Workmanship Awards: Our Workmanship Judges work backstage before and during the Masquerade.  They look at the contestant's skill in design and construction.  The judges may award ribbons for everything from fine stitching to prop construction.  Chain mail, fabric painting, leatherwork, mask making, make-up design, embroidery, and beadwork have all been honored in the past.  If you take photographs of the costume in progress, the workmanship judges would like to see them.  For more on photographs, see the Documentation section.

Stage Awards: Our Stage Judges sit in front of the stage and look at the overall effect of the costume and how it is presented.  They may not see your fine beadwork, but they will notice if you don't stay in character.  Many potential costumers are scared away from entering masquerades because they don't know what to 'do' on stage.  Sometimes, a simple walk across the stage accompanied by appropriate music is all it takes.  Remember, this is a costume contest, not a talent show!  Archon offers a variety of costume panels during the convention that potential costumers can attend, and this is an excellent way of learning what the judges (and the audience!) want to see on stage.