OFFICIAL Eorzea's Next Top Model Discussion Thread

[Kyan]

Congrats Rhaya! Great shot, and great job everyone! Hehe.

It seems I am quite polarising with the judges, which is cool! It really is quite subjective I guess, especially if you're not marking with a criteria. Reading through the critiques everyone received (and considering how people felt last cycle about tone and language, plus the fact that everyone involved is doing this for fun) could we perhaps aim to use positive language when offering feedback?

I personally have pretty thick skin, but seeing some critiques of other contestants, for what I thought were amazing screenshots looked a bit harsh in my view, hehe. As a primary school teacher, I use a "two stars and a wish" philosophy when marking children's work - I discuss two things I like about the sample, and one thing I wish could have been improved and how. This is because positive language and relationships enhance the experience, not hinder!

For example:

"This shot doesn't excite me at all. I just feel like it's very bland and could just be completely scrapped and redone."

Could be expressed as:
Interesting choice of location, and choice of wardrobe. However, I feel that this could be more exciting, by [insert how to 'excite you' here].

My two cents! /hugs everyone! I'm not attacking the judges, I just want to see everyone treated respectfully and with dignity! :3

Also, contestants, I really enjoy the fact a Steam group was made (I made an account to participate), but apparently you need to buy a game to be able to use the chat feature? Perhaps we could use something else to communicate to each other?

[EorzeasNTM]

, especially if you're not marking with a criteria.

Thank you for your concern! I will definitely bring this up in the Judge's Skype conversation and see if we can't convince those judges to reword their critiques and make sure to add constructive criticism in the future. ^^

As for the criteria, the judges are looking at the model's outfit, background choice, and the model's over all concept idea/feel of the picture (both stand alone and how it correlates with the theme)!

Speaking of Skype, you guys should all email Tyriont your skype names so he can add you to a group chat and you can chat there with each other! I'll be sad to see this thread die though, so please come back here every once in a while! (We are almost to page 200!!!!)

We really need to plan our Thanksgiving Party for the end of this month! Since nearly half of us are on Balmung, I beg the rest of you to make an alt on Balmung for the day and come hang out with us. ((Our server is CONSTANTLY on character creation restriction though, so you will need to make an alt at 5am Central time...its the only time ive ever been able to make an alt. ><))

We can plan some in game games of some sort with maybe itunes cards as prizes or, if any artists are out there we can offer drawings over our characters or something! Would love to hear what yall think! ^^

November 30th would be the absolute best day for this event for me personally since I wouldn't have work or school that day.

[Sadana]

It seems I am quite polarising with the judges, which is cool! It really is quite subjective I guess, especially if you're not marking with a criteria. Reading through the critiques everyone received (and considering how people felt last cycle about tone and language, plus the fact that everyone involved is doing this for fun) could we perhaps aim to use positive language when offering feedback?

Hm... I'm a personal fan of being everyone's cheerleader (this is how I run my FC), but this contest is modeled after a tv show in which the judges DON'T hold back. :/ It may be a good idea, for future rounds, to make real clear that unpleasant critiques are gonna happen. >< Or at least post something like:

HARSH JUDGE: Are you even in the picture? That NPC looks nice though.
KIND JUDGE: You have nice eyes.

Totally exaggerating of course... xD But the idea is to have the contestants know their feels may be hurt throughout the event. I know it's obvious to some folks, but I think many know logically that harsh criticism will happen, but don't fully understand it emotionally until they find themselves about to be cut. ><

Some of the critiques remind me of the "crystal in the background" photoshoot. It's soooo subjective as to how much of the theme counts as "enough". :/ No clue how you would work around this except by posting very clear rules (like 'must be in uniform') which starts removing some of the creativity and artistic interpretation factor.

[AdamFyi]

No clue how you would work around this except by posting very clear rules (like 'must be in uniform') which starts removing some of the creativity and artistic interpretation factor.

I'm kind of curious about this part. I mean, I didn't think that it was required to be in uniform. I assumed it meant that as long as it looks like you're flame whether it be a low-ranking officer or a high-ranking one, that it doesn't matter. Just something that's bugging me.

[Tyriont]

I'm kind of curious about this part. I mean, I didn't think that it was required to be in uniform. I assumed it meant that as long as it looks like you're flame whether it be a low-ranking officer or a high-ranking one, that it doesn't matter. Just something that's bugging me.

