Karaoke

NORMAL MODE

The AMA Karaoke competition will, for the most part, be run as in previous years. All competitors will have the chance to prepare and sing one song of their choice, after which they will be rated by a panel of judges. Winners will be chosen at the end of the evening, and have bestowed upon them fabulous prizes.

Here are this year's guidelines:

What Your Songs Can Be

-- Anime, drama CDs, Japanese video games, Japanese television series, and related media
-- In whatever language they were released in officially: Japanese, English, Russian, Latin, Gablish, etc.
-- If a song was featured in one of these but was not by a Japanese artist (BoA, Oasis, etc.), that's totally fine.

What Your Songs Cannot Be

-- General J-pop or J-rock unless they were featured specifically in an anime.
-- Vocaloid, unless it was featured specifically in an anime.
-- Music composed specifically for dubs.
-- Western media.

What You Need To Kow

-- This isn't like restaurant/night club karaoke. we don't have a karaoke machine with lyrics on the screen (we wish!)

-- You will have to supply your own music. The karaoke department is made up of Super High School Level old-school nerds, but even we don't have access to every anime song out there.

-- If you can't find a karaoke version of the song you want to sing, that's fine. You can use the regular track. Just make sure you sing good and loud!

-- If you're feeling a bit fidgety on the lyrics, we don't mind if you bring up a 'cheat sheet.' Do whatever you need to do to feel comfortable when you perform!

-- MP3 on a flash drive is preferred. Other methods are acceptable, but that will be quickest and easiest. Once you've signed up, you'll be given the option of sending a backup mp3 in advance. This isn't necessary, but it's saved our skins several times in the past.

-- Before karaoke, you'll be asked to swing by to sign in, let us know you're here, and test your music out so we know it'll play. You won't be kicked out if you show up to karaoke but not to check-in, but it prevents a lot of technical difficulties if you check in first.

-- One person per song. If someone else has already signed up to sing what you want to sing, we'll let you know right away and you can choose something different.

-- One song per person.

-- If you're doing a duet with someone, that counts as your entry.

-- There are 25 slots total, not counting our two special competitors (see below). If there are spaces left at the convention, we will take on-site sign-ups, but we cannot guarantee that your song won't be taken already. You'll also be put at the end of the list, so odds are you will be last or close to it. Remember, signing up online is safest!

-- Singing order is decided based upon which order people ask to go in when signing up and the songs themselves, and will be worked up and sent out to participants as soon as all slots are full OR the weekend before the convention, whichever comes first.

NIGHTMARE MODE

Nightmare Mode: Girl has been claimed!

So you've done anime convention karaoke before. You know how it's done. Maybe you've won a few times. But now you crave a challenge. You want to be pushed to your limits.

Well, friend, then this is for you.

Two people -- one guy, one girl -- will have the chance to sing a song of OUR choosing. They will not be judged with the rest of the competitors, but will receive special prizes simply for competing. It's first come, first serve, so if you think you want to do it, do it right away!

When you sign up, indicate NIGHTMARE MODE: GUY or NIGHTMARE MODE: GIRL in the 'Song' field of the form. If you're the first in, you'll receive the original audio track, karaoke track, and lyrics for your song, so you have plenty of time to learn it.

The catch?

We're not telling you what the songs are. They might be obscure. They might be old. They might be just plain weird. The only way to find out is to sign up.

So, think you've got what it takes?

Final Notes

1. Have a second song in mind before you sign up, in case someone signed up for the same song ahead of you.

2. You don't have to cosplay to sing! If you have a costume in mind but can't get it ready in time, we'd rather have you in another costume or even just your regular clothes instead of dropping out entirely.

3. Don't boo, heckle, or insult the other singers. Our tech guy is large and he will remove you from the room without hesitation.

4. Please do not interrupt karaoke staff or judges during the show unless it is an emergency. Especially don't ask how many more people until it's your turn. We might stick you at the end.

5. Dancing is totally cool as long as you don't endanger yourself, your fellow congoers, or our equipment.

6. It's okay to be nervous! Just practice beforehand and remember that everyone else is nervous, too.

7. Have fun!?