2018 Dance Competition Rules

Welcome to Anthro Northwest’s Dance Competition! This event is one of the most exciting events of the convention, and that requires you! Join us and the other amazingly talented dancers of the community in making the crowd laugh and cheer! We encourage you to sign up and think of this event not just as something to enjoy and have fun with, but also in helping to create a friendly and creative environment for the community.

Sign Up

To sign up for the ANW 2018 Dance Competition, please fill out this form: http://www.anthronw.com/2018/dancecomp

Online signups will close on Sunday November 4th at 12:00pm Pacific Time.

We must have your audio file by this deadline! You will receive a confirmation email that you have signed up and your audio file was accepted.

You will need to provide a valid email we can contact you at. We also highly encourage you to join the Telegram chat to get the latest updates and information, as well as be able to communicate directly with the event organizers.

At-con signups will be conducted 30 minutes prior to preliminaries. If you want to sign up at the door, you must arrive at the prelims room at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time--check your con schedule for updates! You must have a digital copy of your audio with you if you sign up at the door. Your digital copy must be on a USB stick or SD Card--Cellphones, media players, CDs, media discs, streaming or other internet services may not be accepted. Please show up prepared or we will not be able to sign you up! Once prelims begin, no more signups will be allowed.

CATEGORIES

Novice: This category is for newer dancers. If this is your first competition, or if you have never placed in the top 3 at a competition in the past, consider selecting this category.

Veteran: This category is for experienced dancers. If you have placed in the top 3 at a previous competition, or if you are regularly a finalist at dance competitions with preliminary cuts, consider signing up for this category.

Note: A minimum of 4 dancers are required for each category. If this minimum is not met, the categories will be eliminated and all dancers will compete in a single group.

GROUP SIGNUP INFO

Groups should select one member to be their lead member. The leader will submit a single signup for the entire group listing all its members and the group’s name. All communication about the event will be sent only to the leader and it is their responsibility to ensure the rest of the group gets this information. A single person may only perform in one group. Each person may choose to sign up for either a solo competition or a group competition, but not both.

Requirements

The ANW 2018 Dance Competition requires that all performers adhere to these rules to ensure that the event is as fair and safe as possible:

• Costume: All performers must perform in an anthropomorphic costume, and no other costumes are eligible. At a minimum, that means an animal (or “animal-like species” such as Gryphons, Dragons, etc.) costume consisting of a head/mask which fully encompasses the head, hands, tail, and feet. No skin shall be showing. “Happy Feet” oversize “shoes” are allowed in lieu of feet paws.

• Choreography: Performers must use their own original choreography or improvised freestyle for their dance. Some limited choreo which is not your own is acceptable on case-by-case basis and should be told to the organizers either during sign up or prelims (for example, using a few Michael Jackson moves in a MJ tribute dance would be acceptable).

• Audio: The audio file you use must be in high-quality MP3 format. The file should be named with the following format: DANCERNAME-ANWDC18.mp3 where “DANCERNAME” is the dancer name you signed up with. For Solo competitors, the audio may not exceed 2 minutes in length. For Groups, the max limit is 4 minutes. All audio must be kept to a PG rating. “Radio/Clean cuts” of explicit songs are required.

• Props: Props may be permitted at the discretion of the event organizers and will require inspection prior to entry into preliminaries. Large heavier props such as baseball bats, staves, golf clubs, etc. will not be allowed. This is to ensure the safety of the event.

• Conduct: All performers are expected to abide by the con code of conduct: http://www.anthronw.com/2018/register/coc.html All activities at ANW are PG / SFW. Performers are expected to set an example for other attendees.  

Preliminaries

Dance comp preliminaries will be held at the con on TBD. Make sure you check your event schedule at the con for the latest information on when preliminaries will be held! Competitors should arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to their chosen time slot. Prelims are a closed door event, only competitors who have signed up online or at the door are permitted. Each competitor may bring one handler with them if desired.

Prelim Format

Competitors will be called one by one to perform their full routine in full costume before a panel of judges. Please come prepared with your entire costume, including special clothing and props if needed. If you are part of a group performance, the entire group must be present and ready when called.

Prelim Judging 

The panel will consist of multiple judges who are different from those who judge the final competition. They will independently rate each performance and those decisions will collectively determine the performances which will move on to the finals. Factors which may be considered in this decision include but are not limited to:

• How well a competitor shows the music with their dance.
• The emotional impact of the dance, often referred to as “energy.”
• The quality of the movements used and how well executed they are.
• The ability of the competitor to dance with their costume.

Final Allotment

The dance comp staff will do their best to fill the show for our allotted time slot. Some cuts may be necessary to fit the time constraints. A list of the finalists will be announced and posted prior to the final event. Those chosen must perform the same routine in the same costume as used in the prelims.

Finals

All finalists should arrive at the “Madison” main ballroom 1 hour prior to the start of the event on TBD. The event rundown, performance order, and other important information will be given at that time. Finalists will also verify their audio track with A/V during sound checks at this time, and they will be able to warm up and practice. All finalists will be called backstage before the doors open and will be required to remain there for the duration of the event, except when called to the dance floor. The backstage area will have accommodations for costume performers. No handlers are permitted backstage during the event. Volunteers are available to provide assistance backstage.

Finals Format 

Finalists will perform their routine according to the rundown which will be in a predetermined order. You will be called to standby during the performance right before yours so be sure you are ready, with your head on at that time. After your performance, the judges will give any comments they have and you will return backstage until the end of the competition.

Finals Judging

Finalists are judged by a panel of multiple judges. They will evaluate each performance individually and their scores will be tallied after the last competitor performs.

Judging Criteria:

• Technique - Demonstration of correct technique within the chosen styles. Use of fundamental dance concepts such as levels, and effective use of the space provided.
• Execution - Quality of the approach to movements used. The degree of body control and awareness.
• Expression - Intensity, energy, emotion, and confidence displayed.
• Musicality - How well the performance illustrates the music. Demonstration of musical mastery beyond the basic beat.
• Creativity - The originality of the routine including interesting or unexpected moves, and variety. Also includes use of the costume itself in creative ways.
• Difficulty - Effective incorporation of difficult moves and transitions, tricks, and other “wow” moments.
• Overall Impression - How well each aspect of the routine works together and how well it connects with the audience and judges.

Each criteria is scored on a scale and tallied for every performance. The top scoring finalists will be announced as the winners for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. In case of a score tie, judges will deliberate and decide on the final placements.

Exhibition Showcases

Exhibition showcase performances are not considered competitive and will not be scored. They are for entertainment purposes and may be used to kick off the event and/or to give time for scoring sheets to be tallied at the end. They may include judge showcases or entries by community dancers who are invited to do an exhibition performance. Exhibition performances may or may not be included in the final event depending on factors such as total number of signups and time remaining in the event.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the dance email account at anthronorthwest.com.

Good luck! We are excited to see you, dancers!