Now that the dust has settled and the various forums have recieved their usual dose of NG convention photos, I thought I'd finally contribute a little more of my experience in Seattle.
Some moments are about seeing the sights, some moments are about the people who make a convention ( my reason for travelling )
regards to all Mario ( Australia )
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_seattle_20121.html
Mario,
The people, indeed, are the true reason to go to conventions like the one in Seattle.
And of the best of those is you, my friend.
I remember well the first narrow gauge convention you attended.
By the end of the show, everyone there knew who you were.
You are a class act and a great person to know.
And I truly appreciate all the great photos you continue to add to the internet for our enjoyment.
Darryl Huffman
Star, Idaho
Quote from: darrylhuffman on October 05, 2012, 02:07:13 AM
Mario,
The people, indeed, are the true reason to go to conventions like the one in Seattle.
And of the best of those is you, my friend.
I remember well the first narrow gauge convention you attended.
By the end of the show, everyone there knew who you were.
You are a class act and a great person to know.
And I truly appreciate all the great photos you continue to add to the internet for our enjoyment.
Darryl Huffman
Star, Idaho
Steady , Darryl , you don't want to go mad here with your praise because Mario's not used to it and it might go to his head .
Still , he's alright ... for an Aussie !
Nick
Mario - We didn't get our beer together because I was staying in a hotel 30 miles from the convention center (bad decision).
Darryl - We said hello outside the elevator but I did head over to your table in the vendor room many times. We didn't talk because you were always busy with paying customers!
I hope you both are planning to do Pasadena. Maybe I should book early and get a hotel within walking distance.
Regards, Don
Great pics!
Don,
I shouldn't speak for Mario but I think Mario is not planning to attend more conventions but is concentrating on women and dancing in South America.
As for Pasadena, I reserved my room as soon as they were available.
The convention hotel rates are much lower than surrounding hotels.
See you there.
Next year it's supposed to be in Pasadena, right? That's close enough I might be able to attend... or at least come up for one day. So I have some questions for those of you who have been to these conventions before:
1. How far in advance would I typically need to register for the convention? How about for the hotel (if I were able to stay longer than a day)?
2. If I could only come up for a day, would it be possible to enter a model in the contest and come on the day of the contest?
Ray.
Book a hotel / motel ASAP. You can always cancelled a few days before hand. I book accomodation 12 months in advance.
Typically you can register on the day for the convention.
Contest Models need to be entered early and remain for a few days for voting.
Don. Good to meet you at last. I'm sure we'll catch up one day.
Darryl. Very kind of you. Thankyou for the comments. Please disregard those by that Pommey Bloke.
There never seems to be much in depth discussion on forums regarding some of the fine contest models at conventions.
Those little Japanese HOn30 ?? locos were brilliant. I tracked down the modeler and mentioned how good they were.
Due to other interests, that was probably my last NG convention in the USA.
Probably spend more time visiting individual modelers in the future.
Next year I planned Vancouver and then stay with Lex Parker in Canada and visit a number of modelers in the area and maybe try to see / annoy the Sundance Central Guys in Tampa.
I was hoping to visit Europe in 2013, but music & dancing in South America is booked. Hard choice to make I know.
Very much looking forward to the Australian NG convention, as I know there is some nice modeling going on behind the scenes around the country.
cheers all Mario
Ray,
If you want to win a contest you need to enter the contest early as the voting is done by the attendees, not judges.
Contest entries can be entered on Wed, Thurs, and Fri.
Saturday before noon is when you pick up your models and the awards are given on Saturday night.
If you have never been to a narrow gauge convention you have no idea what you are missing.
Each is spectacular and the new stuff shown by vendors each year is staggering.
Over the past decade I have found the NG Convention contest increasingly disappointing and the majority of voters lacking in sophistication and knowledge. Personally I think the whole idea of a model "contest" is counterproductive. Is the point of art to be competitive? Music? Life? Competition often may an unpleasant fact of life; I see no reason to impose it upon modelers.
