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M r . & M i s s U n l i m i t e d 2 0 1 6 H a n d b o o k P a g e | 1

The Official Contestant Handbook

For

Mr. & Miss Unlimited 2016


Dear Contestant,

The following is a detailed handbook that will guide you in your journey to become either Mr. or Miss Unlimited 2016. The Unlimited family is proud to have a 30 year legacy in the LGBT community and we are excited to have you considering joining our close knit family! There are many systems out there today but you will find that the USA Unlimited is unique in that it is based on a family atmosphere with love and support for all members of this community as indicated by our mission statement.

This handbook will detail each category and also provide many helpful tips to help make your journey successful. Please read this handbook in detail even if you are a former contestant as there are several changes happening in 2016. There will be additional information as we are closer to the 2016 national contest dates, such as host hotel and a full contest schedule of events, and these revisions will be forwarded to all contestants and posted on the USA Unlimited website.

If you have any questions which you don’t find answered here, check out the USA Unlimited website at www.usa-unlimited.com. You will find the answers for most of your questions on the website. If you still can’t find an answer, the “Contact Us” link on the website has ways to get you in touch with our Owner and Administrative staff. Each division area has contact information for the current reigning titleholder of that division.

MISSION STATEMENT:

We, the USA Unlimited Family, strive to be a beacon of light for the community and to provide a place where people of all backgrounds can be heard and accepted. We as a family are here to

encourage, educate, support, motivate, enlighten, and collectively welcome everyone with open arms.

Cid Luis – Promoter of Mr. & Miss UnlimitedJeff Reeves – Owner & President of USA Unlimited

Faleasha Savage – Miss Unlimited 2015Devon Iman Dickerson Diamond – Mr. Unlimited 2015

http://www.usa-unlimited.com/


Table of Contents

Introduction …………………………………………………………………………. Page 2

All Rules & Regulations ……………………………………………………………. Page 4

Talent Category Description ………………………………………………………... Page 5

Interview Category Description …………………………………………………….. Page 6

Solo Talent Category Description …………………………………………………... Page 7

Evening Gown Category Description ………………………………………………. Page 8

Swimwear Category Description ………………………………..……...………….. Page 8

National Contest Information ………………………………………………………. Page 9

Contest Schedule of Events …………………………………………………………. Page 10

Scoring Breakdown by Category……………………………………………………..Page 11

Administrative Point Deductions ………………………………...…………………..Page 12

Tie Breaking Information ………………………………...…………………………..Page 12

Prizes and Awards ……………………………………………………………………Page 12

Contestant Application………………………………………………………………..Page 13

Promoter Information…………………………………………………………………Page 14


Mr. & Miss Unlimited Rules & Regulations

1. Contestants must be male and at least 18 years of age. You must be able to show proof of age.2. Judging will be scored using the standard USA Unlimited accumulative scoring system.

Accumulative scoring the entire contest Tie break will be determined by the highest main talent score

3. Contestants will be judged in the following categories: Interview – 40 points possible per judge Talent – 50 points possible per judge Solo Talent – 30 points possible per judge Swimwear (Mr.) or Evening Gown (Miss) – 30 points possible per judge

4. Talent presentation will be limited to six (6) minutes. Props are allowed during this competition. Talents over six (6) minutes will have administrative points deducted. There is a 1-minute prop set-up and breakdown time.

5. Any type of talent presentation is acceptable, except those that may cause injury to the audience or any other person. Music MUST be turned in on CD. You should have your talent number recorded as Track 1 of your CD, Solo Talent as Track 2, and your crowning number on Track 3 of the same CD. Do not use commercial CD’s or have other music on the submitted CD.

6. The use or dispensing of illegal drugs, including marijuana, will not be tolerated by a contestant, dancer, or dresser is participating in an Unlimited contest. Immediate disqualification will result for those that break this rule.

7. Any contest participant (contestant, dancer, dresser, helper, etc.) who is caught in the act of stealing or tampering with another person’s possessions or is an altercation with other contest participant(s) will be immediately disqualified and removed from the location.

8. No excessive glitter. NO fire, water, unwrapped straw (hay), or live animals may be used in any category in this competition.

9. Any contestant who has qualified to attend a USA Unlimited National Contest and fails to attend may not compete in any USA Unlimited contest preliminary for one full year without the permission of the USA Unlimited Board of Directors.

