Model show/contest participants question

What's your point?

Local clubs. whether IP{MS affiliated or not, set the rules for their contests. "IPMS rules" apply only to the annual national convention's contest.  Some allow regional winners, some don't. Some allow national winners, some don'e (I was invited to enter a model that tool a first at an IPMS national to one show to which the regional coordinator belonged. The only consistent rule in New England is that if you win an award with a kit it is retired. from that show However, some allow the same kit to be part of a collection at a subsequent show. The use of a kit in a diorama after winning is not typically an issue, but my thought is that unless it's part of a very large scene, it should not be entered, eg, a tank places in 2013 with no base. In 2014, the same model is on a base with figures. To me, that not acceptable. In any case, read the rules on the flyer or website or contact teh organizers before the sho as to what they allow.

Almost never build or finish for a show, though I had adequate time to finish one particular figure I wanted to debut at MFCA this year. I have never, in 35 years of competing, been up in the middle of the night to finish something for a show. Typically, what is in the rotation of completed kits gets hauled out. Unless it's for a commission, I only build want I want to, I can't see wasting time on subjects that don't interest me just to try for another plaque or medal.

not a challenge.Just a stone fact.Fantastic work.

Hey !

   Izzat a Challenge - You talking to me ?

Where I am at.We have every April a spring model show and it's a big event in Seattle.I have seen one of the best models ever at that show, and I have been all over the world at internet all shows.i have seen the best metal finish , best 1/48 scale ww2 aircraft ,and military jets.I haven't seen anyone at the I.P.M.S. World match these aircraft models.At Seattle the mother of all P-47d's and the mother of all P-51d's are in 1/48 scale.I have the mother of all 1/24 scale Hawker Typhoon's.Thats something to see.If any one comes to Seattle ,they best be ready.

Preparing to enter a model of any kind can be a mind buster or a very good time.If you are interested in winning or just to enter to have fun and learn , then it's ok.It takes about two years on getting a couple of model projects ready for competition .One for the main show and one for backup.Also one fully opened up.Scale will be a factor here.The bigger -the better.I myself went to aircraft in 1/24 scale that enables you to go for great detail and skill level display.1/72 scale is small unless you have a multi engine aircraft.A 1/32 scale B-17 is ok but you can't see the detail inside unless you a cutaway.Thats examples on what I think.Entering to have fun and learn is good with any selected projects.Judges do look at your models and have this opinion on what they see .But; The so called I.P.M.S has a three inch thick modeling Bible on what you supposed to do to your model.If anyone follows it to the -T, then the model will look to perfect or like a toy.Do the best you can and do not worry about the non-pilots Judges.

Hi ;

    I used to go and enter models at shows .Usually for Best in Class or whatever . I usually took models no one had dealt with before .Odd Naval conversions , Oceanographic vessels ( before the Calypso came out ) and Tugs .

     The reason . Many of my best were work boats and conversions that caught everyone off guard . I took a MONOGRAM R.A.G. boat and converted it to a Newfoundland Island Mail boat once with and engine , mail sorting boxes and figures .

    That little boat had sliding windows , opening engine hatch , opening cabin doors , turning radar and searchlight  .It walked away with Best in class in three different type shows and a Best In Show one year .It never saw a show table again . I believe that thing was 1/32 scale

Two of the best in classes , I feel were undeserved . I was only one of two there , both times . Because of responsibilities for my company , I didn't know , till the shows were over . My friends took them up for me . I won at both of those shows for best Factory Stock in cars and Best Aircraft conversions too.             None of those models are hardly seen anymore and the " Mail Boat  "was crushed to oblivion in my last move !

I'm not a judge but have been told by several judges that you cannot enter a winning model in the same region it placed. Same goes with an IPMS National Convention winning model which is basically retired from ANY further IPMS competition.

If you are lucky enough to considering going to several shows in a year, a general rule of thumb would be to enter the same kit for all shows over the next twelve months.  Hopefully after the year you will have built and finished more and then start showing these.  And this will again help build/improve your skills.

Of course, if you wish to place the first finished kit in a diorama, it would be up to you decide if you wish to continue to show it (in the diorama).  Having judged/worked at both AMPS and IPMA shows, I don't know of an official record kept of who has entered what model in what shows to keep track of how often a model has entered in shows.

Like many here I enter simply to have fun with no expectations of winning. I just enjoy being at the shows and enjoying the other builds and the fellowship of other modelers. So, no, I don't build anything specific for contests. I just take what I've built for myself and the GB's here on the forum.

I would like to add though, that there is one very specific reason I enter. I'm only able to attend one show and that is the WestFest contest in Grand Junction, Co. It's the closest one to me and it's a 100 miles away. They're the closest thing I have to any club or fellow modelers. It's only held every 2 yrs. now and it's not an overly large contest, but it brings out some really terrific modelers. My point is that I enter that contest simply to be supportive of the club and their contest. I even take kits I've previously entered for display only. It's my hope that I can lend whatever help I can to keep the contest going and to hopefully continue to generate interest in our hobby. Thus, the more models there are at the contest the more interest folks might have in it.

Note: I have yet to win any awards, but I just simply continue to learn, enjoy and give it my best shot next time.

Mustang really nailed it right on the head.

I build at my normal pace (whenever I can get to the workbench for any length of time) and whatever is ready to go is going to the show.  If it's not ready,it goes to the next one.  I take all my builds (usually 3-4 or 5) to a show whether I think they are good or not.  I like other builders giving me tips on how to improve my builds.  I have really learned a lot at the shows.  I've met new friends that now e-mail all the time and share tips.  IF I win an award, great.  If I don't, maybe next time.  

Jim  

I find competing sharpens my skills. It gives me a stronger incentive to build better, and try new techniques I learn about at a show.

