Whats new in my world

In case some people have scanned the photo gallery I have a section dedicated to screen used items, rare, or production related to the original show. These are items that sold on eBay, and or Profiles in History. This is a catalog of things used mostly to the filming of the 1978-1980 series. A few rare item like a 1 of a kind Mattel Battlestar Galactica model have been posted also. This will give people an idea of the value of some of these things. Price ranges from $49.00 all the way up to $55,000.00 I am sure as time passes these items will continue to climb in price. Hope these archives of things past help you in selecting a purchase price for your screen used prop.

This is a repost and updated interview with Dave from May 2006
Dale

Q…..Where you a fan of the original show before you did

the drawing of the Cylon concepts.

A…..Yes! Actually I was in 7th grade when the show was

first on. I remember drawing Cylons and Galactica

space fights with ball point pen on the pages of my loose

-leaf notebook. I had a Cylon drawing I was really proud

of and had hanging on my bedroom wall for months. I

religiously watched every episode and even built all the

old model kits. It was just after Star Wars had changed

most of us Sci Fi fans lives forever and up until then the

only really cool space show was old Star Trek. Galactica

added fuel to the flames.

I grew up in New York and a year after the series was

canceled we took a vacation to Los Angeles. Universal

Studios had the BattleStar Galactica element on the

tour…I remember asking my family to ride the whole tour

again, just to see the Galactica part again.

Q…..Where you hired by the DeSanto/Singer production

crew to do these drawing?

A…..No, I was hired by Vincent Guastini. I had been

working with Greg Ramoundos owner of Krell Wonders on a

project unrelated to Battlestar Galactica. Vincent had

recently started the process of relocating from New Jersey

to L.A. and was sharing Greg’s workspace at the time as a

temporary shop. I knew nothing of the Galactica project.

Vincent had put up a huge black curtain in the workshop

and all I knew was something special was going on behind

it.

As I was working with Greg, Vinnie got to know me and then

asked if I could help on his secret project. I flipped out

learning it was for the Singer Galactica project.

Q…..Did you have anything to do with the life sized bust

build up that Global Effects made?

A…..Nothing. At the time Vincent Guastini was working on

his concepts, it was known other effects houses were doing

their own to get the contract, but I did not do any design

work for anyone besides Vincent.

Q…..Was the chromed look of the Cylon out of the picture

at all, or did you have anything to do with the finished

look of the Cylon.

A…..Vincent’s Cylon was always to be chromed. As a

matter of fact, that’s what lead me to start working on

the Galactica project. Vinnie was doing all the work on

spec and in short time. He had his Cylon bust chromed but

it had a few imperfections like peeling or bubbling in

small but noticeable spots. He could not afford to recast

and trouble shoot the bust, re-chroming it over and over

again till it was perfect as he normally could and would.

I was doing some faux finishing on the project I mentioned

earlier and Vinnie wondered if I could fix the problem

chrome areas with paint.

At first I tried sanding, filling with bond and trying to

match the chrome with paint but it was impossible to make

look perfect.

Vincent and I decided the best thing was to hide the

problem areas giving the Cylon an aged and battle scarred

look. I added some rust and oily grime and it not only

fixed the problems but I think really was the best way to

go even if the chroming was perfect in the first place. I

think it gave the bust character and a realistic vibe.

Q…..Was this a fun project?

A…..Way too much fun. I actually drove Vincent crazy I

think because everyday I would shove new concept sketches

in his face that I drew at home the night before. At one

point I put the old Galactica theme on the boom box and

blasted it in the shop. Everyone laughed and I think all

got a rush seeing all the work with the music going.

Vincent and everyone working on it were huge fans and this

was a dream project all hoped to be involved in. It was a

very thrilling period of creativity for me I will never

forget.

Q…..Have you rethink any of the work you did after the

production was shut down, that you have drawn since then?

A…..That’s a good question. I’ve seen new concepts and

designs in my mind’s eye but have not taken pencil to

paper. Once the DeSanto/Singer version faded away my

Galactica sketching did too. Looking back, I liked where

a few of my designs were going and would of loved to play

with and

expand.

I love the final Global Effects Cylon. Dyas is an amazing

designer and I stand in awe of him.

Q…..What other work have you done that has been used in

a filmed production?

A…..My main day to day work is Television as an art

director and production designer for many of the “how to”

and “decorating” shows on HGTV, Discovery Channel and D.

I. Y. Network. I am also a children’s book illustrator

and custom props maker. I’ve designed sets, made props and

worked on many shows for the Sci Fi Channel, History

Channel, NBC, Nickelodeon and TLC as well.

I’ve done some creature design illustrating for Vincent

Guastini beyond Galactica and designed his ever expanding

display room in his studio.

Q…..Did you do any concept work for the new series?

A….. No, nothing.

I love the new Sci Fi series and the redesign of all the

ships. I must admit though, I think the “c.g.” Cylons are

lacking. Even though they have less than a cameo

appearance at times…I like the “man in a suit” feel. I

really wish robot Cylons were back. I think the human

Cylon element great, but for me, nothing beats an army of

robotic things holding weapons coming to kill you like the

old series.

I also miss the Egyptian design influences. I thought that

was a clever yet never fully expanded on element from the

old series that gave a connection to Earth. I remember

hoping Galactica 1980 would get into that….were we not

all sad as Galactica fans watching that thankfully short

series?

Q…..Anything that you would like to add?

A…..I just want to thank you and thanks to all the

Galactica fans out there that my small and minor

contribution to the history of Galactica is enjoyed. I’ve

seen a couple of people using my “gladiator” Cylon and

Imperious Leader drawings as their icons on a few

Galactica discussion boards. That is fun!

Silly I know, but it means, I hope, that person really

liked what I drew enough to represent themselves.

That’s pretty cool.

Q…..Comment….On that note since this original interview

I have tried sculpting myself, my first project isn’t
finished. Some set backs that I’ll get back to later, but
currently I am working on making your and Vinnie’s
CenturionCylon. We have talked about this project and I
have received many comments about the work from you,
Vinnie, and other fans of your work. I hope to finish this soon.

A…..It’s looking good. I love it just for the effort your making. I feel strange if I’m not creating, building or making anything during the week. I always try to find an idea for myself to do just for the love of creating. Glad some of my work has inspired you.

 

Q…..The new series brought back the original Cylons for

the Razor episode. What did you think of the Cylon Richard

Livingston designed from the original series show that made the small return?

A…..That was a cool surprise. I loved the more streamlined look they had. A small evolution ahead from the old series to the cylons in the new Galactica. It’s funny though, now that the modern Galactica has become it’s own thing, seeing the old cylon look felt out of place.

This is a small video on the work I have done so far the Cylon costume design from Dave Lowe. This concept Cylon was created for the now failed production from Tom DeSanto and Byran Singer in 2001.

This is a video for the Cylon Builder forum. This video is a quick recap to how to go about cutting, and trimming your armor pieces from your do it yourself Cylon suit.