Lately I've become less enamored with the Realm. There are many reasons for this sad state, but the primary cause is this:
Part of the reason I loved the Realm when I first joined was the comments and feedback I received from other Realmers. They both showed an appreciation for my work, as well as offered helpful criticism that helped me grow as a customizer. But for many moons now, that feeling of community has slowly fallen away, as feedback for my works has withered and dried to the point of nonexistence. To clarify, this only applies to figures that I submit normally. The figures I submit to the contests generate more feedback, and I'm appreciative of every one I receive. However, in recent times there is such an expanse of time between feedback that I begin to ponder the worth of submitting pieces for the site.
I'll admit, I probably place far too much significance on the opinions of others. At the same time, I absolutely love the feeling I get when I receive positive and constructive feedback for my work, and really, what artist doesn't love the admiration of their work?
Regardless, this environment of seeming apathy and disinterest has served to dishearten and disillusion me to consider, if not leaving the realm, then to reduce it to a simple vehicle for enticing viewers to sample my wares, rather than a community of individuals who share a common love and craft.
On the reverse, I also understand that I may have misunderstood the point an purpose of the Realm. It may well be that its primary purpose is to serve as an impersonal gallery of works to be quietly admired. Indeed, the problem may arise from the subjects that I choose to craft. As the great Dr. Nightmare has said, making works of popular or more well known characters may be the road to comments and commissions, and I see a certain logic within that paraphrase. I greatly respect Nightmare's advice upon the matter. It's just not a road that I can take whilst preserving my creativity.
I will not entreat upon anyone for feedback, and really any that I received out of pity I would consider a dishonor. Instead, I ask simply if any of you fine individuals know of similar sites to the Realm where I might also post my work, to spread knowledge of my skill and satisfy my desire for community. If you have ideas or advice for growing within Realm community I will appreciate that as well.
I have not chosen to leave the Realm, but I fear that I stand dangerously close upon that edge.
Does anyone know stats about how many customs are posted nowadays versus before? While there's less comments, it does seem like a ton of customs get posted still.
Oh man, I feel like every time I blink 10 new customs pop up, it's crazy lol
Just today we had like 30 new customs! (maybe 25) I love it, but it gets annoying having to edit all the funky ways people write the names and descriptions
I hear you Jaida. I do customs for me and not to get commissions. I appreciate the realm for seeing other customizers decisions made in their customs and sharing their technique, but I also appreciate getting feedback from others here on my customs.
It would be cool having the option to "like" the figure or see the amount of views it gets. Perhaps figure realm can somehow link to a Facebook group where this could be possible while retaining the ability to search here.
Seems that activity on this site is down in general compared to a few years ago. Is there another site for customizers to share and chat that's not completely Star Wars-focused?
My guess is that a lot of activity has moved to social media like Facebook groups. I know of one for 1/6th scale figures that gets tons of traffic. Sucks though as there's no easy way to search and see past figures like figurerealm has. Besides that, I'm hoping there is some forum out there that would be like the days of old but it doesn't seem like it. The forums on fwoosh and figures.com are dead when it comes to customs.
There are a lot of free, off-the-shelf tools that could be used for commenting, forums, figure posts, and more. Though a full site switchover would be a big job to do properly. I have a background in development myself. Time-permitting, would be happy to help here and there if needed.
I've commented on this previously as well, it is rather discouraging to put a lot of effort into a figure and only to have it seemingly ignored. It may be getting views, but none of us have any idea whether it is or not if there are absolutely no comments. Of course like others I comment on works that really catch my eye for whatever reason, though I do check out people's work on a routine basis. At this point I've kind of decided against posting any more of my own work since I'm doing it only for myself and not to sell or get customers or recognition, and I'm a fairly average customizer at best, lol! Plenty of others out there doing MUCH better work. Anyway, I think it was Dr. Nightmare who had said if you want to get comments do popular characters or scantily clad female figures...
Don't leave! Jaida, your work (especially your Mashers) are some of my favorite things on the site! I do think the Realm should add a view feature pronto. On most sites (like Youtube, Twitter, etc.), Posts always get more views than comments. For example, If a YouTube video gets a few thousand views, there will only be like 200-400 comments. Don't stop posting, your customs are always creative and fun to look at.
Agree. I really think a "view" counter can fill the void that some posters feel because of the dwindling # of comments left. My bet is that we would be surprised as to how many "lurkers" there actually are on this site.
