Wow, you guys are really talented!  Like "why have I been working this hard when YOU could have been making all these digital props" talented.  After only a week long contest we received so many fantastic entries and suggestions.  Therefore, we've decided to give out a couple of prizes instead of just the one we promised.  Here we go!

FIRST PRIZE: VHS BOX ART AND NOVEL COVER BY DAVID CORNELIUS

David's two submissions capture everything we love about a digital prop by making it look like the series was created decades ago.  Reminds me of going to the local video store as a kid and walking down the rows of videos choosing what to rent based on the artwork alone.  Prize: Mercury Men Collector's Glass!

And as an honorable mention, the idea of creating VHS box art was submitted by Pat Casey, so we're sending you an autographed Mercury Men poster!

SECOND PRIZE: VIEWMASTER REELS SUGGESTED BY GLENN HARRISON

The contest was open to actual art submission AND suggestions, and Glenn's idea of Viewmaster reels is a fantastic one!  As a kid (BEFORE the internet), when you LOVED a movie, you would buy anything that would just give you another glimpse of it.  Movie magazines, picture books, stickers, and...Viewmaster reels.  Prize: an autographed Mercury Men poster!

THIRD PRIZE: ELECTRONIC LUMIERE BY CHARLES DAVID DENT

Who wouldn't want to own a toy version of Jack's trusted revolver?  Plus, since I'm the one who made the Mercury Men action figures, so I know first hand how difficult it is to make realistic looking bubble packaging in Photoshop :)  Prize: an autographed Mercury Men poster!

Another honorable mention to Darell Phillips who created a Lumiere of his own a few weeks before the contest started.  Prize: an autographed Mercury Men poster!

And a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who submitted artwork and suggestions.  You can see a gallery of submission over on our Facebook page.  And you may see your suggestion as a new digital prop soon ;)

Yesterday we announced a new contest on Facebook and Twitter: create a digital prop!  You can enter in two different ways: 1) Suggest an idea for a digital prop in the comments below or on Facebook.  2) Design your own digital prop and share a link in the comments below or on Facebook.

At least one winner (possibly more) will be selected to receive a Mercury Men Collector's Glass as a prize!  We will be accepting ideas/entries until 12:00 AM Sunday, August 21st.

For inspiration, remember to check out the digital props we've already created.  Typically they fall into one of two categories: items from the actual Mercury Men universe (blueprints, sketches, etc.) or fake retro merchandise (trading cards, action figures, etc.)  For those of you that choose to create a digital prop, we will be featuring your work here on the blog and on Facebook.

Good luck!  We're looking forward to seeing your ideas AND creations!

The digital prop above was created by Nat Mun.  (Click to view larger)

We love giving stuff away, so we're running another quick contest to do just that. All you have to do is tell us how you first discovered The Mercury Men, either in the comments section below, on Facebook, or Twitter. A few of you will be selected at random to win an autographed poster! It's that easy.

Announcing the winners of our Dialogue and League Member Name contests! The pair of winners will have their submission used in the season finale of The Mercury Men. All winners and runners-up get an autographed poster.

Thanks to everyone for entering. There will be PLENTY of more opportunities for you to contribute to the world of The Mercury Men.

Winning Line of Dialogue - "What were you expecting?" submitted by Havoc
While it's a relatively simple and straightforward line compared to some of the other entries, and we made a small adjustment to it on set (changed to "Is it what you were expecting?"), I really like Havoc's submission because it worked on multiple levels. Not only did it work in scene, it speaks to the viewer (Is the story heading in a direction you expected?), and it spoke to me as a creator (Was the experience what you expected?)

Winning League Member Name - "Patrick Glen" submitted by Matthew McLachlan
Nearly all the entries where a combination of real American astronaut names and after trying many of them on set, Matthew's submission fit the character the best.

Runner-Up League Member Name - "Joe Semar" submitted by Virtualbri
Great real world connection. Virtualbri's grandfather was an engineer during the Apollo 13 mission. We're hoping to use this name for a character in season 2.

Runner-Up League Member Name - Elliot Malgam submitted by Carol
For the incredibly IN DEPTH backstory to the character name.

We're adding a second contest to coincide with our dialogue entry contest. We've got a League character (the very one you've been contributing dialogue for in our contest), we need YOU to name him! Simply enter a name for our new space explorer in the comments below, on Twitter, or on Facebook. If your entry is selected you are now the proud parent of a character in The Mercury Men and the owner of an autographed poster. Make sure to include some sort of contact info along with your entry.

Here's some hints:
-As I've mentioned in the production journals, the League is based on American astronauts. Check out some of their names for inspiration.
-While this is a pulp series, we're steering clear of over-the-top names like Blake Jetsetter and Max Moonbeams.
-This League Member is younger and not as high ranking as Jack.

If you follow The Mercury Men on Twitter or Facebook, than you've probably heard that we're a few days away from filming an epilogue to close out the first volume of episodes. We've shared the evolution of our prop building and now we're sharing an opportunity for you to contribute.

Below is a section of the script. You'll find the very first line of dialogue is missing. We'd like you to come up with that line of dialogue. Should your line be selected, not only could you win a Mercury Men poster, but your line may be included in the final episode. Post your line in the comments below, on Twitter, or on Facebook. We understand that having not seen any episodes you'd be coming up with something completely out of context so we'll be commenting to let you know who's on the right track. Good luck and remember to leave some type of contact info in case you win!

INT. MERCURY LAUNCH COMPLEX

A DARK FIGURE enters, a silhouette in the large facility. The beam of his flashlight scours the dark room, scanning over dead and dusty equipment. An empty brain jar. A rocket diagram. Plans to the Gravity Engine. Old and bent photographs. Clearly this place has been abandoned for some time.

The figure, dressed in flight gear, carries a shoulder strapped oxygen unit which connects to his mask through a long tube. He turns and lifts his aviator goggles up onto his forehead. It is JACK YAEGER.

A quiet radio echoes throughout the large chamber, broadcasting Russian voices indecipherable to Jack.

Behind Jack, a second LEAGUE MEMBER arrives, also silhouetted.

LEAGUE MEMBER
Your dialogue here!

Jack turns towards him. The league member approaches.

LEAGUE MEMBER
Control signaled your landing. I
arrived just before you. Hell of a trip.

The pair shake hands.

LEAGUE MEMBER
I was assigned to Captain Spears
on the Mariner 10 project when
he discovered Mercury base.

You've seen our digital props, from trading cards to blueprints. Now's the chance to contribute or create one of your own!

Submit your idea for a Mercury Men digital prop and not only can you win a signed poster, your prop will be made and posted here on the Mercury-Atlas blog!

Do you have to be a crack at Photoshop to win this contest? Absolutely not. Just submit your idea for a prop in the comment section below, on our Facebook page, or on Twitter (mentioning @themercurymen). If you ARE a crack at Photoshop and would like to submit a picture of your idea, that's great too. If it's good enough we may just use it.

Ideas will be judged on originality, general coolness, and our ability to actually make it. The winners name will be included in the prop and it's story, making them a part of Mercury Men lore. It's even possible that the prop will appear in an episode!

For inspiration check out our other digital props, the trailer, and our photo gallery. Make sure along with your submission there's a way to contact you, either by email or Twitter.

Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!