Judging Guidlines
The guidelines that will be given to judges are covered in the following paragraphs. This will help ensure that competitors have a clear understanding of what specific points the judges are looking for in a competitor's performance and so create an even playing field for all competitors.
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Entertainment Value
This is indicated by audience reaction and appreciation, and overall enjoyment. Questions to be asked are:
- How much did the judge feel entertained?
- Did he/she notice the majority of the audience enjoying the act?
- Did the competitor get good audience reaction?
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Magical Skill
In this category judges should be looking for routining and continuity, professional presentation and technical ability. Questions to be asked are:
- Were the sleights clean?
- Was timing of the routines good?
- Did the competitor use a clever combination of sleights or skills?
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Appearance
This category is about general appearance, appeal and quality of costume, tables and props. Questions to be asked are:
- Did the competitor make an effort to look professional?
- Did the competitor dress in a fashion to suit his/her act?
- Was the stage layout of props pleasing?
- Was everything clean?
Competitors should remember it is not necessary to wear a dinner suit etc. however if one competitor makes a greater effort over another they will gain more points in this area.
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Magical Content
This category is about the use of original material, inventive presentation or routining to include new presentations of standard effects. Questions to be asked are:
- Was there good variety in the performer's act?
- How original was the routine?
- Was there any new magic in the act?
- Did the act have good synergy?
- Were there any good classic routines?
- Was the judge fooled by anything?
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Showmanship
This category is about personality, poise, confidence, professionalism, and ability to connect with audience. Questions to be asked are:
- How confident was the performer?
- Did the performer communicate with the audience clearly?
- Did the performer treat the volunteers with due respect?
- Did the performer have charisma?
- Could the performer communicate his humour well with the audience?
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Scoring
Scores will be calculated as follows:
- Each of the five categories will be marked out of ten. A weighting factor to be agreed by the judging panel prior to the competition may be applied to each of the categories.
- Any act running over or under time will have 10 points deducted from score. Any act running over 17 minutes or under 8 minutes will be disqualified.
- All entrants will get 1 minute to set up and 1 minute to clean up. Taking longer than these time limits will cause the act to lose points.
- The participant with the highest total score will win the competition. Scores will not be announced.
- In the event that the highest score is below the standard set for first place then the Downey Cup and prize money will not be awarded.
- In the event of a draw for either first, second or third, the person nominated as Chair of the Judges must decide a clear winner. He/She may do this on his/her own or in discussion with the other judges. It is not necessary for the competitors to know there has been a draw. Clear winners for the top three places is mandatory.
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Judging Panel
Judges will be selected by the committee and competition organiser.
- Decisions of the judges are final.
- Judges have the option of discussing an individual's performance in detail with the participant after the competition is over. It is recommended that the judges' comments be helpful in nature and directed toward improving future performance.
- The top three winners will be announced publicly at the dinner
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