Leather & Leatherbear Contest Categories & Scoring
Events may not be in the order below.
Using the Olympic Scoring System, contestants will be judged by a panel of community members and titleholders. 100 points are possible from each judge for each category, then scores are combined and averaged. Contestants must earn 75% or more to qualify for the titles. The totals will be certified by the Tally Master(s), and the contestants with the highest points in their respective category (Mx. | Ms. | Mr. | Leatherbear) will represent San Diego for the title year. In the event of a tie, producers will look to who scored the highest in the category with the most weight.
Bare/Bear Yourself (Zoom Interview) (30%):
Attire: tidy, respectful, feel good in it
Judges will spend no more than 15 minutes asking each contestant questions they feel are relevant to the title and the responsibility it wields.
Pop & Circumstance: (10%):
Attire: Bar Wear / Bear Wear
Friday March 13th at the meet & greet after picking contestant numbers, contestants will be asked one playful question. Answers can be any length under 60 seconds. Going too long could cause a reduction in points. Scores are based on 1) the quality of the answer’s content and the general response of the crowd as well as 2) the contestants’ engagement & approachability during the meet & greet.
Show Us Your Stuff (Personal Ad & Peacocking) (10%):
Attire: Hot Wear
Contestants will draft a 40–50-word personal ad to be read aloud by emcee as they show off their hot wear/jock wear. Personal Ad can be submitted for approval and feedback at any time after your application has been accepted and are otherwise due on February 28th by noon/12pm
Style & Soapbox (Public Communication) (20%):
Attire: your finest leather/alt leather
Contestants have 120 seconds to communicate their thoughts on any topic of their choosing. Contestants are encouraged to show off their public communication skills and to let everyone in attendance know who THEY are and what they care about. Noticeable under or overages may be a factor in scoring. Use of memory aids will not count against anyone unless doing so impacts the quality of your delivery or shows a plain lack of preparation. Contact us with questions about any other accommodations.
Bawdy Baskets (15%):
Contestants are asked to put together at least two Auction Baskets to help support contest expenses and to generate the titleholder funds. Donations may be acquired from local and national merchants, friends, family, use your ingenuity! Use themes and dress your table to rack up points.
Actual values of baskets generally range from $200 – $500. If more than $500, please split into multiple baskets. After your application is filed, production staff is happy to offer guidance and suggestions for themes/contents.
VIDEO Fantasy (15%):
Contestants will create a 3-4 minute video fantasy. Consider what turns you on, excites you, a bucket list scene you’d like to find yourself in, or maybe just and activity that brings you joy. Fantasies are judged on creativity, self-expression, audience response, storytelling, and cinematic energy.
Note: failure to follow the accessibility guidelines below will result in 0% here.
VIDEO RULES:
- ACCESSIBILITY: YOU MUST USE CLOSED CAPTIONING WITH AUDIO DESCRIPTION.
- Maximum of 4 performers, including yourself
- You may use whatever resources/people you have to assist with filming, production, performance, and editing.
- Videos must be provided to production team electronically by email or on a flash drive.
- Do not post your video online or elsewhere before the contest concludes.
- Production will only show your film fantasies to judges and to the contest audience on March 14th. We will not distribute, share or post your videos without your permission, but understand we may not be able to control if the audience uses their own devices to record them.
- If you have privacy needs, please communicate that to production team and we can discuss how to reasonably accommodate any needs you have around that.
- Videos must be submitted to the production team for approval and feedback by Saturday February 28th at 12pm. Submit it as soon as possible in case feedback inspires further edits.
