The Sector70 Headmaster Challenge Discussion Thread!

Now that we've got the next Sector70.com challenge under way, you can talk about things related to Headmasters, contest rules, deadlines, etc.  here.

Remember that no WIP photos or specific intentions of what you plan on creating should be discussed here. We want to keep the entries anonymous for voting reasons and to keep things exciting. Seeing tons of cool customs submitted all at once with no prior knowledge of exactly what to expect will be cool.

The guidelines to this contest are:
 
1) Entry can be either a canon Headmaster from any generation, or a brand new character.  to help contestants with reference refer here: http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Category:Headmasters
2) The head must fully attach to the body, and not simply rest there with the help of gravity.  Magnets, minicon posts, E-combiner posts, powerlinx doohickeys, straight up peg/holes, so long as it's not just resting there.
3) The head must transform into a tiny robot.  It does not have to be humanoid in shape, just as long as it doesn't just stay a head. 
4) All contestants must be active members with 15 posts. 
5) Entry figure must be new to the internet - it cannot have been seen or posted anywhere else prior to the contest.  This is to preserve the contestant's anonymity until voting is over.  No WIP threads either, but feel free to take WIP pics for after the contest.  The Bottom Line - your project is TOP SECRET :)
6) Deadline is March 22nd, 2010.
7) REVOKED
8) There may be only one "Bulk" per entry.  Multiple large bots with smaller bots for heads cannot be entered as one entry.  This rule limits simply the amount of large robots per entry to one. 
 
Is there anything else that we need to put in these guidelines?  I think that's it, but if i've missed something, let me know.  
Prizes to be decided later, but before the deadline.    I'd say two months is more than enough time to put one of these together.  that's accounting for the inevitable extension the harder contests seem to get.  I'd really like to see entries in by March 1st. 
 
So even though it's not January 1st yet, to be a strict two months until the deadline, I thought i'd be nice and give you a ... head start.
 
(ducks tomatoes)
ENTERING YOUR... ENTRY:
 

• You must have at least 10 pics of your entry for the community to be able to properly rate its merits. 
• You may have more than 10 pics.   
• Please make sure to anonymize your pics - a one-color background that doesn't look like your normal pic settings.  You can tape printer paper to the inside of a box and make a makeshift lightbox, for example.  No Watermarks, or anything identifying the artist.
• Name the pics in the order you'd like them seen - Entry1, Entry2, Entry3, etc.  ("Entry" can be the name of your character)
• Bios are welcome for all entries, but are required if your entry is a fan character, or a canon character that was previously non-HM (for instance, Headmaster Cliffjumper)

Entries for the Headmaster Challenge can be sent to:
admin@sector70.com
maximoprime@sector70.com
zizi@sector70.com
 
This contest will be run a little differently than the previous contests, in terms of determining the winner.  Previously, you would simply pick your favorite.  Without extra commentary, this would provide little to no feedback - either people liked yours the best, or they didn't. 
 
This time, instead of picking their favorite, the community will rate each entry on four categories.  The categories are:
 

• PAINTJOB - This is rating both the colorscheme chosen, and the execution of the paintjob.  For canon characters - is the paintjob accurate/modernized to the character being entered?  For fan characters - does it look good?  Also, execution will be rated.  How well was the paint scheme applied?  Is it clean?  are there smudges? etc.   To ace this category, both factors must be excellent.
• MOD EXECUTION - This rates how well any mods were performed to bring the figure to life.  Was it a hack job?  Does it look factory?  Somewhere in the middle?
• KNOW YOUR HEADMASTER - For canon characters, how well did you represent the character?  When people look at it, will they say "that's undoubtedly Headmaster ____"?  For newly-HM canon characters and for fan characters, this is where the bios come into play.  How well can you get us to identify with your Headmaster?  Get a feel for his/her backstory?
• HEADMASTER GIMMICK - lastly, how well was the HM gimmick applied.  Is the headbot held on by twist ties?  does it plug in?  does it look natural?  (as natural as another bot being your head can look)

The ratings will be gathered up, and the top rating entries (1st, 2nd, 3rd) will be the winners.  there will also be other winners - best in each category.  So your entry could end up being 1st, 2nd, 3rd, overall, or tops in one of the categories listed above. 
 
Prizes to be decided later. 
 
The way you will rate the entries - enter the gallery, and look through the pictures in the order they are submitted.  when you reach the end of the pictures, there will be four more "pics" - telling you which category you're about to vote on.  Below these pics only, will be the ratings stars you are familiar with.  go through each one, and rate each category!
 
Questions as always can be directed to me, publicly in this thread, or to my email.
 
