METROCON 2013 - YEAR 11

Florida's Largest Anime Convention!

July 26 - 28, 2013

Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL

Theme: East vs West

CONTESTS

ANIME IDOL

UPLOAD DIRECTIONS:

• Register for a MyConsOnline account or log into your account if you already have one.
• After you have logged in, click on "Contest Uploads".
• Select "ANIME IDOL"
• Click on "Submit ANIME IDOL entry"
• Fill out the form completely.
• Hit "Submit" and wait until the file has fully uploaded.
• You may now preview, edit or delete your file from this area.

2012 METROCON Anime Idol

Welcome to the pre-judging upload section for Anime Idol. Due to its popularity, we have so many people try out that we are limited by time constraints at METROCON. Even though we'd love to get each person/group on stage, we only have time for the top 10 performances. Because of this, a preliminary judging round is held. Online registration for Anime Idol ends June 1st; any entries after that date will not be valid.

NOTE: You may NOT show up at the contest and attempt to enter or sing without first having gone through the pre-judging process and being selected as a finalist. Finalists must be at Anime Idol to participate and must perform the song listed. Please read the Convention Performance Rules below.
 

Submission Rules:

Please read all the rules carefully before entering. 

• You may only submit one (1) song for upload. (Note: that the upload is for pre-judging only and you will be required to bring an actual CD to the convention.)
  

• The file you submit must be of you or your group singing. Do not upload the original song or karaoke music.
  

• You must upload the song/routine you are doing so that we may view it for the pre-judging. To do so, you must make an account with My Cons Online and then upload your file in the Contest Uploads section for METROCON 2012.
  

• When filling out the song upload form, please include a description of the song artist, song length, if you will be doing anything special on stage, or any special needs you may have.
  

• You may upload a MP3, WAV, AVI, MPG, or MPEG file of you performing. No other types will be accepted.
  

• You MAY NOT send in your performance to us in the mail.
  

• All songs and routines MUST be PG-13. Those we deem are not will be disqualified.
  

• You will be notified if you made the final cut of performers within one week after the contest entry deadline.
  

• Songs must be Japanese related in nature (J-Pop/J-Rock/K-Pop...you get the idea). If you have questions about the song you have chosen, please contact natalie@ladysaiyuki.com.
  

• METROCON reserves the right to ask a performer to change his song if we receive multiple entries of the same type.
  

Convention Performance Rules:

Please read all of this information so that there is no confusion of what will be expected of your performance.

•  If chosen, you must perform the same song at the convention that you sent in. No substitutions are allowed.
  

• All individuals/groups that will be performing at METROCON must be in line at the appointed time before the Anime Idol competition. If the individual/group is not there, they will be subject to possible disqualification.
  

• IMPORTANT: All individuals/groups must provide their own music. A karaoke version MUST be supplied to us at the convention for use. If you do not bring a KARAOKE version of your song you WILL BE DISQUALIFIED!
  

• IMPORTANT: All music must be brought to the convention and turned in prior to your performance. You must have your music in hand when you line up. Before you go on stage, you will present the music to the sound manager.
  

• IMPORTANT: At the convention, the music you are performing to must be a single track which is burned to a CD that can play in any standard CD player. Please put ONLY the single track on the CD - nothing else. We WILL NOT accept MP3s. You will be disqualified if we cannot play your music or you do not have it with you. The only exception to this is that you may sing your song A cappella. Make sure you test your music before you bring it.
  

• Your real name and or group name must be legibly written on the CD along with the song name.
  

• Instruments that can be carried onstage may be used; however, any instrument that requires a lengthy setup time, such as a drum kit or amp, may not be used in the performance. This is due to performance time limitations at METROCON. No instruments may be plugged into our equipment..ie..guitar mics.
  

• All performances must not exceeded a PG-13 rating.
  

• Microphones will be provided for you and will be wired into our speaker system. At the competition, effect lighting will be provided by our DJ at his discretion. Please do not request specific lighting.
  

Award Categories:

• Best in Show
  

• Best Presentation
  

• Best Technical
  

• Judges Award
  

• Cosplay Director Award
  

• *awards subject to change
  

As of this year we are happy to announce that the Best of Show winner of the previous year will have the change to perform the following year as a showcase ending performance. If the winner accepts this, they will receive 2 free weekend passes to return and perform.
 

FAQ:
 

Where and when is the performance held at METROCON?

The Main Events on Friday afternoon.
 
 

Where do contestants line up and how long beforehand to they have to be there?

Contestants have to line up usually 30 minutes before the competition in the ballroom.
 
 

Can performances be solo or group?

You may perform solo or in a group.
 
 

Can we perform an entire routine like a music video?

Yes, group routines are encouraged.
 
 

Can we perform a dance routine and not sing?

No, Anime Idol is a singing competition.
 
 

Can we submit just a partial song/routine on video because we are not finished with it yet?

No. You must submit an entire song/routine.
 
 

Are costumes/cosplays required for either the preliminary judging or final performances?

No, costumes are not required for the preliminary judging and they are also not required during the on stage performance. However, it is your choice to dress up accordingly when performing on stage and making your routine to make the best performance you can.
 