10. All contestants are required to stay at the host hotel unless pre-approved by the Board of Directors.11. Any contestant that is not at an appointed place at the appointed time will have administrative points

deducted.12. Violations of any rule or regulations will result in five (5) administrative points per infraction.13. The winner of the Official Mr. & Miss Unlimited Contest will be required to sign an exclusive

contract for the year of his reign. As part of this contract, the winner will have to obtain approval to compete for any other title during the reign. A copy will be available for review during the contest. Your application states that you have read the contract and you must sign the original before any awards will be paid to Mr. & Miss Unlimited.

14. USA Unlimited reserves the right to make any decision concerning any matter not covered by these rules and regulations.


Talent CompetitionTalent can be any type of presentation, as long as it does not create danger to the contestant or any other person. No fire, liquids, unwrapped hay, excessive glitter, or live animals are allowed. Talents are limited to SIX minutes in length (**any talent that exceeds 6 minutes will be stopped at the 6 minute mark in their talent and administrative points deducted). There are no restrictions to the number of people involved in the talent. Music must be recorded as Track 1 of a CD, do not use commercial CD’s or have any other music on the CD for talent. Music must be turned in at the scheduled talent rehearsal, where even if not rehearsing the music will be played to check length. Please always bring a back-up copy! Props are allowed and there is a 1 minute set-up and breakdown time that will be strictly enforced.

*Judging of talent will be 50 points per judge broken down into the following four (4) sub-categories: Entertainment Value Overall Quality of Production Costuming and Choreography Stage Presence

Talent can be solo or production number and the same sub-categories will be considered.

Talent MusicThe CD should only have your full length talent number recorded as Track 1, Solo Talent recorded as Track 2, Final Night talent number as Track 3, and your crowning number as Track 4 of the CD. Contestants will be asked to submit their properly labeled talent music for the national competition at REGISTRATION. *If contestant is repeating preliminary talent music for final night please add it twice as Track 1 and Track 3 for consistency purposes.

Tips for Talent Competition: Your talent can be ‘very good’ or ‘great’ but how will it compare to the others? Anticipate heavy

competition! Always remain THE STAR of any production number talent. Do not be upstaged by the back-up

or out-danced if you are doing the same routine as your back-up dancers. If you leave the stage for a costume change please keep this time as short as possible. Leaving for

2 minutes out of the 6 minute talent is not smart. Know your words! Practice the number multiple times and learn every word to your part. Do not

sing the back-up parts unless you are the back-up! If others in your talent are lip-syncing in any way you are responsible for their knowing those words as well.

If you have dancers it is important that they are fairly evenly matched in their skills and abilities. One amazing dancer out of four can ruin a talent just as easily as one terrible dancer.

If you are going to have lights, smoke, video, etc. practice getting this set-up and have a back-up plan in case something goes wrong during set-up.


Interview CompetitionThe judges’ panel will interview each contestant individually for up-to seven (7) minutes. The purpose of interview in the USA Unlimited system is to allow the judges some insight into the character of each contestant. During the interview the judges are afforded the opportunity to evaluate each contestant’s basic qualities, such as intelligence, ability to communicate, attitude, plan of action during their reign, etc. Interview is intended to be professional and suggested attire is professional business attire, although the contestant should ultimately wear what they feel comfortable wearing.

The judges will only notice that it is neat and clean. Judging of interview will allow up to 40 points awarded per judge.

Interview will be decided by considering the following sub-categories:(a) Content of Answer (b) Ability to Communicate (c) Personality (d) Overall Appearance

Tips for Interview Preparation: Remember to shake each judge’s hand upon entering the Interview. Most contestants also end the

interview this way as well. That one second personal connection is important. If the interview is 7 minutes, do not give a 4 ½ minute introduction. Practice what you want to

tell the judges and time it between 45 seconds to 1 minute. Tell them the preliminary you represent, given and stage name, where you live, where you perform, how long you have been performing / competing, and employment as time permits. The rest of the information will come out during the interview.

Answer the question! If asked to give negative aspects or qualities about yourself then give the judges an honest answer, BUT follow-up on how you are working towards improving the negatives. This is a way to answer the question and end up with a positive about your learning experiences. Not knowing your negative qualities indicate lack of growth; you cannot fix what you do not know is broken.

