Welcome to the 14th round of the League of Extraordinary Riveters Terrain Competition.
"Making the extraordinary from the ordinary"
Welcome, one and all, to the 14th round of the League of Extraordinary Riveters, Terrain contest.
For those who have not taken part before, this is a competition about terrain building (as you may have gathered from the title), but it is not strictly limited to pure terrain, dioramas that can be used as table top terrain are allowed (see rules below). To get a feel for how these competitions run and what to expect you may wish look at the 13 previous rounds, linked below.
Each round has a “theme” or other defining attribute(s) that must in some way be applied to the your terrain project, to compete with other modellers for that most prestigious of prizes, membership into The League of Extraordinary Riveters [LoER].
The competition is open to everyone registered on Dakka Dakka, all are welcome to enter regardless of ability, etc.
The main aim of these competitions is to encourage gamers and model-makers alike to go that extra mile when building terrain that can be used for playing your preferred tabletop war-game (or similar pastime). Those taking part can expect to receive ideas, inspiration, encouragement and feedback from each other, and at the end each of the participants is "rewarded" with a new piece of terrain for their own use (that's the thing you just built).
The winner of each round hosts the next round, and the cycle continues.
The theme, limitations, rules, judging and prizes are all the responsibility of the host. Although he or she can get help from others for some of those things...
For those who are returning once again to compete a most sincere and heartfelt welcome back!
Past Competitions.
Contest #1 "Lids" (dsteingass)
Contest #2 "Cookie Package” (Viktor Von Doom)
Contest #3 "Fightin' Pit!" (MrMerlin)
Contest #4 "For the title of Master Shrubber" (Meade)
Contest #5 "Vehicles!" (Bruticus)
Contest #6 "We're Not Worthy!" (Meade)
Contest #7 "Fire at Will" ( hk1x1)
Contest #8 "All are welcome" (Camkierhi)
Contest #9 “Elementary" (Littletower)
Contest #10 "The Throne" (Camkierhi)
Contest #11 "On The Road" (Red Harvest)
Contest #12 "Wall me up, fence me in " (monkeytroll)
Contest #13 "What went wrong?" (OneManNoodles)
... And now onwards to the current competition.
This round's theme is "Making something extraordinary from the ordinary".
That is, I want you to take something ordinary and make a piece of terrain out of it.
Sounds simple? Well it's not that simple. Specifically:
Take two (that's more than 1 and less than 3) everyday items (this can be household rubbish or recycling; bottles, bottle tops, cans, etc.), something that you find in real life (so not part of a model kit, basically) and turn them into terrain.
The "Ordinary" pieces must be larger than a normal 28mm infantry figure each. That is roughly a cylinder of 30mm in length and 25mm in diameter.
Your first
WIP photo should show both of the Ordinary items in the natural state (at least before they become unrecognisable) so that we can see what you are starting with.
Other suitable items include: Cans of beans (probably best without the beans in), boxes of any kind, kinder eggs, liquid soap dispensers, pill bottles and boxes. Anything that
didn't come in a model kit.
Viktor von Domm wrote:...by the way... i think i have some pieces found already... say Dr. H... or Cam... the second piece...necessarily a different item altogether or could be twins?
That's an interesting question, Vik.
I will say that twins are allowed, but remember that originality is a key feature in this (as others) competition. It would be advisable to treat the two items differently (and making two identical things into two different things would be good).
A good way of working this would be to have the second of the pair as a broken/destroyed version of the intact one.
Still sounds simple? Well there's one more thing:
One item must remain largely in one piece (you can add greebles to it, but the basic shape must remain intact), the other item can be chopped up or used in any way you want (except as the base).
However, I will allow you to cut holes for pipes etc. and flatten areas to allow it to sit/stand straight on the ground or next to other parts of the model.
But be aware that points may be available for how little abuse (cutting) you can get away with on that item.
I want you to work around the item, not bend it to your will. That is the challenge.
