Note: this item is a personal opinion piece. Events described are as I experienced them.
This year I was thrilled as its creator to be invited to run a Single Pattern Contest for the Seattle in 2025 Worldcon. I was looking forward to running a costume event early in the weekend that did not require stage production, and then presenting the results as part of the entertainment during the judging interval (half-time) at the Masquerade.
In mid-June I was asked by Richard Stephens (one of the Masquerade Directors) whether I would consider being a presentation judge for the Masquerade. After consulting with my husband, and some conversation on how I could still be able to announce the SPC results, I agreed to join the judging panel. Everything seemed copacetic.
One week before the event, we received an email with more guidelines. We were informed that they had 24 pre-registered entries, and had only arranged 40 minutes of half-time entertainment, so there was not time ” … to carefully parse every single entry into the masquerade” and we should walk into deliberations with a “top 3” in mind. Each judging panel would be allowed to choose a best in each of 3 divisions, a Best in Show if we could agree, and up to 3 Judges Choice awards. This was slightly concerning, but with 24 entries not too horrible.
I was also concerned that the slide show of the SPC I was supposed to prepare was not included in coming up with the 40 minute timeframe.
The day of the event, things went further downhill:
- There were now 46 entries (two ultimately scratched) in the show,
- Presentation judges were never given a list of entries,
- We were given blank judging forms on which we were frantically trying to capture names and take notes as the show ran,
- The planned trailer park reels for the half time did not materialize,
- When we retired to deliberate we were informed that because there were more entries and the show ran longer, we now only had 20 minutes to return because of the time limit on the space,
- We asked for clarification on the number of awards and it was reiterated that we could only give that maximum of 7 awards.
I am operating on the presumption that someone supposed that fewer awards would accelerate the judging process. That idea, as anyone who has judged, is arrant nonsense. We had strong showings in all three divisions, and limiting us to Best in Show, 3 Best in Division, and 3 Judges choice made judging harder. The deliberations were brutal. In instances where normally we could have spread things out to Best SF, Best Fantasy, or any of our other ways to recognize excellent costuming, we instead had to choose a single Judges Choice award. We did our best (I have great respect for the other two presentation judges; while none of us were happy with the situation we leaned in hard to come to decisions) and returned our results.
And then, because we were working from our handwritten notes (remember, no list of entries), one of our awards was mis-transcribed (and the entry number elided) and thus mis-announced by the MC. I had to step up from the audience, inform him of the mistake and insist he announce the correct entry (which he did; he was dealing with what he’d been handed). The awards were announced, a few photos were taken, and we left for the hotel, only to discover that every bar and restaurant in the area was already closed.
And then came the aftermath: We (all the judges) discovered that neither the contestants nor the audience had been informed of the limited number of awards in advance, and so we got to spend much of the rest of the weekend assuaging hurt feelings of those who presumed the judges had been inexplicably stingy in awards.
THIS IS NOT HOW ONE RUNS A MASQUERADE!
I don’t know how far up in the committee tree the decision to limit the awards was made — whether it was the Masquerade Directorss or someone higher up. I suspect the latter, given the inexperienced supposition that fewer awards would shorten deliberations. However the communications failure with the contestants does fall squarely on the directors’ shoulders. It also became apparent that there was no master script for the event, which added to the chaos and confusion. There were issues with stage design (including no place for catchers along the front of the stage; one contestant fell but was fortunately not seriously injured.)
What can we do?
The ICG has published multiple manuals on how to effectively run a costume competition. Perhaps we should send a copy to every Worldcon’s Events Division or Masquerade Directors. (See the ICG Press page on the ICG Website to order copies.)
In hindsight, I personally will now push back much harder on judging restrictions. If I’m persuaded to join a panel despite them, I will insist that they be communicated to contestants. I will also DEMAND that the judges be allowed to be at the podium with the MC during awards announcement. And if the awards restriction was not announced to the audience in advance I will make sure it happens during awards.
And a bit of advice for future Masquerade Directors: If you have a time limit on your venue and are running up against the clock, ANNOUNCE THE AWARDS ONLINE OR ON THE FOLLOWING DAY. No, it’s not ideal, but it’s better than the disrespect of giving short shrift to your contestants hard work and your judges expertise and qualifications.
ALSO (for everyone): VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH MASQUERADES. WE NEED TO TEACH MORE PEOPLE HOW TO DO THIS WELL.
OK, getting off my soapbox. I don’t have great answers, but wanted y’all to be aware of what was going on behind the scenes. If I used a cane I’d have been shaking it in frustration
I do know that the LACon V masquerade directors were witnesses to the failings in Seattle and took copious notes on what to do better. (And they’ve asked me to consult, which I will happily do).