Best of luck, and the current deadline is March 1st, 2010!!
 
Maximo Prime    
JANUARY 14TH UPDATE
New goodies for your entries. 
 
For those of you who might feel like 20 pics is not enough - for instance, you may want front/side/back pics of your headmaster partner in bot mode, head mode, the transtector the same, them together, alt mode, various angles, etc...
 
You will be allowed to use photo-editing software to place multiple pics together as one pic.  I suggest it only be used for the small stuff, like the headbot.   Bear in mind that the more images in one pic, the smaller each of these images will be.  Viewers will most likely want to view the pics fullscreen.  No other photoshopping may be allowed.  We can spot it, and your entry will be disqualified. 
 
Also -
 
If you would like little text to point out features of your entry, kinda like the back of a TF card that points out its weapons and stuff like that, that too will be allowed.  Please make your text LEGIBILE.  If your background is white, use black, bold, plain font text.  and not superbold like impact or whatever.  if your background is black, use white.  No crazy colors please, no crazy fonts.  they only hurt our eyes and your chances.   the point of the text is to point out stuff, not look cool in and of itself. 
 
Use this opportunity to point out features that might otherwise go unnoticed, or indistinguishable.  Or if you feel it's unnecessary, don't use it at all! :)
 
 

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

Throws tomatoe. Damn he ducked.

Good to see the contest started. I'm starting my holidays tommorow and I think learning how to attach a head would be a good project. Cheers and good luck everyone!!!

'Product shown in fantasy situation' 

I am interested in this challenge, can i make a team instead of one robot?

 

a team of headmasters?  You can enter as many entries as you like.

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

LK you're gonna have to post more to qualify dude ;) this is a community contest, keep that in mind :D

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

Phew! I was just about to start ranting in the other thread before i realized that was just a smaller side contest.

I have mine already started. The little head is the only thing that's bugging me.

Also, can we attach the head via Magnets? Or would that be considered 'letting it rest there with gravity'?

First to finish his Headmaster entry!

ZiZi


LK you're gonna have to post more to qualify dude ;) this is a community contest, keep that in mind :D

Sure. 15 post is reasonable.

Maximo Prime


a team of headmasters?  You can enter as many entries as you like.

 
Each robot counts as one individual, could it be possible to count a team as one entry?

 

Just to be sure, there's no size restrictions correct?

It isn't enough time for advanced project. More time please.

oh here we go again...

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

L_K:  I think that has been allowed before, let me check with the rest of staff to see what the verdict on that was. 

Cybermnky - there is no size limit whatsoever.  I'm envisioning a TF version of those Russian dolls where you break off the top and a smaller version is in there, you break off that top and a smaller version is in there, etc... :) 

Treadshot A1: Magnets are a-ok.  I'll put that in the rules.  Basically anything that would allow your figure to do a kegstand is ok.  but it can't be like putting a coffee mug on a shelf.  you flip the shelf, the mug goes flying. 

dr arkeville: while it's not written in stone, for now the deadline is March 1st.  Since you're worried about time, why not pick a large figure that has lots of room for where the head goes in alt mode, and just work on the headmaster?  You could say that this is that character as a Headmaster - this would mean you could leave the big robot as is. 

I'm trying to think of an outlandish choice - Ok, take Cybertron Optimus Prime.  All you'd have to do is get a tiny robot that can contort to fit in the cavity Prime's head goes in.  Put Prime's face on the robot somehow, and create some sort of attachment - minicon ports, magnets, energon powerlinx bits, E-combiner pegs, etc.  Other than taking care of that, you'd leave the rest of the Optimus Prime figure *as is*.  I mean, that's the money shot for this contest isn't it?  Not so much the big figure, but the little one and how it attaches.  I think two months is enough to do that.  any longer and there is no fire under our butts, and the motivation slips away.  Zizi will attest to that. 

For now, the deadline is March 1st, 2010.      
 
oh and, as simply a matter of perspective - even 10 minutes a night is 10 hours of time between now and the deadline. 

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

i wanted to enter at least 3 repaints in the last contest but i put it all away til the last minute. i only finished 1. so yeah the default deadline stays. ;)

let's save more time when we start running a heavy scratchbuild contest. 

remember the best policy in anything is finishing something within a deadline. it's not a matter of how diffucult the undertaking can be but a matter of how flexible you make your plans to fit it.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

ZiZi

let's save more time when we start running a heavy scratchbuild contest. 

