NEW FIGURE GH Model' ('NAM')

[JasonB]

Up to a point I'd agree Carl. But in terms of comments on models critique shouldn't be equated with criticism per se - negative comments for the sake of it, or to be nasty.

Exactly, well said. Critiquing and criticism are not one and the same.

I think you'll be surprised to find out that this isn't the first time this sentiment has been raised. Not just here, but in precursors to this site.

And you want the honest answer to the question? Because not enough of the buyers care. Quite apart from the proof of this in terms of what sells previous discussions on this topic have shown this is the prevailing view here, at least from those who actually participate (it's true elsewhere too - there are exact parallels in armour circles and I presume amongst aircraft modellers).

That does kind of surprise me. Its not like these things are sold in Walmart or the corner drug store for the general populace to pick up like a pack of gum. I honestly believed that if a person were going to drop a bunch of cash on a figure thats historically based, you would expect it to be as accurate as possible. And yes, being both an armor and aircraft modeler, this is an issue that comes up frequently, and usually fidelity to the real thing is at the top of the list.

Eh? You must not look at the site that much (there are some in the threads still on the first page of Figure News)! There are a few members who will critique stuff (as distinct from ripping it to bits as seen on page 1 of this thread!) as and when they notice it, and feel like leaving a comment.

I was actually referring specifically to the reviews section. My initial commentary was on page one, I hope that wasn't considered ripping it to bits. Its what I would consider constructive criticism

But you are right, there isn't a culture of critique here. There have been some attempts to start the ball rolling on developing one, but it largely fell on deaf ears; and to be blunt, a few times even intimating that such a thing is needed has garnered criticism.

Probably goes back to understanding the difference between critique and criticizing

Well FWIW that is probably true of some makers. But Mil Mod's reviews for example, in the brief space allowed, can be positive or negative.

It would be interesting to see how many repeat submissions they get for the items/brands they review poorly, or do they actually buy everything they review? Terry Ashley went through a rough spell over at Perth Military modeling because he repeatedly pointed out errors in the Dragon armor kits, so they had a corporate shill set up a blog site that basically mocked Terry and his reviews endlessly. Then they went and corrected a lot of the things he pointed out as being wrong with their kits

It's no different from film reviews; even a trusted critic whose opinions you mostly agree with will sometimes hate something you think is good fun or even better than that.

When it comes to models, one person's excellent is another person's meh, and they can both be just as earnest in their views.

Einion

Thats true, but its a little different I think, when the reviews could honestly help improve future releases. For example, if every time brand X releases a figure, and they are told its great, they will continue releasing the same thing thinking they are doing great. But, if someone were to actually speak up and say "hey, all your figures look like twins, perhaps you might want to try and vary them a little more",then perhaps they would look at their own work with a more critical eye, instead of just sitting back pleased with themselves.

 

[mister greg]

I didn't think that my figure would make a "debate"!!!!!!
And the criticism positive or negative is very important for me, but no criticism "malicious" bus when I carve a figurine during 50 or 70 hours, it's very difficult to read " it's a very bad figure" or " the face is very uggly"!!!!!
I prefer to read "the face is uggly because the ears are too large or the nose is too large" or " be careful, your rigth leg is so big or not big"... it's constructive for my next figure that I will not remake my last error...
thank at all

 

[Einion]

That does kind of surprise me. Its not like these things are sold in Walmart or the corner drug store for the general populace to pick up like a pack of gum. I honestly believed that if a person were going to drop a bunch of cash on a figure thats historically based, you would expect it to be as accurate as possible.

Some others share this hope/desire as well, including myself of course, but it's far from universal. The sticklers for detail can be characterised as rivet counters or something similar a little too frequently for my taste.

Given this is historical modelling (or at least it's supposed to be) it really does take some pondering to try to understand the acceptance of accuracy snafus, particularly really gross errors. But the bottom line is that most people don't care and those that do appear to be a minority... sometimes a vocal minority but a minority nonetheless

And yes, being both an armor and aircraft modeler, this is an issue that comes up frequently, and usually fidelity to the real thing is at the top of the list.