While I understand that the critiques---positive or otherwise---help us all to grow as customizers, don't let the lack of it convince you to stop posting your customs. Although it's really nice to hear from some of my favorite customizers, I realize they have lives and loved ones as well as I do, and they can't leave comments all the time. At the same time, if I see a work that really catches my eye I will definitely let that artist know what a great job I think they've done on it. It's just really too time consuming to leave comments for every piece. But don't let that prevent you from posting your work. Keep it coming.
The hobby is not fading..I feel ppl need to put more effort into their presentations when they post..meaning better pictures, posing ,backdrops,dioramas or trying to show and tell a story within these pictures like in movies and comics.that what toy photographers do in social media and believe me it draws a lot of attention. People love it. Gotta bring these customs figures to life to catch the eye of the public. Those days of posting customs like stiff puppets are fading away like the dinosaurs. We seen this many times and its repetitive. Offering better presentation bring something fresh and new to the table..that my opinion.
I think it's fine for people to use the Showcase however they want. Even if there aren't tons of comments flying around, posting your work in the Showcase still gets lots of eyeballs on it, and that translates into possible commissions. I think that's vital nowadays with how expensive toys are, you need a way to fund this hobby.
Also, keep in mind constructive feedback is rare. Not everyone is a wordsmith, or has the technical experience or time to give it. I'm still mediocre at customizing, but I try to comment any time I think it'll help the creators.
I already went on the emotional roller coaster regarding this hobby. I don't feel like writing in-depth toy reviews or articles like I used to, I'm just not that into it anymore. A big part of it is because there's no one local I can talk shop with to learn more and stay interested in the hobby. Talking with people online is one thing, but typing doesn't get the creative juices bubbling like actually frankenstein-ing figs and seeing someone in action.
It feels like I'm a stamp collector, but am living in a world where no one cares about stamps, except for a handful of people online lol.
If you really want to get feedback and praise, switch to digital sculpting or prop-making, that's where the party is at.
But to not be all bleak and shiz, I'm glad to see a steady influx of new people posting their stuff, the hobby is still alive despite everything stacking against it.
As always, Dr. Night, you have a good perspective on the use of the realm. Thanks for the advice. I understand what you mean about lacking people to talk with.
This is exactly how I feel too. Its just such a niche hobby. I've become a bit discouraged too with posting my customs because I don't see a real point to it anymore. I have multiple customs sitting on my shelf (good ones too) that I just don't feel motivated to photograph because no one is going to comment on them anyway.
Please wait...
Just today we had like 30 new customs! (maybe 25) I love it, but it gets annoying having to edit all the funky ways people write the names and descriptions
It would be cool having the option to "like" the figure or see the amount of views it gets. Perhaps figure realm can somehow link to a Facebook group where this could be possible while retaining the ability to search here.
Wish I would find a chest full of silver, then I'd just hire some kid to take care of the site and give Cap a break lol
At this point I've kind of decided against posting any more of my own work since I'm doing it only for myself and not to sell or get customers or recognition, and I'm a fairly average customizer at best, lol! Plenty of others out there doing MUCH better work.
Anyway, I think it was Dr. Nightmare who had said if you want to get comments do popular characters or scantily clad female figures...
Don't worry, I haven't left. I've still have some stuff in the works.
Also, keep in mind constructive feedback is rare. Not everyone is a wordsmith, or has the technical experience or time to give it. I'm still mediocre at customizing, but I try to comment any time I think it'll help the creators.
I already went on the emotional roller coaster regarding this hobby. I don't feel like writing in-depth toy reviews or articles like I used to, I'm just not that into it anymore. A big part of it is because there's no one local I can talk shop with to learn more and stay interested in the hobby. Talking with people online is one thing, but typing doesn't get the creative juices bubbling like actually frankenstein-ing figs and seeing someone in action.
It feels like I'm a stamp collector, but am living in a world where no one cares about stamps, except for a handful of people online lol.
If you really want to get feedback and praise, switch to digital sculpting or prop-making, that's where the party is at.
But to not be all bleak and shiz, I'm glad to see a steady influx of new people posting their stuff, the hobby is still alive despite everything stacking against it.
I've become a bit discouraged too with posting my customs because I don't see a real point to it anymore. I have multiple customs sitting on my shelf (good ones too) that I just don't feel motivated to photograph because no one is going to comment on them anyway.
Yeah, it's niche and it also doesn't help that the few interactions I've had with local people who were into toys were douchebags.