BLINDERS

[MrT]

How narrow is your modeling focus? Do you ever look and comment on other types of modeling? Do you only converse and comment inside your particular modeling community? Do you only look at what interests you? Do you have blinders on? We all have areas we prefer, but should that blind us to other modelers.

Here at Modelers' Alliance we have gone out or our way to include all facets of model building, but it was not intended to create separate communities that don't have contact with the others. We are all one community with all kinds of likes; sharing hopefully with each other. We should be encouraging each other and not just in our interest groups. When I started on the site it was all armor so we have expanded a lot.

So let's refocus and become one community and not a bunch of separate ones. Look around no telling what you might see. Take the blinders off.

:coolio

 

[moon puppy]

I gotta admit that some of the Sci-Fi stuff really doesn't float my boat but I do check it out. There is so much going on with all of modeling, new techniques, new mediums in how parts are created. I think we would be missing out on stuff if we stay hunkered down just in our world.

Back when I was modeling before the internet I was very limited in what I did. Only way I learned was from mistakes and the inserts from the Monogram kits (remember learning dry brushing at that time). I didn't even know modeling magazines existed. Now we have this most powerful tool at hand, the internet, where we all share what we do and learn from each other. Terry's right, we need to get the blinders off. One good example in my case. I need to learn how to make those mirror finishes the car folks do so I can nail that chrome finish I want to do on a NMF aircraft.

What about y'all, know of any "cross genre" techniques that apply to what you're building?

 

[Paulw]

I'll build jets every once in a while, does that count?

 

[moon puppy]

Kinda...But do you check other stuff?

 

[Paulw]

I really haven't any interest in other stuff but I have thought about it a bit. I have considered ships and cars but armor just doesn't really light my fire, maybe some arty but that's about it.

 

[moon puppy]

I think the point Terry is making, do you even look at what's going on in armor stuff, Sci-Fi or whatever? Not saying build it, just check it out.

 

[Phil]

Modellers Alliance is big

HUGE!!

Lots going on everyday

one day your post is on page one, then in a short time it's on page three.

Hard to keep up sometimes.

If I looked at every post and commented, where would modelling time come in.

Yes, I would like to view all the fantastic talented and interesting builds that go on here And Reply - but - Welcome to the real world of other parts of one's life, there is never enought time for all.

Can't say to the L.S.W sorry honey, but I got to go post up replies otherwise I will be labelled as unfriendly or a moddelling snob.


One does what they can with the limited time one can allocate to this plastic passion.

Let's take a look at some stats for this forum, anyone can add the relevant numbers.

1/ How many active members.

2/ How many builds going on.

3/ How many posts in 24 hours.

4/ How many hours per day can you model.

5/ How many builds can you reply to in your given allocated time on the internet
see # 2/ and #3/ #4/

Virtually impossible to cover all this going on in a 24 hour day minus your sleep/eating/job/other projects/general life commitments/ and other things
in one's life.

One does what they can - love it or hate it - it's just a plain fact of life.

 

[Dave The Chef]

I don't think Terry wants us to build different stuff Paul - but just to go and put up a popcorn smiley on every single build thread that gets posted rather :tomato

 

[Paulw]

I see your point now T.

 

[SA Dave]

:drinks

 

[moon puppy]

No one is labeling Phil, we're just talking out loud.

Of course you have to balance real life with whats going on here.

The stats might surprise you, they are in general pretty steady but like the other day, Tues I think, we had maybe 4 comments on the whole site. Like I told Geoff, it comes and goes like that.

Let's not take this thread down a road it was not intended to go down.

 

[Phil]

not my intention to label Bob, just to shed some real life situations on why some of us - me included just cannot reply to all the very talented builders on this forum, as I said - if I could - I would.

Model on!!

 

[Paulw]

what am I commenting on then? I don't feel really qualified to comment on other genres. I don't know what I am looking at. Its hard to just keep on saying good job and not having it sound cliche.

