Costuming & Period Dress
We have split the categories into 3 parts- one for Ladies, one for Men and the other for all accessories you might want to use. From guns to hair combs, hopefully it will give you a chance to think about your character and what they like to wear. We also invite designers and jewelers to send us photos of original pieces.
The following pictures are for reference. Hopefully they will give you ideas and some thought about your costume and how to accessorize for it. Since most of design for Steampunk is based upon actual period dress, what makes doing research so important is that colors, cut and yes origin of design can effect the outcome.
You may want to be a French Tesla scientist from 1974, or perhaps a southern steam marauder who attacks Union ships from his dirigible. Whatever the character and it’s fashion sense there is always a way to mix, match and create a new feeling from actual historical period dress. We will continue to add and change pictures until the convention. We encourage people to send us photos of things they like or have given them ideas.
TeslaCon 2 Color Palette
TeslaCon Costume Contest
Director: To be named
In the finest traditions of science fiction and re-enacting costuming, TeslaCon is proud to present their first Masquerade Costume Contest!
The TeslaCon Masquerade Costume Contest will be held in the Sheraton Ballroom Saturday afternoon. Registration for the Masquerade will be available during the con at the Contest Registration Desk located outside the Ballroom. We’ll be open Friday 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There is no pre-registration. See the Contest Registration Desk during the con to register and for more information.
NOTE: NO MUSIC WILL BE PLAYED DURING THE COSTUME CONTEST EXCEPT WHAT TESLACON IS OFFICIALLY PLAYING AS BACKGROUND MUSIC. THE CONTESTANT IS ALLOWED 30 SECONDS TO SHOW THEIR DESIGN/COSTUME TO THE AUDIENCE AND JUDGES.
Categories are:
- Best of Show
- Best Steampunk/Neo-Victorian/Clock/Diesel/etc.
- Best Accessory or Gagdet
- Best Steampunk Dr. Who*
- Best Steampunk Jack Sparrow*
- Funniest /Most Humorous Costume
* Costumes based on media icons must be Steampunked or designed in a way that the judges and audience know who the character is but which is heavily influenced by Steam technology.
TESLACON 2011 Costume Contest - Rules & Information
1. There will be a limit of fifty entries at the Director’s discretion and depending upon the “mix” and “theme” of contestants. Registration will be at the Con only – there is no pre-registration. Individual presentations are limited to ONE HALF minute (30 seconds); group sketches and skits are limited to 45 seconds. The Director reserves the right to remove contestants who violate these time limits.
2. NO microphones may be used by the contestants. Except for the written emcee introduction, no audio material will be used. Any contestant who attempts to address the audience will be removed from the stage immediately.
3. All contestants under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times; if not, they will be turned over to convention security.
4. No profanity allowed. Any contestant who violates this rule will be removed from the stage immediately. If you attempt to shout profanity to the audience you will be removed (see Rule #2).
5. No nudity allowed. This is a family costume show. No costume is no costume. This also includes showing of cleavage beyond the “norm.”
6. No flash pots, “Tesla” devises or explosive devices are allowed. If you plan to carry a weapon, you must conform to the following:
- No illegal, real or loaded weapons, this includes NerfÔ weapons and foam projectile weapons of different makes. No whips may be used onstage or off.
- You must demonstrate that you can carry the weapon without injury to yourself or others. Weapons cannot be fired on stage or at the audience. Even NerfÔ weapons.
7. Props will have to be carried on and off the stage by the contestants. If your props require more people to move them, you will have to provide the manpower.
8. There is a pre-judging session. Registered contestants will report to the (Room to be determined-ask at check in) prep area for set-up activities and information. We will do pre-show direction in the prep area of the ballroom. The photographer will be set up in the photographer’s room for pictures after the show.
9. After your performance, you will return to designated seating area to await the judges’ results. The announcement of the winners will be directly after the fashion show.
If there are any questions please contact Lord Bobbins before the convention. If you have questions during the convention, see the Costume registration table.
Hello fans of film and television.
How do you go about making your favorite icon into a Steam hero? How does a pirate and a Time Lord fit into Steampunk? Clockpunk?…alternate Time history? Well it does easily.
You can create any version of the character you wish. Simply read the main contest rules and these added ones. May the best media character win!
For the Dr. you may pick from any of those used on the series. Remember though, the look must be Steampunk. Add a gear to a lapel, make a sonic screwdriver more Victorian…re-watch old episodes to get ideas. The more clever you get- the better your chances.
As for the Captain of the most famous pirate ship ever…there are many out there who love to play Jack. Now is your chance to create the ultimate version of the iconic character. Steam up his look- or clock him up also. Use more devices, gears in his hair…make his bandana more punked out than ever before. Create a pair of Pirate goggles, whatever you can do-try it! Make Mr. Sparrow fancy as he can get!
We are going for accurate character resemblance, with a heck of a lot of Steam filled fun!
NOTE: NO MUSIC WILL BE PLAYED DURING THE COSTUME CONTEST EXCEPT WHAT TESLA CON IS OFFICIALLY PLAYING AS BACKGROUND MUSIC. THE CONTESTANT IS ALLOWED 30 SECONDS TO SHOW THEIR DESIGN/COSTUME TO THE AUDIENCE AND JUDGES.
Categories are:
- Best of Show
- Best Steampunk/Neo-Victorian/Clock/Diesel/etc.
- Best Accessory or Gadget
- Best Steampunk Dr. Who*
- Best Steampunk Jack Sparrow*
- Funniest /Most Humorous Costume
* Costumes based on media icons must be Steampunked or designed in a way that the judges and audience know who the character is but which is heavily influenced by Steam technology.