In some cases it will be heavy scratchbuild. But OK.

but that's just it isn't it? the reason people join in contests is to compete against others, as not only is it a battle against others it's also a battle against time.


 we may provide lee-way to the contestants as crunchtime nears the horizon but don't consider a deadline as your enemy, but turn it into your ally.  


who knows? you might come out with something better within the time limit that what you could have done in a longer span. 

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

i agree - nothing motivates like a deadline.  plus it's awesome, i'll turn to my wife and be like 'ok, i'm going down to do some bashing - look the deadline is Sunday, i have to have it finished!"  end of story :)  She's cool like that. 

And for the record, there's a lot of scratchbuilt stuff in mine.  maybe not ABSOLUTE scratch, but it's one of the most difficult pieces i've ever worked on.  and i will be done before March 1st. 

on a side note, i was mentioning to a friend how hard this piece was (someone not involved in TFs at all), and how it was the most difficult, yadda yadda, and he's like "wow that sucks."



how could one of the greatest challenges i've ever had to face in kitbashing, a fun hobby, suck?  weirdo.

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

So Headmasters won......gotta get something going for this one (had a few ideas so far, but nothing set in stone).

I would say stick with Voyager or larger. I wouldn't use a deluxe or smaller. but no rule against it.

I am going to say that ANY minicon can be retrofitted into a Head master. I may do a tutorial on the subject just to show you guys, I have the head I want to use for an Apeface but I don't have the body picked out, nor will i have the $ to get it before this contest. 

I am also stating this, I have shown quite a few people my Fortmax , he will not be entered for this, even though he is a head master with a headmaster. I feel too many have seen it. But I already have my entry planned at least ;) 

So are you the grand pubah of this Stu? in case someone has direct questions not to give out which is theres? I had to ask spurt a few things last time around, that would have given it all away.

@AM: Ask Stu. I already sent him one of miy questions, and he's keeping my entry a secret. :)

Wow, so many people are needingv more time? We already set like, two months for this one. Meh. Unless my online bidding goes horribly wrong, i'll be done before the end of January.

I think it would be quite a challenge to use something smaller, like a scout or deluxe. It'd really be pushing the boundaries of Headmasters.

First to finish his Headmaster entry!

Yup, all "secret" questions can come to me!

No size restriction, we'll let common sense dictate that one.

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

hmmmm...... i guess i have to do some posting now that i know there's no size restriction.
another quick question,what if something was shown in bits and pieces 2 years ago on another site but was never finished/revisited and never actually posted as completed?is it still usable/enterable??

I really need to get my posts up if i wanna enter.  Also need a dremel and an airbrushing kit. 

I need to post more as well, Cause I SOOOOOOO wanna do one.

Aww crap, Chans is in. This just got a little harder. ;P

'Product shown in fantasy situation' 

chansformers


hmmmm...... i guess i have to do some posting now that i know there's no size restriction.
another quick question,what if something was shown in bits and pieces 2 years ago on another site but was never finished/revisited and never actually posted as completed?is it still usable/enterable??

probably as long as nobody remembers seeing it, or if that thread does not get revived or anything it might be cool. for the meantime though you probably should take down the images if you intend to join so nobody (except those with exceptional photographic memory) can copy what you did. :)


hope that helps. 

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

Do we have a list of the names of the Headmasters? This going to be awesome! I'm hyped up with this contest. Just need to squeeze time for it.

blacklion29


Do we have a list of the names of the Headmasters? This going to be awesome! I'm hyped up with this contest. Just need to squeeze time for it.

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Category:Headmasters


there's a comprehensive list there and as a future reference for everyone i'll put it on the first post. :)

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

Oh crap. Chans and X23 are joining in. This just got harder. A lot harder. :(

First to finish his Headmaster entry!

this contest did get harder, let's see what happens with it, i'm going to try to be in both contests

Oh I am so in,I have a few entries in mind,might even have the supplies already in parts bin,now to get started!

I'll send in my entry this afternoon once i take some decent pics. With a backstory included.

[sarcasm] Yes, you heard right, folks! All those who want more time: Shame on you! I finished within the first week, well, in exactly 5 day's time if you count the last two days of last year... [/sarcasm]

^Sorry, couldn't resist.

First to finish his Headmaster entry!

that's the spirit man! haha gives you time to make more :)

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

What are the rules for stickers, faction only or can we make decals too?

'Product shown in fantasy situation' 

im sad now i had to make this account and now go thru and do 15 post just so i can do this yay i hope i can finish mine in time

bloodangel


im sad now i had to make this account and now go thru and do 15 post just so i can do this yay i hope i can finish mine in time

You should't feel sad about needing to create a simple account and accumulate 15 posts in order to participate in the contest. You should want to share your work, whether it's for a contest or not. Also, every contest has a set of rules to follow, here at S70 or elsewhere. With that said, please feel free to post for fun and share your work. We enjoy seeing new members who are willing to have fun and participate not only in contests, but in the other site aspects and also sharing the artwork they do.

