What happened to the AFM guys judging the contest?

[Scott Johansen]

I think you're convinced that this is true and nobody here is going to sway you. Fair enough. You're entitled to your opinion, of course. But if you're saying it's not a real model contest UNLESS the AFM guys judge, then I have to disagree. And despite the fact that you insist your position is a hypothetical one, it can't help but come across as an insult to those who won medals. I gather that you're friends with one or more of the AFM guys, and maybe you think this is sticking up for them, but (a) I'm sure they can defend themselves if they so choose, and (b) it's quite condescending to those who judged and those who won. The best part of this hobby, to me, is the bringing together of modellers of all skill levels so that we can all learn from each other. I sat in on Jim Capone's demo of flesh tones and learned something new. Same with the grey scale demo by Jeff Camp (I missed Rick's but have seen it subsequently on YT). Stalwarts of our hobby sharing what they've learned for everyone's benefit. I would rather focus on that and the positives then any perceived slights.

Congrats to all the winners! Hope you're inspired to Build More Models!

Ross, I am growing more convinced I'm right with your replies that's for sure. I never said it wasn't a real contest so please don't put words in my mouth. Many, many, many, many, here can tell you I'm not usually at a loss for words and can write my own just fine. My position is a hypothetical one. Can you prove it's not true? If so please do! Also please remember earlier in this thread I said " As always there were many great kits in the contest and I commend ANYONE that entered at all. You are all doing what this hobby is about............MODELING!!! Congrats for that are certainly in order! My comments are simply about keeping the WF contest what it has always been in my opinion. THE BEST FIGURE/Sci-Fi modeling contest out there. I would rather see less awards given IF that meant keeping the quality up." so stop making me look like a bad guy for voicing my opinion!! I am not trying to insult ANYONE!! Also I am friends with many of the AFM guys.......so what? I'm also friends with John Davis. Does this mean I shouldn't have an opinion?? Tell me how taking some of the most talented guys in the hobby out of the judging makes he contest stronger? That's a fair question don't you think? As I said in my above post.......the title of this thread was: What happened to the AFM guys judging the contest? I didn't start it.....I just chimed in. As for perceived slights...........you can have them but I can't?

[Scott Johansen]

You're wrong on a number of counts (it wasn't just the AFM guys who didn't judge this year, but also many others from past years, like myself; the 'AFM guys' awarded Dave his Most Amazing Model award, so yeah they did judge the kits at least for that award) but there's no point in continuing this discussion.

Go Build More Models!

Oh now there are plenty of reasons to continue the discussion. You keep trying to twist my words. First off I'm not even going to drag Dave's win into this discussion. It was well deserved and I respect Dave's ability completely!! When did I say it was JUST the AFM guys that didn't judge this year? Quote it and show me!

SJ

[RossAWaddell]

Um, here?

First off Shakey Dave, you are a very talented builder and painter and also have some very creative ideas!! I was glad to see you get the most AMAZING figure this year!! The Wolfman dio was AWESOME!! So was the Dr. Frankenstein/Fritz dio!!! YOU have worked HARD and continue to bring your "A" game.

That being said can you tell me what AFM writer judged either of those pieces and gave them an award? I'm betting it wasn't an AFM writer. As stated earlier in the thread it wasn't just AFM writers that were judges. It was however AFM writers that were omitted from judging.

Look, I'm really not trying to argue with you, Scott. You're obviously quite passionate about your position, and that's fine. But no one here needs to prove or disprove your hypothesis. As I said previously, the more you continue with this the more those of us who won medals/awards feel a bit insulted. That may just be me, though, so again no harm no foul.

[needful1one]

I was just told that Jason Gares was a Judge of this contest?? Is this true? Was it posted anywhere? I do not know why everyone is still in the dark about knowing who the judges were at the 2015 WF Model Contest?? I as a supporter of the show for the past 18 years would like to know.

1) Rusty Nail Check.
2) JASON GARES: UNQUALIFIED

[Scott Johansen]

I was just told that Jason Gares was a Judge of this contest?? Is this true? Was it posted anywhere? I do not know why everyone is still in the dark about knowing who the judges were at the 2015 WF Model Contest?? I as a supporter of the show for the past 18 years would like to know.

1) Rusty Nail Check.
2)?????

OMG!! I would HOPE this isn't true either. Check his FB friends list. It's a who's who of the GK hobby. Same guy that said unlicensed kits were no different than recasts? Yeah.........that would be better than the AFM guys!

[needful1one]

I am sick to my stomach right now. I guess when things happen in the past we are meant to forget about that they ever happened??

This is a guy who came on this board and was thrown off the CH for taking money from people and leaving them out to dry waiting for their money to repaid. After a number of complaints to the Mods he was banned and the first thing he does is befriend another asset to the hobby Larry Burbridge. I guess they had alot in common since he was banned also.

Shortly after this team up he was on a forum that he,Larry Burbridge ( recaster),Rick Muncy ( recaster)Dan Fuller ( recaster),and Martin Cage ( UK Recaster ) started and was actively speaking on this forum and openly came out and said "All the guys who made unlicensed kits were as a big of a thief as recasters were and the people on the CH were the biggest problem for supporting unlicensed kit producers".Meanwhile he was loving all the recasts he was getting from Larry and Rick Muncy ( recaster) and was showing them and talking about how great they were on this forum.

Now you can say what you want about my opinion but this is not someone I would ever want to be a judge or even be in the same building of like minded people in this great hobby of ours. I am insulted as a producer and many other producers who do what we do for NOTHING!!!!! We invest lots of our money to hope & struggle that we can just break even so we can continue on. I have never stolen a thing in my life,and if your gonna call me a thief say it to my face. You #$#$#$# puke !!!!

