The Do's and Don'ts for Model Competitions and Shows -- Contribute Your Experiences

General Discussion General Modeling Discussion
1

Hello all,
I thought I would start a thread that would bring together everyone’s experiences from model contests and shows that they have been to. The purpose would be to share your tips, thoughts, advice, and anecdotes to those here on the forum who are new to contests or thinking of entering one. This could be anything from a local hobby shop show up to and including professional contests.

Subjects for discussion could be everything from how you pack a model for transport, what types of display bases you use (if any), some interesting things judges have looked at or criticized, etc.

Questions from newcomers are encouraged. For instance, my own question: Would it be bad etiquette for someone to enter the same models into different local competitions? What if one of those builds wins an award? Is it “retired” from any other competitions?

I know there are a lot of experienced modelers here who probably also have a good amount of experience in the competition arena. Hopefully, you’ll be willing to share some tips or tricks without giving away your trade secrets for a winning model!

2

Before I get into this, I want to say that there was a time when I had the mindset to build for competition. Without going into the whys and hows, I no longer think that way. I build to please myself and place a model on the table at a show to do just that… show it.

If only one person gets a kick out of seeing it, then I figure my job is finished. I don’t build for judges or to impress anyone other than myself. Heck, I’ve got higher standards than most so that’s enough of a bill to fill…

Anyhoo, I’ve got some random thoughts on some general model show dos and dont’s…

Upon arrival at a show, never let your excitement and emotions override your reason and thought process, lest you lock your keys in the car while it’s still running. Especially when you’ve just spent four or more hours on the road…

Whilst travelling either to or from a show, NEVER set out to investigate the effects that high-speed transit over badly maintained railroad tracks will have on the built-ups in the trunk. Especially if you’re in a Maui Blue '92 Sunbird or Maroon Lumina with snow-shovel scars on the hood and trunk lid…

Never decide on a whim to make a 90° right-hand turn from the far left lane on a one-way street with built-ups or other living beings in the vehicle…

When someone in the vehicle says to the driver ‘stop here’, they usually don’t mean RIGHT here RIGHT now…

(This one is for new, relatively inexperienced or otherwise less-capable drivers) Before venturing out to a show on your own for the first time, make sure that you learn the dos and don’ts of parking lot navigation beforehand…

If you are a dealer, NEVER do ‘the right thing’ and turn down an idot a dipshi… lunatic misinformed soul who offers you ten times more than a kit’s value… perceived or otherwise…

Never play a game of football IN a parking lot at a show during winter, especially when the temperature is low enough to alter the physical properties of the pigskin…

When attending a mall show, always make sure that your club name badge is prominantly displayed while going to get lunch at the food court; this can sometimes confuse the help at Arby’s, making them think that you are an employee at the mall, thus scoring yourself a discount on your meal…

If you happen to go out to lunch and wind up at a fast-food joint which has the employees screened behind solid glass that looks like it’ll stand up to a GAU-8, reverse course and depart the scarfing establishment IMMEDIATELY…

NEVER order the following beverage at the Slaughter Hog Burger King across from the show… Half Coke, half Sprite, no ice. This will confuse the hell outta the genius behind the counter and keep him/her/it staring at that dang keypad for eons because there’s most likely not a picture of that particular beverage anywhere on said keypad…

If you are in the club that is running the show, make sure that the money box is not left unattended on the floor near a doorway which is very close to an exit from the building… for more than an hour…

If you are in the club that is running the show, make sure that you walk around surrounding yourself with a self-important god-like aura and make sure that others know ‘who’s running the show’, ‘in charge’ or otherwise in a position to exert their grand authority. You make LOTS of friends by doing this… (this one isn’t supposed to be funny folks)

Always check your six (and the rest of the clock for that matter) before making rude comments about a model, lest the builder be lurking about in your general vicinity…

Never go around with a tube of superglue, sabatoging models with unsightly glue marks in order to gain an advantage or to exact revenge or just because your’e an ass. This is a good way to ensure that a missing person report gets filed by your spouse or other family member… (this one ain’t funny either… far from it…)

You usually won’t need sunglasses IN the showroom, if you catch my drift. So remember, all those folks with little model-geek penlights may look stupid and may be annoying, but they use those things for a reason…

If you have to sneeze at a show, always direct it AWAY from the models on the table… especially while judging…

If taking part in the judging, try to prevent the ‘BEST UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT’ award from going to a Dutch Air Force F-16…

(This only applies when in Albany, NY) Upon hitting the road for the return trip, make sure you gas up at Abdul’s Petrol Palace where the gas is cheap and the Arabic lessons are free…

