PotW Forum Report October 30, 2008

[Gaius Baltar]

Picture of the Week Forum Competitions Report
October 30, 2008

After a few PMs from the ES staff several months ago, I became motivated to write down a few notes about the Picture of the Week (PotW) and UnEdited Screenshot of the Week (UESW) competitions. Unfortunately time passed and my write-up of the PotW forum material lapsed in relativity somewhat. I have restructured the material for release. It seems like a good time for an update, within a background of the recent management changes.

There are some interesting events now occurring in the PotW forum, so let’s review.

We have had some amazing contests recently, with epic screens being submitted by a stable of hardcore artists here at TWC. A case in point would be the controversial PotW 113 contest, eventually decided by a thrilling Sudden Death tie-breaker vote (eventually won by Giovi). The original contest was stopped after an indication of voting irregularity. In response, we now have public votes that tells you who has voted and for whom. The PotW has obviously progressed from an easy-going contest to a highly competitive event. Medals are now asigned for performance. On that note, we have had four Bronze Medal winners since the initiation of the new medal system earlier this year.

Let’s take a look at their work.

Toboe

Toboe has been dominating in PotW contests this year. He earned the first ever Bronze Medal on May 13, 2008. Known for his dark, intense edits, he has captured the imagination of the PotW community like no other since the legendary Crypel. His early performance was so dominating I received a few PMs begging for a alternate contest for the less-able contestants. In part because of his performance several threads have been established to teach editing techniques to the less experienced members. And without a doubt these threads have contributed the the marked increase in quality seen in the PotW contest. Toboe has therefore literally set the bar higher.

Since the establishment of the medal system, Toboe has registered eight wins, just one shy of the coveted PotW Silver Medal. In his most recent win, PotW 118, he displayed an ability to switch gears from the darker, epic edits to a classic scene from the rusichi TW mod.

Toboe’s Winning Screens

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

PotW 91

EB1 Mod, BC234


PotW 93

E P I C A L




PotW 94

Winter Tales




PotW 95

Gloomy days

PotW 98

Blood the Last Knight




PotW 110




PotW 111




PotW 118

Toboe maintains a thread in the PotW forum.
G L O R I A (Picture & Movie)

B.Ward

Are second Bronze Medal winner was B.Ward, formally known as bdotward. He earned his medal on August 5, 2008. In his three wins, he shown a talent for framing his shots for Crusader soldiers within an epic, timeless background. Since then, we have lost him to the clutches of the administration. Until he finishes with his moderating duties, CDeC work, etc. we will anxiously await a triumphant return!

B.Ward’s Winning Screens

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

PotW 106 Winner

PotW 102 Winner

PotW 97 Winner
The Crusaders Have Arrived

MarcelP

MarcelP, earned his Bronze Medal on September 16, 2008. His four wins were demonstrated the flexibility of the RTW series. MarcelP combined shots of Carthaginian and Roman soldiers in battle with intense backgrounds. MarcelP continues to be a regular in the forum, contributing to both the PotW and UESW contests.

MarcelP’s Winning Screens

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

PotW 114

Bloody Winter

PotW 112
.The Punic Wars.

PotW 107
S.P.Q.R

PotW 105
The Battle

MarcelP updates his thread regularly
Marcel's Gallery, "The Raiders"

Giovi

Giovi, are most recent PotW Bronze Medal winner, has created several epic shots of Roman legions, much like MarcelP. He had adopted well to the coming of the gunpowder age, as can be seen in his last few victories. Giovi's style has changed, and now we can see the dark intense scenes that contrast with his early, open style. Giovi has added to his win total, second only to Toboe, and appears to be headed for the a next level of competition.

Giovi’s Winning Screens

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

PotW 109
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PotW 113
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PotW 115

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Giovi maintains a thread in the PotW forum
Giovi's Gallery

The UESW

The UnEdited Screenshot of the Week (UESW) contest, founded by Garnier, has always been popular mainstay in the forum. In this competition members post unedited screenshots (only cropping is allowed). The strategy here is to have a unique viewpoint, catch a particularly interesting battle scene, such as a deathblow, or a nicely framed shot against a backdrop of sky, for example. Currently wins in the UESW do not count towards the medals, but I am considering suggesting changes to add this contest to the PotW Medal system.

