Modeling Poetry 301

[StephenLawson]

While most IPMS Judges are modelers, attending a Nationals convention you'll find that several of the 'Head Judges' have quit building and feel that they don't have time for the hobby other than to critique the work of others.

Case in point. *Several years ago a Nats Head Judges decided that there would not be any entries judged that had clear cases attached. *The concern was that '...the judges could not get at the kits to thoroughly judge them correctly.' Several kits that had trekked across country were disqualified.

Next year due to the high volume of complaints from the membership (who were also judges) the rule was modified to accept ship models. The IPMS Journal was rife with applause and complaint. *Finally the word came down to '...we will judge the entries but only if removing the cases tops would possibly damage the model. *Which is precisely reason that the entries that were originally concered were dissqualified, because the tops were attached permanently to the bases.

Expect the IPMS Judges to contradict themselves as the need arises. *Their not supposed to have friends when it comes to contests. *A fellow I know recently went to a contest in his old home town. He had not been there for years. *While he is a thoughtful builder he's no Grand Champion. *(He allowed me to say that by the way.) *He had some nice pieces and helped participate in the judging when one of the main judges father died. *Some of the local and visiting judges had no clue who he was. *(He was one of the first 20 original members of the first IPMS club and had won his first Best in Show contest with that club.) * With over 300 entries he took Best in Show again some 21 years later. *He told me that it meant more to him than winning at Nats. (Even tough he has.) *

The Poetry of Modeling is in the builder folks. Not the piece. *The piece is simply a reflection of its builder. *

More on Judging in our next installment. *Homework is to finish reading the text and review. *Pop Quiz are IPMS Judges obligated to give a good verbal critique if a builder asks for help? *The Final exam will follow. *

[topgun56]

HERE COME THE JUDGE, HERE COME THE JUDGE.

Oh, here come thew Judge.

[topgun56]

Better run, HERE COME THE JUDGE !!!!!!!

[drIace]

. *Pop Quiz are IPMS Judges obligated to give a good verbal critique if a builder asks for help? *The Final exam will follow. * [/color]
[/quote]

At the Nationals they certainly used to. It was part of the judging handbook and always verbably reinforced at the Judges' meeting. Actually is was phrased to answer in the ways on how to improve your contest modeling skills (there is a difference between models that are "neat" and those that win awards at Nationals)

[StephenLawson]

drIace: You would know better than most. *

IPMS Judges- what do they look for in a WWI kit? *The answer is, 'what their familiar with.' *So little is known by the average modeler away from our little corner of the 'drome'. *Also due to half hearted or money oriented research we wind up being told that there was a blue and white Fokker Dr.I with a white dove like bird on the fuselage side. *That piece of research was discounted 25 years ago. *Yet Squadron Signal still publishes this drivel.

Then you wind up with an IPMS judge that know a great deal about the wrong information and assumes it is correct. *At the 2000 Nationals in Dallas TX a fine German Seaplane was ignored because the Judges didn't know what they had infront of them.

http://www.wwi-models.org/mail-archive/arc...chive.2000/2482 *

Check out *entry #22. *

This is only one of several hundered examples of poor judging because of the lack of personal knowlege. The only way that this will change is when we as modelers take the time to enlighten other neophytes. *In 1994 I saw a 1/48 DML Spad XIII lose to an Aurora 1/48 Spad. *The Aurora Spad didn't even have the cockpit modified, what so ever. *Granted, it could be the 'ol' brotherinlaw' attitude or just ignorance. *Yet it still puts the new modeler out in the cold.

Here in our little corner of the 'drome' no one is put down even if they continously play the part of the Class Clown. *Answer to the Pop Quiz, are IPMS Judges obligated to give a good verbal critique if the builder asks for it? : YES. *They '... should not have to accept abusive rhetoric, but if someone whats constructive criticism then we must make it available.' Taken from IPMS Judges Handbook MK1 MOD2 January1, 1995 -rewrite by Walt Fink.

So either accept what is done or change the general attitude with your shared opinion. Bring down the sacred cows and actively seek the platform that will enlighten others. *Poetry has inspired the human heart for centuries. The discipline of poetry is inspiration, creativity and truth.

Final Exam: What is the Poetry of Modeling?

