CG Challenge Participation - Going off the rails

#1

Hi,

I have entered the CGtalk Challenge “spectacular” and i’m very excited to be a part of it all (my first time), however i cant help but notice how vocal some people are.

I know that Community interaction is a mush and i love the idea, because it keeps 4 or 5 people from always Winning simply because they are more experienced or technically advanced and/or know more secret tricks than beginners and intermediates. But i cant help but feel that some people are taking the Interaction to the extreme - like deliberately being Loud and vocal simply so they GET SEEN.

Some peoples Personal threads have like 2 dozen - WELCOME, GOOD LUCK! - Posts in them, FOR WHAT!???

It’s like talk radio where the first person that calls in asks the Host HOW ARE YOU, Host replies FINE, then every person (hundreds maybie) that phones in afterwars ask the host HOW ARE YOU (some hosts get agitated real quick).

I dont like a mess (luckily sofar i have no replies in my personal space), i dont want 30 something people ALL saying the same thing as the first, simply because they feel they wont be considdered fo prizes if they Don’t.

QUALITY of feedback is more important than mindless Blabber or repetition of things already said, for the sake of just being counted. Am i the only one who feels like this???

I simply can’t post a reply to every participant, nor do i feel the need to constantly YAP and YAP nonsensical comments to people about their work, like for instance…

WOW, that looks great, i think the shadows need to be darker, GOOD LUCK! ahh man, after only a few of those i would feel like a stuck record. THis is also LOW QUALITY advice as i did not state how HE/SHE could improve it or anything, i would simply be COUNTED as somebody that is INTERACTING and sharing idea’s, a real shame because it should be about THOROUGH and QUALITY advice and comments, not repetitive remarks that offer no solution.

I am probably gonna enfuriate some people, or not, but i think this TYPE of community interaction is a waste of server bandwidth and Personal Thread space!

If you feel the same or feel that i should be decapitated for what i have said, PLEASE SPEAK UP.

#2

Why is it bad for people to show support for a challenger? Critiques come along when there is something to critique, and at the early stages of the challenge there is minimal critique to be done. For the most part, people are saying good luck to people that they know or have participated in the past. It’s a sign of comradeship amongst participants. There will always be some that purely post in other people’s threads for self-advertisement, but the traditional series of “goodluck” posts has been around since the challenges started, way before there were any sort of prizes.

The challenges are about personal growth. They are there for the community to give critique to your work so you can improve, but the occasional “w00t you roXors” can only boost morale, not detract from it.

I understand what you mean, it’s the same issue that people have with fanboy posts in the finished work section, but these are WIP, and little goodluck injections are great for starters.

#3

Its a natural human occurance I’m afraid. Its similiar to how when people list their favorite artists, 3 out of 4 state the same artists as their favorite. “Everyone is a fanboy of something.” Personally I’m not very bothered by it. Of course, people who won the last contest will have more of a crowd supporting them. I dunno it makes sense to me and they deserve that kind of attension because they worked fairly hard for it. Just like an annoying radio though, you always have the option to turn Cgtalk off,… If it lets you:deal: Muahhahahahah!

#4

DK3D - I agree. I can’t stand it when people just SPAM all the challengers’ threads with the exact same greeting/wish well line, as if they are afraid they’ll be disqualified for no community participation. That is very fake to me, and I’m the kind of person that likes sincerity. When I look at a bunch of other challengers’ threads, I don’t reply to all of them–I only reply to the ones where I have something to contribute–a suggestions or a critique, or even a heartfelt praise for the work. I could easily find something to say all the threads and just spam the hell out of them, but I don’t and won’t. That is just not cool.

#5

exactly my point lunatique!

I want sincere replies, not blabbering. If i got a dozen SINCERE man tha looks great replies then yeah thats great, but one placeholder for them all will do even better.

I suppose some people feel COOL when they have Dozens of people commenting on their every Pixel modification. I dont really have time for the fan boys, hey love my work but if you aint got something worthwhile to say, please keep on browsing for threads of artists that want every Cool, wow and KEEP IT UP.

I suppose it doesnt hurt, but at the end of the day its just not going anywhere.

If i get EXCLUDED from prizes because i give QUALITY feedback (from now on) and REAL solutions as opposed to Fanboy comments, then cool! Hey just excuse me for thinking this Site Was about being PROFESSIONAL and all.

