Model contest judging (in general)

[Rallymaster]

Hey you content guys, here is a discussion between two of my friends in Memphis about judging models. My friend Louis went to this modeling contest in Memphis (he posted a link here on the Coffin Corner) and was, as a pure spectator, put off by the yellow police tape barrier that was put up while the "judges were judging". Scott felt compelled to explain to Louis why the "police tape" is vital to good judging. Louis' reply is below Scott's. Oh and for the record, since Scott knew Louis from working on my 73GTO together, Scott allowed Louis behind the tape to view the models up close and take the pictures you may have seen in his post in the general section. --Dave
====================================
> HI Louis,
>
> Sorry I didn't get to spend more time with you yesterday as I was
> involved in judging by the time you came in. The "crime tape" was
> put up at 1:00 so judging could take place. This is a point of
> contention at shows as the judges prefer to not have the crowd,
> particularly the modelers, around them when they judge.
> Unfortunately, by it's nature judging is a negative thing. You
> spend time finding faults with the entries until you come to the
> model with the least amount of faults. When your doing this, you
> really don't want to have the person who built the model
> overhearing you "trash" his model and becoming discouraged with the
> hobby and then not participate in the future. Because of this, I
> won't judge in an "open" room, I've seen bad results come from this.
>
> The way we try to help modelers get better is that judges sign each
> category sheet so the contestant can find them and ask why his
> model didn't win. That way you can spend time with the modeler and
> offer constructive criticism. This will be of help to them in the
> future. At the IPMS Nationals, there is a time where judges are
> assembled and people can take there models to them individually
> and have the model judged, again in a constructive way where the
> modeler can benefit from it. The way to get better is to volunteer
> to be a judge and once you do this a couple of times, your modeling
> will get so much better once you understand what criteria good
> judges use and how the process occurs. The first time couple of
> times you judge you are on observer and accompany a judging team so
> you can ask questions and learn.
>
> The show itself was pretty good for a local show. There are so
> many clubs having shows these days, it sometimes approaches
> overload and the number of people to attend an event can get
> small. Gas prices aren't helping either and I know this probably
> cut down attendance at the Memphis show by about 10-20 modelers and
> 5 vendors. The show was a success though and hosting club did make
> money so they will probably have another next year and if it is
> timed so it will not compete with too many other events it should
> be a larger draw.
>
> Take care,
>
> Scott
> =============================================

Scott:

That's OK, I could see you were busy. I appreciate you letting me
gain access to the display of models, I was able to see what was on
hand that way. That is why I came to the show after all!

I understand your concerns about judging and being misconstrued by a
contestant. I've judged many a full size car show myself and you get
a lot of the same concerns with the big car guys. However, If my
opinion as a non-contestant spectator were to count for anything, I
would also add that the lockout via yellow tape is in my view
counterproductive. I'm sure most of those attending were also
contestants, but surely some (like myself) were not. Coming to a
"show" and not being able to see anything is not going to win the
hobby any new fans. Admiration of the work will breed enthusiasm for
getting involved. I purposefully waited until the entry deadline had
passed so I could see everything that had been entered. I showed up
right at 1:00 PM... shucks, too late.

If it were me running the world, I would lay down some ground rules
for the contestants when they enter the show that spell out
acceptable participant etiquette. Namely, steer clear of judges while
they are doing their job. If contestants get in your face, tell them
to beat it. If they are too thin skinned to endure a judging process,
then maybe they should take up stamp collecting, or at the least
refrain from entering contests. I'm kind of curious now to know how
closely the judging process resembles that of a full size car show.
Traditionally, we would judge in teams, everyone's score would be
collected, and then the points were totaled for a score. It wasn't
necessary to really say much of anything to other judges. At least
not until you were done with a particular car. participants generally
know to leave you alone. Most times the score sheet would be
available to the contestant after the show so that said participant
could get some feedback. Inevitably, someone who is not focused on
having fun will get miffed, but that's kind of their problem in my view.

Still, I thought the contest was neat as can be, and it allowed me to
see some real enthusiasm for something that I thought was on life
support. I would go again tomorrow, especially since I have a
"connection" to get into the "inner sanctum" of displays.

