What's YOUR opinion on "Theme" contests?

[Greg Myers]

The NNL has them, their new one is 3 and 5 window coupes.

More than thirty years ago I introduced them to my high school model clubs ( aircraft as well as cars) as a way to build interest. It worked then.

I then introduced it to the fledgling Moon Light Modelers here in Phoenix. At first we ( the club founders) just selected topics we felt would work on a monthly basis. Then we put the subjects selected to the members for a vote, figuring more club input had to be a good thing.

Now I'm hearing differing views, and I'm wondering what you may have to say about this?

 

[CometMan]

Having themes for a contest can work well because it can remove the objectivity from the judging and allow you to see who has the best ideas and skills in a particular area. But, it can also back-fire on you if the themes tend to be too similar over time. Also, if the themes never get close enough to member's areas of interest they may lose interest, and you may lose members. I would suggest maybe having a themed contest as a special event (like quarterly), or possibly having two separate contest at the same time, one being themed, the other non-themed. Just my opinion, others may differ!

[Greg Myers]

Thank you Craig. And may I point out these are your opinions and as such there are no wrong answers.

[tim boyd]

Greg...let me assure you and all reading this thread that the "Cult Theme" at the NNL Nationals is NOT a contest.  In fact, true NNL's are not judged and do not make a deal of the few "peoples' choice" recipients at an NNL event. .

In fact, as one of the three originators of the entire NNL concept, I would personally prefer there not be ANY models singled out for attention beyond their presence on the tables of the event,   NNL's are not about winning awards, they are about displaying your models in a non-competitive environment that encourages friendship and camaraderie.   

All modelers attending NNL's are welcome to bring and display their models, no matter what they subject (as long as it is broadly automotive related).  We have, almost from the very first NNL in 1980, had special themes based on participant input, and they have always been a big part of the NNL experience.  But participation is entirely at the option of the entrant..no pressure at all  

Hope that clarifies....at least as it relates to NNL's   Cheers   TIM 

Edited August 1, 2016 by tim boyd

[Eshaver]

I remember one "Theme was "Box Art models . I tell ya , the old A M T 1940 Ford sedan was such a delight as it brought back vivid memories of my own youth ........

[Greg Myers]

All well and good for NNL, Art.  However that's not what I'm asking here. It's not about contest persay but the idea of themes. I just used the NNL as a current example. Sorry for the confusion.

[Snake45]

I used to be heavily involved in an active IPMS chapter that had monthly contests and a theme category each month. I rather enjoyed these, and built a number of models I otherwise wouldn't have built just to enter them.

The regular contest had five regular classes--large and small scale aircraft, large and small scale armor, and "other" for ships, cars, sci-fi, figures, etc. One month the theme contest was "General Motors" and I managed to enter GM products in all SIX classes: A TBM Avenger in big aircraft, F-84 (with Chevrolet-built engine) in small aircraft, Cadillac-powered M24 Chaffee tank in big armor, HO scale GMC 6x6 truck in small armor, and GM musclecars (don't remember exactly which ones) in Other and Theme. I think I got at least three ribbons that night.

One month the Theme was "Ladies' Night." Most of the entries were WWII bombers with pinup nose art. I had suggested the theme with my entry already in mind: the 1969 Playmate of the Year car, a '69 Shelby GT500 in bright pink, and I had the supporting documentation on the table to prove it.  Had to paint that stupid model THREE times before I got a color I liked. There's surprisingly little model paint available in pink.

[Roadrunner]

Pink was a fairly popular color for POTY recipients, including an AMX, Porsche, Barracuda, Charger, etc., especially in the earlier years. I have no idea what they get nowadays. 

[Roadrunner]

A far as theme type contests are concerned, I think they're great, especially if you know in advance you'll be going to that event. If it's not a contest, I generally don't bother.

[Dave Ambrose]

We do monthly themes for our club too (San Diego Model Car Club), They usually generate a fair amount of interest, but not always. This last year, we ran a survey, and took suggestions, then built our list off of that. We try to think of a clever and amusing name for the theme.

[DeeCee]

I usually pop out a model a month on average, and usually run into the old problem " what to build next" .

That was until i joined Jerry's Cherry's Model Club, over there we have a monthly build off theme,  this has made it so much

easier to get straight into my next build, occasionally i don't like the theme presented, so i just build something i want to build and wait for the next one.

As for themes at shows,... i don't have any shows where i live, so these places are my showcase...       THANKS... 

[alan barton]

We have run themes at our NNL in Perth Western Australia for at least ten years and they are very popular.  I acknowledge that you are talking about contests here Greg, but these comments are regarding a true non-competitive NNL. One trick I stumbled on early was to offer 4-5 themes a year and see which ones fly.Makes it a lot easier than trying to read everyone's mind.  Commonly, one gets twenty to thirty participants and a couple only get two or three - no problem.

Some of our most successful ones have been, in no particular order

Towed - anything towing anything

red ones go faster

Tom Daniels models

Dog in a ute ( a popular pastime at country fairs in Australia)

Tow trucks

Scaley mates - (which is a kinds derogatory term for your friends who you question having some times!) a 1/64 partner to a 1/25 scale car (either could be a copy of either)

Long roofs

Cars you owned.

Magazine cover cars

Record cover cars

Cheers

Alan

 

 

[Jantrix]

I love themes at contests, but to date, I've never built a model just for that one contest theme. If I have something new that fits the theme, all well and good. I might also pull out a retired contest model, but not often.