Don’t start a foodfight in a Pizza Hut during dinner after the show…

On late-night return trips from Regionals in Pittsburgh at, say… 3AM, while stopping for survival juice at Arby’s, don’t try to scare the first guy who makes it back to the car by using the remote start… it usually works and can lead to a nasty accident involving a steaming-hot beverage…

While on the previously mentioned late-night return trips from Regionals in Pittsburgh at, say… 3AM, another way to stay awake besides survival juice is to put on an impromptu concert for your fellow freeway flyers by cranking the tunes (preferably ‘Radar Gun’ by the Bottlerockets and Metallica’s cover of ‘Tuesday’s Gone’) and practicing a little air drumming on the steering wheel and air guitar with the seatbelt… all under a maplight light-show…

NEVER travel with a guy who plays three FREAKIN’ hours of bagpipe music on the way to or from a show…

Since we’re mostly guys here… a good way to pick up the waitress at dinner after the show is to ask for half Coke half Sprite but to make sure that the Sprite is on the bottom 'cuz that’s the way you like it best… well, you may just get a funny look…

If you’re leaving a model show in Cleveland and wanna go to dinner and see a reenactment of the 'ole Saturday Night Live Italian Restaurant skit… drop me a line and I can recommend just the right place…

I’ll see if I can think of more ‘True Action Modeling Adventures’…

Fade to Black…

3

I’ve seen some contests that will only allow the winning model to be entered once, and know of a few awards where only the modeler can win it once in a lifetime. Far as the winning model being entered in many contests, I for one don’t do it, nor do I see a lot of other modelers do it very much. The reason, IMO, is that we are a competetive bunch. Not so in that we compete against each other, but more with ourselves. We build a model, it wins, we then build another to higher standards to satisfy ourselves, in which may also satisfy judges and the viewers.

BTW, Blackwolf, your survival guide is great[:D]
Scott

4

Thanks Scott… gotta have fun while we’re being all serious about our little toys… [:P]

On a serious note, in specific answer to Snake’s question about entering models in multiple shows…

I guess different folks may have different opinions on this, but here’s mine. I go to a certain number of shows a year. I take each model to each show and then ‘retire’ it, so to speak. If I win at each show, yippee… if not… then I lose all sortsa sleep each night for a month after the show.

If I go to a show which I’ve never been to before, I’ll sometimes literally yank a buncha models outta mothballs and take 'em. Why? I like to show my stuff, simple as that.

Another benefit is that the more models you enter, the more the entry fee is going to be. Sounds weird, 'eh? Most folks don’t wanna pay alotta dough to enter a show, but I look at it this way; the more successful a show is, especially a relatively ‘young’ show, the more likely it will continue over the years. And if I can help them out and contribute some extra cash by entering ten or more models, groovy. If I happen to win an award or three, that’s cool too. But these days award plaques are nothing more than potential model bases…

Fade to Black…

5

That happened to me a couple of weekends ago. I entered the competition at the local Hobby Town USA – my first. I wandered around a bit and saw somebody looking at my plane and saying, “awesome!”

[:D]

That basically made my day, and no, I didn’t win anything.

Regards,

6

Some shows will have a different category for previous winners, others will not. Some say that if you have won you can’t enter that one again until… and give a time period.

7

Do: Enter. Remember, if no one entered kits in the show, there would be no show

Don’t: Don’t think your models aren’t good enough for competition. Take pride in your work and display your models. You DO build good enough to enter in a show.

8

I’m a complete noob when it comes to competitions and shows. I live in an area(La Crosse, WI) that does not have any clubs that I know of. I’d love to go to one to look at some really awsome models. Does anyone know what it takes to start a club? IPMS or otherwise?

9

I’m not too familiar with WI, but I have been to Ft. McCoy. I’m not sure where LaCrosse is in relation to Madison, but they have a show coming up:
http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=43636&page=1

10

i pack my models in sturdy plastic boxes, and set them in with insulation foam. i bring anothr plastic box filled with emergency supplies, like super glue, tools for quick repairs, and the paints and materials used for weathering to touch up plces where ther may be damge or a mistake.

also, i got this from my most recent comp. wher i both judged and was part of security. if u need space for a large display, dont go up to an administrator and say i need this much space and thats it. be polite and peaceable and the administraotrs will do all that they can to help. it may also effect (though this is kinda shallow on their part) if they just dump your entry from a category all together if you pist them off before.