I know it's top of the list for some certainly. I don't know aircraft models well, but armour kits continue to have some amazing examples of "what the heck did they base this on?" and, I presume, still sell well enough. Just to clarify, although there is an aspect of this, simplifying detail for the purposes of production is not really what I mean - what might be equated on the figure front with things like over-thick shields etc., mail texture, the bolt handle on a rifle being cast attached to the stock - but when something is just plain wrong in some respect, including anachronisms (some of which are worse than an MP5 in the hands of a WWI trench raider) it boggles my mind that this isn't somehow important...

I was actually referring specifically to the reviews section.

Yep, understood that. Of the threads I've read there's critical commentary in the ones concerning Andrea's and Scale 75's new releases (as well as this one obviously) from those on page 1 currently.

And looking back a few pages, from just recently:
New British Sniper from Maurice corry
Soldiers of Fortune - Roman legionnaire 75mm
Coming from Thunderbird Miniatures
News Elite Miniaturas
News SCALE75
El Viejo Dragon - November release

So while these are only a minority it's easy to see there isn't no critical input here.

My initial commentary was on page one, I hope that wasn't considered ripping it to bits. Its what I would consider constructive criticism

No no, wasn't referring to your post! Didn't mean to give that impression at all, sorry.

It would be interesting to see how many repeat submissions they get for the items/brands they review poorly, or do they actually buy everything they review?

I think it's all submitted to them for the publicity. FWIW the negative comments I can think of would include Andrea and Pegaso figs, and numerous Verlinden releases, without any apparent hindrance to future review kits or advertising.

Thats true, but its a little different I think, when the reviews could honestly help improve future releases. For example, if every time brand X releases a figure, and they are told its great, they will continue releasing the same thing thinking they are doing great. But, if someone were to actually speak up and say "hey, all your figures look like twins, perhaps you might want to try and vary them a little more",then perhaps they would look at their own work with a more critical eye, instead of just sitting back pleased with themselves.

Agree totally.

Einion

 

[gordy]

I didn't think that my figure would make a "debate"!!!!!!
And the criticism positive or negative is very important for me, but no criticism "malicious" bus when I carve a figurine during 50 or 70 hours, it's very difficult to read " it's a very bad figure" or " the face is very uggly"!!!!!
I prefer to read "the face is uggly because the ears are too large or the nose is too large" or " be careful, your rigth leg is so big or not big"... it's constructive for my next figure that I will not remake my last error...
thank at all

Greg,

I applaud you for your patience and understanding, few people are so willing of criticism constructive or not. In the past people have left with bruised egos for lesser criticisms.

PlanetFigure has a wide, deep pool of knowledge and several folks have used us as a resource for unanswered questions, Young from Young Miniatures, myself and others have called out for historical questions or techniques on how to complete something, we are always here to help people just have to ask!

I look forward to seeing your next piece!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
-gordy

 

[mister greg]

Thank you Gordy,
You know without patience no figure
and my work isn't save a life but it's just carve a figure!!! thus keep cool and merry Christmas...

wait my new figure will come soon.... it's an ACW soldier....

cheers

 

[housecarl]

No one has criticised you work for JMD, so keep them coming Greg.
Carl.

 

[Merkava]

I have just received my figure this morning.

Mister Greg posted a link to a French website where we can see how he sculpted it so it seems not really necessary to give more close-ups.

But, here below you will find a photo of the figure out of its bag. As you can see, this is a 65mm figure (62mm if we take measure from the eyes) and there are not a lot of parts. Furthermore, no troubles with molding lines or bubbles.



The M-79 grenade launcher is 28mm long, that is to say that we can consider its scale as 1/26th. It is a bit basic and could have been more detailled if we have a look on a real one.

I look forward to finishing my current projects to start it.

 

[marios1]

i received the figure

Hi Greg, i received a few days your figure and i like so much it...its better respect the painted pictures you put here...( if i could say.....)!!!!!
There is the possibility you ll realize other us nam figures or same us gi 2ww in Ardenne in near future???

Bye
Mario from Italy.

 

[Merkava]

Here is my version :



It was time... 6 years later .

 

[AJLaFleche]

Zombie thread!