To start off the research I've posted a some sniper questions ...
I'll run out tomorrow and get some paint and a few brushes.

YodaMan

I've never tried anything like this before. Typically the only figures I do coincide with aircraft dioramas. I'd like to give it a try.

Matt

I've talked this over with Jim, and he has agreed that I should post this... bear in mind, I'm not FORCING this in any way, but we seem to be drifitng away from a good idea... so with that in mind, let me offer what I explained to Jim, and which he found favorable.
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As you can see, Jim has made me a moderator on a few of the forums, including Dioramas.... so let me do my first "official act" for the better of the folks who come to this area .... I'll PERSONALY SPONSOR a Diorama contest, and will be responsible for
the "prize" to the winner. I'm thinking a "box full of my custom plaster and resin diorama goodies" - worth about $100, and one of my most consistant "best sellers".

I also like the idea expressed earlier of the "Avatar Ribbon Bonus"... Jim would have to agree to it, but how bout the "Order of the Combat Sprue" for first, second and third place?

The judges would be Jim, Ken, and I (the moderators of the forum). And as judges, we can't enter to win, although we can enter the contest as "exempts".

My concept would be to go one step further than a simple "theme"... I say let's all work
from the same goal with some rules to test your creativity, and see who executes it best.

Let's go with a contest that meets this criteria:

- Single Figure in 1/35 scale - Allies or Axis, but your scene must contain ONE figure, and NO MORE than one figure... it could even be a civilian if you prefer! If your submission has more than one figure, you will still be shown in the contest photos, but you will not be eligible to win the prizes.

- Your final scene MUST involve "a Window".. if you want to put a sniper in the window, fine... if you just want to have a backdrop of a building that has a window, that works to... but somehow you must work a window into your scene. (I once participated in a contest that had to contain a DEAD HORSE!!!!)

- WWII - any season or locale.. warfront or not

- Must be permanantly mounted on a base no larger than 4x 6 inches.. no portion of the dio can extend beyond that base.

- Here is the REAL TWIST... total cost of whole scene must be less than $30 and you must document or estimate your costs in your submission. If there is a "tie" in the mind's of judges, then the tie-breaker will be overall costs. The CHEAPER entry would win! We will accept your estimates of cost, because you may be using a piece you've had for years - but don't stretch things too far... don't try to put the SOL Wehrmacht Marching Band (24 resin figures with an MSRP of $190) in your dio, and say you got it for $6.00 !!!!

- Start date is whenever you are ready to begin... due date for photos is January 10th, with judging due by January 31st.

If you would like to compete in this contest, just post a message that says "I'm in", or something to that effect. If I get at least 7 entrants, then I will sanction the contest.

Send no more than 5 Photos of your completed work direcly to my email address [email protected] and I'll archive everything, and arrange for a folder to be created to show all finished works when the contest is complete.

If you have any qeustions about eligible ideas or points of clarification, post those questions here, or email me directly at [email protected] with the phrase "CONTEST" in the subject line.

I fyou are going to enter this particular contest, I suggest you print out a copy of this message for reference!

Feedback?

Count me in. I think I will fall into the "won't win but thanks for turning up" catergory. For me the building and completing the dio is enough. The work some of you guys turn out is amazing.
I agree that setting a budget limit is a good idea as some people seem to spend a fortune on their dios. I could do this but my wife objects to not eating for a month (not that it would do her any harm!). The thing is setting a limit in dollars is fine for the guys in the US but I think that works out less than 18pounds (sorry my wife has put the computer on a canadian setting and i can't find the pound sign ). KIts are quite dear here so this doesn't get us alot. I'm not sure about other currencies but I'm sure it must be the same for some.
Again on the subject of money (can you tell I'm married ), the prize that has been offered (very generously)may weigh alot so has the postage to another country been thought about? (just in case I win because you all have terrible accidents and I'm the only one who enters , wheres that hitmans number )
I had better start to sort an idea out now as it takes me a while to get going.
Cheers ,
Robbo

Yeah...I think this is a sweet idea!
I think the prize should be the respect of the other people...
what about over all rankings???...
we would need some judges...
I think there is enough time to think this over...
Jim do you think there are some judges you could pull out of the hat that have some experince???...do we need judges with experience??? Would you guys mind if some begginer modelers join in???
Count me in to this...