Unless you have a deep seated need to win what may be a meaningless prize, I would suggest members of this forum who attend the Pasadena convention forget about competition and, instead, display their models on a separate non-competitive table, perhaps even in the contest room itself. The point would be to lead by example, not to win a shiny plaque. If you compare most of what you see at a NG Convention contest with the models you see on this forum you, too, may find many convention models uninspiring.
Maybe I'm a minority of one, but I don't care if I ever go to another NG Convention, especially as the common denominator there has lowered dramatically in the past twenty years and the event itself has become banal, repetitive, and incestuous. My only reason to show up in Pasadena will be to hang out with as many of you guys as possible. I have spoken to Marc about devoting an afternoon and evening during the convention to a private gathering of forum members and other top modelers so we can share ideas, admire models, and sit down together to a great dinner.
I live about 45 miles from Pasadena and, if no closer venue is available, we could meet at my house.
Think about it, okay?
Russ
QuoteUnless you have a deep seated need to win what may be a meaningless prize, I would suggest members of this forum who attend the Pasadena convention forget about competition and, instead, display their models on a separate non-competitive table, perhaps even in the contest room itself. The point would be to lead by example, not to win a shiny plaque. If you compare most of what you see at a NG Convention contest with the models you see on this forum you, too, may find many convention models uninspiring.
Maybe I'm a minority of one, but I don't care if I ever go to another NG Convention, especially as the common denominator there has lowered dramatically in the past twenty years and the event itself has become banal, repetitive, and incestuous. My only reason to show up in Pasadena will be to hang out with as many of you guys as possible. I have spoken to Marc about devoting an afternoon and evening during the convention to a private gathering of forum members and other top modelers so we can share ideas, admire models, and sit down together to a great dinner.
I live about 45 miles from Pasadena and, if no closer venue is available, we could meet at my house.
Think about it, okay?
I agree with Russ.
The awards I won are all sitting meaningless on top of a cupboard collecting dust. I built for my own pleasure and not for recognition.
How can you otherwise be authentic ? In that respect I think similar to Jean Bernard André. Follow your heart.
Can someone give me details of the convention in Pasadena, like hotel/car rental/ etc so I can book early.
I intend to come for a couple of days.
Jacq
hi russ i will fly over for the lunch can we go to hooters.
regards kim
Damn you Russ.
Organising a special get together , dinner, talking modeling, rubbering shoulders with the Terrapin mob....
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_southern_california_tngs.html
It's enough to make one buy a plane ticket......... for a quick trip across the pond...... ;D
"M"
Mario, if you bring Kim along, I'll find the closest Hooters! If Jacq flies out, we might also see Nicko the Sicko and a few others. I'd better start stocking up on beer and cognac! -- Russ
Nicko !!!!!.. Forget it !!!!! I'll stay home >:(
I haven't seen Kim Marsh for a few years.....
BTW... I left the closet a couple of years ago.... great to be back in the open :-*
Quote from: k27rgs on October 07, 2012, 01:17:31 AM
Nicko !!!!!.. Forget it !!!!! I'll stay home >:(
In that case I'll definitely be coming .
:D
Russ. We've spoken over the years about contests and I know you have aired your views many times on this forum.
I'm slowly working away with what I consider my best work, as it is something I am really enjoying and in no rush to complete.
Most of the projects are on my web site showing the early beginings and various "in progress" snaps.
The projects are destined for the NG convention in Australia 2013 and hopefully space available as a "show & tell" display.
Yet I do accept the "contest" structure for many reasons and nothing we might say, while ever change the current format.
Maybe one day when my musical project gets off the ground and wins a few awards, I'll get "my dreams in thongs".
That's a contest i'd like to enter and win.
In the meantime it's back to modeling to bring out the creative side, that is within us all
cheers "M"
I have never been a big fan of entering modeling contests of any kind as they promote the concept of building to please judges or the group as a whole.
I build models only to please myself. But I do appreciate compliments, of course.
I always bring a few models to put on my tables at the conventions and much prefer questions about how I did some effect over getting a ribbon or plaque.
