Pictured Above – Taelor Cansler’s winning entry for the 2022 Crypticon Seattle Makeup Competition.

This Crypticon Seattle Makeup Competition features 5 FX artists applying makeup before a live audience at the convention for fabulous prizes and bragging rights. We are proud to welcome Stan Winston School of Character Arts returning to sponsor our contest, offering the  grand prize winner a full-year subscription to Stan Winston’s On-Demand course library, a prosthetic appliance and a custom trophy from Cast Of Thousands Studio . First and second runners-up also receive a limited subscription to Stan Winston’s library of Effects class videos and 5 hours of personal learning with Tim Pierson of Cast of Thousands Studio to enhance their competitive techniques. Additional Sponsors may be added at the discretion of the organizer.

Rules and Details

Please read the fine print and the rules before submitting.

• Submission deadline of April 1, 2023. Late entries will not be accepted.
• Valid entries must include artist’s
•        Name
•        Address
•        Phone number
•        Email address
•        A one time $20 non-refundable submission fee [submitted via Paypal]
• Returning artists who submitted entries in 2022 should contact the contest organizer (Rob
  Buchta) before submitting the entry. Please submit work done only within the past year.
• For your qualifier, you may present an online video of your work (no more than an hour
  application condensed to around 5 minutes) of a character of your choice-or-5 digital
  photos of your work. An upload folder will be provided in the submission area for your
  pictures or link to your online video, and the submit button will take you to another page to
  accept your entry fee.
• The non-refundable submission fee does not include entrance to the convention; this must
  be purchased separately. The organizers strongly suggest purchasing your convention
  entrance prior to the day of the competition.
• All valid entries received before the deadline will be considered by judges. Only 5 entries
  will pass the primary round to compete at the convention. Competitors eliminated during
  this phase are eligible to return to compete the following year.
• Artist must be available to participate in the contest on Saturday, between 3 and 6 pm.
• Artist must check in on Saturday by 1 p.m. at registration with the organizer. Failure to
  check in will result in disqualification as a NO SHOW.
• Please supply your own model- who should also be a con goer. If you have no model
  available, please let the organizer know. Artist and model should be aware that this process
  will take several hours, and clothing may be soiled, distressed, and bloodied.
• Artists will use their own kits and supplies and will not be reimbursed for materials.
• Artists will have 120 minutes to create their best FX Horror effect on their model. The
  contest will be held in an area in full view of the public.
• Judging and feedback will take place in the competition area.
• NO trademarked or licensed characters may be reproduced.
• The judging categories are Adherence to Theme, Design, Use of Materials, Techniques of
  Application, and Professionalism with points for Creativity and Originality.
  Are you ready to compete? Click Here
  The decisions of the contest judges are final.
  If you have question regarding the makeup contest, contact rob@crypticonseattle.com