Note:  these will be the exact instructions given to our judges - they are reading what you are reading.  This page subject to alteration as we continue to clarify.

We are using 1/2 glitz circuit judges and 1/2 "everyday people" on our judging panel.  The judges will be trained by a glitz circuit judge, using our judging instructions.

Beauty Events 

Glitz Beauty

The glitz beauty competition is judged 1/3 on facial beauty, 1/3 on overall appearance, and 1/3 on modeling.

When judging facial beauty, please try very hard to concentrate ONLY on the facial beauty of the contestant.  I know it is hard to look past a great personality, fantastic modeling, or that gorgeous dress - but try your hardest to see ONLY the face when considering the facial beauty score.  Imagine a frame around just the facial area and try to ignore the beautifully styled hair, makeup, dress, and certainly ignore the personality and modeling.  A child could come out in a walmart beauty dress and never smile and just go to stand at each X and receive a 10 in facial beauty if warranted from a gorgeous face.

Overall Appearance takes in the entire contestant.  Is the color of the dress flattering to the contestant?  Does it fit?  Is the contestant's hair style beautiful, elegant, and does it flatter the contestant's face?  Is the contestant's makeup beautiful and enhancing the contestant's face, or is it poorly done and distracting?  Is the contestant a beautiful picture from head to toe?  The contestant should give an immediate overall impression of glamorous elegant beauty.

A spray tan is a normal part of glitz pageantry.  It can be a light tan to a dark tan.  You do not want to see a splotchy or streaky tan, or a tan that is a bizarre color like green or oompah loompah orange.  The makeup on the face should match the tan (most tanners do not tan the child's face, but the makeup artist matches the face to the body). 

A dress may be clean and elegant, or heavily stoned & elaborate.  Either is fine.  Look at the fit and how the dress compliments the child. 

Fake hair, flippers (fake teeth), and stage makeup are all part of glitz pageantry.  Even if you yourself prefer a more natural look, do not count off in any way for a child being full glitz - our contestants are instructed that this is a glitz pageant and to bring on the bling!  These items should compliment the child - not detract from the child.  Yes, you may know that there is a hairpiece - but does that hairpiece look beautiful on the child?  Stage makeup is heavier than makeup you would see at the mall, but is that makeup well done & enhancing the child's beauty?  There are good flippers and there are bad flippers - is it helping or hurting?  It should not draw undue attention to itself.

Modeling should NOT count in any way in this overall appearance score.  A dazzling child could walk out and stand on the x's and get perfect scores in facial beauty and overall appearance.  Please try to look past flashy modeling on this score, just as you did on the facial beauty.  This score should ONLY be the child's overall appearance.

Modeling – modeling is not judged on children under 3 but you will look only at personality and stage presence for these young children.  For modeling on the glitz side, we are expecting to see glitz pageant routines.  Wow the judges from the beginning to end!  Please do not penalize smooth graceful modeling in beauty -  a contestant does not have to do a bouncy routine to score well in modeling.  Contestant should keep your attention with eye contact, personality and stage presence.

Judges will take into consideration the age of the contestant.  Judges will not deduct for missing teeth, braces, eyeglasses, blemishes, or bruises.  Our judges are familiar with normal childhood and teenage occurrences and will not hold them against you.  Race, nationality and handicaps shall NEVER be discriminated against.  Judges will NOT count off for a child's weight; children go through weight fluctuations as a normal part of childhood and we do not support the idea of children dieting and obsessing over weight.

Glitz beauty contestants will be expected to be in pageant dresses.  Bring on the bling!  Think glamorous and elegant.  Makeup & enhancements allowed - contestants may have fake hair, fake eyelashes, flippers, fake tan, artificial nails, etc.  Note:  we are looking for full glitz!  Over the top?  Bring it on.

In some age categories, a long OR short dress is commonly acceptable.  Please do not count off for the length of a dress whether long or short - some children mature earlier than others and move up into a long dress more quickly than others in their age category.

Face Beauty.

The Face Beauty event will be judged 50% Facial Beauty, 50% personality/stage presence.  Kids should look like kids.  Think sweet and adorable.  Makeup allowed but your natural beauty should be the focus rather than excessive makeup.  Do not penalize for a child wearing no makeup – there will be some all natural contestants competing.  Do not penalize the child who has minimal makeup to enhance the face.  No fake eyelashes, no fake hair, no flippers.  Tan and artificial nails are ok as we know everyone may be competing in Glitz Beauty Saturday.  A long or short dress of any type is acceptable.  We suggest a face dress in a beautiful color that compliments the contestant’s face. 

Child may walk to the front x and smile at the judges.  Child does not HAVE to do a routine for Face.  Modeling not judged at all.  If it would confuse your young child to come on stage and not do anything at first two x’s, it is ok for them to do their normal routine BUT the judges will not start judging until the child arrives at the front x, and the ONLY things being judged are 1.  Facial Beauty and 2. Personality/Stage Presence.

