FOD DOD III: FODDODdier
What is it?
DOD III:The Diorama of Doom 2008 is an ancient contest of skill, extending back through the decades to 2006, run by the owners of the four companies that operate on the Forum of Doom, these being Heresy, Hasslefree, Black Scorpion and Spyglass Miniatures. The aim of the contest is to thoroughly test the abilities of the entrants not only in their painting skills, but in their ability to tell a story within a painted miniatures scene, using figures only from the above companies as the main focus of that story. Such a scene is called a Diorama. Thus, the main categories in the DOD contest focus on Dioramas. However, in view of the fact that it is really quite hard (but not nearly impossible, it just takes talent) to successfully pull off a diorama that involves miniatures from more than two of the Quartet of Doom, we are also offering people the chance to win minor prizes in some categories of lesser renown and glory.
Categories
Single Figures
This can be any figure from any of the four companies, mounted on an appropriately sized scenic base. The base must complement the figure rather than draw attention away from it. Although there is no main prize for this cateogry, each of the four companies will award their favourite single entry a free figure of some kind and some kind words.
Diorama of Sycophancy -
One of the most popular categories last year, the diorama of sycophancy consists of two (or more) figures from a single FOD company arranged in a vignette. Again, the base must be part of the story of the scene, and not the main focus. You must use the figures themselves to tell the story - although we will make allowances for huge betentacled monstrosities breaking through from another dimension if that's what the scene called for.
Face-Off -
This diorama must include figures from no less or more than 2 FOD companies. 3 or more qualifies it for the main DOD contest!
There does not have to be a battle of some sort involved, but the two figures must be equally involved in the story, eg a last stand with the two figs facing unseen foes; or perhaps a card game, etc.
As a minor category, there will again be prizes awarded by the four FOD companies for their favourite overall entries.
The Main Event - DOD III: Diorama of Doom 2008 -
The main event! At least 3 companies need to be on this, but if you use all four you will gain extra points during the judging process, with those of you NOT counting the fourth company as statues but instead having all four FOD figs equally involved in the story, gaining a significant advantage over those of you who shove the token figure in the background somewhere out of the way.
Each company will award the winners credit. This will take the form of credit to be spent at the store, or half of that value as a paypal amount (you will need to setup a paypal account to claim it). Commended entries will get a little bit of credit.
DOD III Prizes
- First place will receive £50 credit/£25 paypal from each of the four FOD companies.
- Second place will receive £30 credit/£15 paypal from each FOD company.
- Third place will receive £15 credit/£7.50 paypal from each FOD company.
- 'Commended' entries will receive £5.00 credit from each FOD company.
Some important notes and more rules:
- Level Playing Field: You must take a picture of the starting point of your diorama with the unpainted figures etc alongside a newspaper or other item that clearly shows the date of the photograph. This is to ensure everyone starts off from the same point, ie a blank canvas and not something they've already spent two years painting. Part of the challenge of the DOD contest is to see how well you can do in the time allowed. This year we're giving you lots of extra notice! You must email your photo to one of the four FOD companies, or post it on the FOD itself, n the same day as the date on the picture. If you wish to keep your entry secret until the big day, that's fine. As long as one judge has seen it at it's starting point! If you would like to post anonymously, we can post your pics for you. We advise you to take photos at various stages of completion because it makes for fascinating viewing once the piece is finished and will help inspire others to have a go next time. It is not strictly necessary but it is a bit of fun. All entries must be hitherto unseen on the internet, and should be started from scratch for the contest. We require a picture of your initial starting models alongside a piece of paper or similar showing the date you started, emailed on the same or next day.
You will need to photo your figures before undercoating/painting, and preferably immediately prior to assembly, as if you win we'd like to be able to show people the extent of any conversions etc. Everyone loves to see those before and after shots! (You don't need to email these to us unless you win or want to show off your Work In Progress on the FOD. - Keep the file size small! There is no need to send a massive picture to us. This will anger the gods. DO NOT SEND MASSIVE PICTURES OF YOUR BEDROOM OR LOUNGE with TINY DOTS WHERE THE MINIATURES ARE
. Although the contest is not necessarily one of photographic skill, if we can’t make out your entry, you aren’t going to win . If your photograph is out of focus, how do you expect us to see what’s going on? Be sensible.We do not need to see your living room, we only want the picture to include the actual components involved, and the date. It should be half the size of your screen at most. There are lots of available art programs to allow you to crop your picture if it's too big. Google it if you don't know what cropping means. You picture should be no more than 300kb file size. that's plenty. You can host your picture online if you don't want to send it to us via email (it'd save us cloggin our inbox) and then send us a link to it.