I have entered contests over the years as a means of supporting the hobby and giving attendees something to look at during the shows.
For me, the manufacturers room and all the new products are of importance to my enjoyment of the hobby.
We seem to discuss this every year about this time.
So here is my two cents;
Competitions are just that; winners & loosers.
There are only a few winners and lots of loosers & his friends.
The issue with the NNGC is it is a "popular" vote, not done by qualified judges.
There should be the usual popular vote and a qualified panel to select the real winners.
However how do you select the panel??it is a never ending circle jerk of politics........
I go to carshows for the same reason I go to the NNGC's to see friends, check out new stuff and commiserate with like minded/interested people. Most of the attendees I have very little in common but treat everyone with the same respect, even if i dont like his car/model.
I like the idea of just showcasing models, lets everyone be inspired.
Let the vendors pick their favorite to give their product to.
That is why I always did the contest, to share & inspire not for things.
Besides I knew I was going to get published anyways! ;D ;D
Having my favorite model on the cover of a magazine read all over the world is better than anything I could have been given at a contest (unless it was a girl in a thong!) ::)
The only "prize" I ever got that I thought was kool is the sterling silver RR pass from Colorado.
The $2 bullsh*t plaques are worthless.
I'd love to come to Pasadena but it just does not look like it is in the budget.
Going back to Yellowstone next August; Got some things to show my kid.
-Marty
Perhaps we need to take up a collection to buy tickets for the financially challenged among us. Marty, can I borrow ten dollars? -- ssuR
Russ,
whilst in principle I concur with your sentiments in regard to Conventions it is perhaps worthwhile to consider the other side of the coin and take a look at the value of contest. By the way I make these comments against the background of a Art Judge as well as a promotor of better model building standards.
in this context contests at Conventions and may I say at other venues serve to a large extent to inspire all model builders to see new techniques being applied to model building and as a motivation of lifting the viewers own standards. If this analysis is applied to the Australian NGC it is clear to see that over the past 20 years the number and standards of entries has increased quite dramatically as has been the case in development of techniques etc. Without the contest (perhaps) this may not have been the case.
at the same time I also believe it necessary to agree with the concept that contest models and judging have become passe insofar that there is a terrible "sameness" running through the work (particularly in the US, but also to some extent in Australia). In my view this is due to a large extent to the judging format and the fact that entrants are building to suit the audience (and votes), which leaves self expression somewhat in the background. Ultimately this results in the idealistic reason for staging contests being diluted. collectively this suggests that, as is the case in plastic model building, there is a case for fundamental change in changing the manner in which Contests are judged by placing far less emphasis on "the public vote" and moving to a professional judging format against recognised judging criteria.
It is my personal experience as an art judge that competition for awards has far more benefits than negatives, given that artists need exposure & publicity together with recognition of their inate talent to provide an opportunity to move forward in the arts. I certainly can illustrate instances where artist were wavering and lacked self belief only to see a complete reversal in their approach after winning an arts prize. The same is the case among model builders, including one member of our own forum who was the recipient of a Best in Show Award some years ago and who since has created some wonderful works that may otherwise not have seen the light of day.
so, whereto from here ? I propose that we use our influence to change the judging format and to refresh the models that are presented for judging.
have fun & stay cool
Bernard
I think they closed the Hooters in Pasadena....they knew the convention was coming, and wanted to avoid public nuisances.
BTW. I recently found out that the venue for the 2013 convention changed from the Pasadena Convention center, to the Hilton Hotel. Too bad...the convention center is nice.
The best hotel in pasdena, is the Westin; has great amenities, including a rooftop pool(which is a plus in Aug/Sept. in LA) full gym, and a spa for the ladies. It is also within a 3-block walking distance from the Hilton, and walking close to all the amenities around old town Pasadena, and Colorado Blvd.
Russ,
If you want to do the table to simply show models, at the convention, I think it would require the purchase of a vendor table....I believe they are around $150 or so, per table...and from what I understand, there are very few left available. Might as well hang a banner for the mags behind the table to show people what they were missing in the mag...and what they will be missing when it goes away the following year ;D.
