OFFICIAL Eorzea's Next Top Model Discussion Thread

[Tinsley]

~snip~
Another thing I think you should consider doing for next round is giving a specific area on a map for the models to use as their set. One of the big problems I see in the competition is the backgrounds are giving too much of an influence to who is being chosen.

The models must take a _________ themed shot within this location on the map.

This would be a great idea for any preliminary round or one of the first rounds. Showcasing the models on an equal playing field.

However if wanted for later round usage i'd suggest broader areas such as one particular zone like it must be taken in "South Shroud" or "any zone in Thanalan" (as examples). This would up the game a bit for the models to make their own decisions on background which becomes important as the rounds get harder.

[Tinsley]

Sooo since Cycle 3 will start casting soon, let's discuss some stuffz!

My cast size will be 12 models. ~snip~

Also for Cycle 3, I was thinking either A) continue with this voting system, or B) Still eliminating a model each round, but keeping the points through each round. ~snip~ BUT I also recently heard a quote from Heidi Klum that said "A designer is only as strong as their recent design." so...a model is only as strong as their recent picture, which I agree with!

Honestly, as long as a model gets eliminated each round, I don't care which voting system we use. But I wanted to at least ask opinions, and if anyone sees any potential for cheating that I missed to let me know! ^^

Comments? Thoughts?

I also want to cast 6 models for a Youtube version, where the judges have all the control. Think of it as Binding Coil of Bahamut version. xDD

I like the round by round elimination. However, maybe implement a "model save" option that can be used once during the competition. Where the judges can unanimously vote to save the person about to be voted off, thus having no elimination that round and having two the next or making the save round the non-elimination one. This would give a consistently strong model a second chance if they happen to have a bad screenshot. And being a one shot deal, it can't be abused.

I like the voting system we have in place now. I think having a solid judge panel will also help with consistency and keeping things Kosher. They all need to commit and vote every round. Judges scores should be the balance to any vote padding from the general public side of things as well.

pls explain the youtube thing more please. not sure what you mean

[Kaiyoko]

This would be a great idea for any preliminary round or one of the first rounds. Showcasing the models on an equal playing field.

However if wanted for later round usage i'd suggest broader areas such as one particular zone like it must be taken in "South Shroud" or "any zone in Thanalan" (as examples). This would up the game a bit for the models to make their own decisions on background which becomes important as the rounds get harder.

I definitely agree models should be able to make their own decisions on backgrounds for some of the rounds because that adds creativity to the mix and will ultimately give you a wider range of photos. So the themes of Rivers, Dates, and NPC partners allow for creativity, but also having rounds where there are specific sets to work within gives back to the model side. I'm sure someone could also be creative within designated areas given as well.

Having a good mix of the two would make things more interesting.

[Santherelle]

These are great ideas.

It would definitely be cool to see.

[Tinsley]

I definitely agree models should be able to make their own decisions on backgrounds for some of the rounds because that adds creativity to the mix and will ultimately give you a wider range of photos. So the themes of Rivers, Dates, and NPC partners allow for creativity, but also having rounds where there are specific sets to work within gives back to the model side. I'm sure someone could also be creative within designated areas given as well.

Having a good mix of the two would make things more interesting.

I definitely like the giving back to the model side of things as I think that has been forgotten on a few occasions. Point made How fun would it be to have to do a shoot in the Sapsa spawning grounds. *evil giggle*

[Tinsley]

Great job on the shots all.

I took a few shots in that exact spot. I think that spot in general has one of the most beautiful waterfalls.

*comes back from work, checks upon round 7, counts the votes*
Well...I guess it might be that time for me. *readies his bags*
I even stayed up till late to try and pick the best screenshot lol. I wonder if I should have gone with these ones instead...

dont give up yet hun, still early in the round and there are judges scores too.

I also visited this waterfall.. wish the weather and time would have cooperated with me a bit more

[Tyriont]

I'd like to put myself forwards as interested in taking the male models and helping run that side of the contest. I was planning on trying out again for Cycle 3, but that sounds like a really interesting idea and I like the idea of a Pirate Captain wrangling a bunch of male models

I've been watching this thread unfold and have thoughts of my own. So strap in, cupcakes. Cap'n Ty has OPINIONS.

First off, I feel as if a lot of models who got eliminated early felt a little short-changed when they got eliminated having taken 10+ images that would never see the contest proper. So, I suggest rather than sending out the full list of shots, do them week by week. Once models are selected, they are told what the theme is for round 1. When the voting thread goes up for it, they are told what the theme is for round 2. This way there's no "wasted effort" and it also allows the models to better take feedback from the previous rounds. It's in my mind a little more exciting for the models too, as they now have to focus on figuring out their shots in a shorter timeframe, making it more challenging and also distracting them from worrying about votes a little

I would also like to see more detailed critiques from the judges, where the models get to hear why judges voted a particular way. If that's being done now, I've not seen it and so some more public visibility around it would help. I think that giving the judges the opportunity to "play their role" a little more publicly might help encourage involvement and be more entertaining for the 'viewers'. Of course, this requires finding a solid panel of judges who will remain throughout the contest, but I think the prospect of getting to write out an "in-character" judging for the round might help entice people to do it and remain dedicated.

I'd been working on proposing a way to switch things up to where the judges votes determine which model is up for elimination and then the public get to vote on who stays, as I've seen done in some reality shows...but I've not been able to come up with a satisfactory way to make it work with the medium we're in right now. Works well for a call-in vote, less so for forums. All I can see it doing in the end is making two of the models feel awful while one of them waits for elimination...and that's a terrible thing to drag out over a week. I'm not convinced there's -no- way to make it work, but I've not got one yet.

I think that's enough for now...I have some more thoughts on the more technical aspects (such as how to actually get the model shots submitted in a way that doesn't require confirmation emails or forum posts) but I'll hold off on those for now until other, more immediate choices are made. Rongi, feel free to /tell me in-game in the meantime if you'd like to know what I have in mind.

[YunieAura]

Herro~ Am I wrong to be bothered that people are still being hung up on the word *model*? v.v
Reading some of last night's posts makes me feel like I really shouldn't have entered
the competition as lalafel. :S Apparently trying for good scenery and trying to do more than
the boring omgimsexy /pose works against me at times because it isn't *model-like*.
It is just a screenshot contest, as already said by Rongi~~!

[Santherelle]

It is a fun location to shoot isn't it Tinsley.

That also is a nice shot.

[Tinsley]

Yunie.. if i may
this is my intrepretation of the contest and word "model"
it is a screenshot contest. But it's not a scenic one (to clarify, i mean vistas, sunsets etc.). it's putting a character into the shot, hence the model part and using the background to enhance, compliment, and/or interact with. As a Lala, you guys have a disadvantage when it comes to the "sexy" shots, but rongi has done a good job in eliminating that requirement from any of the rounds. Where your strengths come in is the amazing emotes you have to work with, your adorable/cuteness factor and your unique perspective of Eorzea from that lower angle

And you guys have and can do "traditional"l model shots. you did it very well in prelims, and hullbreaker shots , maxwell in the makeover round and this one. There are more but off the top of my head these stand out as "model" type shots.

But anyway, if you are referencing the above posts about using a specific set/background to focus more on the model, i think it's more about the person showcasing their creativity and ability to show off their toon in the best way possible. be it cute or shirtless or doing a handstand