Ramcharger Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 We are rethinking our show (The Buckeye Classic) for next year. While I love a good competition, I really love to look at and discuss models and what others have done. In a competition, the names of the contestants are hidden for obvious reasons. This does not allow the opportunity to talk to the builder of the really cool model you see and find out how he did what he did. At an NNL style show, since there are no awards, the name of the builder is displayed with the model. So my question is, which do you prefer? A NNL style show with no awards, or a straight up competition? Which would you be more likely to go to? What would make you go to one over the other? What makes a good one of each to you? Thoughts? Comments? Thanks for your input.
Fabrux Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 At our show the entrants tend to hang around/near their builds so you get a chance to talk to them. This has, however, been a bit of a pain in the past when you're trying to judge the kit and they hover.
vypurr59 Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 At our show the entrants tend to hang around/near their builds so you get a chance to talk to them. This has, however, been a bit of a pain in the past when you're trying to judge the kit and they hover. Close the room when the judging begins. Then reopen for discussions.
Art Anderson Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 Frankly, I like both contests and NNL's--there's always a lot of camaraderie either way. Art
mrindy77 Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 (edited) I like non competitive events....I like to hang around, talk, share ideas, goof around and have a beer. Most contests are not run using some standard set of criteria and it becomes subjective. Subjectivity, it seems, has often lead to upset competitors and hurt friendships...I gave up the contest thing long ago. I like to build for fun and not what I would think will win a contest. Edited March 10, 2014 by mrindy77
Ramfins59 Posted March 10, 2014 Posted March 10, 2014 Frankly, I like both contests and NNL's--there's always a lot of camaraderie either way. Art I agree. While I really like to compete against other good modelers, I never go in thinking that I will win anything. You never know what will show up on the tables that might just make you want to step on your stuff. I also totally enjoy the friendly atmosphere at an NNL event and seeing old friends again.
Danno Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 I've been involved in operating many shows/competitions over the years, some with names displayed, some not. Some shows I operate are entirely peoples' choice balloting. Builders' identities are displayed. We see a lot of spectators who look for particular builders' models because they know them personally or know them by reputation. Other builders want to see their work. It is a positive thing. The shows I operate with critical judging, we do not allow builders' identities to factor in. Period. It hasn't been a problem, and the advantage is exactly what's been mentioned: it promotes discussions and social interactions among builders and allows spectators to see the work of friends or known builders. Some shows I've helped judge do not display builders' names. They tend to be very sterile affairs where there is little social interaction or even as much enthusiasm as the alternatives that display names. I haven't seen any improvement in the integrity of judging just by concealing builders' identities. I personally think concealing the identities of builders is highly over-rated as an answer to the dilemma of integrity-challenged shows/contests. One has to look to much bigger factors to solve those issues.
Ramcharger Posted March 11, 2014 Author Posted March 11, 2014 I find this interesting, I thought there would be more of a preference one way or the other. The reason I asked is because I'm always looking to improve our show for you guys, the modelers. I personally like to compete, but some people do not, but I also like to sit around and discuss models, techniques, ideas, and etc. I been to both kinds of shows and my experience has been then judged shows tend to be less of a social event than NNLs. I also find it interesting that NNLs tend to bring out the best builds. Guys also seem to shop at vendors more at an NNL.
LoneWolf15 Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 Why not try the NNL style for next year just to see how it works out ? You'll still be putting on a model show , still have vendors , and probably have less headaches for you and the crew to go along with it ! Your show plan is always well thought out and presented as such , you have those aspects down to a science . Pick a couple of theme builds for the show , and just see how it turns out . I really can't see anything bad coming out of it . Who knows ? Maybe you can alternate between the two styles of show every other year . Now , if you could just pick a date where I don't have to work ........ Lmao !
jbwelda Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 another vote for the NNL style. one thing i have always wanted to do, is to be able to talk to a judge and have him/her honestly tell me what the plusses and minuses were for my particular model, and ideally do it in proximity to whatever did come out on top, and a direct comparison could be made. of course this never really works out because for one thing a lot of people would look on that as unethical, another reason might be that the judge hadn't even really considered your work and when you point out what has been done, he really starts having internal conflicts, so the natural fight-or-flight response is to excuse himself and leave your presence. cant really blame him either. but i would really like to hear their opinions about what specifically counted for and against your entry. its hard to get people to be candid when you are putting them on the spot. jb
Danno Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 At one time, the local IPMS chapter offered entrants at its contest a one-on-one with the judges where they could have their entries critiqued. The idea was to afford builders the opportunity to "see" their models through the eyes of the judges ... and to learn to build better, more competitive models. Unfortunately, the experiment went south . . . seems a lot of the contestants didn't want to hear the feedback and some of those who did, got mad at the judges for giving them constructive critiques. They don't do it any more.
blunc Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 (edited) I have observed that a lot of contests have a "display only" area set aside for past winners or entries that won't be judged for awards. Anyone that just wants to hang out and socialize can enter their builds there and the people that enjoy seeing how their efforts measure up to other builders can enter their builds in the "judged" area. No need to swing from one end of the spectrum to the other, just make sure the entrants know they have an option. Edited March 12, 2014 by blunc
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