Do not pull your chair up to sit right on top of the judges’ table unless there is a good reason to do so (i.e. hearing problems). Most judges do not like when a contestant moves the seat, although you might get away without point deductions.

Speak clearly and remember to maintain eye contact with all judges, not just the one that asked you the question.

Have a clear understanding of what you plan to do with the title! How do you plan to promote the system in a positive way; what tools do you need; how will you garner interest in selling preliminaries and increasing contestant numbers.

Dress professionally and be clean. Wear clothes that fit and that you feel comfortable wearing. Make sure your nails are clean, your shoes are polished, and if you are wearing make-up it is not all over your clothes. Remember the lighting and how close you are to the judges.

PRACTICE! Hold mock interviews with friends in the industry and ask them for brutally honest feedback.


Solo Talent CompetitionSolo talent will showcase the contestants’ ability to entertain without the use of props or back-up dancers. Contestants will be judged on the same guidelines as the full-length talent presentation, with the same sub-categories. Talent can be any type of presentation, live or lip-sync, as long as it does not create danger to the contestant or any other persons. No fire, liquids, unwrapped hay, excessive glitter, or live animals are allowed. Solo talents must be a different musical selection from the full-length Talent presentation and should not be an abbreviated version of the full length Talent. The contestant may use the same ‘type’ of presentation for both talents (i.e. lip sync or live vocals), but the musical selection must be different.

*Solo Talents will not exceed 3 minutes* No dancers or any other person will be allowed to participate in your presentation. No props such as backdrops, furniture, or self-supporting items such as microphone stands will be allowed. Any microphone prop used must be hand-held and not discarded during the length of the solo talent presentation. Costuming is not considered a ‘prop’ so headdresses, rip-away costuming, and scarves, etc. are acceptable in Solo Talent but the contestant must remove all discarded items with them as they exit the stage.

Music must be recorded as Track 2 of a CD, do not use commercial CD’s or have any other music on the CD for talent. Please always bring a back-up copy!

Judging of talent will be 30 points per judge broken down into the following four (4) sub-categories:(a) Entertainment Value (b) Overall Quality of Production

(c) Costuming and Choreography (d) Stage Presence

Solo Talent MusicThe CD should only have your full length talent number recorded as Track 1, Solo Talent recorded as Track 2, Final Night talent number as Track 3, and your crowning number as Track 4 of the CD. Contestants will be asked to submit their properly labeled talent music for the national competition at REGISTRATION.

Tips for Solo Talent Competition: This is a 3-minute opportunity to show that you are a better entertainer than the other contestants.

Make sure it is entertaining and always anticipate heavy competition! Utilize the use of costuming in this category to give a strong visual presentation to make up for

the absence of back-up dancers and props. Reminder: No props! It is just you and the stage!! Know your words!! Practice the number multiple times and learn every word to your part. Find a solo talent that showcases your talents but that is also competitive.


Evening Gown Competition(Miss Unlimited Only)

The Evening Gown competition is the most elegant category of the competition. The gown should complement the figure of the contestant and be in perfect condition. The modeling should be slower and the judges are looking for a classy and sophisticated overall look. The gowns can be of any style or season, but must be full-length. Hair and accessories should complement the presentation of the evening gown. Please be sure that your gown is clean, wrinkle-free, and also free of strings and make-up stains. Jewelry should be used to accessorize and not over-power the gown presentation. Shoes should match and complement the gown. Shoes in this category should not be scuffed or worn at the toe or heels, and not seen to bow under the weight of the contestant.

Judging of Evening Gown will allow up to 30 points awarded per judge.Evening Gown will be decided by the following sub-categories:(a) Overall Appearance and Presentation (b) Fit / Length / Style

(c) Stage Presence & Modeling (d) Hair & Make-up / Accessories

Swimwear Competition(Mr. Unlimited Only)

The main requirement when preparing for this category is to wear a swimwear that is clean, fits, is a color or pattern that compliments your skin tone, and one in which you are confident in your modeling. USA Unlimited stresses that we are not judging your body type or fitness level, we are judging based on the fit/suitability of the swimwear, stage presence and modeling, and the overall presentation of the swimwear. Color and comfort will be a factor that you need to consider when selecting your swimwear.

