Originally, I wanted to post a trancript, but after looking at it, you can pretty much tell who said what about whom, so change of plans...I have summarized everyone's comments and I'm trying to make them brief and to the point, so lets start!
In random order...
Catherine Divine
"Me sitting near the statue of Dwayna goddess of life, patrone of
all monks." - Catherine Divine
Judge 1: You talk about Dwayna in your explanation, yet I don't see Dwayna in your picture at all.
Judge 2: If you included Dwayna in your picture, maybe crop it like this...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../CatSample.jpg
It would've made a stronger statement. So other than the bulk of Dwayna being cropped from your picture, I think you had a fairly good shot.
Judge 3: I don't like it, like the others, you cut Dwayna out of your picture, but you said that was your main focus. And I think you failed as far as concept as well, Dwayna was a goddess for all campaigns, so it doesn't really set Prophecies apart from the other two campaigns does it?
Xo Katina Xo
"When you think of Tyria, you think of the ascending process. Anyone who has completed all of the missions in Tyria will remember ascending out of all of the missions. It is a big step in the story line, and can be very time consuming! Augury Rock is where the ascending process begins and ends. Katina has the Divine Fire on her, which allows you to gain access to go against your worst enemie; yourself. The screenshot shows Katina embracing the Divine Flames." - Xo Katina Xo
Judge 1: I can appreciate your picture as far as concept goes, but I think it fails in everything else. No face, no good.
Judge 2: I like your picture, the reasoning was good, and I liked how you arch yourself to get that effect in your picture. Although it is true that your face wasn't in the picture, sometimes I think it is ok for there to be no face. Especially when you're trying to advertise for something else...this reminds me of April's Steve Madden shot from ANTM cycle 2:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...cess/April.jpg
(link to April's Steve Madden shot for reference if interested in looking)
Her face wasn't showing in the picture either, but her body position and the shoes she was modeling were prominent in the shot. And I think the same can be said about your picture, your face wasn't in the shot, but I feel the explanation was good and the body position was nice as well for the effect!
Judge 3: I disagree, the concept fails for me, ascension technically occurs in Factions as well. So I don't think your concept was strong enough to make up for failure to show face.
Mortissia Faust
"In preparation to sending in my shot, I thought about the different lores that made a significant impact on Cantha. There were the Kurzicks and Luxons,and the Jade wind, but everything seemed to go back to the roots of the Canthan palace. Without the imperial sanctum and the people that lived in it, the corruption of Cantha would not have happened. On a more positive note, without the Imperial Sanctum and the Royal family, Cantha as a continent itself would not have been as diverse and wealthy as it is now.
In making up my decision that the Imperial Sanctum is one of the most important aspects of Cantha, I proceeded to take a photoshoot with Mortissia in the palace. She wore her own combination of Canthan armour and Imperial armour to show her loyalties to the Canthan empire and her duties as a Imperial Guard of Cantha, while maintaining a unique perspective by matching
her own armour." - Mortissia Faust
Judge 1: Not good, not bad. You talked about the "royal families", but I wasn't sure in what reference that was made in. I don't remember anyone royal but Danika or Emperor Kisu for factions, and really, none of them really shined in the story.
Judge 2: I do agree with the comment that the explanation was a bit odd, but I do like the fact that it was at least asian reminiscient. I think if you slapped the Guild Wars Factions logo on the top, and then right some of the features where the pot is...I think it could make a pretty good ad for the factions campaign.
Judge 3: I don't like the concept. The imperial aspect is strange as the others mention, and I feel the asian theme is too safe to rely on. That's not original in the least.
Jaden Stone
"Cantha is a province known for having some of the most beautiful landmarks and architecture in all of Tyria. From the Rising pagotas of the City to the tower trees of the Echovald forest to the pristine Jade Sea, there is an abundace of beauty. Some would say these places represent cantha better than any other location. So why have I chosen to take my photo elsewhere you may ask. Well, I wanted to show people the hidden treasures cantha has to offer. To whisk them away to somewhere strange and exotic, if only for a moment. I wanted to show them something more beautiful than all the models in this contest put together... A Canthan sunrise. To me, this is my Cantha." - Jaden Stone
Judge 1: Pretty picture, what it has to do with Faction, I haven't the slightest idea. While I can appreciate your reasoning, we were trying to look for something that stood out as Factions, I think you should've went with the obvious and then spruce it up rather than going so far off the deep end.
Judge 2: I think you really like your character's undergarments and that scenery. If i remember correctly, the application pictures you sent are really similar to this one. I think you should move away from that and show us a range of what you can do. Rather than relying on a single look.