 

[moon puppy]

I don't know, maybe just that you like it?

Don't need to focus so much on just commenting, I'm thinking about picking up tips and techniques used on one genre and applying on others. Can't pick up those things without at least checking out the builds.

 

[ErnieS]

I try to check out different types of builds, as I enjoy seeing what others are doing, and because I enjoy all facets of the hobby. I have kits of all types as I have seen builds that have inspired me to want to try different things. The biggest problem is time......or more accurately the lack of. I try to look in on what is going on, but have to be careful as I find that I end up spending more time looking than building my own stuff. Sometimes I go weeks without building because of all the other stuff going on, so it is nice to see that others are progressing with their builds. For the same reason, I also try to limit how much time I spend looking or participating on modeling forums, as the more time I spend doing that, the less I have to actually build. That is one reason I enjoy this forum, as most all aspects of modeling are covered and it is friendly so I can get a lot of my modeling fix in one place, and while I might not comment a lot I do enjoy what everyone is doing, and try to look in every day, even if it is at 2:00 or 3:00 AM after work :Hiay
Ernie

 

[nerdling]

I try and look at a little of everything. If I see a technique I am unaware of I will try and ask how it was done. But I will say that modern armor and jets as well as cars don't hold much interest to me. Not to say that I don't look at them but they just don't light my fire like the classic stuff. I do find that I post quite a bit more during my layoffs then during the summer also.

 

[MrT]

Is it so hard to just appreciate someone's work for what it is. You don't have to know every detail about the subject to do that. You don't have to post on all the topics, but should you just write them off because "It's not your thing". I thought we formed this site to encourage each other no matter what we model? I guess I was wrong. I guess those people are gone. Hell we don't even like each other.

:idonno

 

[moon puppy]

Hell we don't even like each other.

:idonno

Since when?

 

[Paulw]

Please don't be so bitter T. I just didn't realize what was going on. To say we don't even like each other is not the case. I happen to get along with everybody here. I guess I am at fault here also and I'll improve since I now see how important it is to other people how others view their work and to add encouragement. Heaven knows how much I have received in the past 5 years.

 

[Duke Maddog]

Speaking for myself, I thought this thread was about Tu-22 Blinder aircraft at first.

Admittedly, I do kind of have blinders on when it comes to anything not in my scale for aircraft and armor. I tend to look at those the most. That being said, I do enjoy all the other genres such as Sci-Fi, dioramas, and occasionally automotive. I will look in on other Threads and comment on a model that may not be in my sphere of interest or preferred scale if it does impress me (like most all of the work here does!). Especially if it is something that intrigues me; or if someone who is a real Master is doing something amazing; or if something unique or different has been started. That being said, it is still hard to post a comment everywhere I would like to; given the severe restrictions on my time. I follow four other Modeling Forums and trying to keep up on all of them takes me from early morning almost till lunchtime!

One thing that may make it easier for people to comment on Works in Progress is if we had something like a "My Workbench" Forums where everyone can start a personal Thread and post their ongoing projects as they are being built; then post the finished work in the models' respective Forums. Just a crazy thought, I know. By doing this however, it mixes things up and gives people more incentive to click on something else that they would not normally look into; especially if many of the posters do a variety of models like I do. In this way, everyone can click on a Thread of the actual modeler, instead of just the model.

Anyway, that is my cent-and-a-half (inflation after all); I'm heading back to my workbench now. I'm so far behind on my many projects and I just HAVE to finish something soon or I'll scream! :woohoo:


Mr. T, I do like you and was thrilled to see you at the Nationals as well as all the other MA members I saw in Colorado. I also get along with everyone here and love seeing all the extraordinary work being done here. All of you have done wonders in helping me improve my skills and without you all I would be doing far poorer work than I am now.


Okay, now I'm going to my workbench. I do need to post up some pics, and for me to do that, I need to get something done!