General Rules:


Cameras / Pictures / Videos

1. NO CAMERAS of any kind will be allowed in the auditorium during performances. Use of cameras during performances may result in point deduction, disqualification of routine, or disqualification of studio. PLEASE WARN PARENTS.

2. Video cameras and flash photography are welcomed during award ceremonies.

3. VIP DANCE will have a videographer & photographer at each event providing videos and photos of performances for purchase.

4. In the event that a professional photographer is not present in a city, your studio will be given one "studio photographer pass" which will allow one representative from your studio to shoot non-flash photography of your students only.

5. In the event that a professional videographer is not present in a city, your studio will be given one "studio videographer pass" which will allow one representative from your studio to video routines of your students only.

Performance Guidelines and Deductions

1. All routines, music, choreography, and costumes must be suitable for family viewing and listening. Failure to comply with this rule may result in point deductions or entry disqualification.

2. Coaching from the wings is prohibited.

3. A three-point deduction will be made for dancers that leave the stage without completing the performance. Dancers will not be allowed to re-perform the routine.

4. A five-point deduction will be made on routines that exceed the time limit.

Props

1. General props are permitted. No dangerous props (swords, fire, etc.). No live animals.

2. NO SCENERY ALLOWED. Prop must be an integral part of the routine. If you cannot hold it, stand on it, or hang from it, it is considered scenery and is not a prop.

3. Prop set-up time should take less than 30 seconds. If you have a prop that takes longer than 30 seconds to set, please make a note of it on your entry form. If prop set-up time will cause you to exceed the total time allowed for that entry, please contact our office at vipdance@aol.com.

4. All props must be Marley safe.

5. Prop height should not exceed 10 feet.

Entry Guidelines

1. Independent entries are not accepted. All competing dancers must be registered with a studio. All cash award checks will be made payable to the studio.

2. No more than 50% of any duet/trio or group may compete against themselves in the same age category and dance division. If possible, avoid entering any dancers in the same combination of age category and dance division more than once to avoid costume change problems.

3. Participants may compete in more than one city. However, any routine that wins a regional cash award is not eligible to compete that routine at any other regional event in the same competition season. Also, any routine that wins a national cash award is not eligible to compete that routine at a regional event the following competition season.

4. Judges’ score sheets, critique tapes, and studio cassette tapes / CDs may be picked up at the Registration Table immediately following the Final Awards Presentation by TEACHERS ONLY.

Releases / Disclaimers / Agreements

1. It is agreed upon entering any VIP DANCE sponsored event that participants, including students, parents, teachers, and other spectators, will not hold VIP DANCE or its owner, directors, employees, or host facilities liable for injuries sustained, illnesses contracted by them, or loss of property while in attendance and/or participating in any activity of a VIP DANCE event.

2. VIP DANCE assumes no responsibility for forgotten tapes, photographs, awards, or other items.

3. Participants agree that the time, manner, and method of judging the competition shall be solely within the discretion of the director of VIP DANCE and that all results of a competition are final. Judges break all ties. No teacher, student, or parent will question a judge. The director has the right to change the manner and method at any time deemed necessary.

4. Participation in any VIP DANCE sponsored event indicates permission to use any photographs or video taken during the event in promotional venues including, but not limited to, newspapers, brochures, ads, television, videos, newsletters, and the Internet.

5. VIP DANCE reserves the right, when necessary, to move a competition site or to expand a competition to a multiple day event.

6. VIP DANCE reserves the right to deduct points from or disqualify any entry or participant that does not adhere to the rules and regulations.

7. The director of VIP DANCE reserves the rights to change, delete, or add to any rules, regulations, or policies at any time deemed necessary.