What is the Anime Magic Actors Club?

The Anime Magic Actors Club is a stage that Anime Magic! sets for aspiring stage actors and voice-over artists to give them a chance to reenact a scene from their favorite anime show in a competitive format on stage for an audience. The presentation of the event looks a little bit like a game show.

In this competition, you select the scene and you & up to two friends reenact that scene with as much emotion and accuracy as possible based on a clip you submit for approval for the competition. Once you perform your scene, the actual clip of the scene you performed will be shown on stage for comparison and is then rated on a scoring system by a panel of guest judges, based on four key factors:

1. Finishing your scene on time - Going overtime (3:00 mins) results in the deduction of points from your final score.

2. The accuracy of your scene – Judges will take notes on your performance and compare it to how accurately participating actors can recreate the scene & will score accordingly.

3. The quality of your performance – Comedy, camp, drama, horror, it doesn’t matter what you choose, but the strength of your performance can make or break your final score! Do your best to draw your judges & audience in for the highest scores in this category!

4. Audience Enthusiasm – While there will not be a scoring system for this category it will be used by the judges to help inform their final decisions on the top three actors based on the acts that excite the audience the most.

The top three actor(s) will be awarded a free 3-Day badge and a Gold, Silver, & Bronze medal respectively. Think of it as a fresh take on the traditional sketch shows of the past with a bit of a competitive twist!

What is the format of the competition?

There are only approximately 8 slots available for submissions, where you and up to two friends are the actors. You can act alone, with a partner, or with a 3rd party involved. You pick the scene from your favorite anime movie or show which can be anything from an obscure slice-of-life anime all the way up to a big-budget reenactment of an explosive popular classic. This scene can be no longer than 3 minutes in length & no shorter than 2 minutes and must be submitted with your application for approval prior to being accepted. You rehearse your chosen scene between now and event time to make sure you put on the best show possible! That’s it! Nice and simple.

Can I (we) perform in Cosplay?

Absolutely! While it isn’t required, we encourage all participants to make their scene as immersive as possible to convince the audience and judges that you are the best actor(s) competing! Just make sure that your cosplay (including prop weapons) fits within the Anime Magic! guidelines and policies as listed on our website and you’re good to go!

Can I (we) use props for our act?

Yes, with some caveats! Each actor is allowed to bring one prop. A “weapon”, an item for dramatic effect, an item we would recognize from the scene (doing a Dragon Ball scene? Bring a Dragon Ball if it’s part of the scene), but please make sure, aside from cosplay weapons (which don’t count as your one prop), that your prop does not exceed more than 25lbs in weight or 3x5 in width/length. This ensures that we can get acts onto and off the stage in a timely manner to keep the show running on schedule.

To recap:

• Each actor may bring 1x “weapon” and 1x prop.

Can I (we) build/bring set pieces to make our scene more authentic?

At this time, no. While we hope to expand this event to make it grander and fun in future years, this year we will not allow the inclusion of sets or set pieces. Again, this is to ensure that the show runs on time as scheduled!

Can I (we) recreate a fight, battle, or action scene on stage to match our clip?

Yes, however, you will be doing so at your own risk, as Anime Magic! will be not liable for any accidents that can happen as a result of any choreography you wish to carry out for your scene. Any play-fighting or acting must fit within the Anime Magic! policies and guidelines.

Can I (we) sing and/or dance for our act on stage?

Yes, with some caveats. As this is primarily an “acting club, your clip must require at least 1 minute of dialogue (out of the 3 mins allotted) and any song/dance MUST be part of the clip you’re providing or you will be disqualified.

How old do you have to be to participate?

All actors must be at least 16 years of age, and anyone under 18 must fill out and provide a parental consent waiver to participate.

The scene I picked has swearing in it, is that OK?

Generally speaking, that’s OK. When we review submissions, we’ll let you know if the scene you picked violates our event guidelines in any specific way!

Is there any style or genre of anime scenes or cosplay that I cannot wear/perform for the event?

