Wai-con ball and dress code

[rallamajoop]

Just got word the Wai-con cosplay ball is confirmed after all! Whew, was worried for a while there. ^^; But apparently numbers are not so bad as they were thought to be.

On the topic of the ball: I was really quite surprised when I first went to the sign-up page to see the black-tie standard dress and mask requirement. We haven't been following the plans that closely for a while, but we were expecting something more along the lines of a simple chance to get out some of our dressier costumes, socialise outside the usual Wai-con crush and dance around for an evening. The dress code isn't a problem for me or pinneagig based on what we were planning to wear, and it's definitely a great idea to have a theme for people who won't be coming in cosplay, and which will fit in with the Wai-con theme this year. But that said, does everyone think it's really necessary? Isn't there a danger that a restrictive dress code could even be putting people off?

The sad fact is, most cosplay costumes aren't going to be black tie standard by any stretch, and not everyone has the time or dedication to design and make something new for one event - especially with Wai-con looming on the horizon. I know of at least one cosplayer who'd already put a fair amount of time and money into a costume before discovering that it wouldn't fit the dress code and wouldn't be allowed. The mask requirement could be even more problematic - only a small minority of anime/game characters wear masks, and finding one that would be appropriate to a lot of costumes could be tricky.

So, obviously I don't want to start a rebellion here or anything (we're still very much looking forward to this ball), but I'd like to hear other people's thoughts. Does this really need to be a formal ball for people to enjoy it? And particularly if we're worried numbers might be low, couldn't it be a good idea to try and broaden the appeal of this event out as much as possible?

Comments

Reading my flist again whee

[velithya]

I'm not going to be in the country for it, so it's kind of irrelevant to me, but last I heard my understanding was that you could come in cosplay, not just _formal_ cosplay. I guess things have changed, huh :(

Re: Reading my flist again whee

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that was originally my understanding too. Guess something changed along the way. Maybe the 'ball' thing is just being taken a little more literally than it really needs to be.

Re: Reading my flist again whee

[velithya]

Would it maybe be worth dropping a post on the waicon/panic forums to get that clarified, or has that already been done?

Re: Reading my flist again whee

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Well, that's what it says up on the Panic website (http://www.panic-wa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=91), when you go to sign up, so it sounds pretty set in stone.

Re: Reading my flist again whee

[velithya]

:(

Speaking of River, have you seen today's xkcd? :D

Re: Reading my flist again whee

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

XD Just saw it this morning.

I'd watch that movie. *g*

[cigerfei.livejournal.com]

well, last i spoke to the organiser, the masks technically shouldnt be too much of a problem well....only if you want to cosplay. Accordingly, any old mask would work.

I guess when someone says ball, they do indeed mean its to seem somewhat formal but I don't think that would be too much of an issue considering that this is after all anime-related.

On that note....if its a ball....does that mean those going ought to find some kinda date for this?

If we do, i think the rest of Perth would be hearing me swear all the way up to day itself

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

well, last i spoke to the organiser, the masks technically shouldnt be too much of a problem well....only if you want to cosplay. Accordingly, any old mask would work.

I'm not quite sure what you're saying there. Sure, any old mask might be acceptable, but why would we want to wear a mask that doesn't match the rest of the costume? It just seems a bit of a waste.

I guess when someone says ball, they do indeed mean its to seem somewhat formal but I don't think that would be too much of an issue considering that this is after all anime-related.

But... that's exactly the problem. When I heard ball, I thought 'dress up and dance'. Anime costumes aren't necessarily formal - many are quite the opposite. I do like the idea of encouraging people to make more formal styled costumes for this event, but I just don't really see how making it a requirement for entry will add anything.

On that note....if its a ball....does that mean those going ought to find some kinda date for this?

Again, I think you're working on a interpretation of the word 'ball' to me here. ^^;

[cigerfei.livejournal.com]

long story short:

i think i read too much into things....again

[yiji-chan.livejournal.com]

*nod nod*

Reading stuff like this, it does seem rather problematic. I mean, a LOT of cosplayers out in the scene don't really have enough time to whip up something that's black-tie standard. I know that a lot of the normal cosplayers I've talked to over the Wai-Cons have said they've barely had enough time as it is making their Wai-Con ones. Which leads me to worry over the fact that you might be right in the notion that it'd put people off.

Hopefully the event will allow semi-semi-semi-formal cosplays in as well, otherwise the numbers are going to dwindle really rapidly. As for the masked part... Well, I'm just going to be adding a simple mask to my dress, but I know how offputting that might be.

On the good side (?), though, I predict there will be quite a number of Tuxedo Kamen at this thing. XD

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Sounds like we're not the only ones worried about this then. What I don't get is why we need a dress code at all - surely it could just as easily be 'formal dress or cosplay'. I mean, is there anything preventing the organisers from relaxing the rules a little? Are we even sure everyone *knows* about the rule and isn't going to show up in whatever they like? It all just seems so counterproductive to getting more people into the event.

A room full of Tuxedo Kamen though... XD That could be worth it just for the lulz.

[cielrose.livejournal.com]

wow i only thought those of us who weren't dressing up had to conform to 'black tie'..

