Figure Damaged At Euro

[Ferris]

Oh man Edward, that sucks! The fact itself is quite a shock, but the attempt at repair!? What was this guy thinking??
Reminds me of this: http://gawker.com/5936665 Wonder what this would have scored in the Flats category...

Adrian

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Im sorry of your misfortune, Edward.

And you are right. Let the owner fix it to his standards.
And what happend to the one breaking it? I hope some kind of retribution where made?

My friend Frank said he saw a woman breaking a figure with her camera trying to take a close up. It fell to the floor and broke into pieces, if I remember correctly she was told to see the judges in their area.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

 

[Bailey]

That really is a shame. What I'm most shocked at is that the judge would try and fix it himself. I would think anyone that involved in the hobby would know better! Not only are you imposing your skill and opinion of what 'fixed' is, but you're doing it in what I think is far from ideal conditions. If any of my figures have a major break at a show there's no way I'd try to fix it there. I'd take it home and back to my workbench for repair.

 

[krom1415]

Oh, that is not good. That would break my heart after all that love and skill put in.
My two pennies worth.
Insurance and compensation for the hurt party, including painting costs.
Why don't the judges photograph all the entries and post them on a website, and ban photography/And bags and add some crowd control, and security. I'm sure I saw a setup at the end of the room, and it looked professional.
I was surprised that I was only barged once, however I did get people jumping in front of me with there camera's. Its why I didn't take my camera.

 

[mash3d]

I attended Euro militaire in 2010. Overall it was a good experience but I think they maybe they should limit the amount of people in the viewing area at one time. At one point it got so crowded I was worried I was going to get bumped and knock something over myself. As much as I hate to say it, since I'm a photographer myself, I would suggest checking bulky bags at the door or a set time for people that want to take pictures. I didn't attend this year so I have no idea what room the figures were in.
But if it's the same one as 2010 it could stand being held in a larger room with a little more room for the aisles.

 

[Edward]

Thanks a lot everyone for your messages and concern. A friend of mine (also a Euro judge) said that he will write to Geoffrey Illsley to suggest a warning to stop his judging team from trying to repair figures if they are damaged. So hopefully this will put a stop to it. I have also suggested that if a figure is damaged the modeller should be notified if possible. I honestly don't think I would have been told. I only found out because I noticed my figure was missing (apart from a single broken part on the display table).

 

[brian]

Hi Edward
I remember the exact same thing happen to a well known painter a few years ago.He kicked off big time and ended up getting compensated by the Euro hierarchy.
Brian

 

[krom1415]

Worth a try

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Hi Edward
I remember the exact same thing happen to a well known painter a few years ago.He kicked off big time and ended up getting compensated by the Euro hierarchy.
Brian

But rather the perpetrator should be held responsible. Anyone remember the signs in shops? "You break it, you´ve bought it!"

 

[Blind Pew]

Dear me. I'd type something stronger but I know kids see this forum.

Absolutely diabolical. Not the fact that the figure was damaged, as I'd like to think this was an inadvertent, genuine error. Now this, I'm sure most people, and I know you Ed, would probably accept. Taking figures to shows is fraught with danger after all.

What I find so bad is the cover up. If you make a mistake, just say sorry, grow a pair and accept the responsibility. Not glue it back together in the vain hope nobody notices. That's the actions of a pathetic child who knows they've been naughty. I would have expected better from a judge at what purports to be the 'Blue Ribband' show in the UK. And this is what I can't accept.

A mistake/goof/cock-up I can always live with. Not deceit.

There should be some form of redress as well, but I'm not optimistic. The people who take part in Euro ought to be dealt with more respect. Instead you're treated like cattle really.

I'm upset on your behalf Ed. You might have guessed.

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Shame that the disappeared figure and this string's issue have led to more bad press for Euro when they seem to have made a sincere effort to redress last year's judging problems. I would think that the security issue can be fixed relatively simply and that the breakage/fixage issue here is just poor judgment by an individual. That needs addressing too but is also probably a simple fix, at least for the future. Best not to lose site of the positive trend though in that Euro seems to be on a better track than last year.

Colin

 

[DEL]

Shame that the disappeared figure and this sting's issue have led to more bad press for Euro when they seem to have made a sincere effort to redress last year's judging problems. I would think that the security issue can be fixed relatively simply and that the breakage/fixage issue here is just poor judgment by an individual. That needs adressing too but is also probably a simple fix, at least for the future. Best not to lose site of the positive thend though in that Euro seems to be on a better track than last year.

