Detailed bases and dioramas: What\'s the difference?

[Chrispy]

I was just wondering what everyone else\'s definition of a scenic base, a diorama, and a vignette is.. Here\'s what they mean to me:
Scenic base: Seperate base figure can be taken off and played with.
Dioarama: Two or more figs with a background interacting with each other. Usually they cannot be taken off the base.
Vignette: A vinegar based salad dressing that.. oops, wrong one.. Ahem, like a diorama, but no background. Well, let me know your take. I\'m kinda confused as to what\'s what..

 

[sivousplay]

Chris,

The labels are pretty subjective as far as I\'m concerned, but if I had to define them, I don\'t think I\'d have any need to refine your Scenic Base or Diorama descriptions (although I don\'t think a diorama has to have the background), but I\'d define vignette as a \"close-up\" of a much larger scene.

jim

 

[wightzombie]

diorama

comes off to me as something meant to be more artistic in its surroundings, cant play with it really, base is way too big and or character is on a rock or something thus aiming at the character above walls is easier etc. i wouldnt say a diorama has to have a 2nd mini, just maybe a atmosphere that tells a story of its own or makes the mini seem like it doesnt belong on a tabletop gaming.

http://www.coolminiornot.com/index.php?id=11128

this is a good example, as theres only one character but the base is not made for gaming at all. somewhat of a mini diorama.

 

[Thri-Keen Priest]

Dioramas, Vignettes, and Scenic Bases

This question made me curious about the various definitions of these words.

One way Merriam Webster Online defines a diorama , is:

2 a : a scenic representation in which sculptured figures and lifelike details are displayed usually in miniature so as to blend indistinguishably with a realistic painted background.

A vignette, on the other hand, is defined:

3 b : a brief incident or scene (as in a play or movie)

So it seems to me that a diorama is simply (two or more?) models set into a seemly background environment.

A vignette is much the same thing, but must have some sort of story or event implied.

I would say a scenic base is simply basing, potentially embodying the most minor form of either a diorama or a vignette. For example, a base with grass, rocks, and moss fulfills the defintion of placing a figurine in a likely setting, if omitting the actual \"background.\" Furthermore, if elements on the base are telling a story, such as in the case of my shadowrun hacker, it is actually a tiny vignette.

As for large bases from which individual playing pieces can be removed, I call this a showbase. It, too, has the potential to fit any and all of the above definitions.

Hope this clears up any confusion,

TKP

 

[Murphy]

Scenic base for me would be the same as Chrispy\'s Idea. A base that a model meant for game-play can be placed on for show. A diorama is simply a scene using models and not meant for game-play, I think I diorama can have only one miniature. Also i\'v always considered a vignette as the same as a diorama.