No more good lucks from me!

#6

hmm :wink:

I only post when I have something to say as well. Now if I were friends with someone I might be inclined to give them a general good luck but thats about it.

I always feel bad here posting something simple like “thats great.” Sometimes I find myself doing that but usually I try to make some sort of constructive comment.

My 2cents.

-Twitchy

#7

I don’t see anywhere in the rules that says you need to reply to be considered for a prize. Judging is not done by the members, it’s not a popularity contest.

#8

No. 5

“Submit work in progress images, obtain feedback and give feedback to other challengers in the WIP challenge. (Note: Failure to do so may result in penalties during final judging. Community interaction is a must!)”

You can follow the evolution of a piece by clicking the View Challenge Page link in the first post of any challenge thread, though minus feedback from others of course.

#9

I stand corrected, thanks David.

Off to spam the challenge threads :slight_smile:

#10

HI WELCOME U ROXX :buttrock:

I dont mind welcome messages really - theyre good motivation. But I dont know how these people have the time to look through every thread! Im in the challenge, and ive only seen a few other entries, and theyre people that i ‘know’. There are just sooo many entrants, i cant possibly find time to view them all. For all i know, i may end up with a similar concept to someone else!

#11

Why don’t you just ignore them? :shrug:

#12

Yea… waaaay too many people at cgtalk, especially in the challenges to feel like a community challenge. Its one of the reasons I dont participate in the cgtalk challenges. Its the same as competing with a bunch of random strangers. I prefer to stick to smaller forums for those kinds of things. You might want to try that too. Unless of course you just want the prizes. Then good luck :slight_smile:

#13

I think it goes down to a personal taste - some love to see or receive even the minimum amount of feedback. Others would rather have only valid feedback posted on the thread.
I tend to agree with Lunatique on this matter. Even though I don’t exactly hate what is happening now, it becomes very annoying in the later stages of the challenges when you want to see the work in progress, but have to sort through a wad of posts that hardly add to the subject. 3 years ago it wasn’t the case, but CGTalk grew absurdly in numbers of members since then.

I personally rather make a more substantial comment instead of just saying “cool, keep it up”. Of course, not everybody have the time or desire to do so and still wants to participate somehow so… let us just live with it. :slight_smile:

#14

If you look through the challenge site, each entrant has their own page that shows only the images they’ve uploaded. That’s the quickest way to see all their milestones altogether.

#15

No you’re not. It’s like superficial smalltalk vs an interesting conversation that you can actually gain something from. I know which I prefer. :wink: I’m grumpy by nature of course…

#16

sofar i have no replies in my personal space

Now let’s get to the REAL heart of the issue here. :stuck_out_tongue:

#17

Friends, encouraging comments, showing that you admire someone?
I personally comment on people mostly because I like them, either for the talent or as a person.
Some people find mindless blabber encoraging, I know I do a little, alltho’ I prefer critiques to be more “harsh”.

Not everyone are talented at critiquing either. So you can’t really get angry at anyone who says “Looks good :), The legs are a little short”
If you read comments like that, you should be able to understand what is wrong whit the area and know how to fix it (my example was pretty logichal tho’, but you get what I mean)

#18

Joel Hooks,

I have no replies in my personal space because i have nothing in it :stuck_out_tongue: And i’d rather have nothing than have something that clogs up my thread and offers me no solution whatsoever.

THERES A SAYING - Dont Call It Broke UNLESS You Can FIX It!- If people are gonna say something like, the fur on that cat look too stiff, then it’s like somebody saying THAT CAR does not Work, that i know, but dont ask me how to fix it - In other words, they dont really know anything useful to me, so why even bother?

On the other hand, if somebody were to say something like.

The fur on that cat looks stiff, maybie you should add more Control points per hair and relax the stifness value by say 20%. Oh and to to go with that you may want to give the hair a Split end type look (perfect for street cats - as i can see you are trying to make one), to do it set the forst 3 control points to randomply rotate on every second har by no more than 5 degrees and no less than 3.

That should make the hair look very untidy and ill maintained.

The thing is to be CONSTRUCTIVE, not ACTIVE. Too many people cast fowl intended Comments and Criticism around under the banner of CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM or HELPFUL COMMENTS, bull!

