Westlake Publishing Forums

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 .

 

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!
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 .

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 ...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   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