On the argument in basing, there should be three things considered.
First, there are the basing rules. Plinths don't count, but also: I was also told at the convention by CMoN staff that basing will not be judged.
i) Single “human” sized figure, on a base no larger than 50mm wide / tall (2"x 2")
ii) Vehicle or large monster, on a base no larger than twice the horizontal dimensions of the model.
iii) Squad of “human” sized models, minimum of 3 models, maximum of 10 models, mounted separately on bases no larger than 50mm wide / tall or on a single display base no larger than the combined total of all base allowances in terms of width, but restricted to 50mm tall (i.e. 10 models would be allowed on a 50mm x 500mm base)
50 millimeters is 5 centimeters or 2 inches. So, there is little point to trying to base a large squad, and I would not be surprised if several single minis were disqualified because their base was too big. (I would also be surprised, judging by the way some models were given so many extra photos, if the basing rules were overlooked.)
Second, this contest was held at a war gaming convention. Someone mentioned that they didn't think GW or Forge World should be considered at all for entry, as they have their own contests. Well, for someone who plays GW games, they are required to use (and paint) GW miniatures, which have to be BASED on a certain size base per game rules.
Third, consider what the purpose of the models to begin with. Some models are only good for putting on a shelf to collect dust. But miniatures of the scale dictated by the contest rules are often dictated by scales that can be used in games. Why? Because miniatures are an evolution of toy soldiers! So, if a wargamer has put in a ton of work, doing their best in painting a miniature, should they be held back by basing? The point of - especially in the historical and sci-fi categories - is to create a miniature that you can play with. You can't play with a miniature standing on an outhouse, or whatever.
Now, I understand, from looking at all of the stuff in the case, that there are two camps in painting philosophy at odds here. What a contestant perceives by reading the rules verbatum will vary wildly by the background they came from. This competition was open to anyone who paid for a badge, 95% of whom are wargamers. Who knows how many have heard of CMoN before this weekend? They are basing their skills on what they see other people fielding on the table, not on pastel colored, fully blended naked fairies. The aforementioned fairies qualities would be lost among the ranks of soldiers on the table - which is why harsher, harder lines and bright/contrasting colors are often used to define models on the tabletop. The wargamer-painter considers how good something will look from 4 ft. away as well as how good it looks good at 6" in a display. Does a painter who's soul purpose is painting a miniature perfectly think about how good something looks at 4 feet away, or do they think about how it would look in a jewelers case?
Now, I'm not going to argue the quality of what was entered into the contest. Certainly that varied by painter. But I'm willing to bet that no matter how good or bad a painter is, or what preconceived notions they had by entering into the contest, that they all deserve a fair shake. Online voters have their own ideas about what makes a mini great or not. Someone who doesn't paint at all, but likes naked people, might vote according to who painted skin the best. A history/sci-fi buff wonders how it best represents the real or fictional unit, and that is more important than if the model is cross-eyed.
All of the above being said:
1. Bases should not be considered unless the function of the model is first considered.
2. If the CMoN crowd thinks that game pieces will be frowned upon, then they should create categories for free style and for game pieces, and describe in the rules the difference.
3. Voters and Judges should take into account the purpose of a model before judging it.
4. If CMoN doesn't consider game pieces legitimate entries, they should say so. A highly, but subtly, detailed model is put on a tabletop, it might just look dirty, rather than detailed. Likewise, a dirty tank often looks like crap up close, because it is made to look like it's covered in said crap.
And I say again, for those who think people entered into the competition whatever they found in their toy box, you've dishonored the effort that most everyone put into their models. If someone puts hours into a model or models, they should be given equal treatment in voting for:
1. the effort they put in, versus the 25 seconds it takes to snap a picture, and to honor their hard work.
and
2. the understanding that one man's pleasure is another's cause for tears. Blurred or non-details shots for some and not others is seriously insulting to the people who tried.
3. Are we supporting the world of miniature gaming and painting? Or are we out to prove our superiority by how high we can push our nose up? How many people who entered this contest walked away feeling cheated or like a loser because their models weren't given the same attention as other models? Some may see it as a challenge, but many will walk away disheartened - and that is a disservice to the future health of the hobby.