Yes. While we will be pre-approving selections prior to the event to ensure appropriate content, this will generally be a mostly all-ages event. Hentai and any 18+ content/cosplays will not be allowed on stage for the event.

PERMISSIONS

By entering the Anime Magic! Actors Club, I give permission to Anime Magic! and its designees to photograph and/or video tape my costume and/or performance, to use these photographs and/or video tape as the convention sees fit. I also attest that I am eligible to compete as per the Anime Magic! Actors Club rules and that all information on this entry form is true and correct.

I also, hereby, acknowledge that I, as the primary contact for this entry, and my group, if in one, will be asked to sign a paper copy of this form at the talent show check-in at the convention. I also understand that if I, and my group if in one, do not sign, my entry will be disqualified and not be allowed to go onstage. If I or any member of my group is under 18, I understand that I/that group member must have a legal guardian sign the paper copy of this form at the convention.

By submitting this entry form, I acknowledge that I have read and understood the rules and guidelines established and posted by Anime Magic!

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

All costumes must cover your genitals, nipples, etc. You may not expose these parts of your body by stripping any garments off during the Actors Club. All Actors Club skits should be in good taste. Please do not use any obscene language or gestures on stage. Your skit may not be used to purposefully insult someone. Your skit performance may not be used as a political, religious, etc. statement.

WEAPONS & EFFECTS POLICY

No live steel. This means no real swords, knives, blades, guns, etc. No real weapons. Period. You must use an obvious fake if your actors club performance calls for it. If you are found to have a real weapon, it will be taken very seriously.

Weapons such as nunchaku, bokken, etc. May be used with extreme caution and should not be swung in a manner to injure anyone.

No real guns. Period. Once again, if you are found with a live firearm it will be taken very, very seriously. If your performance calls for a replica, you may not point the replica at another human being. If you must "Shoot" someone in your performance, point it away from the person. No live projectiles allowed, period. This includes airsoft bb's. If a projectile is fired (even by "Accident") it will be taken very seriously.

If you are carrying a sling, bow, or other similar weapon you will not be allowed to carry ammunition on stage.

You are not allowed to throw any objects (even if soft) into the audience, period.

No fire, flames, explosives, flash powder, smoke, lasers, etc. Will be allowed. No pyrotechnics. Electronic flashes are permitted provided you inform the staff before hand. It must be announced before your performance to protect those who are sensitive to flashes.

No smoke or vapor of any kind is allowed.

STAGE ENTRANCE & EXIT

We do not allow jumping off the stage. If you jump off the stage, you will be immediately disqualified and ejected. You must also use the proper stage entrances and exits. Using other entrances or exits that are not approved may result in disqualification and/or ejection. Aisles and audience areas are not to be used for any part of the performance. Everything must be confined to the stage.

NO SURPRISES!

Do not make any last minute changes to your entry without consulting Actors Club staff, and make sure you consult them with enough time before the show!

STAGE COMBAT

You will not be allowed to perform any combat unless you can prove that you are a well-trained and highly-skilled stage fighter during your interview. The stage is made from multiple sections which should be considered in your plans.

TIME LIMITATION

Skits must be 3 minutes maximum.

GROUP SIZE

Group sizes are limited to 3 people maximum.

PERFORMANCE REVIEWS

During your performance review, you will provide Actors Club staff any information that you would like to be read when you step onstage, etc. You will perform your performance as if you were on stage for final approval. This allows us to not only read your performance, but to see the actual thing.

SHOWTIME REQUIREMENTS

Once you arrive at main programming for the show itself, you must be stage ready, meaning that you are ready for walk-on or performance. All contestants will need to be there. No exceptions.

If you wish to bring something to keep you occupied while you wait (deck of cards, novels, handheld video games), you and you alone will be responsible for the safety of your belongings. Following the stage appearance, you will be guided back to the waiting area to enjoy the rest of the Actors Club until the awards presentation.

QUESTIONS

Contact our Director of Technology at jon@animemagic.org