 

May I sing my song in English?

This is a question we get each year. We do recommend that you perform the song in the language it was created in. There are exceptions to this. For example, if there was a song that was used in the opening/ending of a Japanese show that was ORIGINALLY in English, then you may use that version. If you have any questions on this, please feel free to email us at natalie@ladysaiyuki.com.
 
 

Can I use my favorite song that I love so much that is from a contemporary artist such as Miley Cyrus?

This is an ANIME IDOL competition. We recommend against you submitting such an entry unless it meets the requirement mentioned in the previous question above.
 
 

I can't decide what song to use. Can you help me out or give me your opinion?

No, METROCON Staff cannot help you choose your entry song. Use your best judgment before deciding, or ask for help from members of the forums. There is a thread available for Anime Idol discussion.
 

Can we bring our own microphones?

No. We will provide microphones for you. We usually have 4 microphones but we CANNOT GUARANTEE that all will be available.
 
 

Do I have to hold the microphone the whole time?

No. We have microphone stands if you prefer to use one in your performance.
 
 

Do you have headset microphones that we can use?

No, unfortunately we no longer can supply headset mics for Anime Idol performances.
 
 

Can we have special lighting with our routines that we make up?

No. We have found that it is incredibly difficult to try to provide custom lighting with a song that we have not seen or rehearsed it to at least a few times. All lighting will be provided by our lighting technician and will be at his discretion.
 
 

Can I use a song that has vocals in it and you cancel them out?

No. You MUST bring a Karaoke version of the song.
 
 

Ok, I have a Karaoke version of the song but it has background vocals in it. Is that ok?

Yes.
 
 

Do I have to use a Karaoke track for my entry audition or can I just submit my song A capella?

It is preferred that you submit your song with the Karaoke track and not A capella.
 
 

Can I take an existing song that was originally a solo and perform it as a duet?

Yes. You can add in more performers if you like.
 
 

Can I bring my band and entire instrument set with us?

Time during the competition is limited and setting up an entire drum kit would take too long. You may bring instruments that may easily be carried on stage. Instruments may NOT be plugged into our equipment.
 
 

Ok, I made the cut and I'm singing on stage with a guitar. I understand that I can have a microphone on a stand so I can sing but what about the audience hearing my guitar?

If you need something like this, please let us know in your description online. We can easily set up a second microphone on a stand for you and direct it at the guitar.
 
 

Same above, but can I have a chair to sit in?

Yes.
 
 

Can we do stuff like have fake blood spray or possibly throw stuff into the audience like candy?

No. Anything that may mess up the stage or be thrown into the audience is not allowed. This is a professional competition.
 
 

Can we have our fans rush the stage so that we seem really cool? It's part of our performance.

No. This is a singing competition and if the judges can't hear you perform because your fans are piled around the front of the stage, you will most likely get much lower score.
 
 

We want to invite tons of people on stage with us. Is that ok?

No. You may not have excessive amounts of people on stage with you or call groups of people up from the audience. One, they are not part of your performance. Two, there is a weight limit to the stage. We recommend that you not find out what it is the hard way.
 
 

Can I jump off the stage during my performance and run around the audience?

No.
 
 

If I am not selected, can I find out why I didn't make the cut and where I placed overall?

No. We are incredibly fair during the judging process and METROCON will not release information concerning your placement. The top 10 are selected and METROCON's decisions are final.
 
 

I/We didn't follow the rules and got disqualified. Is there anything we can do?

We don't like having to disqualify anyone. It's true. We don't. We're sorry, but if the rules are not followed and you are disqualified, we cannot help you. That is why we urge everyone to read the rules completely so the entire "Anime Idol" competition runs smoothly. If you did get disqualified, there is no reason to post hateful messages on bulletin boards. If you follow the rules, you won't get disqualified. Yes, it's that simple!
 
 

I didn't make the signup in time and I really want to perform. Can I still signup at METROCON?

No. Do not show up and just expect to sing. You must have participated in the preliminary round to complete in the finals.
 
 

I didn't make the final cut. Should I go ahead and sign up to sing my song in the Cosplay Competition instead?

We do not recommend this. The Cosplay Competition is not "Anime Idol" and it is most likely you will be disqualified for not performing cosplay. We do recommend you singing your song in the karaoke area (tba). If you didn't make the cut, please try out again next year.
 
 

I don't like my song anymore and changed my mind. Can I perform a different song, please?

No. You must perform the song/routine you signed up with.
 
 

We have this fun idea to enter with a song/routine and then do something completely different during the competition. Won't that be great?

No. You will be disqualified.
 
 

Who judges the preliminary round before METROCON?

The core convention staff of METROCON judges the preliminary round.
 
 

Who judges the final performances at METROCON?

Judges for the competition at the convention are picked by METROCON but do not consist of the METROCON staff.
 
 

Do you have any suggestions for someone doing this for the first time?

Yes, we do. If you are doing this for the first time, try to pick out something to sing that will get the audience going. It's best to avoid something that's incredibly slow or long. We're not saying you can't do something like that. These are just suggestions. Also, you may consider doing dance choreography in solo or a group. We hope this helps anyone just starting out.