PCAM Magic Contests

General Contests

The PCAM is a convention known for (among other things) its contests. Every year magicians may enter in a wide range of categories covering most of the magical arts. There are 12 categories:

• Category #1: Stage Magic - Juveniles (aged 13 and under)
• Category #2: Close-Up Magic - Juveniles (aged 13 and under)
• Category #3: Stage Magic - Juniors (aged 14 to 18)
• Category #4: Close-Up Magic - Juniors (aged 14 to 18)
• Category #5: Mentalism
• Category #6: Close-Up Magic
• Category #7: Most Novel or Innovative
• Category #8: Platform Magic
• Category #9: Stage Magic
• Category #10: Comedy or Novelty Magic
• Category #11: Best Assistant
• Category #12: Children's Entertainment

If you have any questions regarding the contests please email Contest Chair Brian Cook contest@pcammagic.com

Contest entry deadline is 30 days before the start of the convention. All contestants must be fully registered attendees.

Grand Prix du Honneur

The most prestigious award at the annual PCAM Convention is The Grand Prix du Honneur which acknowledges exceptional achievement in magic. The Grand Prix is not awarded every year, in fact it has only been awarded seven times in the history of the PCAM. In order to receive this honour an act must receive over 95 points (out of 100) during their act in one of the General Contest Categories, as listed above. Here are the recipients:

Year	Grand Prix Winner
2012	Michael Dardant & Kitty Kaos
2000	Shawn Farquhar
1986	Roy Shank
1983	Kevin James
1978	Patrick Martin (Double Grand Prix for both Close-Up Magic and Stage Magic)
1972	Michi Hasegawa
1969	Nino Guerrero

General Contest Rules

These are the rules that all competitors in the PCAM General Contests must agree to, and by entering the contest you are acknowledging that you have read and understood these conditions:

1. Contestants and assistants must be fully paid convention registrants.
   • No current member of the executive committee producing the convention can compete in the PCAM contests.
   • Performers and/or lecturers for the current PCAM convention are not eligible to compete
2. Contestants must pay a $5.00 (US) entry fee for each category entered.
3. Attendance by contestants at the pre-contest meeting is mandatory
4. No winning “act” from previous years PCAM contest is eligible for this year’s competition Performer may reenter the contests but must have a completely different act.
5. Time Limit: Acts must last a minimum of five minutes and must not exceed eight minutes. A 15 second leeway is allowed beyond the 8 minute limit before a penalty will be levied. A penalty of 1 point for each six seconds over the leeway will apply. The maximum penalty applied is 5 points, and an act will be disqualified if it runs beyond 8 minutes and 45 seconds.
6. Time Limit Exceptions: Children’s Entertainment has a time limit of 10 minutes. The minimum time remains at 5 minutes and the leeway and penalty procedure is the same as that described in Rule (7). Most Novel or Innovative has no minimum time but must not exceed the prescribed limits described in rule (7).
7. Close-up contestants may be required to repeat their act based on the availability of adequate close-up performance areas.
8. Contestants may enter two categories provided that they are completely different acts. Juveniles and juniors are eligible for stage and close-up categories only.
9. An award can be given for Best Assistant. Acts with an assistant will automatically be considered for this award.
10. The minimum score required to place, for Juveniles and juniors, is 60 out of 100 points. Adult contestants require 70 points out of 100 points to place. The Grand Prix Trophy is awarded to contestants who are awarded a minimum of 95 points out of 100.
11. A “Grand Prix” winner is not eligible for any other trophy or award.
12. Categories 5 (Most Novel) and 10 Best Assistant are not eligible for a “Grand Prix.”
13. All contestants will receive a certificate of participation.
14. All contestants are eligible for a first place, second place, or Grand Prix Trophy.
15. Categories 5 and 10 are not eligible for a “Grand Prix.”
16. Contestants must provide all requested information on details of their acts (Entry form and tech sheet).
17. All contestants agree to appear on any show at this convention, if requested, provided it is after their contest appearance.
18. No flash photography will be allowed during contest performances.
19. No video equipment or taping will be allowed unless authorized by the Contest Chairman.

Judging Criteria

All contestants are judged by the following criteria:

• Appearance of person and act: 10 points
• Smoothness of presentation: 10 points
• Technical skill: 10 points
• Originality of theme/presentation: 20 points
• Entertainment value: 30 points
• Mystery value: 20 points

The judges are made up of the Past Presidents of the PCAM that are available to judge on the day of the competitions. This ensures that the judging standards remain constant.

Other Contests

The Bag 'o' Tricks Competition

This is a test of your creativity as competitors get a paper bag full of random junk. (ie: office supplies, plastic cups, a rubber band, a broken pen, etc.) and they have about two days to invent a magic performance using only those objects. This wild laugh-filled show is our traditional wrap-up on the final night of the convention.

One Hand Cut-A-Thon

A pure test of skill as competitors are put under pressure to execute as many one-handed Charlier cuts as they can in a minute.