BTW- i take it as a rule, that after an entry has won someting in a competition, its retired from that competition. it may be entered into other competitions, but once you’ve won something, why go back again with the same thing? also: if you didnt win with a model, dont bring it back again and again to the same competition hoping it will do bettr. at most 2 times in a row is accecptable, beyond that, you will be singled out as ‘trophy hunting’, and the judges will be less kind when judging your piece.

11

Thanks for the info on the competition Rob, La Crosse is only about 2 hours away, and it’s all interstate.

12

LMAO did that today looking for a gas station…only one of my models rolled. Thankfully no breakage.

No crap…seriously some people have no decency when they are judging people’s models. Last year at the IPMS Nats some dude was talking about how my colors were completely wrong, and he just went to town smashing the model…he had no clue I was right there about to reach across the table and b*** slap his ass. If you don’t like the model…keep it to yourself…it pissed me off the dude was just a walk-in…pansie didn’t even have anything on display himself.

I entered Tamiya con this weekend (it ends tomm), and it is only my 3rd show, but I have noticed a very large difference between Tamiyacon and IPMS. Tamiyacon is much more laid back, and I enjoy putting my models up for display. IPMS is very very very anal. Be prepared to see people with mini-mag lights examining every aspect of your model. I thought I would cry I was laughing so hard when I first saw this…but man they are very serious.

I have never won a comp, but if I did, even if it was 3rd or runner-up I would retire the model to my shelf. I did bring my Corsair and Minicooper to IPMS last year, but I thought it would be neat to have them at the Tamiya con this year…since it is a specialized show (Tamiya kits only) and I didn’t get to enter them last year. However, after this show, they will definately be shelved wether they win or not.

If you build your kits to show them, rather than win you will have a much more enjoyable time than most people you will see at the shows. Just take in the atmosphere…man it is great being in a large room filled with models…and it is a truly humbling experience sometimes.

For packing I have these small plastic containers I use that I bought at Target for $2 a piece. I just pad the models a little bit with paper towels. They serve a duel purpose as a cushion, and as a cloth to wipe off any finerprints. However I have seen people with a single large container that holds many models that I am jealous of. They use foam, and cut-out spots for their models.

Oh and remember that the vendor area is like going to vegas…better to bring a set amount of cash, and leave the credit card in the hotel!! LOL [:D][:p][;)]

13

Some good advice above (especially from Steve-O).
My suggestions:
Do talk to other modelers.
Do ask how someone did that kit.
Do visit the venders area (and like Heath said, set a limit and don’t exceed it, unless you find that 1 kit you just have to have).
Do revisit the venders area as they are packing up (sometimes the prices go way down so they don’t have to haul it home).
Do enter at least 1 kit.
Don’t get your knickers in a twist if you don’t win even if you know you had the best kit there.
Don’t dish someone elses build, they may be listening (did someone already say this).
Don’t stay up til 5am the morning of the contest to try and finish that kit. You will miss something, trust me. I have learned that if you didn’t finish the kit 1-2 days before the contest, there is always next year.

Most contests will let you enter a winner from a previous contest if you are moving up (win at local, than win at regional, than win at National). I know a guy who will enter his models over and over until they finally win, then he retires them. Not my style but I have taken a kit from a local to a Nats (1st at the local and nothing at the Nats). If I ever won at the Nats, I could not see me entering it again at the local level. Maybe put it on display.

I have entered a lot of contests and have a few ribbons to show for it but I don’t enter to win, like Steve said, I like to show off my build. Entered the Humor category at my first Nats and even though I got a honorable mention, the best thing I got was when someone looking at my entry got the joke and laughed. That beat the ribbon.

What do judges look for? Not always the same but usually, they look for the basics. Seams, paint done well, no glue marks, wings are level (or diheadral on both sides), all wheels touch, etc. If you really want to win, pic a tamiagawa kit and take your time. Yes, you can win with an Airfix kit but you will work a lot harder.

As for what you need to have an IPMS chapter, that is easy, 5 IPMS/USA members (if you are in the US). That and pay the Charter fee and you are set.

Heath, did you get any pics from Tamiyacon?

14

Personally If the end results are the same I would hand the award to the Airfix kit without hesitation. Isn’t the skill of the modeler what is being judged, not how much they can spend on a better kit?

15

Hey, blackwolf, regarding you previous quote, are you vegetarian or something? Seriously, I completely agree with the Burger King slaughterhouse thing…

16

[:D][:D] Loved your guide Blackwolf!

As for competition experiences [:D], I have been to most of the big shows in the UK and some of the smaller ones, although I have only entered one competition. I went to the show and got treated like a criminal because I do not belong to IPMS(UK)![:D].