Judge 3: I commend you on the picture, I like it, it shows that you were trying to think of something original rather than being safe.
Burnout Chic
"I think that Old Ascalon sky and scenery is the best to represent Tyria, since this is the begining of the story that we are all familiar with. Besides that what could be more Tyrian then Prince Rurik?? I never really understood the general hate towards him, he is not worse then any other ally NPC (Kormir is way worse IMHO)
Since acting is my elementalist's best tallent, i decided to show a touching love scene with Prince Rurik (she won't settle for anything less then a royalty ) before the begining of the battle." - Burnout Chic
Judge 1: We actually dq'ed applications because they sent us "promiscuous" pictures...so I think you're pushing the evelope a little bit. Not only that, but I don't think you showed your campaign too well either, it goes against the lore. Rurik was with Althea, even if she was dead...
Judge 2: I actually kinda like this, yes its not part of the actual lore, but if Guild Wars was ever made into a romantic movie, I think this could totally be used for the movie poster. And I don't think its fair to compare this picture with disqualified contestants who were showing their character kneeling before Mhenlo and co. lol
Judge 3: I'm half and half on this picture. Its original, but it doesn't show your campaign, so it kinda cancels each other out. eh.
I Only Protect You
"When brainstorming over what is unique to Tyria, I came up with two
things:
-The first Guild Wars, laying the first bricks to the saga, and
-The peaceful areas. In Cantha and Elona, panic and chaos are there in
almost every area. In Tyria ithat's definitely not the case.
Both points are illustrated by the Ascalon Settlement. It's a peaceful little town, fresh and young, and her inhabitants are building for a better future. Also, the town is in a different area (Kryta), then where the inhabitants come from (Ascalon). This reminds me of Guild Wars entering the online RPG world, it's very different that the rest. I chose for the Ascetic's armor, because I noticed the first place where you can craft scars, for both monk and necromancer, is in Kryta. Also because it's a typical Tyrian armor, nowhere in Cantha or Elona can you find pure scars armor. Then the pose. I chose for this one, because it's a calm and relaxed pose, just like the area. I just felt it fit the best. Not really much to add here." - I Only Protect You
Judge 1: I don't like it. I see Jane of the jungle, I don't see Prophecies. I can genuinely vouche that this was not a peaceful area, I've died here plenty of times trying to get to ToA.
Judge 2: I like it, it's kinda like you're showing the struggle that the Ascalonians had to make it to that area, they did escaped the Charr invasion, and they made it through the harsh Shiverpeaks...and they are trying to rebuild their lives here. I think it was a good attempt.
Judge 3: Eh. I guess it's somewhat original, but I don't think it proved a point. The picture doesn't strike me right off as Prophecies.
Perynne Walker
"I find that the unique, conflicting yet harmonious atmosphere of Factions really sets it apart from other Guild Wars games in a good way. There are conflicts everywhere that still somehow always come together to create something wonderful for the player to explore. While Shing Jea island is the epitome of a human structure built in harmony with it's surroundings, I still think the best place that displays the duality of Factions is right outside of Maatu Keep, where the overpopulated, derelict city clashes with the green hills.
While most of the city is run-down and dirty, the nature around it is blooming. After the claustrophobic areas of the city it is wonderful to be once more out in the sunshine, seeing a field of green grass and blue sky. Even the city looks beautiful and inviting from the outside, when seen from the sunshine. I decided to use Canthan armor to really bring out the good feeling with light colours, and it ended up blending wonderfully with the plantlife. I also posed Perynne to look like she's full of energy, revitalized after a long run through the dark corners of the city." - Perynne Walker
Judge 1: Very nice, one of the best pictures yet. The concept is a little iffy, but the picture is strong.
Judge 2: I love how the plants compliment your armor color. I like how you blend in, but the concept was weak. If I tagged the guild wars factions logo on it, it doesn't really work.
Judge 3: I think you blended in too much. Your armor makes you fade into the background, your face is lost with the building/mountain behind you. I don't think you stood out. You lost yourself in the background.
Raselle Deathblade
"This screenshot was taken in the place of Raselles birth, and upbringing. The shiverpeaks as a whole also represent her cold attitude, but hints at a dark past." - Raselle Deathblade
Judge 1: I think you kinda missed the boat on this one. We asked for you to show us Prophecies, but I think you were showing us more of your character's origin, versus your character's campaign.