The swimwear can be of any style or design that you choose, including a speedo, wet suit, box cut, brief cut, bikini cut, etc. As long as it is a swimwear it is acceptable to wear it. Please be sure that your swimwear is clean and free of strings, oil stains and make-up stains. Jewelry can be used to accessorize but nothing too big that will over power the swimwear. Keep in mind with modeling swimwear that the judges are looking for a confident and sophisticated overall look.

Judging of Swimwear will allow up to 30 points awarded per judge.Swimwear will be decided by considering numerous factors, including the following sub-

categories:

(a) Fit & Suitability (b) Stage Presence & Modeling (c) Overall Presentation


National Contest InformationThis is an open national contest system and the contestant may opt to walk-in or go through a

set-up preliminary contest. The benefits of going through a preliminary would be the additional financial support of a promoter

Host Club: Club Cabaret101 N. Center Street Hickory, NC 28601

Phone: 828-322-8103

Host Hotel: Red Roof Inn – 1184 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. SE, Hickory, NC 28602(828) 323-1500 Booking Code: B152Pagent

Weekend Passes: Dresser Passes available for $10 and Other Passes will be available at a reduced rate. Passes will be sold for cash at registration and at the host club door before the start of the contest.

Entry Fees: Walk-in Contestants: $100 at Registration or $75 if paid in full before June 3, 2016

Qualifying Preliminary Contestants: Your entry fee is prepaid by the promoter.

Pre-payments for the above fees (for Mr. & Miss Unlimited contest divisions only) will be made to the following:

Make Checks / Money Orders payable to: Luis Cid

PayPal: [email protected]

Mailed to: 711 Kensington Ave, Apt. 101 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

Cash only accepted at Registration on the day of the contest!

mailto:[email protected]


Mr. & Miss Unlimited – Contest Schedule Breakdown

Miss Unlimited 2016Friday July 1 & Saturday July 2, 2016

Preliminary Night(s): Contestants will compete in Solo Talent, Main Talent, Interview, and Evening Gown

Final Night:

The accumulative scoring top 10 or 12 will be announced and will compete in Evening Gown and Main Talent again. Contestants are allowed to change their Evening Gown and Talent

presentations.

Interview scores will carry over to the final night score and the final scoring will include these three categories to declare a winner.

Mr. Unlimited 2016Friday July 1 & Saturday July 2, 2016

Preliminary Night(s): Contestants will compete in Solo Talent, Main Talent, Interview, and Swimwear

Final Night:

The accumulative scoring top 10 or 12 will be announced and will compete in Swimwear and Main Talent again. Contestants are allowed to change their Swimwear and Talent presentations.

Interview scores will carry over to the final night score and the final scoring will include these three categories to declare a winner.


Scoring Breakdown by Category

Contestants will be judged using an accumulative scoring system specifically designed for these contests. At the end of the competition, immediately after crowning, each contestant will receive a packet with all of your individual score sheets and comments sheets along with a copy of the auditors scoring showing scores by judge and by contestant / category to assist in transparency and fairness. If you are not in the final night top group selected to compete for the title you will not get your packet until after crowning so please stay to receive this very important information.

The score sheets will be broken down using the following sub-categories:

Main Talent – 50 Points per judge Entertainment Value Overall Quality of Production Costuming and Choreography Stage Presence

Interview – 40 Points per judge Content of Answer Ability to Communicate Personality Overall Appearance

Solo Talent – 30 Points per judge Entertainment Value Overall Quality of Production Costuming and Choreography Stage Presence

Swimwear (Mr. Unlimited only) – 30 Points per judge Fit & Suitability Stage Presence & Modeling Overall Presentation

Evening Gown (Miss Unlimited only) – 30 Points per judge Fit / Length / Style Stage Presence & Modeling Overall Appearance and Presentation Hair & Make-up / Accessories

All contestants will compete in the above categories for their division and the top group competing on final night will be the collective preliminary top scoring contestants. The

Interview score will carry over to the final scores and the top scoring contestants will compete again in Main Talent and Swimwear (Mr.) or Evening Gown (Miss). Contestants are allowed to change what they present in these categories for final night. Solo Talent will solely be used as a

preliminary competition category and will not factor into the scoring on final night.