[topgun56]

And the point is?


I build my models for ME, For my enjoyment.

I DON"T GIVE A S..T what any judge says.

Show me a PERFECT HUMAN and I will show you a perfect IDIOT.

TG

[topgun56]

I guess you had no responds.

I guess Stephen you are only going for posts.

Your last 3 posts in different topics have stated nothing but junk.

TG

P>S How hard would it be for you, Stephen, to reply to my very simplic post? And yet you request others to respond.

[StephenLawson]

For those of you who missed it the first time'...Here in our little corner of the 'drome' no one is put down even if they continously play the part of the Class Clown.' *See the 4th previous post. *Its unreasonable for anyone who is seen as a teacher to pick on the antics of the Class Clown. When others have asked for your head tg56 on a platter, I told them '..its not woth the time.' I'll respond to anyone who really wants an intelligent conversation. *

To date you have constantly told us:
'I won't....I can't...there isn't any hobby shops in this town.' and that you believe that I have no intellect. Re: New unknown Fok. DR.I Photo *
« Reply #31 on: 18 July 2002, 3:42am »

If you honestly believe my posts to be junk. *The webmaster's office is just down the hall. If you take issue with me see me offline. *Otherwise what else is there...Nothing. Its probably best we don't *talk you may hear things that make you uncomfortable. *

To the class as a whole: Please forgive my deviation from the curriculum.

[drIace]

....Then you wind up with an IPMS judge that know a great deal about the wrong information and assumes it is correct. *At the 2000 Nationals in Dallas TX a fine German Seaplane was ignored because the Judges didn't know what they had infront of them....

Since I was not present at the 2000 Nats , I'll just answer in a generic and simplified way.

IPMS NAtionals are a contest for modeling skill, not research or historical knowledge (yes those 2 items are a part but more at a later time). Models are jugded first and foremost on basic modeling skills, ie: proper alignment, perfect seams, flawless paint and decal application, consistancy of finish/details. Each category gets 3 judges usually from various parts of the country to avoid "home cookin" and they look over each model looking for those basic skills and nobody judges a category in which they are entered.

It is not that a model is " popular well known" or a lesser common subject (actually in some cases that is a plus) ; it does not matter how "off-beat" a subject is or how much aftermarket or scratchbuilt goodies are added (in fact that increases your chances to goof something up). It is judged on those basic modeling skills. The models that execute those best are the winners. This is why many "out-of the box" models can end up winning Firsts or other places in a category (have done so myself)

A sports analogy is that a football team can run up 300 yards passing, have ball control for 57 minutes and loose the game if they fail to cross the goal line with the football in their possesion more times than their opponent.

Those are the "rules" and beleive me the rules are stressed, the judges at Nationals do indeed KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IN MODELING SKILLS. (A knee jerk call like the cases is another matter)

A personal story, one of my entries was moved due to the category having to be split due to the #of entries and was slightly "bounced", sufficient to loosen the tension wires that kept the landing struts and platform taut and in alignment, by the time it took to judge the category my A/c was sitting a "little-off" ( basic flaw- improper alignment-out of the running unless all others have made the same or similiar error in a basic skill) so it did not even place. Disappointed, yes, had it not had to be moved at the last minute just before judging I might have seen that and been able to correct it, but since I know the criteria, I did not yell , scream or cry robbery/homecooking or anything else, an easy fix for the next time.

I retired from judging at Nationals just because of the jealousey, sniping, lies and generalizations some 12 years ago. Still manage to win occasionally ('91, '92 & '95) when I attend and bring a contest quality model. Yes, some mistakes are made at Nats , but it is my experience that they are rare and mostly unintentional (it maybe different at local contests). Not surprising, people are people and you'll find good and not so good regardless of where, what the Hobby or avocation is; as witnessed by some of the threads here in Aerodrome, as topgun said, nobody is perfect.

Look forward to meeting you in person to see some models "in real life" together. Pictures are a great leveler, they can make ordinary models look the same as a great model and model pictures are often not taken -head-on- to show if the model is properly aligned or show up flaws in paint or decals, still no substitute for the Mk I eyeball.

Life is short enjoy it, nobody gets out alive.

[StephenLawson]

drIace: A+++++