The Dinosaur Diorama Contest 2012 - [now closed]

[DinoToyForum]

As announced on the Dinosaur Toy Blog here: http://www.dinotoyblog.com/2012/04/07/the-dinosaur-diorama-contest-2012-now-open/




I'm pleased to announce The Dinosaur Diorama Contest 2012, sponsored by Dan's Dinosaurs , is now open! For several reasons there was no contest in 2011, but now, we're back for 2012! And we have prizes again!

The rules and regulations for the 2012 contest are as follows:

-Entry is free.

-All members of The Dinosaur Toy Forum, including staff, are invited to participate. Non-members wishing to participate are invited to register to the forum, this is free.

-There are no categories. Dioramas have to be about prehistoric organisms (from archaeobacteria to Pteranodon, but it doesn't matter so long as it is prehistoric!).

-The deadline for entries is July 14th 2012. (Entries received after 00.00 hours GMT July 14th will be invalid.)

-One diorama entry per member.

-Entries must be accompanied by a creative title.

-If you have entered a diorama, you can't send in another one to replace the first one.

-Dioramas have to be new (never published on the web before) and you must have produced the diorama yourself. Stealing somebody else's diorama will result in disqualification.

-Photoshop is allowed, but the original photograph(s) must be your own.

-Entries will remain anonymous until the winners are announced.

-Entries should be submitted as a .jpg file, no smaller than 800px wide.

-Entries should be sent via email as an attachment to [email protected]. The email title should read as follows: "diorama contest - [forum username]", and the email body should include the diorama title.

-Winners will be selected through a two-stage process. A shortlist will be decided by a poll open to all Dinosaur Toy Forum members. The shortlist will then be passed to a panel of three judges, who will select first, second, and third place winners.

- The panel consists of a professional palaeoartist, a palaeontologist, and an all-round palaeontologist/author/collector:

Dr Darren Naish. Darren is a palaeontologist and science writer who has authored several books on dinosaurs. He runs the Tetrapod Zoology blog, and is a fellow dinosaur toy enthusiast.

Bob Nicholls. Bob is a professional palaeoartist who has produced beautiful dinosaur artwork for countless publications and exhibitions. See his work on Palaeocreations.

Dr Dave Hone. Dave is a palaeontologist who specialises on dinosaurs and pterosaurs. He also runs the Archosaur Musings blog, and is the driving force behind Ask a Biologist.

-Prizes. Prizes, kindly provided by Dan's Dinosaurs , will be awarded to first, second and third place winners. In addition to a personalized banner, the prizes will be as follows:

1st Place Prize
First place prize is an appropriate 'trophy'! This Tyrannosaurus rex skull replica by DinoStoreus:



In addition, the first place winner will get first choice from one of the following three figures: either the running Papo Tyrannosaurus rex, the new Carnegie Carnotaurus, or the new Carnegie Miragaia.

2nd Place Prize
Second place prize is second choice from the three figures listed above.

3rd Place Prize
Third place prize is third choice from the three figures listed above - i.e. whatever figure hasn't been chosen by the other winners.

[DinoToyForum]

I've purposefully held out from revealing the identity of the judges - I thought it might make for a bit of fun to keep people guessing for a week or two  

[stoneage]

   How many dioramas will make the short list?  Will we see how many votes each diorama got?  Why do we need judges if the members vote, since know one knows what dioramas belongs to which people?  Are the judges able to enter the contest?

[DinoToyForum]

  How many dioramas will make the short list?  Will we see how many votes each diorama got?  Why do we need judges if the members vote, since know one knows what dioramas belongs to which people?  Are the judges able to enter the contest?

Thanks for the questions 
1. I'm thinking 10 entries will make the shortlist, but I haven't decided for certain as I may change my mind depending on how many entries there are.
2. I haven't decided whether the number of votes each diorama gets will be disclosed.  It won't make a difference to the final result as the judges will have the final say, so I'm thinking probably not.
3. The judges are mainly there to make the process a little different, but also to add a little extra credibility to the contest, and to reduce the risk of possible poll rigging.
4. The judges are unable to enter.

[Gwangi]

I've been looking forward to this since I first joined two years ago! The prizes are fantastic and I love that we have so much time to do it, my brain is already coming up with ideas. Thanks!

[Libraraptor]

A new DIORAMA CONTEST at last!
I really was sad that we didn´t have one last year! Although I do not plan to contribute, I´m really really looking forward to seeing all the creative output!

[ihatefeathers144]

Can any type of figure be used? (Toy, model kit)

[DinoToyForum]

Can any type of figure be used? (Toy, model kit)

Yes, any figure. And not just commercially available figures: customised figures and home-made models are also welcome. 

[Tylosaurus]

As this contest goes I'd like to wish everyone all the best, thereby you all shall have my greatest of respects

[ZoPteryx]

How exciting!  I can't wait to get started!

[DinoFan45]

Yes! It's back, and better than ever! So, just a question, would anything extinct count, or anything 10,000 years or older? Just want to make sure what I have in mind is within the limits.

[DinoToyForum]

Yes! It's back, and better than ever! So, just a question, would anything extinct count, or anything 10,000 years or older? Just want to make sure what I have in mind is within the limits.

Anything prehistoric, in the broadest sense of the word, would count. 10,000 years BP would make a reasonable cut-off point. In geological terms, this corresponds roughly to the end of the Pleistocene Epoch. 

[DinoFan45]

Thanks, it's really helpful for what I plan to do.

[Takama]

Does the cretures have to be in from the same time period and location?

[DinoToyForum]

Does the cretures have to be in from the same time period and location?

That's up to you. Although I'm sure most voters (and the judges) will take scientific accuracy into account when making their decisions.

[Yutyrannus]

  I've already got an idea in mind.

[Bokisaurus]

Its great to see the contest back! Looking forward to it, should be a good one with all the new talents!

[DinoToyForum]

So, no suggestions on who the judges might be?  Shall I reveal all? 

[Gwangi]

So, no suggestions on who the judges might be?  Shall I reveal all? 

No and yes! 

[Tyrannosaurid lover]

Can I be judge?
mm this looks interesting