Modeling Psychology 201

[NeilE]

Thanks Stephen;

Ever since the Lab Assistants left the now deserted Insititute, things haven't been the same. Helga sounds interesting but the high colonics and the Bratwurst poultice sound a bit strong to me.

As Brother Heller opined in his Ye Illuminated Book of Diverf Thoughtf And Practicf Of Ye Hounourable Artifan Modeller (London 1645):

"Ye crafty foto etchingf fitteth in ye cockpit, but ye honourable artifan modeller placef hif black pudding in ye fandwich".


Wise words indeed...

All the Best

Neil

[StephenLawson]

Answer to the Pop Quiz: What is the Charting Method and who does it directly benefit? *

The Charting Method is followed when you as a modeler list all of your builds on a graph. The subsequent columns are for various contests that you enter. 99, 01, 02 & etc. Now color code each square following a specific model as to its ranking within that years contests (1st=blue, 2nd=yellow, 3rd=red, green =HM.) Now we all understand that a kit can and will receive differing rankings at various contests. But if the kit is a good build then it should consistantly place well.

Now, remember in the O & D approach that you are subsequently adding tasks to sucessive builds to help you develop your skills or talents. By watching the Chart of your builds you are able to measure the overall progress of your attempts at improving these skills. The Chart helps you the builder.

This also helps you stay organized and hold AMS at bay. With the Charting Method you measure just how much you want to do and at what pace. If you intend on building just a few or an entire series, the Charting Method also helps you keep the quality of your model building at a high level.

Pop Quiz: What is a Projection Sheet and how does it benefit you the modeler?

[NeilE]

Stephen: "The Projection Sheet":

Is when you go to the modelling cupboard, and count the 353 models you have in there, realise you have CMAS and then calculate that at your current build rate, you'll be 154 when you finish them all (assuming your CMAS doesn't force you to buy more). You then pack up your kits, book a flight to the Republic of Georgia (the Caucasus one). On arrival, you hire a donkey to carry all your kits, and travel to the mountains there where people live a lot longer,* and then settle down to build all your kits, desparately trying to keep going until your'e 154. Do you make it? ........

I really don't know.

Another view of the "Projection Sheet" is something similar. You draw up a list of all your kits, making judgements of which is easier or harder and then draw up a list of projected builds, starting with kits at your current level, developing a build schedule which enables you to move slowly into more challenging kits - with each kit featuring an aspect that develops your build skills further each time.

Even so you'll still be 154 when you finish them all...

All the Best

Neil

*Herr Doktor Von Humbrol visited the Georgian Mountains in 1963, and found modellers aged up to 122 YO still building there. All were happy and AMS free, something the Good Herr Doktor could not explain...it is also widely believed that the Good Doktor met the legendary Madame Dymphadnze there and enjoyed her hospitality for the summer....

-N

[StephenLawson]

Stephen: "The Projection Sheet":

"...The 'Projection Sheet' is ...You draw up a list of all your kits, making judgements of which is easier or harder and then draw up a list of projected builds, starting with kits at your current level, developing a build schedule which enables you to move slowly into more challenging kits - with each kit featuring an aspect that develops your build skills further each time...All the Best Neil"

A+++ Neil_E

Very good, I believe that you've hit the nail on the head! This list allows periodic review and lets you modify your choices accordinly. It is a textual picture of your future display. As Neil_E has pointed out it enables you to move on to more challenging kits. Although it is important to remember to salt your list with the occassional simplified build just for the enjoyment of building. This in and of itself helps you keep the joy of modeling fresh.

With that my fellow enthusiasts, devotees and research fiends we come to the end of our class on Modeling Psychology 201. Final Quiz: Why do we build models? The answer must be contained in a single sentence. It may contain any or all of the information discussed in the within classes 101 or 201. Next The Poetry of Modeling 301. And Model Engineering 102. Sign up after your finals.

Have fun.

[Michael]

I get no kick from champagne
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all;
So tell me why should it be true
That I get a kick out of glue?

[StephenLawson]

Michael, Bit of a sticky wicket, wot?

:

[NeilE]

Hi All

Why Build?

I build for fun, relaxation, personal satisfaction and rememberance; I am concerned only with relative accuracy; and human history is more important than the history of technologies.

All the Best

Neil

PS Please sign me up for future courses.

[topgun56]

Sometimes I wish I only had 352 unbuilt kits. It seems, for every one I build I purchase 3 more.

I have photo copied names and addresses of purchasers of unbuilt kits for my daughter. But then, they would need a BIIIG Brown Truck or 2 or 3.

[stringbags4ever2]

Now I don't feel so bad, TopGun, as I have nineteen unbuilt kits in my closet. But I do find that my wish list for 2003 (make that want to purchase list) is quite extensive.

Why do we build models? Because they're there!! Now, to borrow a phrase from the esteemed Neil_E, "Cut the bullo and build!!" I'll show you all my Fokkers in March! Now back to my cellar and airbrush.....

[StephenLawson]

Alright class,

Answer to the final Quiz in Modeling Psychology 201, Why do we build models? Because we want to. Each of us has our own personal reasons but it all comes down to - we do what we want.

When a family member says- 'thats cute', we know they don't see the work that has been poured into the piece. Only a fellow modeler can appreciate the work. In our next class The Poetry of Modeling 301 we will discuss the art form, the measure and meter of the build. Pulling the splinter from the minds eye while removing the beam in our own. We will examine that most enigmatic of all critics - 'the IPMS Contest Judge' and we will come to see a model through their eyes. Required reading for this class will be the ancient text 'How to build Dioramas by Shepardus Paynius' We will attempt to expand beyond his foundational script and step forward into the realm of serendipity.

Warm Fuzzies to all, I'll be at Starbucks draining a quad latte, Grande,no foam, and sugar free vanilla flavoring along with a rasberry cream Danish. I have another field trip to the habitat of the Fullbreasted Coed planned so, TTFN