Like every year, the kitbashing competition was held in the Action Figure District Forum in November. As always, this is a small showcase of the versatility of the 1:6 hobby, which can be so much more than just collecting figures. Why not put together your own figures? It starts with a simple kitbash, where a new figure is put together from various existing parts. Costumes and accessories from other figures are used, but existing ones are also modified, heads are repainted, hairstyles are implanted or heads are modeled and painted completely from scratch. Costumes are tailored and props are made from polymer clay or 3D printed.
The cast of beloved films, TV series or games is expanded to include your own actors. Characters from comics and literature are brought to life, historical figures are researched and recreated or a new story is created.
The kitbashing competition is divided into two parts. The first part, called compulsory, is about presenting the figures against a neutral background in order to look at them from all sides and appreciate details, to present the ideas and showcase the craftsmanship.
The second part is the freestyle. And as the name suggests, everything goes. Whole scenes can be designed, whether you take photos outside, use a backdrop or build an entire diorama, use Photoshop skills, create photo montages and use apps and AI. The figures are presented in various different ways, which once again shows the immense possibilities of the 1:6 hobby and forms a symbiosis with the photographic presentation.
The competition is always a source of inspiration. Many a viewer will exclaim: "Hey, I want to try that out too!" or they will be amazed: "How did they come up with an idea like that?"
In addition to the two regular voting rounds, there are also the "Oscars", where, similar to the eponymous film awards, individual aspects of the work are recognized. For example, the best costume, the best self-made prop or the best posing are awarded. Comparable contributions compete against each other, so outdoor photos against outdoor photos or diorama productions in their own diorama category.
Of course it is a competition and all participants are certainly happy about a good result or even a place on the winner's podium. But ultimately the motto is: it's the taking part that counts! And a work does not have to come in first place to be a source of inspiration.
The winner of the compulsory part was Miri, who sent a whole group of figures into the race. In her entry »Gucky and Friends« she took inspiration from the covers of the Perry Rhodan paperback novels and built the mouse beaver Gucky, the big Haluter Icho Tolo, the Arkonide Atlan, Reginald Bull and of course Perry Rhodan himself. In her freestyle part, Miri turned her protagonists into cover boys, thus taking the topic back to the origin of her idea.
The winner of the freestyle was Dunedin (our Mick) with »Naomi Adventure Girl«. The nice but unspectacular figure came last in the compulsory section, only to really turn it up in the second round. Dunedin sent Naomi on an adventure in the Black Lagoon, where a backdrop seamlessly transitions into a big jungle diorama with a real river. Black Lagoon? Yes, you guessed right: Naomi meets the Gill-man from the Jack Arnold classic »Creature from the Black Lagoon«.
Congratulations to the winners of the competition, all Oscar winners and of course to all participants who took on the challenge of a competition and once again inspired us with their ideas and craftsmanship. Here you can find the outcome of the vote in the compulsory section:
https://action-figure-district.de/forum-figurenwettbewerb-2024-teil-1/... and in the freestyle section:
https://action-figure-district.de/forum-figurenwettbewerb-2024-teil-2/