THere is more to constructive and helpful than your opinion of what is Good or not, to be helpful SUGGEST a solution - because thats not as easily thrown around as your CRITICISM - Giving advice takes some Brains and Understanding, giving Criticism is easy, just be a moron and seriously Like or dislike something base on your own little Universe (perfect for just one - YOURSELF!) PLEASE NOTE - the previous line is not directed to anybody in particular!

No i’ll intended towards anybody that has commented along the Lines of JUST THERE TO BE SEEN, but it’s sad to see how Opinionated people are, but most of them dont even know how it’s done or how to fix it - are these really the kind of SUGGESTIONS you want from such people, is it really HELPING you, or just boosting your Ego?

To each his own, i dont make the rules and thus i cannot Force people to post ONLY by the above , but i can choose not to do so myself, i wont comment unless i can suggest a fix or improvement that details out how it is TECHNICALLY done, or unless i can post a link to some form of aid or tutorial that may.

In my opener i DID wish all participant Good luck, but i wont do it again, because LUCK has NOTHING to do with it, Dedication and hard work as well as talent and ability has EVERYTHING to do with it, wishing people luck wont make them MAGICALLY gain these VITAL prerequisites.

Luck is the THING that keeps the rain from bursting forth over you on your way to work, till just before you enter the building, it does not make your entry magically go Photoreal and perfectly SPECTACULAR and then wins the competition for you - so wish me the things that would make me win, NOT LUCK :slight_smile:

Bad luck to everyone! best wishes to the dead! - they aren’t gonna help you HA HA HA HA HA HA

#19

Well then … I wish you balanced composition, color compliments and correct perspective on your challenge entry. :smiley:

I still don’t see why this is an issue. Some people are just more inclined to provide friendly banter and exchange ribbings with their friends. This is a community as well as a teach/learn environment.

If several people stop by my thread to say, “Hello!”, “Good Luck!” or “Cool Beans!” I’m not going to feel I was robbed of a valuable critique of my work. They’re just friends showing their support.

When a friend approaches you at work, are you only expecting a work related discussion? Or is it perfectly acceptable for him/her to say “Hey, what do you have planned for this weekend? Want to check out the game? I have tickets!”?

Another point of the CGChallenge is that it’s supposed to be fun. The first challenge was issued by a group of friends here on CGTalk and they’ve just sort of developed into a bigger version of that idea. The prizes are really nice, and the competition is very fierce now … but I don’t let that distract from the enjoyment of the whole experience.

I believe that a lot of the members here will agree with me. Improvement will come whether you get feedback or not. You’re practicing your skills and learning things on your own. Have some fun with the challenge and enjoy the friendship of the community. Who knows … one of these people may someday be your ticket into a major film or game studio.

#20

I have hardly been here for a few weeks kirk - TRUST ME, these people are NOT my friends (but like i said i dont have these sort of replies - YET) so i cant say it’s affecting me Personally - and if others like the interaction, more power too them, i sure wish i could get along as easily as some people do, guess i’m just TOO serious a person for small chit chat.

I’m in this Competition to win it, that simple, that straight forward, i dont care much to have fun and make many Internet buddies and what not and i doubt many could truly teach me something useful, but i’ll keep an open mind. It’s simply a case of, the Prizes are good and i want 1St prize and i will stop at nothing to get it, and i wont back down either to keep others from feeling inferior (believe me i get that crap a lot).

Sorry if thats too IN YOUR FACE for some people, but i’m not doing this for my health, if i wanted to have fun, i’d do a submission for the 3D Stills Gallery.

So yep this is quite a way to doom myself even before i begin, if one of the judges reads this, i think my chances to win are down 60%, no matter what i submit at the end of the competition, because its really just about having fun, learning and teaching, being social and the rest is up to luck - and the prizes are really just there for the people that won last time, right?

mmmmm… i sure hope the people that judge take this seriously - then again how do you Judge art, what is SPECTACULAR to one persona may be bland to another.

Guess i really should get my mind off of winning, even if i did the best 3D art submission ever, it still wont mean anything if some people just prefer something else, technical excellence is SECOND in the determination factors, so i’m not gonna strain myself and my hardware on this, i’ll rather focus on the narrative as it counts more at the end of the day.

Have a nice day - to all

I’m not as bad as i sound, but i’m miles from a nice person :slight_smile: