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At last! DVICE's Make a Cylon Contest winners, selected by Tricia Helfer and Grace Park
When the fourth and final season of Battlestar Galactica began back in the spring, we asked you to design your own Cylons. We didn’t mind if you created centurions, raiders, skin jobs or something new entirely. Well, did we ever get what we asked for — fans from all over the country sent in everything from Cylon dogs to life-size cardboard centurions. Now it’s (finally!) time to award the best of the best.
And who better to choose what makes a good Cylon than two people who’ve lived the experience? Battlestar's’s Tricia Helfer and Grace Park (Cylon numbers Six and Eight, for those keeping track) looked at each and every entry sent in and came up with a list of their Top 10 favorites.
No more waiting. See all the winning entries after the Continue jump. Jump!
Grand Prize Winner: No Toast Today! by Kurt Hartmann
Beyond just creating a impressive miniature of a Cylon, Kurt added that extra bit of panache with his presentation that put him over the top. As top winner, Kurt gets a boatload of Battlestar swag, some choice DVICE gadgets, a MAKE Year One box set, and will have his creation featured on the SCI FI Channel. Congratulations, Kurt!
First Runner-up: Boomer by Mike Overstreet
Mike's robot, called "Boomer," actually looks nothing like the eponymous Cylon from the series, but it still has some sweet moves. Mike also wins some SCI FI swag and a MAKE Year One box set. Great work, Mike!
Second Runner-up: Michael Eklund
Michael E. converted two toy robots to Cylons by modifying their heads to sport that distinctive oscillating red LED. Michael wins some Battlestar DVDs and a MAKE Year One box set. Nice one, Michael!
The rest of the Top 10 winners will receive a free subscription to SCI FI magazine and and a MAKE Year One box set. Not to mention our undying gratitude.
4th Place: Corey Miller
Corey outdid himself in creating this classic centurion costume.
5th Place: "GiftProto"
Speaking of classic centurions, here's a nicely made facsimile of the classic helmet.
6th Place: Don Fluitt
Don's model captures the robotic nature of the Cylons.
7th Place: Roy Wasson Valle
These Cylon lawn ornaments will certainly get the neighbors' attention! Check out the full gallery on Flickr.
8th Place: Rob Hendrix and Mark Marquez (above)
Lego Cylons never looked so good.
9th Place: Peter Sahm
More classic centurion fun — the gallery of this helmet on Flickr has tips on building your own.
10th Place: Erin Kennedy
This paper Cylon is always ready to dance.
That should do it! Congratulations to all the winners — your prizes are on the way. And stay tuned for more contests on DVICE… we loved what you guys had to offer, and we’re hungry for more!
Before you go, check out a big, motherfrakin’ gallery below with the Cylons we received that didn't quite make the cut, but we liked anyway. Grin knowingly at the clever ones, stare gape-mouthed in shock at the bizarre ones, and remember why you love the Internet so much. Just one thing: You'll need to scroll back down to the gallery after you click on each thumbnail. We know it's annoying, but it's the way it's gotta be. Okay? Okay. Video entries are below the photos. Enjoy!
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By Cynthia at 8:21 PM ON 08/13/08
Oh my Gods!
By Spork at 6:43 AM ON 08/14/08
Wow. Given the level of sophistication on display here, I wish I'd entered my popsicle stick, paper mache, and aluminum foil masterpiece. I'd have surely won.
I might not have escaped the indignity of posting my own glamour man-shots and waving my fingers over a laptop keyboard, however. That might have been too tempting to resist. I don't think I could stare meaningfully at a kitchen appliance, though. I just don't have the acting chops for such dramatic tension.
By the way, did I see the winning entry in Scream, or Scary Movie?
By RobJordan at 8:07 AM ON 08/14/08
WOW! I am amazed at HOW LAME the judges were! This is why we shouldn't have ACTORS as judges! The 1st guy was an ACTION FIGURE PAINTED UP! How the heck does that beat 4th places REAL CYLON? You suck!
By SporkDeux at 10:46 AM ON 08/14/08
Agreed, this contest is utter BS. No one with any actual creativity won. At least some people MADE their crap instead of repainting other stuff. I disagree with the popsicle and foil guy though, you wouldnt have won a dang thing because you actually MADE your cylon. However, I should have taken a picture of my Hasbro and Kubrik cylons sitting on my kitchen counter. Then I would have won. I should have entered, dang!
By Tom Servo at 4:50 PM ON 08/14/08
Congrats to the winners! First, kudo’s to Scifi and Device for coming up with a great idea for a contest. Second, I have to say the execution was not very well planned. The contest ended 2 months ago (June 13 2008) and we just now (August 13 2008) found out who the winners are. Third, some of the winners were not the best entries. I followed this contest from day one and some of the entries were really great and a lot of thought went into them. It is shame they were passed over. Maybe next time.