Judge 2: I do agree with this being more of a personal story rather than showing us Prophecies. It was mentioned in the assignment that you should leave your rpg storyline aside and concentrate on your campaign.
Judge 3: It's an interesting shot no doubt, but it doesn't completely meet the idea, maybe it was just confusion that tripped you up.
Summer Newmentz
Judge 1: I suppose the "asian" aspect falls into play again, but I guess we won't know since there was no explanation at all.
Judge 2: Sometimes the picture speaks for itself...Again, it's not an original idea, but it does read Factions to me. I am a little uneasy that none of the required questions we're answered in your response though.
Judge 3: Agreed! Having none of our questions answered is a big no-no. Moving away from that, the asian theme isn't original, it's safe and rather bland to me.
Malefic Mistress
"Cantha is known for many things, But for anyone who has been here, they know and remember the city. Generally the city is filled with dark buildings, plain skys, and no scenery. After making it into this mission, I found that the city was much more than that. I wanted to show that hidden in the city was an area full of pink skies and blueish/purple toned buildings. I had Malefic stand in a pose that showed pride for coming from such a beautiful place." - Malefic Mistress
Judge 1: The scene looks nice. I guess it kinda translate to factions, as far as the urban area goes.
Judge 2: The idea was good, I also think the "shadey" area adds to your assination profession. It's a step up from the generic "asian" aspect...and that's coming from someone who's asian.
Judge 3: It's nice, it shows the city area, and if I'm correct, that's also the mission that counts for the Factions ascension process, so it's kinda like a two in one deal.
Naga Xaviera
"Anyone who has played the Prophecies Campaign will automatically recognize this area as the path to the mesa at Skyward reach, which leads the characters on the path to ascension. I think that it serves an important part of the campaign in that it represents the strenghtening of the heros by achieving ascension and earning the blessings of the tyrian gods. The armor chosen is a mix of Tyrian studded leather and obsidian, both of which are obtained after ascension. I think the stepping stones symbolize the start of the high level content in Tyria, so I chose a shot that overlooked them." - Naga Xaviera
Judge 1: I liked how you stood up on the platform to show a more interesting angle on the ascension monument.
Judge 2: I love the scene, it's very pretty, and I liked your positioning. I only wished you kept your shadow in it, because I actually thought your shadow in the picture was pretty. It definitely reminds me of Jessica Alba in Dark Angel, how she would stand on buildings looking down and stuff.
Judge 3: This picture makes for a good landscape portraight, you don't stand out very much. I think you should've sat down on that pillar and then pose, that way, more of you would've been shown and I think you could've fit in the necessary landscape.
Aure Fatali
Judge 1: No picture, no nothing. gg.
Judge 2: I'm extremely devastated, because we overlooked a lot of well deserved applicants to put you in it, and I feel like having you in the contest was wasted space. Whether you had personal problems or something going on, I'm just so upset, cause we sent out letters asking you whether or not you wanted to participate and you said you did. So I'm just a little discouraged about that.
Judge 3: It's a shame really...but the competition must go on. I thought you had one of the best applications, talking about how you style your character and the various armor she would wear for what occassion. It's sad.
Those were shortened evaluations rewritten and condensed by myself after rereading our chat transcript. And here is everyone's score and ranking...
Catherine Divine: 03 09 03 = 15
Xo Katina Xo: 07 08 02 = 17
Mortissia Faust: 09 12 10 = 31
Jaden Stone: 08 03 12 = 23
Burnout Chic: 02 11 07 = 20
I Only Protect You: 05 04 06 = 15
Perynne Walker: 12 06 04 = 22
Raselle Deathblade: 06 02 11 = 19
Summer Newmentz:04 05 05 = 14
Malefic Mistress: 11 10 09 = 30
Naga Xaviera: 10 07 08 = 25
Aure Fatali: 01 01 01 = 03
Malefic Mistress and Mortissia Faust have the highest scores, and they are up for Model of the Week, winning best picture of the week can have great benefits as you may choose one of two special prizes...
1. An in game prize which will vary from week to week.
or
2. A special contest prize which will also vary from week to week...and this week, it's adding three points to your score for the next round. Which could essentially save you from elimination or even carry you to best picture.
And that leaves Aure Fatali and Summer Newmentz with the lowest scores, putting them in bottom two with one being eliminated from this competition.
The winner of Model of the Week and the eliminated contestant will be announced tomorrow, as well as the next Photoshoot Assignment at this rate, but that's ok, more time for you guys to get your photoshoots together is good.
Congratulations to everyone who is safe in this round!