Example of a bad picture
http://www.heresyminiatures.com/images/badandgoodpics1.jpgExample of a bad picture
http://www.heresyminiatures.com/images/badandgoodpics2.jpgExample of a bad picture
http://www.heresyminiatures.com/images/badandgoodpics3.jpgExample of a good picture
http://www.heresyminiatures.com/images/badandgoodpics4.jpg- We are looking for a snapshot moment - A successful Diorama is a scene that captures a moment in time like a photograph and tells a story to the viewer without any words.You need to present a clear theme so that anyone can look at your work and immediately tell what’s happening or has just happened, or is about to happen next. Think of it as a moment frozen in time or one of the best damn 'splash pages' you’ve ever seen in a comic book. (You know, when the big villain of the piece is revealed or the thought-dead hero is silhouetted in a doorway ready to face off against his foes) If the figures involved don't interact somehow with each other or at the very least their surroundings, then you aren't telling a story.
- Keep it concise and well-painted. Points are awarded for story telling, painting, clever conversions and so forth, but making a four foot long valley will not garner extra marks. It will bore us, we had too much of it last year. Ask yourself, What is the smallest space I can fit this story into? See if you can get it down from twelve inches long to four inches (insert your own jokes here, filthy FODders). The ideal diorama involves a base size of no bigger than 100mm, even less preferably.
Here is a great example of a concise and well-executed diorama from the 2007 contest, by Dolmot:
You can tell everything about the story from this!
- You should only use FOD figures on your diorama, but it is acceptable to use small parts of other companies figures as background scenery/detail or to use toys/model kits for vehicles, etc as long as they are clearly part of the story detail and made to look like they fit in with the figures involved. We don't really want to see space marines knocking about the place.
- You may enter once per category. You'll only be robbing your main entry of extra working time if you try to do more than one entry per category. Remember, we're looking for quality work here and five months of your spare time is not really very long!
- Closing date for all entries is the 31st Of October 2008. Judges decisions are final and no amount of confectionery or alcohol will change that. You need to bribe us long before we make a decision.
- We'll try to make our minds up more quickly this year, but if the competition is as tough as last year don't blame us for taking our time!
FAQ’s•
Can I enter a model I’ve already painted?No. Start a new one. We need to see the blank model first so everyone has the same amount of time to produce their end results. And yes, you could cheat by buying a new model of one you’ve already painted, photographing that one and entering the finished one, blah, blah. You sicken us. Just to reiterate, you cannot enter models already posted on the internet prior to this contest.
•
Can I convert the models on the diorama?Yup. Do a good job, though, some of the talent on the FOD is crazy-good.
•
Can I enter models from (company X, eg GW)?No, you idiot. Didn't you read the rules above? You can sneak a few bits on as scenery or detail eg some barrels, crates or similar, but this is a FOD contest. The main focus of the piece must be FOD related minis.
•
How big can I make my entry?However big you like, but you only have five months to finish it! Bear in mind that getting good photos of huge dioramas is difficult without a really good camera, and it’s primarily the relationship between the figures that we’re interested in, not how well you can build a fortress.
•
I don’t own a camera...Well, you’re screwed then. Do you have a pal with a camera? Can you scan your figure?
•
Taking a good picture, hints and tips, setup advicehttp://heresyminiatures.com/forumofdoom/index.php?topic=2679.0http://heresyminiatures.com/forumofdoom/index.php?topic=4914.0•
Who are the judges? Who do I email my entries to?Email them to myself- Andy- (Big Boris) Kev/Sally (Hasslefriesian/Libertee), Adam (Mirlo), Steve (SteveB) or Chris K (Fear_the_squirrels, bloke wot knows IT stuff and keeps the FOd working) using the usual email addresses you find on our sites or by clicking the 'email user' icons on the FOD under our usernames on any posts we have made. Remember to keep the pictures small and under 300kb or we'll delete them. You can also post WIPs on the FOD, in the
Colouring-In Room.•
Do I have to be a member of the FOD to take part?Not technically, but it would be nice if you joined up even if only to say Hi to the other contestants. The FOD's a nice place to hang out.
2006's winners2007's winners and entriesSo in summary:
1) Take a photo of the starting point and post it on the FOD or email it to a judge
2) Keep your diorama concise and as well-painted as you can, and the photos of manageable size
3) Think of something original!
4) Good luck!
