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RLFoster

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Posts posted by RLFoster

  1. I personally have no issue with someone "buying out a vendor", whether it's 5 minutes or 6 hours into the show. If it happens before the show even opens, I see no issue whatsoever...it's simply like that table didn't sell.

     

    If you start dictating to vendors when and to whom they can sell, you run the risk of alienating not only those vendors, but even buyers who views your actions as dictatorial.

     

    "You vil only sell on Fridays and only ven the temperature is above 70 degrees!!!"

     

    Oh, and regardless of the price offered, you CANNOT sell your entire lot to anyone! (Talk about a deal breaker)

  2. So, am I right(?). I(s) weathering a roaring fad? Is it here to stay? Is it overwrought? And does it enhance one's chances in a contest?

    David,

     

    These are only my own personal views and experiences...your results may vary.

     

    In order, my answers to your questions above are Maybe, No, Yes, Sometimes, and in IPMS contests, Absolutely not.

     

    Weathering of models has been going on as long as model building itself has existed. However, you could be right in thinking that some of the extreme weathering seen today is indeed not only way-overdone and counterproductive. On the other hand, weathering is not a fad. Some techniques might be, but not weathering itself. In fact, most dedicated armor modelers believe that to NOT weather a military model is far worse than applying at least some weathering (unless depicting a vehicle rolling off the assembly line). Weathering is definitely here to stay - extreme weathering will likely come and go over time.

     

    That brings us to your final question and one that I have a bit of a pet-peeve about. In addition to the Judging Guide quote posted above (weathering is neither good nor bad) there is one more entry about weathering under military judging which says - to paraphrase - that judges need to really look at heavy weathering because it might be used to hide basic modeling flaws. That statement, and the one posted by Ron, basically tell the story. Weathering (and especially heavy weathering) is probably not going to give you advantage in an IPMS contest -- it may in fact prevent your otherwise perfect model from even placing.

     

    In a non-IPMS contest weathering models can be very beneficial or even essential. In an AMPS contest, there is one whole area of judging just for weathering. If you don't weather your model, you get ZERO points. At a few contests I've attended which didn't use either organization's rules, very involved weathering was treated like intricate decal work or complex painting, a modeler was usually given extra credit for pulling off the technique effectively.

     

    On a personal note, I actually like some (not all) of the very involved and intricate weathering being accomplished by modelers around the world. Many of the best military modelers are pushing the limits and coming up with new and better techniques...unfortunately a proportionately smaller percentage of those modelers are located in the U.S. As a predominately military modeler (90% or so), I tend to weather virtually every model I build to one degree or another. Without fail, the models that receive the highest number of compliments from modelers and non-modelers alike are the ones I've more heavily weathered. As far as IPMS contests go, my awards tend to come from the models I've more lightly weathered...imagine that.

     

    Just my 2 cents...

  3. The main thing that sticks out to me about these figures (apart from the ~60% of registrants entering the contest) is the overall size. Having never attended a National Convention, but hearing all the discussions about manpower, judging constraints, and monetary expenditures, I had always imagined a much larger event. In actually, the number of entrants at these two events is about 3 or 4 times larger than some one day local shows. Granted, those can have both members and non-members entering models, but for me, it's quite interesting nonetheless.

  4. Wow, Robin,

     

    That is a great snag. Personally, I wouldn't try to do too much with the kit. Of the two options, I'd probably go with the combat option and look to pick up a cheap set of appropriate decals (the kit ones are probably suspect). Still, I'd build it strictly for enjoyment and absolutely nothing more.

     

    Thanks for the time warp!

  5. Oh, for heaven's sake people! You don't mean to tell me that you actually thought I was serious about Rustoleum's " intentions." It was obviously written tongue in cheek as a joke! But, to your credit, it demonstrates what I had hoped to- that in the abscence of body language, facial expression and nuance of inflection, simple black and white print cannot reliably convey subtlety in communication. The "listener" can than only guess what the "speaker" meant, always at the peril of each. Gotcha! Nick-thinks most social media is stupid unless it is being used to find lost pets, curb animal abuse and expose police brutality-Filippone.

    B.S.
  6. The store selling models in my little home town was called Pizer's Five and Dime. They were also the only place selling candy, which made it the "go-to" store whenever we got money as a small kid. When I got a little older and started building models, they had the basics, but nothing more. The selection was probably limited to a dozen or so kits (mostly cars), Testor's enamels (no spray paints), and orange tube glue. Everything was in one little 3 foot section of shelving along the far left wall. There was a small Woolworth's in a town about 20 miles away, but the only place with a real hobby shop was a city nearly 40 miles away. When I was growing up, 40 miles might as well be what 200 miles is today!

  7. As a former contest director, I too am a bit surprised that the number of registrations cannot be produced as it is one of the few firm numbers I needed to know.

     

    The number of entrees is really a meaningless number because it is not tied directly to income and a single registrant can bring numerous models at no additional cost. The number of registrants on the other hand tells the host, the national organization, as well as anyone who wishes to inquire (i.e. the membership), precisely how much money should have come in from that source.

     

    Oh, well...

  8. Just out of curiosity, and if it is elsewhere on the site, I apologize...

     

    At this year's convention -

     

    1) How many banquet tickets were available and how many were sold?

    2) How many actual model entrant numbers were issued? If possible, please indicate how many entrants were part of family groups (using the same IPMS number).

     

    This will allow everyone interested in this discussion to see precisely how many attendees could see the awards ceremony and what percentage of entrants that represents.

     

    Thank you,

  9. What about considering a complete paradigm shift in all aspects of the convention and the society?

     

    1) Go to a 3 year out convention process instead of the current 2 year cycle. This could be done regardless of whether the other changes occur. Would this help clubs get better deals?

     

    2) Repeal (or at least modify) the rotation changes. Rotate the convention. The only exception would be if no club in that region bids, but require a return to that region as soon as a club bids.

     

    3) Redraw the map of IPMS/USA. Create 4 regions - East Coast, Central, Plains/Mountains, West Coast. This would move conventions more completely across the country while also having the additional benefit of perhaps putting 2 conventions within a modelers "personal travel distance" every 4 years rather than 1 every 3 years.

     

    Just trying to think outside the box...

    • Like 1
  10. One point that "may" be leading to some of the west coast animosity, is the number of conventions truly on the west coast.

     

    While Dave is correct about the "western region" contests in the past 12 years, you will note that only one, Anaheim, was actually on the coast.

     

    In the first 26 national conventions, fully 5 were in California and 2 were in Seattle...7 conventions on the west coast. Since then, in the past 26 conventions, only 2 have been in California and none in any other west coast city.

     

    Now, I don't have a dog in this fight, but this might help explain why the west coast is starting to feel a little "left out".

    • Like 1
  11. For as long as I can remember, awards have been a part of the banquet and vice-versa due to requirements imposed by the venues. Some may feel that they are entitled to attend the awards ceremony because they have paid for everything but the banquet, but that's never been the case. Bottom line: If you want to attend the awards, then buy a banquet ticket.

    That sentiment is fine...up until the banquets are consistently selling out and members are being turned away from the awards ceremony as a result. At that point, everyone who says, "buy a banquet ticket" is just not being realistic. You cannot buy something that is no longer available, can you?

    • Like 1
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