JFlowers Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Should bigger matches have "themes"? Some matches you always see themes "2012:A Shooting Odyssey" ,"Back to the Future", etc. Other matches are just a collection of stages. Do you prefer one over the other? Does it matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin c Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 You could applaud the match/stage designers for their cleverness and ingenuity in thematic prop design, but to me it's window dressing. Doesn't matter if it's playing cards, a briefcase or an Olympic torch, it's something to start off with in your strong or weak hand. Doesn't matter if it's supposed to be a back alley, a jungle trail or a hallway in the Kremlin, it's a shooting lane. Window? Bar? Car? Just obstacles to shoot through, around or over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retread1911 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I like matches with themes. I learned long ago that I will never make money at IPSC and such it is simply entertainment and a little training in the shooting sports. So for the entertainment factor I like the theme. Retread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppa Bear Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Would not care one way or the other if the entire match was one theme, but I do enjoy stages having themes. The added cartoons or props that liven a stage up increases the entertainment factor. I have always appreciated quality efforts because it shows they care enough to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Would not care one way or the other if the entire match was one theme, but I do enjoy stages having themes. The added cartoons or props that liven a stage up increases the entertainment factor. I have always appreciated quality efforts because it shows they care enough to try. I agree. We simply don't have time to get very elaborate with our stages at a local match. But once in a while I'll go theme happy with stage names at least. Like this last match, all the stages had Halloween type names. May not mean anything to the shooters but it amuses me to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckS Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 --- snip --- Just obstacles to shoot through, around or over. This pretty much sums it up. Visually entertaining but I have to ask would the match be a better match if the effort went elsewhere? (But, I will always remember Bob Wolf's T-Rex!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I have been to matches where the "Theme" was such a big deal that the actual stages were mediocre. I would rather have neat and tidy presentations with excellent shooting challenges. Sure, there are a few big matches that do both well, but not many. Producing both takes more time, effort and money, and lets face it, we are still a volunteer sport. I don't mind an RO crew dressing up their stage if that is what makes them happy. We have done some theme matches at the local level. Last one was weather. Had to shoot lightning bolt shaped hardcover targets, through a cloud, etc. It was fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuildSF4 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I like stage themes for the visuals. Match themes, sorry, I go to shoot so I normally don't pay attention to the match theme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroyB Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I've never shot a match with a theme so I guess it wouldn't matter just as long as we have a match shoot. I just want to shoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris iliff Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 I like the theme. Here in Indaiana, we theme it up. I believe themes get us some of the biggest State matches in the country. I think it helps to get people excited about the match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinistralRifleman Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Club level themed matches we've run have had much higher attendance from people that would never shoot a match otherwise, Red Dawn, Zombies, Blackhawk Down, Halloween with costumes Then when it's just the regular monthly match those people rarely show up again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juan Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 if I shot a themed match I dont remember I dont even read the stage names unless its 1.2.3.4.5 so I voted it does not matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selby213 Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 I haven't shot a theme match yet, but I would say that it sounds like it could be fun. The Blackhawk down theme sounds more interesting to me than all the Zombie slayer 20XX stuff. However like everyone else has said, having well put together stages are very top of the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris iliff Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 I haven't shot a theme match yet, but I would say that it sounds like it could be fun. The Blackhawk down theme sounds more interesting to me than all the Zombie slayer 20XX stuff. However like everyone else has said, having well put together stages are very top of the list. Well, you should shoot the Indiana State 2014 match. It's a movie themed match "Spaceballs" and I'm sure your "Schwartz" will be enough. Besides, it's like 20 min from Louisville and that's a great city to explore and have fun in. The match will rival any match you have ever shot, usually it is bigger than most AREA matches. Come to a themed Indiana match and I'm sure you'll come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Tischauser Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Robert Porter at Double Tap does a good job with his themes. But its a lot of extra work and expense. So its not mandatory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetropolisLake Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I think there should be one with a pimp theme. Everybody who competes has to wear a pimp outfit. http://www.halloweencostumes.com/sweet-daddy-pimp-costume.html?PCID=21&utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=PLA-All&gclid=CNf_wdzjvLoCFUie4AodVToAdw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lef-t Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 I'm on the same mindset that a theme is nice as long as it's not to the detriment of the stages. Personally, I like a pop-culture reference here and there. This past season, named all of my stages after Archer quotes. It was a fun test to try to get the stage to fit the quote and either people got the reference or it was just another one of those "weird stage names." The design always was the priority though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillD Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Would not care one way or the other if the entire match was one theme, but I do enjoy stages having themes. The added cartoons or props that liven a stage up increases the entertainment factor. I have always appreciated quality efforts because it shows they care enough to try. I agree. We simply don't have time to get very elaborate with our stages at a local match. But once in a while I'll go theme happy with stage names at least. Like this last match, all the stages had Halloween type names. May not mean anything to the shooters but it amuses me to do it. It seems to me it's more fun for the match director than anyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Norman Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Years back we used to have scenarios for stages. I suppose it was a bit more like IDPA in that respect only. Then we got away from that and just built stages. If the stage is good it is OK, but if it is a 'Big Match' the theme and stage decoration adds to the photogenic quality and to the fun factor. If we want to get what we do published other than in Front Sight we need to make it look good. A theme can do that. Good stages bring the shooters, good graphics brings the press, both grown the sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillD Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Years back we used to have scenarios for stages. I suppose it was a bit more like IDPA in that respect only. Then we got away from that and just built stages. If the stage is good it is OK, but if it is a 'Big Match' the theme and stage decoration adds to the photogenic quality and to the fun factor. If we want to get what we do published other than in Front Sight we need to make it look good. A theme can do that. Good stages bring the shooters, good graphics brings the press, both grown the sport. Seems rather sad that the Front Sight people recognize decorations rather than great stages. Of all people, they should know better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smith52 Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 To me the stage design is most important, It makes no difference to me regarding a theme. I have never signed up for a match because I liked the theme, I signed up to shoot! As has already been mentioned, here in Indiana themes seem to be a thing to do, I remember some of the match themes but never remember any of the stage names. I am MD'ing my first Level II match in 2014 and originally had no intention of having a theme but it was something several of the others helping organize thought we needed to do to follow tradition, so that's what we did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Norman Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Simply put, We can build a stage, teh best stage you ever shot using bland walls, not posters, no color. You'll shoot it and enjoy it, but take a picure of it or a video and it will not stand out. We need that dash of color to draw the eye and to draw in people. The color and the themes make a match not better, in teh sense of shooting, but better in the remembering, the telling and the showing. Also there is a bit of perception on our part as well, would you travel 1000 miles to shoot a bland drab match or would you be more likely to travel the same time and distance spend teh same money to shoot a colorful match? Interesting props are good so long as they work and have a reaosn, a splash of paint on the prop is somewhat like icing on a cake, Ice a stale dry cake and it is still just that, but ice a fantastic moist 7 layer cake an dit does add to it! In other words a theme will not make a match good that is not, but a theme can make a good match POP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillD Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Seems like a lot of people show up at Barry every year and shoot the SSC and the only color they have is sickening Pepto Bismol pink walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperman Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Pepto Bismol pink walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now