Professional Model Builder?

[trainman]

Here’s a question that I’ve been thinking about for some time now. What makes someone a “professional model builder” is it simply because they provide a service and charge a fee for their level of skill and accuracy? Or is there more to it? Thanks for your input, Pierre

 

[Elm City Hobbies]

In my mind, a professional anything, is someone that is good enough at what they do, that they can charge money for it, and people will pay it.

Build a model for someone, and get paid for it...to me makes you a professional.

However.....a Professional Modeler can mean different things to different people.

I was once accused of being a professional modeler because I own a hobby shop. Last I checked, just because I owned the place...it didn't all of sudden make my skills that much better than I can then charge money for my finished kits.

I have done some work for a friend of mine in the US....he put out a couple of sets to backdate the Tamiya T55 to a T54, and I build him a couple of kits to show off his conversion parts. So the kits were only assembled, no paint, putty, etc, just the bare plastic. In return I got a couple of free kits and some conversion sets, and some would say because I took payment for what I built, that I should consider myself a professional modeler, I think otherwise, as I don't view it that way. I did a favor for a friend, and he gave me a few items in return for that favor. No real different if you went to a friend's house to help build him his deck...you are doing it as a favor to him, and to repay you, he buys you a case of beer.....does that make you a professional deck builder/carpenter? I think not!

At out show last year there was some question about one of the ship guys. He co-owns a resin ship kit company. He has been accused of being a professional modeler, because of it. Mind you he creates the masters for the kits, and builds one of each of the kits as a finished product to show his customers how the kit can be finished, and what it looks like once complete, in order to sell more kits....does that make him a pro? In my mind no...as he isn't actually selling the finished kits to someone....just builds them as an example of that the kit can be built into. However to some he is blatantly a pro modeler, and complain when he is allowed to enter a show (even despite him not winning best ship! figure that one out).


So...long story short...there is no easy answer, as many people have different perceptions of what constitutes a professional modeler.

Some would say that Ken Abrams is one, (not me) because he is lucky enough to have his work published in a magazine and gets paid for the article. Me? I just say he is a lucky SOB! LOL

 

[trainman]

Elm City Hobbies,
From my perspective, a pro is someone who has the required skills and who does the research in order to reproduce (in scale) a believable replica of a given subject. This is just my interpretation, I’d like to what other modelers think. Thanks for your input, Pierre

 

[fumblethumbs]

Lets see now.......Where did I put that ten foot pole?......Oh yeah, I burned it in the backyard a couple of weeks ago ........Guess I won't be touching this with a ten foot pole ;D

 

[Elm City Hobbies]

Elm City Hobbies,
From my perspective, a pro is someone who has the required skills and who does the research in order to reproduce (in scale) a believable replica of a given subject. This is just my interpretation, I’d like to what other modelers think. Thanks for your input, Pierre

So by that interpretation...anyone that builds a model is a professional?

We all have the required skill to build a kit, and can do research to "reproduce a believable replica" (whether we do or not), I fail to see how one could be called a professional just because you have the skill to build it and do the research to make it as "believable" as possible.

Someone that searches out blueprints of the real thing, and reproduces the item in said blueprints, in scale from scratch, as done the research and obviously has the skills to do it as they scratchbuilt it....doesn't mean (to me) that they are a professional modeler.

If they are being commissioned to build it, or build it with the intent to sell it to someone, then yeah...but just the act of researching and building it? No.

I can look up a recipe on line (research) gather all of the ingredients and cook it (building it), doesn't mean I am a professional chef.

 

[ScaleModelMadman]

Some would say that Ken Abrams is one, (not me) because he is lucky enough to have his work published in a magazine and gets paid for the article. Me? I just say he is a lucky SOB! LOL

While I have absolutely no misgivings about what I am or am not and don't claim to be anything else...

surely you know luck has very little to do with it?

 

[trainman]

Elm City Hobbies,
I guess if someone can produce a model of “something” and sell it and make a living from it…
Pierre

 

[schweinhund227]

;D. Allo allo there "Pierre" my friend!

Where do you want to sit....at this table? As a Pro modeler or a wanna be? Or just plain Happy going molder? You name it! We have it!

I have seen your "AVatar" somewhere else? But fail to remember where? Not that it really matters !

I wish you a Warm welcome and hope you find an answer to your Quest!

We are here on the premise of exchanging knowledge and modeling techniques! Hoping to
Become better at what we do!

I am sure you will "fit in" just fine!

Now! Back to your question!

Very interesting! Can you elaborate?