I was planning on trying to finish a lot of my old shelf queens, and just dump them in the contest and see what happens ;D...but it now seems unlikely that I will have time to finish any of them due to my other modelbuilding commitments.
Marc
Russ, I think 2 table's at the convention would be a good idea give's you plenty of room to spread out ;D Gives you plenty of time to prep on how you want to set-up your tables. Nice large color banner adv. your mag for the backdrop.....get some members of this forum to bring some of there models??.....maybe? just my 2 cents worth. Being your just a 45 minute drive away ;)
The dealer room seems far too crass a venue to display delicate, superb, and artistic models. At noon every day you must cover them (not good for delicate models) and every night you must put them away so somebody won't either steal or accidentally smash them. The only reasonably safe place to display models is in the contest room. It either is locked or somebody is there to watch over the models. Janitors are not even allowed there during the convention.
After the convention only four of my books will remain to be published until I semi-retire and discontinue both the NG and Logging/Industrial Annuals (unless Mal wants me to crank out a couple of hundred pages of new material for a possible all new prototype book -- not likely). At this point, I'm not even sure I would continue to offer the Modelers' Annual on paper after 2015. Paper books and magazines about hobbies and crafts soon will be ancient history. Digital downloads will replace them, just as they rapidly are replacing paper books and music albums.
My real hobby interest is scratchbuilding; I am at heart a dioramist. Railroad related structures and rolling stock are what I have focused on but I am equally interested in armor, ships, cars, trucks, planes, and everything else. After a lifetime in the model train hobby I think it has become a very desolate area for business and I expect things steadily to get worse. We are the last generation to produce a relative abundance of craft hobbyists. So, should I continue to try to earn more than a supplemental living in the future, I would turn away from hobbies.
Now I hope you understand why the idea of spending even a penny to purchase a commercial table or two (and hanging up a banner) makes little sense to me.
Russ
Quote from: finescalerr on October 09, 2012, 01:13:49 AM
Now I hope you understand why the idea of spending even a penny to purchase a commercial table or two (and hanging up a banner) makes little sense to me.
Russ
I understand completely. There is a good deal of superb work being done by dedicated and skilled modellers that deserves to be seen as inspiration to others of what can be achieved if you're willing to put in the effort, hence the importance of a forum such as this. Though a display of this level of model-work at a convention such as the NNGC may seem at first thought like a good idea, in my mind it would be risky and impractical for all the reasons you mention. The NNGC is popular and has its place to be sure, but why try to put a square peg in a round hole. As you have probably noticed, I have largely abandoned scale model-making (goody say my justified detractors!), even rapid-prototyping for scale models (to my mind the technology, though it holds immense potential and resolution continues to improve, is not yet capable of economically producing a part of high enough quality except perhaps in very large scale), as I too am facing retirement in a few years and see no financially viable future in the scale model business. I realize that most modellers build models as a passionate hobby not as a source of supplemental or primary income. However, with a meager threatened retirement in the near future, I need to insure a supplemental income source from a robust and healthy market sector and there is no way that the scale model business will ever provide that. If you want to work for $1/hour, then you may find a client or two, but, if you want to earn a living wage, you best look elsewhere.
Paul
I've been following this discussion, which I know has been re-visited many times ( like so many other topics ).
For the past few years, Australian modelers have been encouraged to display their work as "Show & Tell" at conventions.
This might be anything from "work in progress" to "best of show quality".
The organiser's set up space within the contest room for such a display.
I'm currently working on a number of projects which are destined for the "show & tell" table at next years Australian NG convention and hopefully receive some positive & NEGATIVE feedback.
Most are nearly complete
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_anders_general_store.html
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_kirk_s_cafe.html
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body__bud_s__backwoods_repair.html
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_oil_storage.html
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_structure-doan_engineering.html
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_revelia_wharf.html
best wishes to all and thanks for the many projects shared by members on this forum