I was just wondering what the etiquette was regarding entering the same model in several different contests. I’ve been to a few different contests and saw some of the same models appearing over and over. Doesn’t happen alot but I’ve seen it. Seems kinda cheesy.
Also, a while back I remember seeing models that had been entered in contests from previous years. Do the judges pay attention to that kind of thing?
What are your thoughts on this?
What’s cheesy about it? Can’t a girl enter more than one beauty contest? I don’t see a problem with entering more than one contest, who is it hurting?
Many IPMS-USA contests prohibit entries of models which have won at higher level contests.
If your model wins locally, you can take it to the regionals. If it wins at regionals it can go on to other regionals or the Nationals, but it may be probibited from going down to a local contest. Check the contest rules for particulars
There are some people who campaign their models through several local contests before moving on & up with them
I’m not saying it’s wrong but I personally think its a bit cheesy. I have a couple of award winning models that I’ve only entered once then shelved but that’s my personal opinion.
I can see pros and cons either way, though. Alot of work goes into building these models so you want to get the most out of them but if everybody kept entering the same stuff you’d basically have one contest that just keeps changing locations.
I personnally get miffed when I see the same project for more than one year.
I attend many contests around Texas and maintain a schedule of building in the winter then competing during contest season. I don’t ever bring a project back to the same contest twice but I do bring my suite of completed projects around the state to numerous local contests. Many people do and it’s interesting to see the differences in the judging from contest to contest. Many of us go back and forth within the same category from contest to contest swapping places.
It’s a competition afterall not timesharing. The fact that we can often win in many different local contests with the same piece of work isn’t an issue IMHO.
Work on the basics and you will continue to get better. The feedback from the judging is the best measure of your progress. I spent 2000-2002 just trying to get good enough to place in any category. Last spring I took a best in show for aircraft down in Houston. (Of course the same aircraft didn’t place at all in Dallas.) Everyone can get there itjust takes patience and practice.
Don’t forget about the tips you can find in these forums.
I don’t think it bothers me too much to see the same kit at more than one contest, but then I don’t go to many contests. It does get annoying to see the same kit at the same contest year after year, but as long as it has not won in the past, then I don’t see a problem with it. I have seen something that really bugs me in the past… the same model at several different contests over a period of like 2-3 years. Specifically I’m talking about a truck named Cheshire Cat. Now, don’t get me wrong, I thought it was a sweet model, very well done, tons of work, and very unique, but I saw it in 3 picutes in Scale Auto from 2 contests over 2-3 years and one of those contests was the Nats. At some point, don’t you think someone should say, “enough is enough, shelve it”?
Personally I think the only threshold is: Did you win anything with the kit? If so I would agree that it is tacky, but as long as the kit has only been shown at the show once… Hey if it didn’t win anything the last time…
Never having entered a contest let alone win one one, I think once a model has won a top prize it should be retired. I can relate it like this. Ever been to a car show where some guy has a dozen trophies sitting out in front of his car? To me it’s like he’s trying to tell me how many trophies he’s won and not how good his car is. To him its about the trophies and not the car. But I don’t care. I don’t care how many trophies he’s won. If the car needs all those trophies sitting there to help it win, then it shouldn’t be in the show.
Maybe so, but how is this different from, say, professional golf, tennis, or NASCAR or Formula One motor racing? Seems to me that the whole contest thing is pretty much discredited anyway, and that many of the best models at shows are on the club and other non-contest tables.
Cheers,
Chris.
For me, I limit models to 3 shows a piece, with exception to regionals or nationals. Once they hit those, they get shelved. Yet I have seen some models, 2 stick out in my mind that are always laughed at, every year, every contest, that have been present at every show in the area [4 states] for the past 5+ years.
It seems that there’s two schools of thought.
and
In my opinion, both are valid, but models that have been on the circuit for a while – especially if they’ve won before – should probably be displayed, but not part of the competition.
As for judging feedback – I’ve not gotten any. I’ve only been to a few shows, but nobody has ever offered feedback on the judging. I didn’t ask because I thought it would be rude or considered a challenge to the judge.
However, I’ve had good conversations with the other builders.
Regards,
I dunno ‘bout that one… But if I need to put down my 44 oz Big Gulp Slurpee so I can flick a couple of propellors, is it OK to put it down in between the models or maybe a blank spot on a diorama? [?] [:o)]
…o’kee’ you can cyber slap me now
The best way to get judging feedback is to be a judge. Even newcomers will be allowed to shadow the regular judging. Just talk to the head judge at the contest. (You’ll hear a page for the judges to meet about 30 minutes before judging). Introduce yourself and tell him you’d like to learn about judging. You’ll also learn about modeling!!!
so far ive got 3 builds that i have won with at local shows and those three are goin to the natinals in 2010. but i here ya first yearr i went the same model was enterd evary year.
Why are you going to wait until 2010 instead of going to Ohio in 2009?
Money…
Drew,
Speaking as a judge, don’t hesitate to ask. Just be polite and receptive. As for models showing up at various shows, I think one season is enough for a model. As Ed said earlier check your local rules, but if it’s won at a show before then it probably won’t be allowed back (except as part of a collection, or if there is a division for past winners). If it’s won at the Nats, then it’s done.
Trexx,
Slap,slap…slap,slap.
I thought about this before I posted the topic. It’s totally different. In PGA people are competing for major prizes and new golfers join every year. In NASCAR drivers get cumulative points at every race and new drivers join every year. In the NFL and the NBA the rosters change every year plus some games may be played in the rain or snow. There are alot of variable in pro sports.
The only thing that would change at different model contests, if everybody entered the same stuff over and over, would be the judging.
Again, I’m not saying its unethical or anything like that but the question, like someone asked earlier, is when is enough enough?
The bottom line is that you’re expecting the great modelers step aside and give the good modelers a chance to win something??? You win something because your a great modeler. When you get great then you can win and most of the time (but definitely not all of the time as judging varies widely from contest to contest). If you want to have a chance at winning spend less time worrying about the historical issues and get down to the basics of modeling. That’s what wins contests. Nothing more and nothing less. If you want to win get better. Don’t complain about great modelers putting their work into the competitive mix.