Modeling Events

Hollywood Wear - use your imagination & show us your interpretation of Hollywood Wear!  This is the star studded event of the pageant!  You are your favorite movie or tv star!  You may be any character in any movie or tv show, or the actual star.  A themed event where you can use your imagination and have a LOT of fun – props acceptable (not required) and unique ideas encouraged!  The judges will be focusing on how the contestant's routine entertains them, the personality of the contestant as expressed in the character chosen, and the creativity and originality of the presentation.  This is not a talent event and at least some portion of the time you are on stage must include modeling.  You will be judged 25% on choice of theme/originality, 25% on personality and stage presence, 25% on facial beauty and 25% on overall stage presentation.

In Swimwear (on the glitz side), you will be judged 1/3 on facial beauty, 1/3 on personality and stage presence, and 1/3 on overall stage presentation.  In casual wear (on the face side), you will be judged 50% facial beauty, 50% stage presence/personality. 

Notes:  Big girls wear high heels with their swimwear - little girls traditionally go barefoot.   

Hollywood Wear should be age appropriate - we do not want to see Toddlers & Tiaras style shock value - this is not typical of what is normally seen at a pageant.

Judges need to be aware that there should be no prejudice towards the cuteness of a 3 year old's routine vs. the elegant style of an older girl's routine.  Both are equally preferred.  Try to look at the individual child and always keep in mind the elements you are judging. 

A very young child may have a parent on stage - there is no deduction for that.  A very young child who has just transitioned to being on stage by himself or herself may be watching mom a lot - this is ok.  Of course we would prefer for eye contact with the judges, but a young child who is still watching mom for routines may not give a lot of eye contact to judges.  Judges should realize that more eye contact will come with age/experience and you are not going to get the same eye contact from a 2 year old that you are from a 17 year old.

Please judge the child on stage.  Please do NOT look to the side of the stage and look at other contestants off stage.  This shows a lack of respect for the contestant who has paid for your opinion of him or her on stage.

Note:  there are no rules against gymnastics in our events. However, please keep in mind that this is not a gymnastics meet, and while it is wonderful that a child could do six backflips across the stage, that does not necessarily make him or her the top winner in the event.  Please keep in mind the judging criteria at all times.  There is no score for ‘gymnastic ability”.

Photo Events

Red Carpet Photogenic:  The photographer will take 3 photos of the contestant, and the photos will go on a cd for judging.  This event will be just prior to Interview and will be in a red carpet outfit - your choice.  If you were a Hollywood Star on the way to your movie premiere, what would YOU wear?

This is the only photo event that may be counted for ALL titles at Hollywood Jewels.  50% facial beauty, 25% on total photo appeal of best photo, 25% on photogenic quality of child in ALL THREE PHOTOS.

Glitz Color:  This must be a color close up head shot.  You will be judged 50% on facial beauty, 50% on total photo appeal.

Natural Color:  This must be a color close up head shot.  Judges will be looking for a natural (not enhanced) photo.  Light retouching allowed for removing stray hairs or blemishes.  You will be judged 50% facial beauty, 50% total photo appeal.

Print Model:  This is a photo that could be used in a magazine, 3/4 body or full body shot.  50% facial beauty, 50% total photo appeal.

Comp Card:  This will feature a variety of your photos to include head shots and full body or three quarter shots.  Judges will be judging 50% facial beauty, 25% on originality/creativity, 25% on variety.

Other Events

Interview:  Judges will casually chat with the contestant - no pressure or tough questions.  Please do not consider beauty in the scoring of interview.  Please only judge on personality.  100% personality.

Talent - any type of talent ok.  If you require any specific items to do your talent, you must bring them.  2 minute time limit.  25% choice of talent/entertainment value of type of talent – is it age appropriate?  Is it an entertaining idea?  50% execution of talent – does the child do a good job with the talent?  25% stage presence/personality. 

Commercial - Sell us something.  Anything!  You have 90 seconds.  25% creativity and originality.  Is it an entertaining idea?  50% performance – does the child do a good job with the commercial?  25% stage presence/personality. 

Screen Test - This is a commercial as well, but a very special kind of commercial.  You must do a commercial for Crown Jewels or Hollywood Jewels.  The winning commercial will be featured on the website!  90 seconds.  25% creativity/originality.  50% performance.  25% stage presence/personality. 

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO JUDGES:

1.  Please make this as positive an experience for each contestant as you can.  Smile at the contestants and put them at ease!  Smile and wave at babies & young children.  Your positive response to each contestant will help them to perform better on stage and to leave feeling that they did a great job.

2.  Please score each child individually.  Do not hold back on your scores.  If the first contestant on stage deserves perfect scores, give them - please do not hold back thinking that there might be another contestant who is 'better.'  More than one contestant in each group could receive perfect scores, if deserved. 

3.  Please do not talk to any of the contestants or their families until competition is over.  A 'hi' is fine if you run into someone in the hall, but any discussion of the child or the competition should not occur until the completion of judging.  If anyone other than pageant staff approaches you wanting to discuss their child or the competition before judging is over, please contact the director immediately.  If after crowning you would like to talk to the parent, please discuss only their child and not the other contestants.

