One of my all time favorite lines from one of my all time favorite movies (The Matrix): “Stop trying to hit me and hit me”
Sometimes in an effort to get things right, to make progress, to consider everyone’s needs we get so wrapped up in the process we forget what we were intending to do.
For the past several years there’s been a huge amount of discussion about:
- Finding a better judging system for model shows/contests
- How much people enjoy the learning and social connection of model events more than the contest
- How we need to bring more diversity (race, age, gender, subject matters, skill levels, all of it) into the hobby
- How to improve quality to be on par with [insert various countries that have amazing shows like SMC]
But we’re still so wound up about what could happen that we’re not just trying something new. We’re all still largely locked into traditional event formats and judging processes. We talk about the models we really love being the ones that move us emotionally. We are still judging, however, based on seam lines and imperfections. We talk about bringing in more diversity but then scoff at Gundam builders or exclude dollhouse builders as “not a part of what we’re doing” here.
I hear over and over again that “the older guys won’t like [fill in blank new change]. But as I said at the Model Fiesta dinner this past weekend… “Who gives a fuck?”
Seriously. Are the local guys not going to show up to their local show if they don’t have a chance to get a first place medal? Are they not going to have a good time if they go to an amazing model event and there’s not competition aspect?
I really, deeply applaud Scott Gentry and the Rocky Mountain Hobby Expo crew for trying something significantly different. Not because it worked or didn’t work (it did, BTW) but because they TRIED SOMETHING NEW. We talk all the time about how the social aspect is always the best part of the show. And Scott and team actually DID something to move that forward: They grouped everyone’s builds on the tables so I can get to see the “full modeler”, so to speak. Model Fiesta had nametags so I could actually connect usernames with real people. And … surprise! Both those events were more social because of it.
So in the spirit of trying to something new, here’s an aggressively new idea…
Create an event based first and foremost on human connection
- Group the builder’s models all together on the table and clearly mark them with that person’s name
- Give out nametags and create culture around having everyone wear them. You could even create an element of the events that prompt people to bring/build their own nametags.
- Eliminate any and all traditional 1/2/3 or G/S/B type competition and replace it with a modelers being able to bring a single model of their choosing to a panel of “judges” to get live feedback. Mic them up, change them out regularly and have them be the best experts in the subject as well as anyone who has some good creative critique skills react. Any attendee who wants to come listen in can do exactly that.
- Eliminate awards. Like seriously, get rid of them. Come up with more engaging ways to call out people for their work. And while I’m at it, completely overhaul the awards ceremony nobody every wants to be part of. Example:
- There are no official awards from the show/judges. Instead, the way you are recognized is a series of event-specific, fun, non-competitive mechanisms that are attendee driven. This could be a challenge coin that’s given out to all the attendees at registration and they put it down on the model they like the best. The closing ceremony is more like wedding toasts, where you can grab the mic (we need good AV for this) and give a shout out to someone’s work you really enjoyed. If you have a trophy or trophy-like totem to give out, you do. This could be simply “I liked this model because the weathering was insane good” or it could be “I’m giving out the Rabbit Hole award and I brought my own plaque. It keeps going until people stop raising their hands. The showrunner, sponsors, clubs could each have their own version, but they only get the same 30 seconds to stand up and speak that everyone else does.
- Distribute contacts, or even just names/usernames for the attendees so I can remember who all I met over the course of the event.
- Find a single, enthusiastic, public-speaking comfortable MC to really get the audience riled up (especially during the closing ceremony).
This would be one helluva fun event, focused on connecting with people more than just introductions, talking about and learning about how other folks build, and creating more inclusion.
Our community doesn’t need to be thinking about how to “run contests”. We need to be thinking about how to build culture. We need to be thinking about what we really want out of our in-person gatherings and be more focused on actually achieving that. We don’t need an organization to help us be more consistent in how we implement each and every local event. We need an organization to help create playbooks for all kinds of ideas. We need that organization to collect best practices on how to get really great culture and connection built and distribute that.
Personally, I want events that help me meet the people I see online. I want to get to know people and what they build and how they build it and why they build. I want to tap into the deep bench of talent and techniques that we all collectively have. What I don’t want is to go spend all day standing around waiting on the judges to finish judging, killing time by awkwardly introducing myself to other folks. I’ve been going to nearly the exact same event for 34+ years now.
It’s well past time to get crazy and try massive rather than incremental change.
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What did I miss? What ideas do you have? Would you like an event like this? Let me know in the comments!
I like it. I would say the way to implement those ideas, would be to start your own shown built in that image. Trying to “change” an existing show/contest, such as the 34+ year event you mentioned, would be an uphill battle.
The only other aspect of such a show is one that was recently pointed out to me and my fellow podcast mates (Modelgeeks Podcast), that being, that there are A LOT of modelers out there who are simply NOT sociable! They are introverts, in a hobby built from introverts. They have no interest in the social aspects that guys like you and I enjoy…even when among like minded individuals. That’s a whole ‘nuther topic though.
That sounds like a negative response, and I don’t want it to. A show such as you mention certainly can be done, and modelers WILL show up!
Completely fair! Maybe when life slows down I’ll give this a shot.
As far as the social thing… this isn’t something only scale modelers are afflicted by. Most “hobbyists” are “anti-social” in any hobby. But I would reframe that to say that most adult humans have challenges *starting* conversations with other humans. That’s why party hosts, cruise directors, etc. exist. My thought is that if there was a true desire to drive connection, you’d build a culture around “party hosting”, so to speak.
I think these are some great suggestions. One of the things that I find so consistantly disheartening about awards ceremonies is the fact that a lot of people start packing up to go home while awards in later categories are still being handed out. I think that is just flat out rude and inconsiderate to awardees in later categories. I think what you are suggesting might be a way to get people to fix that in one way or another. anyways, thanks for sharing. I like the way you think!
I certainly agree with the idea of grouping models together and eliminating categories. Do away with the competitive aspects. I certainly would like to have name tags. I agree with Andrew White in his statement above that trying to change minds with folks who run a show that has been around for years, Old Dominion Open Model Show, is like trying to make a soup sandwich. Infact I share these articles all the time with the heads and it falls flat. Anyway I would attend a show just for the show my models aspect. I no longer care for IPMS contests. I placed my stuff all together in the Tiger Meet at the recent IPMS Nats in Hampton VA, I’m close, and my show experience was so much better. I had my name all over that display too. Sadly it was tucked in a back corner of the room.
Great ideas. I am a proponent of exhibitions and not contests. But I would suggest that a modeling event needs to have opportunities for attendees to leans how to be a better modeler. Need to include seminars or even group build sessions .