Dinosaur Toy Forum Diorama Contest 2024 - Poll

[ceratopsian]

I've also voted.  I enjoyed winnowing down the entries! 

I think more reminders have gone out in previous years that people should be putting together their entries. 

[DinoToyForum]

Quality over quantity this year! It might take me a couple days to make my choices.

I guess prizes are a big motivator for many people. Or maybe I didn't promote the contest as much this year.

Honestly, I didn't even know there was a competition going on. If I did I would've definitely participated.

What would've been the best way to reach you and others in the same position, so I know for next time?

Mailing list emails?
More DinoToyBlog articles?
Bumping the appropriate DTF thread?
Clearer banners on the forum?
Social media posts (where)?

I have to admit, I'm reluctant to send out mailing list emails (not just for contest but generally speaking) because I worry they'll come off as spammy and intrusive. I should probably be more aggressive in that regard. Maybe I could set up a monthly email newsletter to summarise activity that month, including DTB reviews posted, active/new DTF threads, and contests/other reminders.
 

[ceratopsian]

I think the occasional bump to the thread would have alerted me. 

[DinoToyForum]

I think the occasional bump to the thread would have alerted me. 

I did bump it four times between launch and deadline, but the forum moves so fast the bumps quickly drop off the front page. So, maybe a bump every fortnight next time.

[DinoToyForum]

50 votes cast so far and every diorama has at least one vote.  

[Halichoeres]

I always have the best intentions, but I've never once submitted. In my case, it isn't for lack of awareness! But then I log in to the forum more than most.

[bmathison1972]

Darn, after I voted I realized I could have picked three. Any way to fix that?

Also, it is intentionally not showing results? Maybe until the voting is done.

We are not supposed to say which ones we voted for, but I will say since this is a diorama contest, I favor actual dioramas and not scenes outside or with photoshopped backgrounds (although doesn't look like there are examples of the latter this year?).

[Totoro]

@Totoro, I think that could lead to voting for the construction method, rather than the result. I'm also more interested in scratchbuilt or modified figures and scenery, but I vote on the final presented images, and quality of photograph is a big factor for my choices.

Yeah, it could influence how some people vote. That would not necessarily be a bad thing.  Many may not care and would just vote for the best photo. Judging dioramas might be more nuanced.  After all, it's the diorama contest, not the dinosaur image contest. Anyway, just a thought.   

I think that sort of behind-the-scenes discussion is better after the contest.

After all, we generally wouldn't watch a 'The Making Of [movie]" documentary before watching the movie. It would spoil the 'magic'.

I hear you.  And I have really enjoyed sitting down with a big cup of coffee to read the details of how @irimali or @Federreptil have created their amazing work after the contest.  

I guess I was thinking of just a simple, concise additional description that maybe lists the specific figures the artists used in their diorama and whether they were posed as acquired or were artist enhanced/created.  So, maybe someone like @irimali would add something like "All animals and backgrounds created by artist" while another might add "Posed Rebor Kiss Tyrannosaurus rex and PNSO Triceratops Doyle models". 

Both are concise, but give more info on the work done to create the diorama components.  Maybe the descriptions could be limited to a certain number of words, if that's a concern?  The descriptions would also help viewers find models they liked in the dioramas if they wanted to add them to their collection.     

[DinoToyForum]

Darn, after I voted I realized I could have picked three. Any way to fix that?

Also, it is intentionally not showing results? Maybe until the voting is done.

We are not supposed to say which ones we voted for, but I will say since this is a diorama contest, I favor actual dioramas and not scenes outside or with photoshopped backgrounds (although doesn't look like there are examples of the latter this year?).

Sorry, votes are locked in.

[bmathison1972]

Darn, after I voted I realized I could have picked three. Any way to fix that?

Also, it is intentionally not showing results? Maybe until the voting is done.

We are not supposed to say which ones we voted for, but I will say since this is a diorama contest, I favor actual dioramas and not scenes outside or with photoshopped backgrounds (although doesn't look like there are examples of the latter this year?).

Sorry, votes are locked in.

that's OK; my fault for not paying closer attention

[JPuggy]

Quality over quantity this year! It might take me a couple days to make my choices.

I guess prizes are a big motivator for many people. Or maybe I didn't promote the contest as much this year.

Honestly, I didn't even know there was a competition going on. If I did I would've definitely participated.

What would've been the best way to reach you and others in the same position, so I know for next time?

Mailing list emails?
More DinoToyBlog articles?
Bumping the appropriate DTF thread?
Clearer banners on the forum?
Social media posts (where)?

I have to admit, I'm reluctant to send out mailing list emails (not just for contest but generally speaking) because I worry they'll come off as spammy and intrusive. I should probably be more aggressive in that regard. Maybe I could set up a monthly email newsletter to summarise activity that month, including DTB reviews posted, active/new DTF threads, and contests/other reminders.
 

A monthly newsletter would be great! A banner would also work well, or just a larger news section.

[Federreptil]

@Totoro, I think that could lead to voting for the construction method, rather than the result. I'm also more interested in scratchbuilt or modified figures and scenery, but I vote on the final presented images, and quality of photograph is a big factor for my choices.

Yeah, it could influence how some people vote. That would not necessarily be a bad thing.  Many may not care and would just vote for the best photo. Judging dioramas might be more nuanced.  After all, it's the diorama contest, not the dinosaur image contest. Anyway, just a thought.   

I think that sort of behind-the-scenes discussion is better after the contest.

After all, we generally wouldn't watch a 'The Making Of [movie]" documentary before watching the movie. It would spoil the 'magic'.

I hear you.  And I have really enjoyed sitting down with a big cup of coffee to read the details of how @irimali or @Federreptil have created their amazing work after the contest.   

I guess I was thinking of just a simple, concise additional description that maybe lists the specific figures the artists used in their diorama and whether they were posed as acquired or were artist enhanced/created.  So, maybe someone like @irimali would add something like "All animals and backgrounds created by artist" while another might add "Posed Rebor Kiss Tyrannosaurus rex and PNSO Triceratops Doyle models". 

Both are concise, but give more info on the work done to create the diorama components.  Maybe the descriptions could be limited to a certain number of words, if that's a concern?  The descriptions would also help viewers find models they liked in the dioramas if they wanted to add them to their collection.     

If you look in the older contests you can see discussions about the personal in the shots. So if you are interested in some figures you can place here the question and in the most cases you will get a correct description from one forum member who isn't the creator.
Or you have to wait a little time until the voting is finished to expand the own collection. 

[Libraraptor]

As far as I am concerned, I am okay with posting pictures only and not any kind of description or even "Making of" beforehand. The pictures and the titles stand very well on their own I think.

[Stunt_Kitty_Films]

My votes have been cast.

I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the forum for hosting the yearly event. A big thank you to everyone who contributed a photo and to those who take the time to cast their votes!

I think the "dinorama" contest is a terrific way to celebrate the plastic prehistoric figures that have brought us so much joy over the years. It's such a wonderful opportunity to exercise our creativity and share our creative endeavors with an appreciative audience of like-minded enthusiasts.

I, for one, eagerly await the announcement of the upcoming competition and am probably already mulling over ideas for my next entry!

Thank you all once again for making this event a fantastic experience!

[Halichoeres]

Or you have to wait a little time until the voting is finished to expand the own collection. 

Yeah, I think it's perfectly fine to wait two weeks to get the details about what figures were used and what elements were scratch-made.

[Libraraptor]

Has anyone not casted their vote yet? Four days to go!

[Federreptil]

The results are visible. And the Longhorns have collected the most votes. Many thanks to everyone who voted for my entry here. It's a nice thought that exactly 10 years after the Horrible Horn Horde from the 2014 competition, the Hornsaurs were able to win again.

But also to the other participants, a huge thank you for all your work and thoughts. It is always a pleasure to be presented with other points of view. Incidentally, I also had No. 2 on my list for my own vote.

I hope that next time all our efforts can encourage more forum members to submit their own contribution. It would be a shame if the competition were to lose its significance due to too little participation. It would also be a disappointment for Dr Admin for all his efforts in running the competition. So a big thank you to him for this competition.  Fortunately, more members were involved in the voting again.

[DinoToyForum]

Yes! I'll confirm the votes and officially announce the visitors soon! 

[Joliezac]

The 3 I voted for got 1st, 2nd, and 3rd! 

So many great photos and dioramas though, everyone did a great job. I could have easily chosen other ones too.

Mine was "Coastal Carnage". Thank you for the votes! I'd love to do a diorama if there is a contest next year and if I can find the space!

[Primeval12]

2th place! Awesome! Last time I entered, I only got a single vote. Glad my skills have improved!