General diorama contest discussion

[Federreptil]

Dear Admin - great news  I'm very happy to read this. I root for your success with the potential sponsor.

[Lizerd]

I just hope we can start before September as I won't have time for a contest as I drown in homework, but anyways good luck with the sponsor 

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

I've been wondering about this myself. Happy to hear it's in the works.

[Megalosaurus]

Why do we need a sponsor?
Lets participate just for FUN!

[acro-man]

Yeah, having fun is all we need, and what I am here for!

[Silvanusaurus]

I for one would only be compelled to enter if it was assured that I would win a ridiculously large sum of filthy money.

[Lizerd]

I for one would only be compelled to enter if it was assured that I would win a ridiculously large sum of filthy money.

Your not alone in that boat

[Hynerpeton]

I assume there is no contest this year of 2020?

[DinoToyForum]

I assume there is no contest this year of 2020?

I've been mulling this over recently and have decided to skip it this year. I know we could go ahead under these unusual circumstances and travel restrictions but I don't think it would be right. I realise not everyone has to leave home or travel to create a diorama scene, but some people do, and I want to avoid encouraging that.

[Gwangi]

I assume there is no contest this year of 2020?

I've been mulling this over recently and have decided to skip it this year. I know we could go ahead under these unusual circumstances and travel restrictions but I don't think it would be right. I realise not everyone has to leave home or travel to create a diorama scene, but some people do, and I want to avoid encouraging that.

What about a diorama contest with a twist? It doesn't have to be an accurate diorama in a natural setting, it could be an indoor only contest. We've had unconventional entries in the past, the dinosaur tea party comes to mind. What if the contest required every entry to be unconventional in this way? I would hate to see the virus cancel another event that could just be altered instead. It would be a morale boost for a lot of people, I suspect. Just a thought.

[stargatedalek]

I assume there is no contest this year of 2020?

I've been mulling this over recently and have decided to skip it this year. I know we could go ahead under these unusual circumstances and travel restrictions but I don't think it would be right. I realise not everyone has to leave home or travel to create a diorama scene, but some people do, and I want to avoid encouraging that.

What about a diorama contest with a twist? It doesn't have to be an accurate diorama in a natural setting, it could be an indoor only contest. We've had unconventional entries in the past, the dinosaur tea party comes to mind. What if the contest required every entry to be unconventional in this way? I would hate to see the virus cancel another event that could just be altered instead. It would be a morale boost for a lot of people, I suspect. Just a thought.

Perhaps "dinosaurs in the home" as a theme? That keeps it surprisingly open to different styles, everything from goofy posed dinosaurs doing human things, to dinosaurs positioned realistically as if they were pets or local wild animals, to collections displayed on shelves showing the setup of the shelving itself.

[Crackington]

I think Stargate and Gwangi have a good point. Yes, let's do it and have a clear rule "No pictures from outside your home!"

It would be something we could all do which is actually safe.

[indohyus]

I agree that a more unconventional contest could work wonders, give those of us bored at home something to do. Ultimately up to the powers that be, but a "dinos at home" diorama would be fun.

[Libraraptor]

Switching the Motto to something unconventional is a good idea.  Special circumstances require special measurements.  Dinosaurs at home Sounds Great to me and is in no way disrespectful.

[DinoToyForum]

Under the suggested "dinosaurs at home" theme, would traditional constructed dioramas still be fair game? Must the entries all be tongue in cheek?

[Gwangi]

Under the suggested "dinosaurs at home" theme, would traditional constructed dioramas still be fair game? Must the entries all be tongue in cheek?

On the one hand I would say they're fair game, because they would be constructed at home and fit the requirement of being at home. On the other hand that might give those entries an unfair advantage against the quirky entries so I'm inclined to think that they should ALL be tongue in cheek. A unique contest for these "unique" times we're living in. Or maybe forget pushing a quirky contest all together and just limit the rules to being indoor only and letting the creators decide? Much to think about and discuss.

[Crackington]

Keep it simple and just have a "must be indoors" rule. You never know, people may want to do a quirky diorama!

[Neosodon]

Obtaining the materials to make a traditional diorama may be even less safe than going to find a natural location to take a photo. I think postponing the contest until late fall may be the best option. I doubt most places will still be under quarantine by then.

[Lanthanotus]

Well, for a "serious" diorama you may need materials that you can either get in your backyard, a near park or a specialized shop that is most likely safer to visit than the supermarket that you rely on for your daily requirements. Personally I think, never`s been a better time for sch a contest, because a lot of people - though not necessarily in this forum - have more time at their hand then ever and often enough less ideas what to do with that time.

While I personally would welcome the idea to rule out outdoor shots, my motivation for that is, that a diorama by its very definition is someting artificially build up for some permanancy, rather than placing figures out in the garden or nature and take a shot (I myself do that with joy from time to time and also present the photos, but while those shots also require some thought and effort for prespective etc. it is still something vastly different in time and effort from building a diorama). I know a lot of people like those outdoor shots and there were always great shots among them, aswell as there are "lesser" dioramas - the simple way would maybe be to have different categories as it was in the 2017 contest (I think it was that year, not sure).

[Gwangi]

Obtaining the materials to make a traditional diorama may be even less safe than going to find a natural location to take a photo. I think postponing the contest until late fall may be the best option. I doubt most places will still be under quarantine by then.

That thought occurred to me as well. But a line has to be drawn somewhere. I doubt the existence or lack thereof of a contest will change anyone's behavior, everyone knows they can just go online for supplies anyway. People are either acting responsibly, or they're not, and this doesn't change that nor do we need to babysit anyone. Keeping the contest going provides a nice distraction for the members here and I think that's where our concern should begin and end. I think now, more than ever is a great time to have a diorama contest. I think people are starting to look a little too deep into this. Just make the contest an indoor only contest and people can make their own choices from there.