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SEAM 2005 CONTEST RULES & PROCEDURES

I. OVERVIEW

A. The Southeastern Association of Magicians (SEAM) will conduct Adult Stage, Close-up, and Youth Stage magic contests at its 2005 Annual Convention. The Hal Martin Trophy in Stage Performance will be the top prize for the Adult Stage Contest . A 1st Place Award in Stage Performance . A First Place Award in Close-up Performance will be the top prize for the Close-up Contest. Second place trophies will be awarded in each contest provided there are at least five entrants for each contest.

B. The SEAM Contest Chairman is responsible for the conduct of the contests.

C. Copies of the contest rules and procedures, and contest entry forms will be provided from the SEAM Contest Chairman by request, and will be available on the SEAM internet website.

II. RULES GOVERNING THE ACCEPTABILITY OF ENTRANTS

A. All contestants must complete the appropriate official contestant application form for each contest being entered.

1. Contest applications for contestants under the age of 18 must also be signed by that contestant's legal guardian.

2. Applications sent via electronic mail (e-mail) are acceptable. In these cases an application with the contestant's original signature, and the signature of the contestant's legal guardian in cases where the applicant is under the age of 18, must be received by the Contest Chairman at or prior to the Pre Contest Meeting.

B. All contestants must be registered for the SEAM Convention.

C. All contestants are subject to the contest Rules and Procedures, which will be provided to them with the official contest entry form upon request.

D. Contest performances may not include the knowingly unauthorized use of intellectual property.

E. No contestant may be a paid performer or lecturer on any of the SEAM Convention shows or events, or a paid provider of any other services performed in the interest of the SEAM Convention.

F. The audience at the SEAM Convention includes children and families, and the material presented in the contest performance must be suitable for this type of audience, i.e., no "blue material."

III. RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE CONTEST PERFORMANCES

A. CLOSE-UP CONTEST

1. There must be at least five (5) contestants to guarantee that first and second place performances will be awarded.

2. The Contest Chairman will hold a Pre Close-up Contest Meeting for the contestants prior to the contest. Contestants will be briefed regarding the rules and procedures for the conduct of the Close-up Contest. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory for contestants. Failure to attend this meeting will result in disqualification.

3. The order of the contestants' appearance in the Close-up Contest will be determined by a random drawing held at the Pre Close-up Contest Meeting.

4. All Close-up contestants must present themselves prepared to perform at the location designated for the Close-up contest in the Convention program at least thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled beginning of the Close-up Contest. Contestants must make their presence known by personally reporting to the Contest Chairman.

5. The Convention Committee will provide a cloth-covered table. Chairs will be provided for the contestant and, at the discretion of the contestant, up to two spectators. Contestants are responsible for providing all other equipment and resources they need for their performance including a CD or cassette tape player if one is to be used as a source of music or sound effects.

6. Each contestant is allowed two (2) minutes to set up the equipment necessary for his or her performance. An announcer will announce only the contestant's name and city of residence. No "build-up" is permitted. This announcement will initiate the beginning of the performance, and the timing of the performance will begin immediately following the introduction of the contestant. The time limit for the performance is eight (8) minutes. Points will be deducted if the time limit is exceeded. Each contestant is allowed one (1) minute to strike (remove equipment) at the completion of his or her performance.

7. All decisions concerning interpretations of and exceptions to these rules will be made by the Contest Chairman.

B. ADULT STAGE CONTEST

1. There must be at least five (5) contestants to guarantee that first and second place performances will be awarded. The Hal Martin Trophy will be awarded for the best performance if there are at least three contestants.

2. The order of the contestants' appearance in the stage contest will be determined by a random drawing held at the Pre Stage Contest Meeting.

3. The Contest Chairman will hold a Pre Stage Contest Meeting for the contestants prior to the contest. Contestants will be briefed regarding the rules and procedures for the conduct of the Stage contest. The Stage Director will interview each contestant to obtain lighting and sound cues, and the order of effects for the contestant's performance. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory for contestants. Failure to attend this meeting will result in disqualification.

