2010 Custom Sonic Screwdriver Contest -- Vote Here!!!
- Thread starter Montagar
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Not mine either. I agree vote again. :lol
You know, looking at the votes, and the entries, I really thing it comes down to the taste of the voter, more then it does to the talent of the maker. There are some pieces, that are very, very, nice, and clearly required a ton of hard work, but have got almost no votes. I know there has to be a clear winner, but I really do love most of the entries, for one reason, or another. I really think some of them should have got a lot more votes.
It may not look very Doctor Who-ish, but I absolutely love 32.
I just have to wonder, if we called this something else, if different entries would have got the votes. For instance, if we called it a "Sonic, that doesn't look like a Doctor who sonic contest", or a "new directions, out side the box, sonic contest", or a " Sonic inspired by something other then doctor who contest" or a "What would your sonic screwdriver look like, if you were the doctor contest"etc, etc, etc. Would the same folk get the same votes, or whould there be a different winnner.
I am in no way complaining about this contest, at all. I'm just saying that I really do thing it's try that "your focus determents your reality." (your "truth" depends on your point of view.)
And I have to admit, by those standards I wouldn't vote for mine either.
protokev DMD
Sr Member
im kinda right there with you. It might be my type A personality, but im kinda disappointed in how i fared.
fuelish
Sr Member
Don't be. I am pretty sure I recieved no votes and I am cool with that. A comp is a comp, you do what you can and see how it goes.
I thought out how a sonic might work and built mine based on those ideas. It is a crafted piece and based on the design ideas or how it was built would rate pretty well. But, this is a prop community and the apearance of an item counts for a bunch. Looking at it from a fan standpoint I would not have voted for mine(I would not have voted for mine after seeing a couple of the others in any event)
Tallest Jawa
Active Member
I'm sorry to shirk my responsibilities as a forum member, but I find that I am not able to vote for a winner. There are just too many good ones. I can't decide on just one. And every time I think I know the one I like, I look again and change my mind. Sometimes I like the ones that have what I think of as a REAL Dr. Who look. But sometimes I like the 50/50 ones. You know, half Dr. Who half Star Trek or whatever. And, normally I dislike steampunk, but the one place I think it really belongs is Dr. Who, so maybe those are best. I just don't know.
And every time I think I know the one I like, I look again and change my mind. Sometimes I like the ones that have what I think of as a REAL Dr. Who look. But sometimes I like the 50/50 ones. You know, half Dr. Who half Star Trek or whatever. And, normally I dislike steampunk, but the one place I think it really belongs is Dr. Who, so maybe those are best. I just don't know.
Shylaah
Sr Member
Just my 2cents worth, not ranting, not raving, not hyperventilating, just saying......
Well, that's how I interpreted the "no replicas" in the contest rules, that it was to be "a 'Sonic, that doesn't look like a Doctor who sonic contest'". And by the very name of the contest "Custom Sonic Screwdriver Contest" that it was to be "What would your sonic screwdriver look like, if you were the doctor contest"
And a couple of thoughts on the pictures of the entries.......
Several were being held in a hand, and I'm just assuming they were being held by the builder?? I don't know how many others in the contest were female, but I being one, if I had held mine, it would have been kinda obvious it was a female hand and thus smearing some of the anonymity we were suppose to be maintaining......and also per the "presentations", I think next contest there should not be any artsy presentations, I think it should be a cappella, bare naked sonics (or whatever item), just the item on a plain background as fancy advertisement-esque presentations have a power to sway and because it was a sonic screwdriver build contest and not a graphic arts contest.
I'm sure I'm in the NoVotes Club, not surprising me at all considering my methods, means and materials, but I did get a couple of mentions, and that there make me happy enough! Really it does. And really it was a lot of fun, and really I'm ready to build another! Thanks again, The Next Doctor for putting this all together.
Shylaah
Well, that's how I interpreted the "no replicas" in the contest rules, that it was to be "a 'Sonic, that doesn't look like a Doctor who sonic contest'". And by the very name of the contest "Custom Sonic Screwdriver Contest" that it was to be "What would your sonic screwdriver look like, if you were the doctor contest"
And as I said, I thought it wasn't suppose to look quite like any of the screen used Sonics, but yeah, after the voting started, you could see quite obviously most people were voting for the ones that looked like what they were most familiar with, the ones that did look like one from one of the Doctor's.