I wouldn't worry too much..it's not like they can turn you away for what you're wearing considering they want to make a profit and need more numbers..

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Well, that's the thing, apparently they can. The one cosplayer I mentioned has already rung up to check about the costume she was working on and was told quite specifically that it wasn't appropriate. And the website does say you have to conform to black tie even if you *are* in cosplay.

I just don't see the point of it all. Especially if there are people who don't get the message and wind up showing up on the day in costumes that aren't allowed.

[eclectify.livejournal.com]

That seems overly limiting if you ask me. I mean, I can't make it to the ball but if I could it would be far more fun to cosplay...which means making a whole new costume to fit the black tie standard.

It seems to me they making it difficult for themselves if they're intending this to be a fundraiser. Limiting the amount of people who can go is not exactly beneficial to that...

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Possibly they think that cosplayers who don't have time to make a new costume can just rent something non-cosplay with a tie or whatever, but if this is primarily meant as a cosplay ball, it would be a real shame for any cosplayers to have a neat costume they can't even wear.

I don't think it's strictly meant as a fundraiser, but they want to make a profit and they definitely don't want to make a loss. I'd imagine it would be the more people in the more different costumes, the better.

Shame that you can't make it. Oh well, some other time. ^^;

[eclectify.livejournal.com]

Cosplay really is a good way to bring more fans together and it just surprises me I suppose that they're being a little too strict on what people can cosplay with. *shrugs*

And yeah, I would have loved to make it. T_T Stupid university and work eats all my time, damn it.

[twinkl33.livejournal.com]

The thought of finally having this ball was great but yeah I have to agree because it's kinda alittle close to waicon and most ppl are preparing for the con...it's kind a waste of time making something that has sucha strict dress-code. (even though I'm currently in the process of getting somethign together X3)

I was annoyed at the fact we had to wear masks to the ball and your rite most anime characters do not wear masks at all...I'm not sure whether this still stands but are we not allowed to take thoes maks off at anytime except to eat? or perhaps photos...but it'll be annoying having to carrying it around.

I know it's suppose to be accordiance to the Spy theme this year but I don't think we should have such formal rules ~_~ (what would happen if they ban ppl from entering the ball that'll be scary)

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

That's pretty much the impression I was getting. Naturally, a lot of us will want to use this as an excuse to make something dressy (and I'll look forward to seeing what you're working on ^^), but making it a requirement of entry does seem such a waste.

As for the mask, I'm kinda expecting to bring one in and leave it on a table most of the evening. They're not comfortable to wear and it won't add anything to my costume, so what's the point?

What they plan to do if people show up in the door in casual cosplay, I really don't know.

I wonder whether we should think about having a word with the organisers while there's still some time before the ball and see if we can convince them to relax the rules a little. I'm sure it'd be in their own best interests from the perspective of getting more people to show up.

[sansele.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming the formal cosplay thing is because some people (i.e. me) will turn up in a Shuffle! uniform. I only just got hold of a dressier outfit, otherwise none of mine would do. It is a ball after all... I believe that similar guidelines are given to the Manifest ball, and possibly others.

I'm pretty hyped up about the masks, but that's because my cosplay is quite elaborate. Would love an beautiful mask to go with it, even if it is not canon or whatever. ^^;

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Really though, is there any reason why someone shouldn't turn up in a Shuffle! uniform? I (and most of the others I've spoken to since) took 'ball' to mean 'dress up and dance around', and since cosplay costumes are far from streetwear at the best of times, I'd have thought that covered the fancy dress aspect.

My personal comparison would be something like the Swancon Masquerade, which does encourage formal-style costumes, but if the Firefly crew show up, they fit in just as well. And I know we'd get far less turn out at the Swancon Masquerade if the rules were any different, so wouldn't the same apply here?

Masks - again, they'll go well with some costumes, but they'll be one extra headache for the rest of us. What it comes down to for me is that this is more of a side event to Waicon than the main cosplay event of the year, so expecting everyone to turn out an even *more* elaborate costume just for the one night seems a bit unnecessary. :/

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Actually, speaking of the Manifest ball, I just looked up their requirements (http://www.manifest.org.au/amaranth.php), and here's part of what they said:

1. No casual street clothing unless cosplaying. (eg. t-shirt, cargos, cut/dirty jeans, etc) [emphasis mine]

So it looks like in their case it's an either/or - formal clothes or cosplay. Semi-formal attire is encourage, but not essential. So at the Manifest ball, something like your Shuffle! costume would be fine.

[sansele.livejournal.com]

Ah, evidently I need to read properly! XD

I agree with your personal comparison. I have a very very fixed idea of "ball" (so I wouldn't wear my uniform there), but on the other hand, as you say, it is acceptable to wear pretty much any costume to Swancon's and Manifest's masquerades (and much more fun). It should be the same for Panic's one as well. No need for very-stringent rules.

And masks... Yeah. :/ I can only imagine the greater amount of work that's going to bring to someone who finished working on their outfit. Perhaps someone could bring that up?

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it probably is about time to bring this up with someone from the committee. I think I can see what they were aiming for by making those rules, but I don't think they've got much to gain by enforcing them.