 

[Black Sheep 1]

Here's my take on this.
To be a "Professional" whatever, one must meet a series of criteria:

One must have the knowledge, skills and experience above the average person.

One must be able to create a product of such high quality that is above and beyond the average person's ability.

And finally, one must make a living at the trade/craft.

For example:

I can use a saw and cut some wood, but I can't make furniture like a Carpenter can.

I can use a wrench but I can't fix a car like a Mechanic can.

I hope this helps.

 

[Chris S]

Wikipedia on Answers.com:

Professional

A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors, environmental scientists, forensic scientists, educators, and many more. The term is also used in sports to differentiate amateur players from those who are paid â€" hence "professional footballer" and "professional golfer".

In some cultures, the term is used as shorthand to describe a particular social stratum of well educated, mostly salaried workers, who enjoy considerable work autonomy, a comfortable salary, and are commonly engaged in creative and intellectually challenging work. Less technically, it may also refer to a person having impressive competence in a particular activity. ;D


Chris.

 

[Junkie]

This is gonna be a hot one.

12 years ago I made websites...for free. I wasn't a pro.

I started selling them to clients once in a while but not full time. I was semi-pro.

I took the leap of faith, registered a business, marketed, attracted clients, won bids, earned a full time living, have been doing that for over 7 years. I constantly study, learn, work at doing what I do. It never ends. I'm a professional. It's my living.

+++

I think the same applies here. You build for fun and might trade for products once in a while...you're not a pro.

You have the skills to get published or land a commission deal...but it's not your living - you're semi-pro.

You get to the point where it's your living. You're pro.

Granted...someone who isn't a 'pro' can achieve pro results..but in order to achieve that, said person would have to be working on the craft of finishing models and not discussing the qualifications required to become a pro modeler.

 

[ScaleModelMadman]

..but in order to achieve that, said person would have to be working on the craft of finishing models and not discussing the qualifications required to become a pro modeler.

 

[Black Sheep 1]

OK.........

 

[ScaleModelMadman]

Oklahoma?

 

[scratchmod]

Scott, you said it bro....this is gonna be a hot one for sure. So I will get my two cents in now.

As far as Ken not being a pro.......well he is damn close to one then. Ken produces quality mag models and articles, places at shows and comps, does some masters for casting and is very skilled in nearly all painting techniques.................not a pro eh.

A pro is not just someone who can get an article in a mag, in fact it's not as easy as you think to get one pub'd, in a good mag. When the editor emails YOU for an article that is also different. So having many pub'd articles is one thing.

Skills plays a big roll as well. Yes many can do most techniques and paint well, but it's knowing how to use techniques and create a great model that sets a pro apart.

Comm work, heck yes that counts, as long as it is quality work. Someone who builds a model for his buddy is not a pro. When the modeler is contacted to do a comm model, then that is a pro. Especially when one does this several times a year for numerous years and has regular collectors he builds for.

Although not that important as many advanced modelers have no time or have a personal opinion...is winning medals and awards at shows. When he , or she, regulary places at large shows then that helps as well.

One of the most important thing that sets the pro apart from someone who owns a LHS , builds a model for his buddy or gets one model in an ok mag. This is have a role in the model business. This can be designing models, research and I think the most important thing, producing masters for casting or kits. This can also be one who produces videos and books that WE buy as ref material or because we love the "pro's" work.

This topic comes up every once in a while, especially since there are a lot of not so good or average model builders and painters who list their models on ebay and use the word "pro" to try and sell their model. So in general a pro, in my opinion and what I have read on the net, is some one who does many thing and does them better than most of us.
So if you think selling a model and " being luck" to get an article in a mag is not pro.....well then show me the article YOU have in a mag or the list of people you build for.

Oh yeas, the pro's, those are the guys who rarely ever post on forums because they are too busy doing what they do best...and that's build bloody fantastic models.

ok, got my two cents in.....sorry if I offended any of you.

PS. Ken, looking forward to the next article bro.

 

[spud]

I supose we could call Mig Jimenez a pro...

To me i See ken as and rob as Pros because they have been at it so long they are very professional at what they can do with a bit of plastic, ( there are a few others on here too but i dont want to give them big heads )

But to be a professional builder then that's someone that does it for a living,

 

[schweinhund227]

;D

Time to lighten up the Mood! Guys....

DodgeBall Threw Up

Remember.... All in good Fun!

You guys are too serious! Sounds like "Shop Talk"

 

[Junkie]

LOL!

 

[Tony lee]

The thing I want to know is how anyone can build enough models a year to make a living doing it?

Beer money maybe ;D
Tony lee

 

[spud]

lol tony ild have to agree with ya there