The truly tricky part I see for this competition is using something in such a way that it remains recognisable as what it was, but also is perfectly recognisable as what is represents on the model. Find that balance, and the prize could be yours.
Just to emphasise a point:
The Ordinary items are to be used as part of the model, but not as the base; the thing the whole model sits on.
Also, you can use as many other items (real life or model kit) as you like, for any other part of the model (including the base), but these are not counted as the Two for the theme and can be treated however you like (e.g. cut up, etc...)
For it to qualify as "intact" you cannot remove from it's shape/surface (unless you need to drill a hole for something to be firmly attached with a pin, for example).
You can, however, add as much as you like to it. Use the items as a scaffold to build upon.
But think, that if you completely obliterate the shape of the original item, what was the point of using it in the first place?
This is why I want to know what the two ordinary items are, before you start. So that I can judge how well you have used it's shape.
Work with the shape to create something different and interesting.
I like to see how people build their models, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this. So please post as many
WIP shots as you can. This can achieve more than just keeping me happy (and you want to do that anyway
): Regular posts in this thread will keep it in the public eye and will allow more people to find this contest. Also, if you post
WIP shots, others can give you feedback and ideas before it's too late to change it (this will only help you as a participant and we all learn something new).
However, FINAL pictures should not be shown here. This is important for motivation, we are all our own worst critics, and seeing someone's brilliant work should not put us off but it can. I can't stop you posting in your own threads, but please not in here.
PM me with the pictures / links instead when they are ready.
One last note on photographs. Please put as much effort into taking photos of your finished model as you have building it. Poorly lit, out-of-focus, blurred, and low resolution photos can harm your chances in any competition. Remember, If I can't see it in the photo, I can't judge it. Only you can hold the model in your hands and turn it around to see everything. Make sure everything you want me to see is in the photos. Thank you.
Rules:.
1: Talk about
fight club the Competition. Tell everyone. Post it in your blogs. Add the banner to your signature.
HTML code for the banner.....
{url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/643658.page#7734224]{img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/11/8/429237_md-.jpg{/img]{/url]
change all the "{" to "["
It should look and work like this one:
2: Must be completed by the deadline. And when I say "must", I mean "about". There is a fair amount of leeway given in these contests but assume there will be no extensions and we'll cross any problems when it arises.
The Deadline is 10 weeks which makes it midnight BST 17th June
Which I believe is 19:00 EST or 16:00 PST
But anything on that night though to midday will be accepted so that those of you living in the past can keep going until bed time.
Deadline extended to midnight (BST) 21st June (Sunday)
3: Your piece should be scratch-built or heavily converted. Model kit parts can be used, but you will get more points for something you sculpt yourself, so keep that in mind. Unconventional parts are highly recommended in addition to those you will be using as part of this competition.
4: Your model should be a piece of terrain or a diorama that can be used for gaming purposes. It cannot be a playable model in itself (a crashed tank must stay crashed), but removable models (people) are fine.
5: Any scale, any setting and any gaming system are welcome. A nice mixture of fantasy, sci-fi, historical, or modern will make this contest all the more interesting. If you don't play a game, that's fine too; just make a display piece, but keep rule 4 in mind.
6: The women are right, size doesn't matter. You can make as small or as large a model as you want. Bare in mind the time-scale and don't bite off more than you can chew.
However, the two pieces of "Ordinary matter" that you choose to use as the contest pieces must be larger than a normal 28mm infantry figure. That is roughly a cylinder of 30mm in length and 25mm in diameter.
Your first
WIP photo should show both of the Ordinary items in the natural state (or as near to it as possible) so that we can see what you are starting with.
7: Final Entry: Six or more photos of your final entry, showing top, front, both sides, back and all the important parts - not to be posted in this thread.
PM me with links to your galleries, albums, etc. As I said above, please take the time to take the best photos that you can.
Together with your photos, I would like a statement of the Two ordinary items (a photo would be ideal) that you used.
Feel free to include some fluff or an explanation of the model/setting to allow the rest of us to fully appreciate your work.
8: THE RULE OF COOL, trumps all.
