May 20, 2008
News for Anime Expo 2008:
Anime Expo 2008 masquerade sign-ups available online
Anaheim, California (May 19, 2008) --Anime Expo® 2008 will be accepting online applications for one of the most highlighted and enduring traditions of the nation's largest anime and manga convention-the Masquerade held at this year's Anime Expo® 2008 held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.
Amateur costumers hailing from around the world have graced our stage with their wonderful costumes and performances. Interested parties will be able to register, as a contestant, online on May 19, 2008 after 6:00 pm PST at www.anime-expo.org
Masquerade contestants come for the fame, the glory and that huge trophy, "Best of Show". Some of the other coveted Masquerade awards are:
- Top 4 Awards: These category of awards are presented to the entries that have shown the best combination of both Presentation and Costume Craftsmanship. To be eligible for these awards, all costumes of an entry must be presented at the Preliminary Costume Judging. Any entry that fails this requirement will not be eligible for any Top 4 Awards.
- Craftsmanship Awards: These category of awards are presented to the entries that have shown excellent costume craftsmanship and construction. The awards are separated by Group and Individual achievement. Individual entries are further separated into the four skill levels as previously defined. There are two awards per skill level. To be eligible for these awards, all costumes of an entry must be presented at the Preliminary Costume Judging. Any entry that fails this requirement will not be considered for the Craftsmanship Awards.
- Presentation Awards: These category of awards are presented to the entries that have shown excellent stage presentation. This can be either by a performance or a simple exhibition of a costume. The awards are separated by Group and Individual achievement. Skill levels are not factored into these awards.
- Judges Awards: These category of awards are selected by the Judges for entries they deem worthy of award but did not fit any of the previous categories. Each Judge may present one award based on their personal selection.
Additional award categories and information can be found at www.anime-expo.org.
Current list of official Guests of Honor include up and coming director Masahiro Ando, legendary American voice actor David Hayter, famed POKEMON director Masamitsu Hidaka, the dynamic duo known as Jyukai and the new Japanese "It-Girl" Shokotan in Anime Expo® 2008's amazing line up of Guests of Honor.
Attendees that have pre-registered can also update their information and add on orders for main event tickets via the Anime Expo® 2008 Online Registration Area at www.anime-expo.org.
Free shuttle services for all hotel attendees will be provided. Regular non-hotel attendees will have access to utilize the free shuttle services during designated hours as well. All schedules and routes will be posted in the lobby of each shuttle hotel. Frequency of service is pending local traffic, road conditions and can change without notice. Also, no shuttle service provided to the Holiday Inn City Center and the Figueroa Hotel (both are within walking distance of the Los Angeles Convention Center).
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.
This year's Red & Black Sponsors are FUNimation and ImaginAsian Television. Platinum Sponsor is Imagi Studios. Gold Sponsor is Digital Manga Publishing. Silver Sponsor is Gaia Online. Patron Sponsors are Central Park Media and COPIC Markers.
About Anime Expo®
Located in Los Angeles, California - Anime Expo®, the nation's largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2008 will be held July 3 - July 6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).
About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property - Anime Expo®. More information can be found at its website (www.spja.org).
The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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