Administrative Deductions

Administrative points will be deducted from any contestant’s total score if an infraction occurs. Any violation of the Rules and Regulations, tardiness to registration or any indicated mandatory event or contestant check-in will be made by the national contest promoter in five (5) point increments, not to exceed twenty-five (25) points per infraction and not to exceed fifty (50) points in total deductions.

Tie Breaking

In the event of a tie in the total scores, the tie will be broken as follows. The contestant having the highest Main Talent score will be declared the winner of the tie. In the event a tie still exists, then the Interview score will be used, then Swimwear or Evening Gown. In the unlikely event that a tie still exists, the Board of Directors will choose who wins the tie.

Prizes & Awards

The national contest winners for Mr. & Miss Unlimited will receive the following prize package:

Prize Package for National 2016 WinnersWinner(s): Cash @ Crowning $600

Crown & Sash - Prize Value $400

Cash @ Give-up $500

Additional Cash Opportunity: $50 @ Give-up for each paid contestant over 20

Bookings @ Unlimited Prelims and Events

1st Alternate(s): Cash Prize $200

2nd Alternate(s): Cash Prize $100


USA Unlimited – Contestant Application

USA Unlimited Division: ________________________________________________

Please print legibly

Stage Name: __________________________________________________________

Title Representing: _____________________________________________________

Date of Birth: _________________________________________________________

Legal Name: __________________________________________________________

Home Address: ________________________________________________________

State: ___________ City: ____________________________________ Zip: ________

Email Address: ________________________________________________________

Facebook Name: _______________________________________________________

Room Number @ Host Hotel: ____________________________________________

My Talent will be: LIVE DANCING LIP SYNC OTHER

Explain Other: _________________________________________________________

Stage Lighting Requests: _________________________________________________

# of Back Up Dancers: ____________ Dresser Name: __________________________

By my signature below, I affirm that I have read the Rules & Regulations of USA Unlimited, hereafter referred to as the ‘contest’ and hereby agree and confirm to abide by these rules. I furthermore agree to release and hold harmless the agents, servants, and employees of the Contest from any liabilities and/or responsibilities what so ever resulting from, associated with, or arising out of my participation in the Contest, including but not limited to personal injury or loss or damage of personal property, regardless of whether the loss or injury occurs before, during, or after the Contest or any related activities. I also hereby release myself from rights to any videotaping (audio and/or video), photography, recording, still camera, or motion pictures related to the Contest. I understand that I do not have rights to any of the recordings that I appear in/on, or the future sale thereof. I hereby agree that my name, any photographs taken of me during the Contest is the sole property of the Contest.

Contestant Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: __________


Promoter Information

USA Unlimited is always looking for people to jump on board and become a promoter for the system. Being a promoter is a lot of hard work, but it's a very rewarding experience. As a promoter, you have the ability to help make someone's dream of becoming a national titleholder a reality. Also, you will become a member of the very closely knit USA Unlimited family.

The team at USA Unlimited is also committed to helping your goal of being a successful promoter in the system. We are filled with very capable and willing people that are eager to help out with whatever you need. And the titleholders in our divisions are ready to reach out and work with you to get the best contestants possible to compete. Whether you want to promote for one division, a couple, or quite a few of them, we are ready to welcome you on board!

The standard fees related to being a Promoter for Mr. & Miss Unlimited within USA Unlimited system are $150, plus the purchase of sashes and crowns (Miss only) for your winner(s), and the financial compensation of the current reigning national titleholder of the division that you are promoting. Special rates can be arranged for having a preliminary to both divisions.

Included in these fees are entry fees to the national pageant for the top 3 contestants that competed in your contest, free admission to all nights of the national contest for you and 1 guest, and a free ad in any USA Unlimited official national contest program.

If you are interested in purchasing or renewing a preliminary to any of our contests, please contact the following:

Cid Luis – Promoter for Mr. & Miss Unlimited 2016Facebook: Cid LuisEmail: [email protected] Phone: 336-692-0261

Faleasha Savage – Miss Unlimited 2015Facebook: Aaron SundbergEmail: [email protected] Phone: 402-216-1054

Devon Iman Dickerson Diamond – Mr. Unlimited 2015Facebook: Devon Iman Dickerson DiamondEmail: [email protected] Phone: 904-470-9601




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