goes by the highest member of the group since everyone is contributing something to the entry, (as Elycium pointed out their acting skills will come into play).

I do agree 100% with CapsuleCorp that checking with the Masquerade Director is always, always the best route when unsure.

[Starlit Rose]

All right, I'm gearing up to do my first real craftsmanship entry. I have questions about my rank and how to determine it. I am pretty sure that I fall under "Journeyman", but I'd like to get confirmation on it. It's not really something I paid close attention to since I haven't really competed for craftsmanship before.

I've been cosplaying on and off since 2003. In total I've made 20-25 costumes, many of which include parts from thrift stores (pants, tights, dress shirts, etc.). I didn't start paying attention to my craftsmanship until probably 2009. I'm mostly self-taught (with people helping me along the way). I've won a "Judge's Award" from a small convention for a costume that did not get pre-judged for craftsmanship. I just did a walk-on and the judges (who were sharing cases of beer during the show and catcalled my friend and I during our walk-on) gave me an award because I was a girl in a leather dress. I don't personally count it, but I did technically get something? It's the only award I've won for a costume. The only other award I've ever gotten was for a skit, and I don't think that's relevant for a walk-on entry.

Then, the costume I am planning to enter is an armor costume. It's my first suit of armor. Very little sewing was involved. So even though I have experience with sewing costumes, I'm a novice at armor costumes. Almost everything I've done with this costume has been new territory for me. I've had to learn the different techniques from the very beginning, just for this costume. I know Journeyman means you have some experience, but I do not really have experience with an armor costume. (I attempted to make a simple chest piece out of craft foam once, but lol, it was very poorly done. Had no clue what I was doing.) At the same time, I feel like it would be wrong to enter as a Novice when I have been in the hobby for 10 years, haha.

I'm pretty sure that the fact I've been sewing for years makes me a Journeyman, but I'm curious to know what the general consensus of the definition of my experience is.

Thanks!

[Sarcasm-hime]

A lot of it also depends on the particular competition. If you think you'll be up against a lot of kids who just started sewing/cosplaying 6 months ago, Journeyman might be better for you. But if you're entering a huge event with fierce competition, you might want to play it safe for your first time and try Novice. If in doubt, ask the Masquerade Director of the competition.

[Starlit Rose]

Originally Posted by Sarcasm-hime

A lot of it also depends on the particular competition. If you think you'll be up against a lot of kids who just started sewing/cosplaying 6 months ago, Journeyman might be better for you. But if you're entering a huge event with fierce competition, you might want to play it safe for your first time and try Novice. If in doubt, ask the Masquerade Director of the competition.

Good point! I have never been to this convention before, but according to Wikipedia, last year's head count was about 9200 people, so not huge. I contacted the staff with this question (gave them the same info, too), and they told me it's up to me and where I would feel most comfortable. I am thinking, based off of the con size, I would be better off competing at Journeyman. I can further justify this by the fact that some of the techniques I'm using are I think considered intermediate, possibly advanced in the armor world, even though it's my first attempt at trying them. It's just a little nerve-wracking skipping a whole category for my first (real) walk-on, haha. Thank you!

[CapsuleCorp]

Good luck, I hope it pays off for you. But yes, sarcasm-hime's advice was right on. While you have the right to compete at Novice, if you would feel uncomfortable there or feel like your overall skills are Journeyman level regardless of what went into this costume, then you're perfectly free to jump right to Journeyman. If you win anything major you won't be able to ever go back down, but sometimes, that's the way it rolls. I've known people who went straight to Master in their first competition just because that was their actual skill level. Awards don't always reflect how good you actually are.

And I've watched your work for a while, you're going to be just fine in Journeyman.

[Starlit Rose]

Originally Posted by CapsuleCorp

Good luck, I hope it pays off for you. But yes, sarcasm-hime's advice was right on. While you have the right to compete at Novice, if you would feel uncomfortable there or feel like your overall skills are Journeyman level regardless of what went into this costume, then you're perfectly free to jump right to Journeyman. If you win anything major you won't be able to ever go back down, but sometimes, that's the way it rolls. I've known people who went straight to Master in their first competition just because that was their actual skill level. Awards don't always reflect how good you actually are.

And I've watched your work for a while, you're going to be just fine in Journeyman.

Ahhhhhhh thank you so much!! That means a lot to me coming from you. I more or less wasn't sure if I even had the right to enter as a Novice. If it was a bigger convention like ACen or AX, I think I would have wanted to stick with Novice (because yeah, fierce competition in the Novice category alone!), but for something like San Japan, I think it makes more sense to go in as a Journeyman given my experience. Thank you for your additional input on it and further confirming that Journeyman is what I should go for!

[Hime no Toki]

I agree, Journeyman would be a good place for you. You have the experience of crafting costumes, but just not the experience with competing. A lot of cosplayers start competing really soon after they start making costumes - myself included - so it's a bit different for them.