Hey Joe, know what would have

Hey Joe, know what would have been nice is, if you could have put the photo you guys where using up on the screen not just through the iPad. Unless it was a copy right issue.

Just a comment.

Very enjoyable!

I enjoyed this series very much.

I'm looking forward to trying out the pastels with the dulcote trick!

Thanks for sharing Gary C & Joe F!

Hey Joe, know what would have

We did make the photo directly available for you to access right here, you can view the caboose photo we worked from on this webpage. The photo is by Doyle Davis.

Outstanding!

Outstanding! And inspirational. Just an amazing series on weathering, I feel like I just experienced a master class. Thanks for such a profoundly useful set of videos.

Photo on-screen

Actually, the photo does appear on-screen at various times in all three parts of the video, as well as through the link that Joe mentioned.  It's probably best appreciated via the link, however. 

We used the iPad on the day of the shoot because we did not have confirmation that we could use the photo at the time, so yes there were some concerns about copyright at one point.

Thanks for the explanation

Thanks for the explanation and link. I really like the weathering series and all the work you guys do here on MRH and on TrainMasters TV.

See you guys this weekend.

Good video series, but I

Good video series, but I prefer the Mike Confalone weathering series, simply because its just one guy, in his basement, doing some modeling and explaining how he does it. Nothing against Joe (or any of the other TMTV hosts), but I find the host making all kinds of comments annoying and distracting. Basically I find the entire format of "sportsdesk with a host and guest" format to be tiring......

-Trevor 

Unfortunately, the approach

Unfortunately, the approach that Mike has taken wouldn't work very well for other TMTV segments.  Mike does an excellent job of carrying the presentation on his own but I can tell you that most of the rest of us don't have what it takes to do that.  I would estimate that the majority of guests on TrainMasters TV in the past two years would not have agreed to appear if they hadn't had a host to guide them and carry some of the load.  And I can say with confidence that all of them would have got to the end of the segment and left a lot of questions unanswered because it's difficult to remember everything that has to be said.  A host can prompt them to talk about aspects of a process they might have left out, or even bring up questions that they didn't think of.  There really aren't that many "professional" railroad modelers out there.  And it's called Trainmasters "TV" for a reason.  How many TV shows can you think of that are carried by one person?

TMTV is not meant to be an online video tutorial in model railroading - otherwise we could have just produced material for an outlet like lynda.com and it would probably cost viewers a lot more.  We want to emphasize the "hobbyist", not just the hobby.  That involves human relationships.  I have no doubt that some viewers relate to the hosts and guests as friends they've never met in person.

By the way, I realize that our collection of hosts - and even guests - doesn't always please everyone.  Life is like that.  When you go to the buffet you're probably not going to want to fill your plate with everything offered.  But I feel incredibly lucky to have a few individuals nearby (and from far away too) who have stepped out of their comfort zone to take on the challenge of hosting.  Some days I think it's a miracle that something like TrainMasters can get made.

Actually, it feels like that today.  I have to get the January's last act finished so I can go to Springfield next weekend!

MRH = Model Railroad HOBBYIST

MRH = Model Railroad HOBBYIST ... The hobbyist needs to figure prominently in all that we do - in other words, not just the models but the people, too. By definition, that means more than one modeler on camera in many cases, because people interacting and dialoging brings out the hobbyist aspect of our media best for most guests.

MRH Media family = MRH Magazine, the MRH Store (books, videos, calendars, etc.), and TrainMasters TV.

Most TMTV guests simply will not come on camera if they must carry the entire load in front of the camera themselves. Mike Confalone is that rare exception who can carry the entire load alone because he has the proverbial "gift of gab" and he's learned to be quite comfortable in front of a camera.

I disagree with your assessment that all hosts "ruin" or get in the way of the presentation - my case in point is the recent series with Gary Christensen that I hosted. First, I think I asked some questions that drove out important training points Gary would have glossed over. Second, I'm the guy who stopped the action to hold up the work to the audience long enough for the camera to get in close and show the work so viewers could see it really well. In fact, I think me - the host - holding up the work for that closeup periodically added to the show tremendously.