4.  For photo competition, you will choose your favorite photo submitted by the contestant in each category and you will judge that photo.  Each judge may choose a different photo, or they may judge the same photo as another judge.

5.  Please do not judge any contestant on any other basis other than what is explained above for each event or photo.  Be consistent in your judging – if you dock one child for a splotchy tan, be sure you dock ALL children with splotchy tans. 

6.  Think before you write - after you write it, the score will not be changed.  Please do not score overall stage presentation until entire performance is over.

7.  We encourage judges' comments on the score sheets but please state comments in a POSITIVE way.  Examples:  "beautiful girl", "great smile", "lovely eyes" etc but you can also state constructive criticism in a positive way "I would love to see her in blue, would really compliment her eyes," "needs eye contact - I want to see those beautiful eyes!" "neckline of dress distracting from her beautiful face" "routine seemed robotic - this child has a great personality, focus less on routine & more on showing that beautiful smile".  Judges will not make any comments about something that can't be changed - not constructive - at one pageant we were told by a judge that Chelsea's chest was too big, and obviously we weren't having a breast reduction at 17 - to me this is not constructive criticism.  A judge should never write anything harmful to a child such as "eyes too close together" or - as I heard was once written on a scoresheet about a beautiful child - "should not be in pageants."  Think of the child's feelings, the parent's feelings, and most of all the fact that this child has the guts to get up there on stage in front of you and that in itself says a wonderful, positive thing about this child.  Something positive can be said about EVERY child and we would love to see feedback for the parents.  Don't hold back constructive criticism; just please, keep it constructive.  Remember, you will be discussing your scoring with parents after the pageant - be prepared to explain your score and to give helpful comments.  When a parent stays and stands in line to talk to you, they have a genuine desire to help their child improve; be respectful and always remember the courage that child had in getting up on that stage in front of you.  Be careful how you phrase things - this is that mom's BABY - every baby out there is beautiful.  Don't tear any child down - have only constructive, helpful things to say.  Use your notes when talking to parents.  Important:  if you give a low score, PLEASE give a reason for it – the parents of our contestants want to know WHY so they can improve.

8.  For the GLITZ events:  As a judge, you will be seeing fake hair (should match and compliment the child), spray tans (tans may be light to dark but should never be splotchy, streaky, or weird color like green or oompah loompah orange), flippers (these are the fake teeth), fake eyelashes, and makeup.  All of these are normal for glitz pageants and should not be counted off for in any way.  Dresses may be clean and elegant to elaborate and heavily stoned, and should fit and compliment the child - do not count off for more stones or less stones but look at the overall appearance of the child and does the dress enhance or take away from that?  We tell our contestants we want full glitz and to go ALL OUT.  Don't penalize them for following our directions, even if you personally might prefer a more natural look.

For the FACE events:  please do not penalize a contestant for having no makeup on.  Please do not penalize a contestant for having a small bit of makeup that enhances the face.  Do penalize a contestant if a person walking through the mall would do a double take at the amount of makeup the contestant has on.  This would obviously be a different amount of makeup for a teen that would cause a commotion than on a 2 year old.

9.  Scoring:  we are using the 1/10^th point scale.  Contestants will be given a 9.8 through 10 in facial beauty.  Contestants may be scored a 9.6 through 10 in all other criteria.  9.6 = needs improvement, 9.7 = good, 9.8= great, 9.9 = excellent, and 10 = superior, the best! 

I NEVER want a parent or contestant to walk out of any Crown Jewels pageant traumatized because of an extremely low score.  That is not what this is about.  Making a parent or child feel horrible actually goes against everything I think pageantry is about.

Obviously, there have to be higher scores and lower scores.  If we did not have higher scores and lower scores, there would be no way to determine the winners.  However, we'd like for lower scores to simply be a guide for improvement and not in any way say any child is UGLY or undeserving.  With any lower score, I'd like to see a comment to help.

You may use up to 3 plus marks which will be used to break ties.  If plus marks are unavailable to break a tie, we will go with the facial beauty score to break ties.  If we are unable to break the tie with facial beauty score, we will have the judges break the tie.

Again, don't hold back on those scores.  If that first child was the best you'd ever seen up to that point, give them that 10.  Don't worry about what comes NEXT, worry about the child that is on stage at that time.

10.  A boy or a baby may score just as high as an 8 year old, 12 year old, or 18 year old girl.  Please do not hold back on scores on boys or babies due to their gender or age.  A young child will obviously not have the modeling technique of an older girl, but allow for what is appropriate for that age.  Keep in mind at all times the 5 most important things you are looking for in each contestant, outlined below.  If a boy or a baby meets all this criteria, they should receive the scores to reflect that. 

What do we want to see in the top winners at Hollywood Jewels?

Beautiful!

Confident - you should radiate confidence.   We want to see personality and sass!

Stage Presence - you should light up the stage.  You should SHINE and pull us in.  We need to say WOW!

Overall Appearance - Every detail beautiful!  Clothing should fit well and compliment the child's coloring and appearance.

Clever & original ideas on themes - An original cute idea, presented well - plus the above criteria!! - is what is going to win Hollywood wear.