Welcome to Sector70! Hope we see you around more.

okay that just really riled me up, but i won't say anything and  i sincerely hope you at least genuinely want to join this community and not just the contest. have fun! :) 

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

i'll get right back to you about decals.     

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

bloodangel


im sad now i had to make this account and now go thru and do 15 post just so i can do this yay i hope i can finish mine in time

heh, find five scratch build threads, five repaint threads, and four general discussion threads to drop a line in, and you're in :)

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

ZiZi


okay that just really riled me up, but i won't say anything and  i sincerely hope you at least genuinely want to join this community and not just the contest. have fun! :) 

no i have been coming here for some time now to help me with my stuff but never joined up dont know why i . i have wanted to  i am on other sites like this one trying to learn as much as i can

check new guideline - sorry for it being late.  HM bot must stow somewhere on the alt mode.  Not necessarily the driver's seat, but somewhere.  please read the first post for details.     

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

bloodangel


im sad now i had to make this account and now go thru and do 15 post just so i can do this yay i hope i can finish mine in time

I hear you man... but I've taken the opportunity to go through and compliment the builds I've admired. Helps you become a more ative member I guess...

exactly...      

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

bloodangel


im sad now i had to make this account and now go thru and do 15 post just so i can do this yay i hope i can finish mine in time

15 posts is easy, just search through the customs, post on ones you like, show off yours, within 20 mins max you have the post count

Maximo Prime


check new guideline - sorry for it being late.  HM bot must stow somewhere on the alt mode.  Not necessarily the driver's seat, but somewhere.  please read the first post for details.     

Oh slag.

I already sent mine in, and this new guideline changes everything. Guess you guys have one less competitor; i simply don't have enough time to make another one. :(

BTW, guidelines 4 and 6 are pretty similar to one another. Might wanna get rid of one.

First to finish his Headmaster entry!

Maximo Prime


check new guideline - sorry for it being late.  HM bot must stow somewhere on the alt mode.  Not necessarily the driver's seat, but somewhere.  please read the first post for details.     

Le Gasp!

does this mean beastwars styled headmasters need to put a saddle on the body?

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

Well this new guideline puts me out of the contest,better luck next time then.

well dam now i have to come up with something new i was going to try a unicron one but it a;; good ill just try thinking new

Acch!!  I take it back.  If this rule is going to knock people out of an already challenging contest, i will revoke it.

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

well that good cuz im still thinking on how to do mine

the announcement at the main page i made might've confused ya cuz i said bot not alt, so let me rephrase:

The tiny robots that form the head are not REQUIRED to stow somewhere in the alt mode. 
It'd be dang cool if it did, but if you're working on say, a Scout class figure and there's no room to stow a head, we'd still like you to enter your figure.

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

i still want to try the stowage idea though, it might be fun 

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

My figure certainly supports it, i'm doing it.  I still think it's a great idea.  It's part of what makes a Headmaster a Headmaster.   But what factory HMs have over us is their bodies were designed in the first place to accommodate a justifiably larger noggin in their alt mode. 

To those of you whose headbots are not able to be stowed - try to get creative about where it ends up.  who knows, maybe a bot that small could turn into something else as well...  in the end it's just bonus.

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

triplechanging headmaster robot perhaps?

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

So no word on decals yet?

'Product shown in fantasy situation' 

racerguy76


So no word on decals yet?

 I say yes, it's not like the repaint contest, Stu?

any way you wish to decorate the Headmaster Challenge entry is a-ok by me. 

 

Tune in to Furious Radio! I DJ Tuesdays and Fridays 6p-8p. All times Eastern.

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake.
 

GREAT!

Picks up box labeld "Bells and Whistles"

'Product shown in fantasy situation' 

hi there guys. I was informed about this from eisen and he had requested me to take part. But since I have nothing in terms of post count, I'll try to rake them up. :D :D

TCracker


hi there guys. I was informed about this from eisen and he had requested me to take part. But since I have nothing in terms of post count, I'll try to rake them up. :D :D

 you've got 6 already! yays

the more the merrier dude! ;) 

A hobby so dependent on creativity and free-thinking should not be pigeonholed into canon for canon's sake. 
~Maximo Prime

ZiZi


triplechanging headmaster robot perhaps?

lolz! how bout a triplechanging targetmaster headmaster powermaster??(i kid)