However, that aside everyone else was very nice and friendly. After the judging, I went back to see if I had won anything and much to my expectation,no prizes for Tango 1! I have to admit, the the other models there were incredible and built to a standard far higher than mine[:I] But something really great happened that day, there was a group of guys stood there talking about how much they liked my model! That made me feel great ! and made me happy that my skills are improving. Not only that, I made some new friends and learnt some good tips too.

Another local show I went to had a “any scale F-4 Phantom” competition, so I like many others brought my best F-4 to the show. Upon arrival, I was told in no uncertain terms that as I do not belong to IPMS(UK) that I could not enter the competition[:(!][V] I was not the only “visitor” to be turned away either…
And they wonder why their numbers are falling…

In the UK, competition buiding is very political, if you are not a member-you are not welcome. I think modelling should be for everyone, I don’t see why anyone just can’t turn up, pay their entry fee and take part. I have heard and read of other Brits experience at competitions in the US and Canada and they have all screamed “Why can’t we do it that way in the UK?!!!” You guys over the Alantic are very lucky compared to us-it’s still a hobby over there.

So as you’ve guessed I don’t bother with competitions any more, instead I share my models on the internet with folks like you and get much more enjoyment from it. Sour grapes? No. I want to enjoy going to the model show-not argue about membership cards. Yes, I still go to shows and have a great time, I just give the “Rivet-counting police” a wide birth[:D]

It’s so ironic though-these are the same guys who ask me to join "Their club"just after I’ve heard them tearing somebody’s work to shreds!! Nope, sorry-It’s just not for me.

Right, I’m off for a cup of tea…

Darren.[;)]

17

Guys, remember that judging is a subjective activity. So that means what might a stunning model to me - could be a poorly made model to you. I remember a chopper that was entered in our local event. It never won a place. After the judging, the owner announced that that same chopper won in an IPMS UK contest! So what does that mean? It could be that our taste for winning entries are either very picky or that the judges didn’t know what they were doing? It’ll be an endless - unproductive debate. Bottom line, like I said, its a subjective decision - varying from a person to another.

My ten cents…

Noel[:)]

18

Quite true about judging being subjective. Butz (who hasn’t been hanging out here too much lately… [:(]) and I had something of a see-saw battle going one year. I’d built a 35th Sdkfz.222 and he had a really nice 35th Jeep, and these two models kept swapping places from show to show.

One time he’d get a first, I’d get a second and then vice versa. Much to both our surpise… we each even picked up the best armor award at consecutive shows. I picked it up first and thumbed my nose at Mike… [:P] But then the very next show he got the ‘big’ award. I dunno if I’ll live it down… but that’s okay, 'cuz I gots me a mighty fine diorama base now… [;)]

Anyhoo, it was a case of a different set of models at each show as well as different judges. (Some bribe easier than others…) If I recall that year correctly, we hit a total of eight shows with those particular models and only a couple shows saw the same exact results. It is, indeed, all very subjective… for the most part…

Fade to Black…

19

One very important tip:

not only carefully pack your models, but also carefully unpack your models. I had a 1/72 camel that I took to the dutch nationals. It’s was packed in a box with tissues. Whilst unpacking the tissues, I launched the camel! I still have to repair it!
Since then, I use a box with foam with a cut out for the model and fixate the model with cocktail sticks.

20

At the last local show my club ran, a mother had brought three boys with her. A very upscale woman who looked out of place at a model contest. The four of them had never been to a model show before so I helped them out since I was working at the registration table.

Our show had specific categories geared towards younger modelers. I made sure the boys knew where to put the models and how to fill out the forms. The mother paid the entry fees and they went on their way. At the end of the show, all three boys won awards for their kits. One of the boys the woman brought was not her son. He ended up winning one of the special sponsored awards that was for the best youngster’s model. It was the largest trophy in the contest.

I imagine the boys probably would not be IPMS members for a while, or at least until they can drive themselves to meetings. I think the message we sent is that they are not only welcome to come to shows, but that they are encouraged to do so and enter their kits.

Rivet counters are the ones who get us our highly accurate kits. If it were not for rivet counters complaining to the companies, do you think the company would go back and retool? Companies ensure they do a thorough job before they produce a kit because they know the rivet counters can kill a kit’s sales with a few online reviews. The rivet counters are the fellow modelers who go to Aberdeen, Ft. Knox or whereever a specific armor prototype may be and take meticulous measurements. It is their work that goes into producing models for us to enjoy. They are the ones who create the cottage industry resin correction kits and conversions.

While I agree that the vast majority of rivet counters are far from experts, they group as a whole is responsible for the quality of the kits we build today.