Escape Reality Clothing LLC

Contest Rules

MAID NAME _________________________________________

MAID TYPE   FREE FORM    ___

MANGA / ANIME                         ___  
CLASSIC                                           ___           (pick one)

1. All contestants will conduct themselves befitting the uniform
2. All contestants will be covered up; no lurid or indecent clothing or conduct.
3. All decisions of the judges are final.
4. Prizes will not be awarded until all contestants have had a chance to compete.
5. Once all contestants have been scored for the uniform and then had a chance at moving the place settings, the prizes will be awarded.
6. The highest score for the uniform will win the uniform prize.  The lowest timed score will win in the clear the table competition.
7. It is possible for the same person to win the uniform judging and the clear the table competition.
8. There will be two phases to the contest.

a)      The first phase will be uniform judging.  Each contestant will be expected to walk into the room, say your name or character name and tell the judges why you should win the uniform judging.  Judges will each award score from 1-10.  The scores will be totaled across the judges and the total given to the contestant.

b)      The second phase will be the clear the table challenge.  This challenge centers around your employer.  You have done a wonderful job at setting the table in the north dining room but now there is a change.  Your employer says that the guests expected this evening would rather dine in the west dining room.  So you must as quickly as possible move the four complete table settings from the White table to the Black table.  The contestant will give the signal to START and STOP the clock.  The idea is move everything from table to the next with the lowest possible time.  After the contestant stops the clock the judges will look over the table that now contains the four place settings.  For each item not in the correct position one second will be added to the time.  The lowest score will be used.

9. Hold Harmless.  By signing this entry form, the contestant assumes the entire responsibility and liability for any and all losses, claims, demands, defense costs, liability, expense or damages of any kind arising from participation in this contest.  Further, Escape Reality Clothing LLC does not assume any relationship by the signing of this entry form.

SIGNATURE ____________________________ DATE ___________      

10. Permission to use photographs.  By signing this entry form, the contestant is giving Escape Reality Clothing LLC permission to use any photographic image of the contestant and will not hold Escape Reality Clothing LLC responsible or liable for any and all losses, claims, demands, defense costs, liability, expense or damages of any kind arising from the use of the contest’s image.

SIGNATURE _____________________________ DATE ___________    

Thoughts on Winning

“Ok there are fifteen other maids in this room, what do I do to win?”  Glad you asked.  Here are just a few observations from previous events and suggestions that will help a maid into one of the three places in this contest.

1.    Always wait for the signal from the judges to proceed.

2.    Smile.  Smile.  Did I say smile?

3.    Speak clearly.

4.    Remember to bow at your presentation.  It is formal but not too formal.

5.    If you hated speech class in high school remember this is not the same thing.  The presentation portion is just that.  It is a very short presentation of yourself and your uniform.  You are not making a speech to the Queen of England.  This is not some long drawn out dialogue.  As a matter of fact, if you go beyond just stating you name, why you want to be in the contest and POSSIBLY one more sentence that has something to do with your character…you will have points take off your score!

6.    If you are trying to portray a specific maid from an anime or manga your last, final sentence may have something to do with that character.

7.    If you are not trying to portray a specific maid from an anime or manga then focus more on your pose or have a prop such as a feather duster or tray.

8.    What are other maids wearing?  Ok this is pretty difficult because you will not know until the day of the contest.  But it does not hurt to snoop around.  Keep your eyes open.  I hate to say it but in the past, many show up in cheesy, French maid outfits bought at local “exotic dancer stores.”  BORING.  Look around any of the web sites hosted in Japan and most Otaku will agree that the long, classic look from the 19^th century is the best.  The business like, Victorian uniform is highly prized there and the judges here will follow that lead.  So what to do…bring two uniforms: one short and one long style.  If you see everyone wearing the one style show up in the other…

9.    A word to cross players.  Please look the part.  This is not a comedy act.  We are not reaching for the Bubba-Moon look here.  Please do all of the necessary things to create the illusion of your character.  We have seen some wonderful males in the past look the part of a female.  Put the time and effort into the preparation and it will pay off.

10.     Judging is not pitting one maid against the other.  This would be next to impossible because some will try to replicate a particular anime maid will others will try to just create a “free form” maid.  We almost went to a format that had three separate “classes” but then the event would be too long.  Maybe next time.  The presentation judging is really about what everyone can do: how well you speak, are you confident in what you are doing and did you say something that made you stand out.

11.     The Judging for the Clear the Table portion is opposite of that point 10.  The maids are very much pitted against one another in this portion.  The reason: move everything off one table to the other faster than any of the other maids.  Each maid’s skill at moving place settings is put to the test.

12.     What if I drop something?  Forget it.  It will cost only one second on your score and it may take longer to look under the table to get it!  But if you are a perfectionist feel free to dive under the table to look!

13.     I finished in 45 seconds.  Good, look over the table one last time before stopping the clock.  Remember placement is the key here.  Having a fork not exactly parallel to the plate is no big deal but if the fork is totally in the wrong spot, that will add one second to your time.

14.     What about the settings themselves?  Here is a tip…move the settings one at a time and use the setting still at the table as your model.  If you can memorize the settings by just looking at them that’s ok too but do not depend on that.

15.     No stabbing: everything is plastic except the forks, spoons and knives so be careful!

16.     No running: you should be able to bend over the table.  If you have to get around to the other side fine but NO RUNNING.

17.     No Jumping: maids are dignified and this is not appropriate behavior.

18. No throwing of plates: this makes people on the front row nervous.

Last words. Yes you are going to drop stuff.  Yes you are going to look silly.  Yes your cap will fall off.  We are not trying to make people uncomfortable but it is all meant in good fun.  Enjoy.

"Hello Master...you want me to move the table where?"

JUDGE SCORING

MAID NAME    _______________________________________________

JUDGE NAME          ___________________________________________

FREE FORM MAID WALK IN SCORING 

MAID CLEAR THE TABLE SCORING