We've also received feedback from folks who don't like the monologue format as much, too.

I don't think it's either - or as to format, it's both formats. There's plenty of room for both formats, especially if we want to ensure the largest possible library of ideas reach modelers from the broadest array of guests.

Recent subscriber

I'm a recent subscriber and am really enjoying all the videos. I honestly enjoy the diversity of presentation both hosted and not. The latest Mike C videos are excellent and VERY instructive. At the same time the Gary C hosted by Joe videos are also total gems. TMTV is making the proper choices to host or not. There are even videos on subjects that are either outside my interests or a little more basic than what I am looking for but I have actually found that when these types of videos are hosted I'll watch and enjoy them just for the the interaction of the people involved. When watching I feel like I'm amongst a good group of people who share my interests and I find that very comfortable and time well spent.

Question and Comments

Gary and/or Joe;

Gary do you have a recommended materials list you can share?

All the weathering techniques I have seen on TMTV have been great.

Mike Confalone is very comfortable in front of a camera, and seems to have a script to follow but manages to sound as though he's just rattling it off the top of his head as opposed to sounding scripted.  Indeed a gift!

Ralph Renzetti's body language when he began his Backshop Clinic, says a lot.  Without the host, Ralph would not have ended up being as comfortable as he was towards the end.  His techniques were great and fun to watch.

Gary, makes it look easy too.  I get the sense that it would be less costly starting out following Gary's way of weathering.

All in all some great information on weathering.

Regards,

Edit:  Folks!  If anyone took what I said above as criticism, then you read that into it yourself.  I enjoyed all of it and my only complaint is that I am not independantly wealthy!

You can't please everyone all of the time

And model railroaders are the absolute proof of that rule. IMHO Barry S has the format down perfectly. Yes Lionel Strang was perhaps a wee bit OTT in his last segment with Miles but as we keep reminding ourselves, aren't we supposed to be having fun.

To all my new friends on TMTV keep up the great work. I for one am loving it, learning lots and having fun.

I talk too much??? I should "shut up?"

Joe/Barry

Frankly, it's a bit disappointing to see seeing this kind of contentious discussion about what should be one fo the most enjoyable parts of the hobby - weathering. Trevor was just expressing his opinion. Several folks liked Gary's segment better (I loved it!). Why is everybody getting defensive? Different strokes for different folks. Both are value-added.

And who says I should "shut up?" I've been told I don't smile enough on camera....now I talk TOO much? 

This is the kind of nonsense that puts a bad taste in people's mouth about the hobby. 

Mike Confalone

Ha, Mike

Ha, Mike, wait 'til they start critiquing your clothes, haircut and your waistline. 

Indeed Trevor is certainly welcome to express his opinion, but who really wants to be called "annoying and distracting"?  I think my explanation to Trevor was fair and well-thought out.  I would just like our viewers to understand why we do things the way we do.  We've produced over a dozen different series for TMTV and each one has a different look and style.  They can't all be done the same way.  And everyone has different tastes, and variety is good.

In the past there have been some really hurtful and unnecessary comments posted about TMTV hosts and guests and if I had it my way those kinds of posts would be deleted.  The last thing I want is for participants to come to this forum and read negative comments about them, including Mike.  Be nice.

Who says?

I happen to like Lionel Strang and hope he continues to be on TMTV.  Perhaps it is just that I get his sense of humor.  I like all the hosts at TMTV and thought Joe did a fine job with Gary too.

Regards,

Takes all kinds

Yes, it takes all kinds, as they say.

I've seen posts on other forums about MRH too - like, "Anything that Fugate does, I won't touch with a ten foot pole!" or some such. One of my favorite sayings is: "You can always spot the pioneers - they're the ones with all the arrows in their back."

