“Go big or go home?”
“Go big or go home?”
Well, we're not so sure about that.
When it comes to making bases for competitions, the general consensus is that the bigger the base, the higher the chances of winning. Personally, I think this is a misconception. It may applies to a certain official competition but when it comes to Tetsujin, things are a bit different. So Leon Ku and I sat down to come with this little write-out. It is food for thought for those who are taking part in next year's Tetsujin.
Yes, it’s a competition but that doesn’t mean we, the organizers can’t teach or guide people on how to plan the strategy for their entries. We have deliberated and came out with this topic about bases. You can say it’s a guideline to educate modelers to work smart and be more resourceful.
So BIG dioramas, do we really need them? I believe you guys should have seen your fair share of them by now. So what purposes do they serve in the competition?
1. To make your entry look more impressive?
2. To attract the judges’ attention perhaps?
3. To overwhelm competitors’ works?
4. To tell/narrate a story or even, to convey a message?
Or
5. All of above?
We’re pretty sure that we have covered most of the criteria. Well basically, many modelers think that size matters and opted for bigger bases. But let us explain why this may not always work in your favor.
For starters, do you have a compelling story to tell? And if so, are you able to translate/convey it effectively via the base? Each component on the base plays an important role and together they form part of a scenario/scene which you want to portray/illustrate. Your aim is that by using and combining all these elements, you will draw the audiences in and keep them there. So attention to details is pretty important here.
However, most of time, modelers do big bases simply because they want to max out the dimensions set by the organizers. This is not advisable if they have, well, no content to begin with. You know, it just look barren and that's it. Do not simply have a big base just for the sake of having it.
Because the more empty spaces there are, the more you need to fill them up with something and most often than not, you made mistakes and loses precious points. And in most cases, a big base actually diverts the attention away from the main subject which is worse! It is just too distracting!
So clearly, there is a need to strike a balance. A base should complement the model kit and vice versa. It shouldn’t be so overpowering that it overwhelms the main subject matter. It should be enhancing the main subject matter instead.
It has already been proven that smaller bases with well designed layout and a compelling story line do wonders to an entry. And coupled with a dynamic pose, it will become an excellent showpiece!
And yet sometimes, we may not even need to tell a story at all. A simple standalone base can be elegant and still enhance the subject matter. Simple mechanical bases with nice layout can achieve that effect too. We do not have to do story-telling every single time. Static bases are still in fashion and is very relevant today as well.
So in conclusion, small doesn't always put you at a disadvantage. If planned properly, it can be twice as effective as a big base. You just need to achieve that balance in presentation and make it attention grabbing as well. And most importantly, complement the main subject matter.
So this is it. We have given you some directions and clues to making your bases work. So it's back to the worktable and start planning! Good luck!
Just remember, bigger stuff are subjected to more scrutiny. Be smart about it!