By Cylon Unicorn at 5:56 PM ON 08/14/08
Hey, it's no big deal. I entered the contest and while the results are a bit disappointing to me I am glad to participate. It's a free contest with prizes. Nothing to be upset at. I hope there are more such contests in the future.
By DelosWorld at 6:09 PM ON 08/14/08
I was impressed by the wide diversity of the entries. Obviously people of many talents and different ages entered. I don't think it makes much sense to be complaining about the judging or contest. It may have made more sense to split the contest into different categories and/or age groups but all the contestants knew the rules going into this thing.
I look forward to there being more contests down the line. Maybe future contests could include categories for or be centered around art (including computer generated art) categories since it might attract more contestants. Prizes probably aren't necessary either since this all comes down to just having some good sci-fi fun!
By Fumo Santo at 6:19 PM ON 08/14/08
Whereas I'm not the biggest Battlestar fan, I can say when a contest is geared to those die-hard fans of the show, one would expect not only a higher level of judging, but to do so in a timely manner.
By looking at the listed entries it's obvious how much creative thinking went into those creations; especially those that didn't win (c'mon someone built a Cylon Crow!! How cool is that?).
Are we to believe that a painted action figure sitting in a toaster is how you honor your fan base? Is a robot that clearly has nothing to do with the show (as stated by the description under the first runner up) really deserving of 2nd place?
I'm truly puzzled by the awarded winners and am left feeling cheated by not only returning to dvice.com month after month since the contest ended to discover who the winners are, but to find this is the selection your fans must live with.
Possibly a more democratic solution is in order. Why not put the entries to a vote for those who read your site on a daily basis? By doing so, we'll clearly determine who the fan favorites are, and will be able to celebrate who is most deserving of those chosen.
Best of the best? I think not. Next time around, do what's right.
By GalacticMyth at 10:16 PM ON 08/14/08
I loved this contest and hope you do more of them. I had so much fun shooting my mini cylon movie that I will always remember this contest because I have it on film. I didn't win and I'm NOT disappointed in anyway it was truly just GSG fan fun! Thank you Trisha, and Grace for taking the time out of your busy schedules to judge this voluntarily.
From, GalacticMyth the Cylon Dog Film maker.
By CardboardCylon at 11:26 PM ON 08/14/08
Two of the winners aren't even cylons, they could have at least slapped on the LED eye kit. Cylon Crow should have won something, it's hard enough to build a regular one.
By antihuman at 9:17 AM ON 08/17/08
@the guy who put an LED light on the mustang...nightrider contest That way------>
By Lightwolfe at 1:38 AM ON 08/19/08
Really? That simple Xevoz bash won first place? I suggest the judges play with more toys. Geesh.
By LEGO Cylon at 8:52 AM ON 08/19/08
How will the winners be notified?
By Brickmodder at 8:57 AM ON 08/19/08
Too bad they didn't show the last LEGO Cylon we entered into the contest. It was by far the best of the three we entered. At least #2 got recognition. Question: How and when will the winners be notified?
By ajax at 2:39 AM ON 08/20/08
frakin' amazin'! first visit, wow!
By darklighter1 at 10:24 AM ON 08/21/08
Hold on! Was someone disparaging the judges?!!? None shall survive that put down the glorious Eight Grace Park (who's really a Ten). By her command!
By Anaxamenes at 3:10 PM ON 08/21/08
I think they did a great job picking out winners. Sometimes judges have to look at the overall creativity and thought behind the pieces, and less with the execution. Since this contest was presumably open to everyone, how can you really judge someone who is an adult and has a machine shop background to someone who is in middle school? Those are hard choices for a judge in an all encompassing contest. I think perhaps many of you haven't given the judges enough credit for being fair to everyone regardless of their modeling or electronics skills.
By spacemaggot at 12:55 AM ON 09/04/08
curses. had i only entered my cylon themed condoms.
By AnthonyRC at 7:59 PM ON 09/06/08
Here's a suggestion. Having the actors judge is pretty cool, but having the fans dissapointed w/ their choices, not so much.
How about this for a process for future such contests:
1. Announcement of competition
2. Submissions
3. Fans vote for top 10
4. Actors order the top 10
The actors are very busy and don't have the depth of experience as the fans. This way the top 10 are great ones, and the actors only have to pick from the fan favorites saving them time too.
Everybody wins.
By Roboman at 3:23 PM ON 09/27/08
I know I know! I should have made Boomer my robot look more like a Cylon. I just was too busy getting Boomer ready for Robogames and the 1st Hitec Cup! I agree with Darklighter1 Grace Park is a 10 not a 8!
By mrcy at 1:56 AM ON 10/23/08
Wow I got 2nd runner up,Thanks Grace and Tricia,You are my favorite cylons!The DVD box set and the autographs were awesome!Would have been nice to meet you in person with the grand prize but thanks again!
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mrcy:
Wow I got 2nd runner up,Thanks Grace and Tricia,You are my favorite cylons!The DVD box set and the autographs were ...More »