I find belonging to a club also does the same.  Even the show and tell often raises discussion on new techniques and new products that folks have used.  And the models on the table encourage me to raise to the levels of the better models on the table.

I've never built specifically for a show - I'm far to disorganized for that :)  I just take what is done and has not been entered at the same level of show before.  Last year I ended up taking four or five models to a show and for this year's edition of the same show it was zero (but five models were about 75%+ done on the bench!).

Personally, I feel that building specifically for a show means that you are also building up your expectations to place.  I don't go to the show with any expectations... when I have I have been disappointing by not placing at all.

I plan out to a year but it never works out. I procrastinate until around four months or so, then panic. I fail to finish a lot of intended contest entries. I am then forced to grab something out of the cabinet and wipe off the dust. I have repeated this sad process several times. Do not do it this way, as it really sucks the fun out of entering a contest. As they say, your mileage may vary. I am a terribly slow builder that has nothing to do with the actual building.

For me, I don't build to enter a theme. I just cast about the stash to find something unusual that catches my fancy. I do try harder to get things right for a contest model, but that also kind of sucks the fun out. My mantra is if you can see a flaw, fix it even if you don't want to. I try to pick something that I really like to delay the onset of burnout. The guys from where I live do well at the IPMS Nationals, so there is that pressure to place.

Poor planning, chaos and stress notwithstanding, seeing other people's models makes it worth going to contests. As others mentioned, it is a great opportunity to learn new techniques and presentation ideas.

I have noticed the happy-go-lucky guys finish the most models, seem to live happier lives, and they don't care about placing in contests. I say follow these guys' advice.

Just got back from Region 10 regionals. entered 16 in 8 different categories. 3 firsts 2 seconds and a third but only 3 are worthy of bragging.

i build for contests but in lesser categories THAT I ENJOY such as towed guns, commercial trucks, RR, warwheels, and dinosaurs. OH and now 1/72 since i took a first post Korea AND pre Korea ,both surprises, as well as a second in towed guns.

I don't take it seriously but i do enjoy it. part of winning is entering so some stuff that never should have won has in the past.

as for lead time 3 months easily but i tend to have multiple builds going on. right now i am evaluating my shelf queens and new builds for an October local contest.

I have a mindset of always trying to improve and do the best I can on a particular build, but I don't build with the idea that I'm going build a particular something to enter a contest to win an award; rather, I go with the idea that I'm going to join in friendly competition and the camaraderie. Contests are absolutely a place to talk with and learn from others, and Mustang puts it well when he says to just enter something, don't worry about it and have fun. It's all about the participation, in my view. Sure, there will most likely be some fantastic builds at a given contest, but that's part of the motivation for me. That fantastic work is definitely achievable, but it starts with becoming involved.

Dave 

If I remember correctly, Huntsville is the first Saturday in October this year. It usually is on the same day as Little Rock, AR; so for me, it's kind of a coin flip to see which way to go.

Don't worry about it PWB. Just take your builds and hit tha road to that show brutha! You'll have a great time if you just keep an open mind. I promise....

Thank you for the responses. I like that everyone so far has shown that they are interested in the gathering over the quest for a prize/placing. Following the WIP threads and seeing the time it takes to work a build out, I was curious as to how the thought process of shows/contests played into one's builds.

The sheer length of time for a build like forum member 'chukw' leads to these fantastic creations, but I wonder how such a meticulous build would work out for someone who had a notion to attend an event that might approach within a more compressed timeframe.

Though I always check the back page section of 'Finescale' looking for the Huntsville, Al event that seems to come around (at least) once a year, and have a 1/35 armor and 1/48 aeroplane picked out, I never seem to get myself together to make the (approx) 140 mile trip up there to attend. I've had the notion that I'd like to do a 1/32 aeroplane specifically for the event, I just know that fretting over whether it will be "good enough" will haunt the process and take some of the enjoyment out of it for me.

Don Stauffer

I restrict entries to models I have not brought to that show before.  I do not build a model for a specific show, ......... But it is a general show model, for any show. I will enter it in all the shows in the area once, then retire it from competition.

One exception is a theme award.  I may pick a kit to build specially because it fits a show theme well, whereas I might not have built the kit otherwise.  I like to support themes at shows.

Back when I first started going to shows...long before I joined any forums...I went to learn. A sort of "in person forum". Learn, I did! 

Anyway, I personally don't build a specific kit, strictly for any show. I build what I like, for myself....if I'm proud of the build, I'll take it. "Special and/or Theme" categories have occasionally influenced my decisions on what builds go to the show, but have never influenced what I choose to build.

I restrict entries to models I have not brought to that show before.  I do not build a model for a specific show, though I may build a particular kit because it has a lot of detail or other features that do well in judging.  But it is a general show model, for any show. I will enter it in all the shows in the area once, then retire it from competition.

One exception is a theme award.  I may pick a kit to build specially because it fits a show theme well, whereas I might not have built the kit otherwise.  I like to support themes at shows.

I  take what I consider to be my best work to a show. I build primarily for myself but have recently taken mine in to a show. I'm of the mindset of " If it places it places" . I go with an open mind and try not to center my visit on a "victory" and just have a good time. As mentioned it's an excellent opportunity to talk with other modelers, hit the vendors and look at all the cool looking models. Oh BTW you may end up meeting someone you know on the forums as well.

It depends on the complexity of the build. I have no problems with at least one month or two to work with. Now an entry for the Nationals will take me more time to get it to the point that I believe the judges will take a second look at it.

Main point about entering a model show is to enjoy and learn from the experience. Talk with other builders and compare techniques and don't expect to win, and if you do then its a pleasant reward for your effort.