And a couple of thoughts on the pictures of the entries.......
Several were being held in a hand, and I'm just assuming they were being held by the builder?? I don't know how many others in the contest were female, but I being one, if I had held mine, it would have been kinda obvious it was a female hand and thus smearing some of the anonymity we were suppose to be maintaining......and also per the "presentations", I think next contest there should not be any artsy presentations, I think it should be a cappella, bare naked sonics (or whatever item), just the item on a plain background as fancy advertisement-esque presentations have a power to sway and because it was a sonic screwdriver build contest and not a graphic arts contest.
I'm sure I'm in the NoVotes Club, not surprising me at all considering my methods, means and materials, but I did get a couple of mentions, and that there make me happy enough! Really it does. And really it was a lot of fun, and really I'm ready to build another! Thanks again, The Next Doctor for putting this all together.
Shylaah
It's funny you should say that. I was in a lightsaber contest here years ago, and in my mind, the winners saber was by no means the best (not saying my ways by any means) But his pictures were fantastic. I have no doubt he won because of his simple, clean, professional looking photos. That's what inspired me to do the same for this contest, but in the end it got me nothing. :lol (well a couple of votes, but not many.) I do agree that it is part of it, but not as much as I hoped.
I may not have gave very good examples of alternate tittles, but I do still think if folks had to look at each of these from another perspective, they would have voted differently. I mean, it was in the rules that Machining was allowed, but it was encouraged that the majority be "found parts". Some look that way, wall others look very, very, machined. There is one that I immediately thought "that is a Dalak sonic screwdriver." 3 other people I know, said the same thing, with no coxing from me. So, if this was a dalak-centric forum, with mostly Dalak fans, that one might have won. There were a lot of very lightsaber looking entries, if we called it a "star wars inspired sonic contest" one of them may have won. Again, I'm just saying....... This contest was very, very, far, well thought out, and based on the name of the contest, and the style of entries, and the rules for voting, I have no doubt, that our clear winner, deserves his (or her) position in this contest. I am in no way being a soar looser, or complaining that I lost.
Though, sure, I would have liked to have won, after seeing the other entries, I knew that wasn't going to happen, but I thought for sure it would have been #32, because of it's exhalent construction, unusual style, and ability to look "different' without looking like a lightsaber. But , hay, that's just me, and no I am not #32. I'm number...........OOPs not yet.
MacMantis
Active Member
Hm... I'll be commenting on this post in... about 24hrs. Cause what I want to reply with would probably give away the identity of my SS.
I agree. I thought the point was to showcase the sonic, I was going to put something background in the photo that would have shown what theme I was going for but I thought that would be cheating so my sonic is on a very plain background (tried to make it nice though). No votes and no mentions I will admit I'm quite disappointed.
I also noticed that the sonics that look most similar to existing ones get more votes. It's a shame as I think there's a lot more creative ones that aren't going to win any prizes because of the fact that they are so unique. After the stroke of midnight here I'll post which one was mine and what my theme was and then it'll be obvious what I was going to put in the background. I'll bet if I had done it I'd have a vote or two to be honest!
This was still a fun contest though, I knew I wouldn't win and the sonics that will win are very well made no question.
protokev DMD
Sr Member
i agree with the first point, it should have just been sonics only.
The second one i disagree. This was about "our" sonics. If those happen to play off of the old then so be it. as long as they arent exact they are still custom. Just because they are creative doesnt mean they are good. Take the new daleks for example. They are definitely creative.
The second one i disagree. This was about "our" sonics. If those happen to play off of the old then so be it. as long as they arent exact they are still custom. Just because they are creative doesnt mean they are good. Take the new daleks for example. They are definitely creative.
Wow, there's a lot of talent in these entries! I love the different shapes and especially the textures at work in many of the sonics.