It's true that it wasn't required to be in uniform - and some very high scoring shots weren't! With a contest like this, it's all very subjective and down to the personal preference of who is looking at the image, be they judge or public voter. I tried to avoid "THE CRYSTALS" with my shot list this time around and I feel that the rest are vague enough to where it should be fairly easy to fit the theme regardless of what you do, with one possible exception.

Also, Adam...don't go thinking you're free -just- yet. Two male models failed to get me their round 2 shots before the cutoff...meaning they'll be eliminated by default, giving you another crack at things!

Lastly, please remember that this level of judge critique is new to ENTM. We'll certainly be watching and taking feedback! Constructive criticism has already been stressed, however it is quite easy to fall into the role of "The Simon" in a contest like this! I'll do a better job myself of requesting feedback be edited before posting if needs be - this round, I wanted to post them "as is" to see what the reaction was.

[AdamFyi]

I tried to avoid "THE CRYSTALS" with my shot list this time around and I feel that the rest are vague enough to where it should be fairly easy to fit the theme regardless of what you do, with one possible exception.

Oh, I was just a little curious. Hence why I asked you about the whole "example shot" a while back before. Different people, different perspectives and takes; which I applaud this is present in your judging and contest! Nothing against you or anyone, I was just mildly curious about it is a-

Also, Adam...don't go thinking you're free -just- yet.

Goddammit.

[Wings]

What a thing to wake up to O.O Thanks for the comments, critique, and congratulations! Can hardly believe I nabbed first place!

I owe everything to my Phoenix friends, though, who took time out of their 2.4 excitement to help me out, then put up with my bossiness: "You, closer to the centre, a little bit more, a little bit mooore... You there, half a step forward - no that's too far! You, turn to point out of the picture, then look over your shoulder into the shot..." and so on XD It took a long time to get everyone in position, and I didn't want them to have to stand there for two Eorzean days (weather prediction said bad weather next time around T_T), that's why the shot is so dark. I *did* have options, and maybe I should have gone with those, I was just so happy with how my "NPC's" turned out, that I wasn't exactly objective XD

Prime time lighting, but everyone wasn't there yet! And the fact that I couldn't find a dye that perfectly matches the Flames' uniform one is glaringly apparent. Also, her finger blends a bit with the handle of the background weapon.



One more person had arrived, and the dimmer lighting makes the colours a little more similar.

It was such a tough choice!

My thanks to Ai Pearca, Lauralanthalasa Kanan, Punchy Potato, Valerius Aldaine, Ceallachan Dragonsoul, and Thinalia Kaya - you guys are awesome ♥


I guess I can show some of my outtakes now too XD A lot of skills were attempted, with effects on and off, and I found that a tail is sometimes a bit of a hindrance:

Flying shield, anyone?

And speaking of panty shots:

Quite the balancing act, getting the action stance without shortening the finger too much, tail placement, and the red skirt not to peek out at the bottom

After the group shot was done, we had some fun with effects!

Something that didn't always show people's best side

[Amenian]

snip

Oh, I wish your friends had showed up for the prime time one. I much prefer that one. I liked your shot but didn't vote for you as I felt it was too dark, especially with your skin tone.

[MorinaLucine]

Everyone did a great job this round. Congrats to all of you. The judges also appreciate feedback. While we are critiquing you, you are also critiquing us to be better judges. Remember this is the first round for all of us and we all, judges and models, will do better in the next round.

[TheRogueX]

snip

Your kitty is so pretty!

I apologize for nothing.

You don't have to. This is an excellent way to promote tourism in the Black Shroud. They should start making out the commission checks.

Eep! I ended up lower than I had thought O_O;
Oh well, better luck next round, which was a fun one to do!

Don't worry Eirwen! I still <3 You! I just couldn't easily figure out who you were supposed to be. Better luck next round!

In the meantime I took so many screenshots, I figured I could make an entire short film with the outtakes. So I did.

LOLOL!! I love that. How many hours did you spend trying to line that shot up? Entire Eorzean DAYS passed!

Well none of my original ideas came to fruition but, this one was the closest to being done. For what it's worth, I give you Cinderella

OMG TINSLEY I MISS YOU!

Also, for those of you who haven't made it over there yet, I made us a Steam Group! I hope Rongi doesn't mind. xD

Eorzea's Next Top Model on Steam!

Can someone make a logo for it and write up a group description?