Colin

Well said Colin

 

[Helm]

Agreed Colin but these are possibly THE most basic concerns of a show. IE Will my stuff be safe from damage and theft. I can't comment on the show as I didn't go but surely the fact that a judge at any show took it upon themselves to A) Cover up who ever wrecked a figure and badly botch a repair and B) Offered nothing other than an oh well in apology is a fairly major flaw. As I say I've never been to the show in question so have no axe to grind and am sure it is not limited to this particular event but as this our "Crufts" surely basic issues like this shouldn't need attention after all this time?.

Steve

 

[Edward]

I'm sorry if this has led to bad press for Euro but I think this issue needs addressing, especially as it's happened before. I wouldn't have started this thread if my figure had just been accidentally damaged by a photographer. It's the bad repair job/attempt at a cover up, which makes the damage to the figure worse.

Anyway, hopefully this will be sorted out now.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Some might say this was an accident and it was in the sence that there where no intenssion. But seeing how many modelers and visitors behave when taking photos, camera slings, backpacks, handling and litfting up pieces exhibited makes it neglection. They should know better, there should be staff asking wtf they think theyre doing as well as other modellers helping the staff in their task. More signs about this on the display tables and no bags, backpack, purses etc worn above hiplevel.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

 

[Einion]

I remember the exact same thing happen to a well known painter a few years ago.He kicked off big time and ended up getting compensated by the Euro hierarchy.

Adrian Bay's Celt maybe?

Shame that the disappeared figure and this string's issue have led to more bad press for Euro when they seem to have made a sincere effort to redress last year's judging problems.

Judging problems have come and gone at Euro numerous times at Euro; they will occur again, it's in the nature of the thing.

Unfortunately this does mean that standards vary a bit, not just from year to year but also across categories at the same show. There's little that can really be done for this, human foibles being what they are. Stewarding is much less an issue of differing tastes or emphasis from person to person though.

What bugs me about this is that in some previous years the stewards were not in the least shy about warning people to be more careful about dangling lens caps, leaning in too close for a macro shot etc. and moving them back if and when necessary. That's not something that really should have changed at all, especially given the space limitations of the venue coupled with the great press of people during the busy times.

I'm sorry if this has led to bad press for Euro...

I wouldn't worry at all. It's quite clear you weren't trying to smear the show, just report a bad incident - which you absolutely should have, it's nothing to keep quiet about.

Einion

 

[brian]

Adrian Bay's Celt maybe?



Judging problems have come and gone at Euro numerous times at Euro; they will occur again, it's in the nature of the thing.

Unfortunately this does mean that standards vary a bit, not just from year to year but also across categories at the same show. There's little that can really be done for this, human foibles being what they are. Stewarding is much less an issue of differing tastes or emphasis from person to person though.

What bugs me about this is that in some previous years the stewards were not in the least shy about warning people to be more careful about dangling lens caps, leaning in too close for a macro shot etc. and moving them back if and when necessary. That's not something that really should have changed at all, especially given the space limitations of the venue coupled with the great press of people during the busy times.



I wouldn't worry at all. It's quite clear you weren't trying to smear the show, just report a bad incident - which you absolutely should have, it's nothing to keep quiet about.

Einion

Hardy Tempest's 54mm Richard 1. Somebody broke the flag .
Brian

 

[Tecumsea]

Unfortunately the Euro organisers rely heavily on volunteers to steward, photograph, layout the hall, etc, etc. As the show is now run by an organisation for profit the prospect of them hiring security or glass cabinets for the event I imagine is pretty well zero. Remember that events like Girona receive a heavy subsidy from the local tourist board, I very much doubt that this is true at Folkestone. From my days of exhibiting at the NEC I can tell you that cabinet hire for the event would be in the region of £250+ per cabinet. I notice that they do have a couple of cabinets for the Judges display. BOS etc so they will be well aware of the costs. One negative of using cabinets is the reflection making photography difficult.
My own view is that they should ban photography, photograph each exhibit and sell a DVD/CD of the pictures with the magazine later in the year.

Keith

 

[DEL]

Some might say this was an accident and it was in the sence that there where no intenssion. But seeing how many modelers and visitors behave when taking photos, camera slings, backpacks, handling and litfting up pieces exhibited makes it neglection. They should know better, there should be staff asking wtf they think theyre doing as well as other modellers helping the staff in their task. More signs about this on the display tables and no bags, backpack, purses etc worn above hiplevel.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

Simple straight forward fix and easily stewarded
Derek

 

[Don]

Its not only at Euro this happens. Good friend who judges at Euro had some figures damaged in the United States when the table they were on collapsed. Plenty of people around and everyone knew what caused it, the table had not been locked properly when the legs extended.
The judges immediately offered paints, glue and anything required to rework the figures that they could still be entered in the competition. I believe the damaged figures did well in the competition but the important point is that the modellers repaired the damaged figures not the judges, although the judges tried to provide everything required for the repair.
Pity the judges in this case had not contacted the owner of the figure before attempting his botched effort.

Don