I'm going back and forth between a few that really stand out to me...if I posted again it could easily be another number. These sonics look great. :thumbsup
My vote is for number 17.
I'm going back and forth between a few that really stand out to me...if I posted again it could easily be another number. These sonics look great. :thumbsup
My vote is for number 17.
Mercury
Sr Member
This contest was my idea back when The Next Doctor posted a custom build he did. I had planned on running it but let TND take it over when I decided to enter. Due to circumstances I wasn't able to finish my entry though.
Shylaah, I'm not singling you out, it's just you bring to light what I feel a lot of people are thinking. In other words, I feel a lot of people are not totally happy with the results.
1st, the no replica rule was exactly that. A replica is to replicate an exact copy of an existing sonic. Meaning no scratch built Tennant, Smith, Baker, etc screwdrivers. It had to be an original design. There was no restriction on anything else so it could be Dr. Who like or not. Your choice.
2nd, the atmosphere of the photo has always been an open book. In all previous contests it has varied but more than one had added tools, futuristic backgrounds to simulate a Jedi's workstation as he built his saber. (in the case of saber contests). I can vouch for at least one that had a great pic & saber but didn't win IIRC.
Another one.
But there were more that just posted regular pics of their entries. Sure it's cool and sets the mood but only works if the framed build is the most popular design. In other words if it was a plain maglight in the center, fancy background or not, it wouldn't win.
The idea of this contest, like all previous ones, was to have fun and make a cool build. I know for a lot of folks, this was their 1st one, and I understand how hard it is to not win. Personally, I have never won one of these contests, but I always had fun and admired the winners. I also always said to myself "why didn't I do that". For now, looking forward, don't hesitate to ask any questions that might affect your future entries in other contests.
Shylaah, I'm not singling you out, it's just you bring to light what I feel a lot of people are thinking. In other words, I feel a lot of people are not totally happy with the results.
1st, the no replica rule was exactly that. A replica is to replicate an exact copy of an existing sonic. Meaning no scratch built Tennant, Smith, Baker, etc screwdrivers. It had to be an original design. There was no restriction on anything else so it could be Dr. Who like or not. Your choice.
2nd, the atmosphere of the photo has always been an open book. In all previous contests it has varied but more than one had added tools, futuristic backgrounds to simulate a Jedi's workstation as he built his saber. (in the case of saber contests). I can vouch for at least one that had a great pic & saber but didn't win IIRC.
Another one.
But there were more that just posted regular pics of their entries. Sure it's cool and sets the mood but only works if the framed build is the most popular design. In other words if it was a plain maglight in the center, fancy background or not, it wouldn't win.
The idea of this contest, like all previous ones, was to have fun and make a cool build. I know for a lot of folks, this was their 1st one, and I understand how hard it is to not win. Personally, I have never won one of these contests, but I always had fun and admired the winners. I also always said to myself "why didn't I do that". For now, looking forward, don't hesitate to ask any questions that might affect your future entries in other contests.
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Midnight tonight.
Shylaah
Sr Member
Thanks for singling me out, Mercury
Well, I'm not dissatisified with the contest or how the voting that has been posted has gone. When voting is public as opposed to a juried contest, you're gonna get the people's choice. People vote for what they like, rules are for the contestants, they mean nothing to the voters. All I am trying to convey is that *I* personally would wish for the NEXT contest is a little clearer guidelines for entrants, and plain presentations. This has been a great first outing and yes, next time, I'll ask LOTS of questions.......
In this image you posted, as with some of the sonics posted, I can't even see the forest for the trees--which may just be a personal problem, IDK
Shylaah
Well, I'm not dissatisified with the contest or how the voting that has been posted has gone. When voting is public as opposed to a juried contest, you're gonna get the people's choice. People vote for what they like, rules are for the contestants, they mean nothing to the voters. All I am trying to convey is that *I* personally would wish for the NEXT contest is a little clearer guidelines for entrants, and plain presentations. This has been a great first outing and yes, next time, I'll ask LOTS of questions.......
In this image you posted, as with some of the sonics posted, I can't even see the forest for the trees--which may just be a personal problem, IDK
Shylaah
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