He has done nothing constructive in this hobby but try some charade of a video club on his youtube page. He resurrected some other guys work that had been in a tomb somewhere and now trying to walk around like he is some David Fisher trying to sell his wares like they are an asset to the modeling world. I don't go to a shoemaker to have a wisdom tooth pulled and this guy is a SHOEMAKER!!! Hack !! Piece of #$#$#$#. Who did he blow to get in this contest? I want to know who he spoke to and what he said for anyone in charge to say " Yeah he is a good choice to be a judge"!! I know it wasn't his modeling skills. Has anyone ever seen him do any modeling?? He has done things that wouldn't have gotten a MERIT from the last judges who ran the contest. So maybe that was the idea. If drippy dick can't get a MERIT lets make it so easy he gets one next time. Better yet, let him be a judge. I wouldn't let that prick paint my dogs house. And another thing.


As for the AFM judges You want to change them go right ahead. But replace them with people of Morals and Substance not some swinging dick who will show up for a sandwich to judge people's hard work. Something he knows nothing about.

[TeddyNovak]

Rusty Nail = Qualified Judge.

Great Human Being & Gentleman.

And a damn fine drink

[Rusty Nail]

Rusty Nail = Qualified Judge.

Great Human Being & Gentleman.

And a damn fine drink

Yes it is

[Heavy Metal Spike]

LMAO

.

[Scott Johansen]

sure has gotten quiet since Robb's post!!

SJ

[raydrz]

...confused why all EX-JUDGES had their stuff on the judges table...don't get me wrong, a pleasure to see their beautiful worxxx, but gave the impression that they were doing the judging...i sincerely hope they all didn't set up and THEN learn there was going to be a different judging panel...that would be ignorant...

[Scott Johansen]

...confused why all EX-JUDGES had their stuff on the judges table...don't get me wrong, a pleasure to see their beautiful worxxx, but gave the impression that they were doing the judging...i sincerely hope they all didn't set up and THEN learn there was going to be a different judging panel...that would be ignorant...

The AFM writers that were excluded were aware of it prior to WF. I don't know if it is actually a "judges" table or a table for the AFM writers to display their work. After all AFM DOES sponsor the contest.

SJ

[Rusty Nail]

sure has gotten quiet since Robb's post!!

SJ

I just think it's cool I have my own drink!

I don't know much about Jason...I'm in the dark about A LOT of stuff. I don't really have the time to be on the up and up but I know Robb is a producer and has been at this a long time so he has better intell than I do I guess.

With that being said...I'm out of this discussion You guys have fun...there have been some really good points made in this thread!

[FilmMkr]

In before the lock.

[Scott Johansen]

In before the lock.

Shouldn't get locked.........it's been pretty civil. I'm even behaving................I think!!! LOL

SJ

[Drew_666]

Hopefully you know who I am and what I do for WF, if not I guess you will after this.

1st - let me say this: the integrity of the contest has and will always be intact. It has NEVER gone soft and it will NEVER go soft. This contest is and will remain one of the hardest to receive any award (always has been and always will be).

2nd – John Davis and myself decide to try something different this year with judging this year by cutting down the number of judges to try and get a little more consistency and give the AFM writers and past judges a break. WE DID NOT AND ARE NOT GETTING RID OF ANYONE……….PERIOD! We just wanted to try something different and see how it worked. We judged for several hours and I think EVERYONE here agrees that the entries this year were the best overall in a great while, and the numbers speak for themselves.

3rd – As far as whom the judges were and their identities go……know this. NOBODY is supposed to know who judges the contest (Rusty its ok we are good). If you have attended WF in the past you have seen their work and they have received awards and earned the right to judge. Judges are ask to judge by John or myself and out of ALL the judges we had this year ALL but one worked out GREAT (no need for names). Next year we may have some formers judges back, but not ALL of them. What we tried this year I believed worked even tho it took much longer than usual; John and myself were happy with the results.

If anyone here still has questions or any problems what so ever with the way the contest is ran or even suggestion, please do NOT hesitate to contact us.

Drew – punisher_reborn@yahoo.com
John Davis – samcrow316@twc.com

P.S.
The WF crew most definitely appreciates those who attend the show and enter into the contest as it IS the contest of ALL contest. Thank You

P.S.S.
Scott and Ross I loves both of ya like brothers, stop it or I’m going to kick the both of you in the nads next time I see ya!!!!

[Drew_666]

...confused why all EX-JUDGES had their stuff on the judges table...don't get me wrong, a pleasure to see their beautiful worxxx, but gave the impression that they were doing the judging...i sincerely hope they all didn't set up and THEN learn there was going to be a different judging panel...that would be ignorant...

That table is for AFM writers, WF staff, and some(i say again SOME) folks who are helping out and want to display their work but not entering the contest.

[raydrz]

appreciate the overall civility (and honesty) of the responses...i haven't even considered a trip to the YALE, MASTER, SCHLAGE section of the hardware store...

drew, your input is SUPER APPRECIATED since you and john are the man...as usual, good to see you and your beautiful family

[Drew_666]

The AFM writers that were excluded were aware of it prior to WF. I don't know if it is actually a "judges" table or a table for the AFM writers to display their work. After all AFM DOES sponsor the contest.

SJ

Yes they do sponsor the contest, but that DOES NOT mean writers HAVE to or NEED to judge.
Again......we gave writers and some past judges a break this year.
It REALLY is OK ya know..........to take a break.

[Brent]

Thanks for the info, Drew!

I kind of suspected that the change in judging was to get a smaller team, which is easier to get everyone on the same page than having 30 or so. It makes perfect sense, but it was only speculation on my part until now.

I appreciate you guys working to make the judging consistent in all categories, and I appreciate this year's judges being willing to put in over double the usual time to judge all those models!