Maybe if can keep the glue off my fingers, I might even have to enter
one someday!

Later; Louis

[Rallymaster]

.....Scott Doyle:

HI Louis,

In cases where the room is open during judging, there are rules about
how the contestants are to act. Unfortunately people tend to hang
around anyway and they often overhear the discussions and that is
where the negative reactions occur. Unlike a real car show, the
model area is so small that it is difficult to discuss a model in a
particular category without everyone who is looking at the other
entrants in that category as well as about five others to overhear.

We too judge in teams, however there are two types of systems used in
model contests. One is the style used Saturday which is the IPMS
style. Basically it is like grading on a curve where the models are
compared to each other and the best three win. This type of judging
allows for models to be judged quickly, within the confines of short
model show. The negative to this is that is promotes the "mine is
better than yours" syndrome as well as gives the modeler a false
sense of how good his model really is. After all, if your in a
category with a bunch of poorly built models, your number one winner
will go to another contest and get skunked. The other style is the
AMPS style (mainly used in armor) and is similar to your car show
judging. Model are compared to a standard and judged as they are
entered in the contest by a panel of judges. The models are then
awarded a gold, silver, bronze or nothing and then entered into the
contest for viewing. This system gives you the best idea of how good
your model really is and there may be multiple golds for the same
category. However, this system is rarely used since finding a
judging panel to sit all day and judge models is really hard. Not to
mention the backlog that can occur if there are a lot of models being
entered. Model shows are all volunteer events.

Most people who attend on a regular basis know the drill and even if
they have not entered will show up about 1 hour prior to the time set
aside for judging (which usually occurs about 1:00 pm). That way
they can view the finished models (most are entered by this time) and
then move into the vendor room while judging is taking place. When
you go, particularly if you want to take pictures, just seek out one
of the judges or club members who are running the show and let them
know what you want to do and they will let you in while the judges
are working.

I too wish we could leave the room open during judging, but you would
be amazed at how seriously people take this and how childish it can
get for a plaque.

[Brandon]

I'm all for NNLs....

[scurvy]

..or Plastic Thrashes!

[rustybill1960]

I can understand both views presented here and both have merit. But, I would tend to side with the latter, only for the sanctity of the shows, the judging and the particpants.
This also lends itself to my feelings about sporting events as well, but I do not wish to digress, merely offer insight of thought on the subject at hand.
This is a hobby to be enjoyed and to learn from, as entering a contest one must see the revelance of the judging. And from the judging "learn" about ones weaknessess and strengths, thus we can learn to evolve to a higher plane of enjoyment for the hobby and one another.
If the learning there in is well taken, then we would not be abusive and re-act harshly from the aftermath of a contest.
The contestants are willing, the judges will look and the spectators will see. Thus again, eveyone "should" enjoy the time had by all.
;D

[bobpaeth]

The Portland Classic Model Car contest just had its' 35th anniversary last February. Originally sponsored by the Multnomah Hot Rod Council ( a group of 1/1 car clubs ) it is now the responsibility of SABA ( Scale Auto Builders Association ). SABA itself is over twenty five years old. From its' inception all model judging has been completed when the contest room was closed, including the 1/1 custom car show held at the same time. Let us be honest .............if you have 350 + - entries only a few will be in serious contention for winning an award. In a class of 10 models, only maybe 4 will be of a winning caliber. These can be passed over with a glance with the builder not knowing the process. When the coordinators of the contest are able to seriously judge the 30% or so remaining outstanding builds, the necessary time for judging is reasonable and can usually be found in the "closed hours" of the show. This opinion should not be construed as "cheating" on the efforts of the builder it just shows the same effort that the builder probably put into the model. Finally, I DO AGREE that the judges should be made available for questions after the contest is over. This is the best ( and maybe the only way ) for the entrant to learn why his "jewell" didn't even come close to winning a ribbon, plaque or trophy. DIPLOMACY is the "WORD" when these questions and answers are being tossed back and forth. Remember to praise the good points as well as showing him where he could have improved the model.

bob