Over the years, I've changed my take on modeling events. At one time, I would attend every event I could, while these days I'll go to most of the events within a few hours' drive, but I don't feverishly plan my vacation time around the model calendar. There are a few reasons behind that–first, I'm in an area where you have to travel further to go to most of the events, which tend to be one-day affairs rather than the weekend events I'm accustomed to; where I used to be very active with the local IPMS Chapter (I held office for nearly 8 years, 7 as Chapter President), I've just now started attending Chapter meetings here in South Carolina after a 10-year absence from the club scene; and, finally, my impression of what the events should be has changed.
When I say "Modeling event", what comes to mind for you? A contest? Exhibition? Both? Neither? Let's take a look at them and then you can decide.
First, let's look at contests. By definition, a contest is a competition between two or more individuals or teams for a prize or recognition. That's Wikipedia's definition, by the way, but I'm sure Mr. Webster's is pretty much the same. In any case, a model competition is where modelers bring their completed models, submit them for some sort of judging, and awards of some sort are given to the "best" models in attendance. While I have no problem with this in theory, far too often I see bent feelings and heartache when someone toils for months to build a "Contest Winner" only to see it fall by the wayside. I also don't see eye-to-eye with some of the organizations and the way they judge the models. To understand, let's take a look at some of the various judging schemes in use…
1. People's Choice. The easiest one to understand, everyone who attends the event–whether they are there as an entrant or just to look around–is given a ballot. They are told to write down their favorite model (or models), and the model or models that get the highest number of votes wins. The selection criteria is strictly by what the attendees like that day–usually the biggest, or most colorful model on the tables wins. This is fine if all you want to do is have a winner in some way, shape, or form, but it generally comes down to a popularity contest. Nothin' wrong with that, if that's what you want…
2. Tiered, aka "The IPMS/USA system", aka 1-2-3. The models are divided into classes and categories, ie., Aircraft, 1/48-1/71 scale, Single Engine, Axis. All models that fit this category are judged against a basic set of rules and against each other. In short, the model with the fewest number of flaws (as defined by the judging guide) wins that category. The winners from each category within a class are then judged in the same manner to arrive with a Class winner, then all of the class winners are again judged to arrive with a Best Of Show. Each category usually sees a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and sometimes an Honorable Mention award. Probably the best system to use with a large number of models–you can winnow the contenders down fairly quickly–the major issue I have with this system is that it offers little in the way of feedback to the modeler since, by the time he knows the results, the judges are long gone, or can't remember why his model placed where it did. That being said, IPMS/USA has the system tweaked to where it runs like a well-oiled machine, especially at the National Convention level.
3. Open Judging, aka "The Chicago System", aka Gold-Silver-Bronze, aka "The AMPS system". Under this scheme, each model is judged to a written standard–so many points for construction, so many points for finish, etc., etc. Each model is judged to the same standard, and each model usually gets a written score sheet. The scores get tallied up for each model, and the medals are awarded. There is usually a minimum score required to medal–say something like 70-80 points earns a bronze medal, 81-90 gets a Silver, and 91-100 gets a Gold. There are no limits as to how many of each medal are awarded. I like this system simply because the judges tell you, via the score sheet, where you did well and where you need to improve your skills. There has been much debate whether this system would work for a show that sees close to 1,000 entries…
4. Hybrids. Some shows do the tiered judging as well as a People's Choice, and several organizations have used a modified Open system that combines the best of the Open and tiered criteria.
Is there a "right" judging system? Well, sure. Each and every one I've outlined are "right" for the organizations that use them. Dead horses have been beaten unmercifully over judging systems and the benefits/drawbacks of same…
Anyway, I used to compete, and I've won a few awards, but that's not why I entered. I enter contests to support the group who spent lots of time and money to host the event. I go with the idea that I'm showing off what I've built and if they happen to win a plaque, medal, or other trinket because someone else liked them, that's fine. If they don't win anything, that's fine, too.
Which brings me to the topic of exhibitions. I'd be perfectly fine with a model exhibition, where you came, put the models on a table for people to look at for the day, then pack up and go home. No judging, no bent feelings, none of that. Problem is, most modelers–at keast those in the United States–won't do that. If they don't stand a chance of winning something, they won't bother. I don't understand that line of thought, because I've never been able to figure out what an award adds to the model. I know when I've built a good model, and when I've built a clunker–I don't need a judge or a score sheet that tells me so. I understand the line of thought that says you need to know where you stand as a modeler, but there is a group of modelers who sees competition as the end-all, be-all goal of modeling and get quite upset when the results don't fall in their favor. That, more than anything, is why I tend to stay away from competition these days. I've seen grown men throw tantrums when none of their 60+ entries didn't even place. I've seen heated discussions degrade to where the "insulted party" nearly resorted to throwing punches. Is it worth all that, really? I guess if that's what you're all about, but I have enough drama in my day-to-day life without injecting more–especially over little plastic airplanes, tanks, cars, and ships.
Famous quips that relate–From the movie Caddyshack:
Judge Smails: Ty, what did you shoot today?
Ty Webb: Oh, Judge, I don't keep score.
Smails: Then how do you measure yourself with other golfers?
Ty: By height.
And, from celebrated modeler Sheperd Paine: "If you want to compete, take up tennis. This type of thing is just not something you need to compete with. It's about having fun."
I've told folks that I've retired from competition, which is largely true. The main reason? You might be surprised, as it has little to do with what I've outlined–I have such a full plate that my completion rate is way down from what it used to be when I would go to every contest I could. So, why do I attend these events? The same reasons I started attending them in the first place–I like to look at the craftsmanship on display. I like to talk to friends–or make new ones. I like to learn from other modelers. And, I'd be lying if I said I didn't like wandering the vendor tables looking for stuff I "need"…
Thanks for reading. Be good to one another. I bid you Peace.