9: Not so much a rule, but it wouldn't be the League of Extraordinary Riveters if there are no rivets. This also means similar small details are highly valued (rivets are the best example of this level of detailing).
10: And on a personal note, Sprue. Find a use for the often discarded wonder material and bonus points will be yours.
If you are unsure of anything just ask away.
Judging:.
Modelling: 50 points total.
(10 points) Skill and Techniques - No mould lines, gaps or rough edges (that are not meant to be rough). Show that you know the difference between a hobby knife and a spatula.
(10 points) Design - How well was the idea translated to the model. Layout of the piece; artistically and for playability. Well thought out design for the setting.
(5 points) Originality - You could have built anything, what did you choose?
(10 points) Materials - Choice of Ordinary items (ease of use / ambition / originality). Scratch-building Vs. recycled materials Vs. kit parts.
(15 points) Final product - How well were the Ordinary items used. Clever incorporation of the shapes into the model. Was the intact piece left intact (no chopping needed).
Painting: 50 points total.
(10 points) Between the lines - Crisp and clean paintwork. No slips or brushstrokes. Good coverage of both the basecoat and final layers.
(10 points) Skill and Techniques - Use of advanced painting techniques such as blending, shading,
OSL, weathering, edge highlighting, freehand, etc... And their execution.
(10 points) Simple but effective - Use of basic techniques (washes, dry-brushing, layering etc.) to a high level.
(5 points) Thinking outside the box - Use of unusual methods to produce good results. Including the use of printed materials, or unusual media (iridescent paint, etc.).
(15 points) Final product - How does the piece look overall in all it's glory.
Bonuses: 25 points total.
(5 points) Little details - Rivets and other small details that add realism to the piece.
(3 points) The wonder material - Use of Sprue in it's own right not just as a hidden support structure. Good, new and original use of sprue.
(5 points) The second piece - Was the second piece left intact?
(1 point) On time - A little bonus for those that completed on time (Midnight 17th June) regardless of extensions.
(2 points) Early - Something for those that work really quick. Completed in 5 weeks (by 13th May). Not cumulative with "On Time".
(10 points) Coolness - At the judges discretion. Rule of Cool is always in effect.
Yeah, that's a possible total of 125 points... nobody said it had to be 100.
Prizes:.
1st Prize.
Membership to the League of Extraordinary Riveters as top prize. You will be allowed to fly the League's banner and be recognised as a modeller devoted to Rivets.
Also a commission piece of terrain to your specification, made by me, of a medium size (CD sized base, see
my sprue hut for an example). And some of my casts, that I sell, for you to play with.
2nd Prize.
A small commission piece of terrain (see
my junk pile for an example), and a smaller collection of my casts.
3rd Prize
Just a warm glow inside to encourage you to come back next time.
People's choice: As voted for by your fellow Dakkanaughts.
More warm feelings inside and the bragging rights that your peers love your work.
Honorary mention: The person that didn't get into the top 3 but received the most votes. Assuming this is different from the People's choice.
And...
Anyone who completes a model for this competition will receive a full, detailed critique of your piece, written by me. This will highlight the good points and the parts I feel need work. I will give advice as to how I would improve the model and suggestions for alternatives. This is purely my opinions and is part of how I judge the pieces. It can be posted in this thread for all to see and learn from, or by
PM if you want to see it first.
Judges:
Me (Dr H)
Camkierhi
Volunteers welcome to help in the process.
So, go to it people. Get building.
Current Contestants:
Gawdam Sumbish
Snrub
Trollmeat
EyeamRai
Vik
MagosBiff90
Monkeytroll
Stormwall
Solar Shock
Mars2024
Anvildude
Lone Dirty Dog
OneManNoodles
Red Harvest
GrimDork
Ruglud?
Ignatius-Grulgor
Januine
Tek Thornison
Inmygravenimage
ChrisWhite
Endtransmission
Keltikhoa
Llamahead
Fango
Good luck to all.
THINGS ONE OF THESE DAYS...i'm in.