I`m in

this idea really rocks

I`ve only got one question..
I`m from holland and everything goes in centimeters. I`m not that good in mathematics what is this 4x6 inch in cm if somebody could dlear this out for me I would be very pleased so I can start on the project

2 inches is aproximetly 5 cm, there fore size is 10cm x 15 cm.

This sounds just perfect! Looking forward to joining, entering, building, but mostly to see all the entries. Should be great.
Can you enter more than one time? Is there a height restriction?
Thanks Keith for putting up such a great prize.

I am in also.

thanks for making this clear to me
now I can start with the project

at this moment the ideas are raging trough my head and I can`t wait till I`m finished at work and get to home to start with the new thing

Thank you for working that great organization so well ! I'm in !
I always have difficulties working seriously on a dio. This is going to give me just the push I need.

maybe it`s usefull to put some reference or links about snipers during ww2
for inspiration
I looked around on the internet when I had not that much to do here at the office
still no succes but if I find something I`ll let you know

but think of the reference thing I think it will come in handy also for the more beginning
modelers that will participate in the contest

I like the idea of reference links, can the base be round? What would the diameter be, 6 inches? Count me in (by the way)!

Matt

Count me in.

I am in

I'm in.

...It's just... the requirement about Windows being in the dio is kinda unfair to Linux and Mac users, isn't it? #:-)

Sorry, I just had to do that!

YodaMan

Keith,
Two changes I would recommend.

1.) Everyone involved in the project will get a campaign ribbon. It will encourage more participation by beginners.

2.) Users who are onboard can upload images directly to a section in the gallery provided images are under 50kb each. Participants who do not have the ability to re-size and compress images can send them to [email protected].

3.) Images can be in-progress and/or completed images.

Jim

Several good questions and good feedback - let me clarify them all here for now. Glad to see the enthusiasm!

a) Judges will be the three moderators for this forum - Jim, Ken, and I.
b) There is no HEIGHT restriction. Make it as tall as you want!
c) If you want to do a "round base" insetead of 4x6, then the diameter of 6" will apply.
d) I will personally pay the postage for the kit winner - even outside the US. just don't expect overnight freight!!!!
e) Per Jim's gracious suggestion, all entrants will be awarded a "service ribbon" (Thanks!)

Any more questions?

I'm in.

Gunnie

Hi KF Magee, I understand that only one figure is allowed........ but what about vehicles, Horses, Equipment etc?...... Just wanna clarify. Thanks!

I'm in.

Patrick

Keith,
are you sure about the WWII restriction ? I have three possible ideas in mind, end all are more recent ... (I just spent the whole Sunday afternoon looking for more info on modern sniper guns to scratchbuild ! ).

But no matter what you decide, I'm in for the

General (now truly a General ) Failure

I'm in.

What the heck...I've never worked in 1:35, I don't do much historic work and I've only got six projects under way...I'm in.

When they are finalized, could one of the judges mail the "official" rules to the participants? Or create a single post? There are so many ideas/suggestions being tossed around (winter, ww2 only, a window, etc.) that I'm sure there will be some revisions as to content before the actual event is finalized.

This will be fun, even though I'll prolly get the sow's ear award since I have no idea how to sew.

I'm in.

MORE "OFFICIAL" CONTEST CLARIFICATIONS:

When we state "only one figure" - we mean "one human figure"... this could be a person in any walk of life civilian or soldier. An animal would not count, nor would other non-person elements... but remember, it must all fit into a 4x6 base!

Official Rules... good idea.... i will consolidate this and ask Jim to post this on the MAIN page for all to see. Good idea Yellow.

And the final question from our newest General.... yes, we will stick to WWII for this contest, although any other scene could have been viable. It was an arbitray decision, but again, the angle we are shooting for here is "everyone works with the same strict limitations", and obviously period would come into play.

We'll see how this goes, and if it is a popular event, I can see doing a Modern Warfare contest later on, and perhaps even a "Pre-WWI" contest. Let's see how this one plays out.