One of my favorites, from UESW 25, submitted by mollsomg

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In our current contest, UESW 32, the is voting is deadlocked going into the final hours. Members MADTAO and davide.cool seem headed for a tiebreaker. Great submissions by both, but there can only be one winner. Head for the PotW forum to check out these results.

Future Plans

In the near future I intend to introduce a proposal to add the UESW to the PotW Medal system. The level of competition in the UESW is very high, and we have a good cross-over of contestants from one contest to the other. It is very difficult to win these contests, and the PotW Medal is the most coveted here at TWC. These changes will enhance the competition and add to the level of competitiveness.

I exchanged PMs with Scorch, who footed the idea of having a "Picture of the Week Year End Finale". Plans are in the works but we should expect this contest to occur somewhere around the Thanksgiving to Christmas Holiday season. Top contestants would be invited to submit a screenshot. More info as this becomes available.

Any comments or suggestions - PM PotW Manager - Gaius Baltar

[Torque]

Great wrap-up of the latest events of PoTW, nicely done, GB +rep.

TWC is blessed to have some very talented and skilled graphical artists, who entertain and enchant us week by week + a fine manager, who continues the thankless work of his predecessors.

This forum is one of the most splendid and unique features of TWC, but the best feature is the PoTW community which is very friendly and helpful. Here, everyone gets at least a little tip, suggestion, constructive criticism. Even just a kind word "Hey, this is great pic, mate, keep up the good work!" can be very pleasing and encouraging.

If you consider that the creation of a PoTW winning picture can take several hours, then you should applaud our medalists with me: Toboe, B. Ward, MarcelP, Giovi for their hard work and contribution.



PS the screenshot of the year is a great idea!

[Nakharar]

nice one, i think you should do two things for potw of the year, one is just potw of the year, another one is a competition where judges decide who wins rounds, groups, knockouts and the final

[Worm]

Top contestants would be invited to submit a screenshot.

Are these the ones with a medal or those who allways end up in the top 3 every week?

Great wrap-up btw, + rep

[Giovi]

great job Gaius+rep

[davide.cool]

congrats to everybody

[Gaius Baltar]

Updated MarcelP's info with his win in PotW 114. Thanks for the support - GB

[Halvar von Flake]

Yes, very nice work! Do you need +rep for your 12th crown...?

[Augustus Lucifer]

I'd argue that there are other more coveted medals than the POTW. But then again that's subjective .

Nice wrap-up Gaius. I personally think we need to find a way to expand POTW to comedy. Competitions are dangerously void of laughs right now. Technically you could win POTW or AAR competitions on a funny shot, but chances are the dramatic ones are going to trump it, kind of like the Oscars. Comedy /= UESW though. Anyways, just one man's opinion.

[molls]

Yah to Augur Lucky Ferine, funny/experimental shots have a hard time at PotW which is rather sad.

[Gaius Baltar]

Originally Posted by mollsomg

Yah to Augur Lucky Ferine, funny/experimental shots have a hard time at PotW which is rather sad.

Argent Usher won several times with a humerous edit many months ago, but you are right, generally comics dont fare well in the contest.

Check out this archived thread which shows several winning comic/funny screens.
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=109888

[johncage]

what mod is that in potw 110 and 111?

[Gaius Baltar]

Originally Posted by johncage

what mod is that in potw 110 and 111?

I think thats the AOR Mod for Stainless Steel.

[Pepi]

wow there are great artists in this potw

[Garnier]

Don't make the UESW have any connection with medals.

[molls]

Originally Posted by Garnier

Don't make the UESW have any connection with medals.

Yea,
OR
as it is kinda trendy to design new medals, just announce a contest to design UESW medals, just don't mix em with the PotW .

[Garnier]

Originally Posted by mollsomg

Yea,
OR
as it is kinda trendy to design new medals, just announce a contest to design UESW medals, just don't mix em with the PotW .

I'd rather not have any medal for UESW. The point of the contest is to share our best pictures, not so much to get rewards.