My point isn't to dis anyone or to discount any opinion, simply to point out for every opinion, there's a counter opinion. There is no one show format that makes everyone happy.

That's why we will do more of both formats - hosted and monologue. Yes, there may be a favorite format that fits my own taste, for instance, but I find even if something's not my favorite, I generally still come away with something gained - and that's the main point.

Do appreciate the feedback

List of tools / paint used

I am really enjoying the weathering series, lots of great ideas.

Since I model in the 1930s with wood sided cars, it would be nice to see weathering with wooden cars. 

It would also be nice to have a file section in the TMTV for a list of tools, paint colors, brands, etc. that are used in the videos.

So we can make a shopping list.

--Bill B.

List of supplies

Let me be clear to all I do

Let me be clear to all I do not think the TMT hosts "ruin" a segment (somehow Joe seems to get that from my post, but that's totally NOT my view!) I just find in some cases the extra body in the room can drag the program out. In the case of Gary's weathering video, I think just having Joe in the room may have slowed him down enough to catch exactly what he was doing. 

It's a fine line to run when producing MRR video segments. Do you shoot a program with a beginner in mind, or do you shoot it for the more experienced MRR? I think so far, the TMTV/MRH crew have done a good job presenting aspects of the hobby that most people can follow along, regardless of their skill level/experience. 

I'm very happy to see these excellent weathering videos produced, as I see a growing trend in today's modeling world for people to shell out hundreds of dollars to have a model custom weathered rather then taking the plunge, learning some new techniques, and most importantly - having fun being a Model Railroader. I've been in this hobby for over 20 years, and I'm still learning new things. Both Mike and Gary have ideas/techniques that I'm excited to try on my next weathering project.

Another  word on the TMTV format/hosts. It is a HUGE breath of fresh air to see people passionate about their hobby jet easy going enough to present their views/ideas in a casual yet informative manner. For far too long I believe there has been a growing elitist" attitude in the MRR monthly publishing world that I think can discourage newcomers from this hobby of ours. Keep up the good work fellas, I'm looking forward to see what you come up with next!

-Trevor

@ Gary

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the list!

I hope to see more instructional weathering videos from Joe's dining room or wherever.

I assume that the colors used on this model, may not be the ideal colors for every color or type of car.  How does a newbie like me know what colors to begin with for different model colors and effects?

Thanks again!

Regards,

@ Kevin...

Hello Kevin,

My pleasure. Dropping a list of materials and mediums is the very least I could do for a fellow modeler. 

As far as differing colors (outside of the common Tuscan or "boxcar red" in the feature TMTV segment)...I devised a system some time ago where I could fade a model (whichever color) employing craft acrylics and water. I've never owned an airbrush, therefore I had to come up with a way to generate a legitimate fade in the absence of such an instrument. What I came up with, I entitled, "color transition fades". I wrote an article on the subject at our home website The Weathering Shop a few years ago. I used an inferior MDC type model to get the idea across and it was an expedited affair. That being said, it is not the sharpest model I've ever produced, but merely a facsimile to a quality model of choice. Just enough to perhaps expound on the process...

http://theweatheringshop.com/articlegcolor.html   (NOTE:  click on "purchase" for part II of tutorial.)

I certainly hope this is of some assistance to your upcoming weathering projects.

Tipping my hat!

Gary Christensen

@Gary

Thanks for the link to the article on your fade! Like Kevin, I am have followed your series with Joe F. I learned a lot and will of course do some things my own way as I see my results and figure out how to fix my mistakes.

I do have a question on the part 2 Grime made with the Titanium White and the Transparent Orange Iron Oxide. I can NOT make it look like " orange juice!" I can get to a very pale orange but not like you appear to get in the video. I am using the M. Graham & Co. paints you used. It almost works for me but not quite. Any suggestions?

Thanks again to you and Joe for a fine tutorial. I also hope you do more.

@ Ken....