4. No contestant will be allowed stage rehearsal time at the convention.

5. All Stage contestants must present themselves prepared to perform at the location designated for the Stage contest in the Convention program at least thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled beginning of the Stage Contest. Contestants must make their presence known by personally reporting to the Contest Chairman.

6. The Convention Committee will provide a location in which to prepare, a location in which to perform, a microphone, a cassette tape player, a CD player, and available lighting. Contestants performing to music must provide their own cassette tapes or CD's. If a cassette tape player or CD player is to be used as a source of music or sound effects, the contestant must cue the cassette tape or CD so that it is ready for play. Sound personnel responsibility will be limited to starting your music and stopping your music. Only one cassette tape or CD may be used for each act. In the interest of fairness, no additional sound or lighting equipment will be permitted. Contestants are responsible for providing any other resources needed for their performance.

7. A reasonable amount of time, at the discretion of the Stage Director and Contest Chairman, will be permitted for the setting of apparatus in the performance area. An announcer will announce only the contestant's name and city of residence. No "build-up" is permitted. This announcement will initiate the beginning of the performance, and the timing of the performance will begin immediately following the introduction of the contestant. The time limit for the performance is eight (8) minutes. Points will be deducted if the time limit is exceeded. Each contestant is allowed one (1) minute to strike (remove equipment) at the completion of their performance. Stagehands will be available to help strike sets. All contestants must depart the performance area with tables, props, etc. upon the completion of their performance.

8. NO flame larger than a candle will be allowed. Matches, lighters, and candles are OK.

9. All decisions concerning interpretations of and exceptions to these rules will be made by the Contest Chairman.

C. YOUTH STAGE CONTEST

1. Contestants entering the Youth Stage Contest must be age 18 or younger at the time of the SEAM convention.

2. The Youth Stage Contest will be governed by the same rules and procedures as the Adult Stage Contest. There must be at least five (5) contestants to guarantee that first, second, and third place performances will be awarded. A First Place Award in Stage Performance will be awarded for the best performance if there are at least three contestants.

IV. RULES AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING THE JUDGING

A. CLOSE-UP CONTEST

1. There will be a minimum of three (3) judges for the contest. Preferably, one of these three will be a non-magician.

2. After the completion of the contestants' performances, the judges will convene in the judging chamber for deliberation. The judges and the Contest Chairman are the only people permitted in the judging chamber during deliberation. If any other uninvolved person needs to enter the room (e.g., to deliver food) the judges will immediately stop deliberations and conceal all notes and scoring sheets from view.

3. Judging will be done on a ten-point scale in four categories (Technique, Presence, Originality, and Audience Reaction) and five points in two categories (Dress/Costuming and Time Limit). A five-point deduction will be assessed for exceeding the time limit.

5. If fewer than five (5) contestants compete, the judges may decide to award only a first place performance, or may decide to award only first and second place performances.

6. Judges' scoring sheets will be mailed to contestants or made available to the contestants at the discretion of the Contest Chairman. A meeting with the judges will not be available.

B. STAGE CONTESTS

1. There will be a minimum of three (3) judges for the stage contest. Preferably, one of these three will be a non-magician.

2. After the completion of the contestants' performances, the judges will convene in the judging chamber for deliberation. The judges, the Stage Director, and the Contest Chairman are the only people permitted in the judging chamber during deliberation. If any other uninvolved person needs to enter the room (e.g., to deliver food) the judges will immediately stop deliberations and conceal all notes and scoring sheets from view.

5. Judging will be done on a ten-point scale in four categories (Technique, Presence, Originality, and Audience Reaction) and five points in two categories (Dress/Costuming and Time Limit). A five-point deduction will be assessed for exceeding the time limit.

6. If fewer than five (5) contestants compete, the judges may decide to award only a first place performance, or may decide to award only first and second place performances.

7. Judges' scoring sheets will be mailed to contestants or made available to the contestants at the discretion of the Contest Chairman. A meeting with the judges will not be available.

8. The same rules governing judging will apply to both the Senior and Junior Stage Contests.

V. PRESENTATION OF THE CONTEST AWARDS