If it only wasn´t advertised in such a cheap and greedy way by AK, this would not have imploded the way it did a few weeks ago. In general, this is a free world and art is allowed to do almost everything, so that is an aspect of the book i do not mind at all, i´m rather saying more power to them! If this is not for everyone, who cares? Nobody is forced to look at such dioramas or think anything bad of those modellers who created the pieces. However, i minded the cheap horror movie trailer for this book and the fact that this was marketed as a super edgy thing so everyone hears about it just because of that. If it is good, it sells, but it should not sell due to the controverse content. It is basically just an ethical question of art vs commerce. They try to push the commerce further by making the art very edgy. That is not what art is for in my humble opinion. You did a great job at showing and explaining this book to us, i understand that this was a difficult walk on the tightrope.
Yes, agreed Michael! As I said the ad campaign was absolutely awful and I’m surprised they did it the way they did. Like I also said in the video people should always be given a second chance to redeem themselves and I think they did in the end. Thanks for your input. Cheers.🙏🏻
Very well said. That's what has pushed me away from AK. Their attitudes towards these atrocities as a money making scheme and their attitudes towards the members of the community that spoke out against their actions. I think the artists that put these scenes together like Rick Lawler have done so out of a true desire to use their platform to bring social awareness to certain issues. But AK half heartedly slapped them together in order to make some money while virtue signalling a cause (only portions of the 1st Edition proceeds will be donated according to AKs original press release) and it's pretty heartless on their part.
Thanks for reviewing the book, it’s always as well to be informed. I think there are two points you sort of gloss over; 1. What does this book add? As you point out it’s nothing we haven’t seen before, it doesn’t tell us anything new about these atrocities. The only new thing about it is showing people how to make models of atrocities. 2. My original objection wasn’t that it glamourises the Holocaust etc but rather that they are using the Holocaust to market hobby products. It seems like they have reduced the amount of product placement but ultimately they are using these atrocities to make a profit and I’m not comfortable with that. Ultimately if you are going to produce a book, film, whatever about these subjects you need to ask yourself what you are adding to the public discourse on the subject. AK are adding instructions on how to make models of them, nothing more. I’m still not convinced it’s ok.
Fair enough. It's not everybody's cup of tea and I think AK learned a lesson or two about marketing from this one... good and bad. Thanks for your detailed comments. Cheers!
It’s nice they are giving some of the proceeds to charitable causes, but who wanted this thing? I can appreciate wanting to do something different, however, I can’t recall ever feeling like there was a gap in the modeling industry which could only be filled with dioramas of atrocities. And let’s say a person decides to make a diorama or vignette of the Rwandan Genocide. OK what then? I can’t see too many people wanting to display their work in their model cabinet or somewhere in their house. “Yeah here is my model of this tiger tank, here is this diorama of an auto shop with a Mustang in it, And then here is one of some dead children wrapped in trash bags in a ditch.” While I absolutely agree that models and dioramas are in fact art, they are also somewhat “toyetic” and having toys of Jewish prisoners emptying train cars of other Jews’ possessions would certainly be a tad off-putting. I wouldn’t use the medium of model-making to “explore” these topics personally.
It was my understanding that the original had a gas chamber dio which really upset a lot of people. These are sensitive subjects, I get that, I agree with that, I fully understand that, and in no way am I detracting from them. But I feel like people get way to sensitive, bringing these events to life in remembrance in an artistic manner isn't a bad thing. Whats new though... everyone is so ready to write off the past because its a sensitive subject...
@OriginalYithian valid point, I was unaware of this. But we could also look at it from the perspective of using the real footage to be as raw, and real as possible. I dont think AK had any malice intent when all this was initiated.
Thanks for the video of the new version of the book. To me it now looks pretty much like a normal modelling book just with some more ...uncommon subjects. I don't think the problem with the original was the "promotion" of any ideologies or crimes, but rather it was the pure lack of taste with the original release and certainly the ad campaign. For example, in the original book we saw them demonstrating the use of chipping fluid to make the nail scratches on the inside of a gas chamber. Like...why...who would want to model that? I felt like they just picked the most edgy or shocking subjects and it made no sense. The famous diorama The Burden of Proof is at least a more tasteful storytelling diorama of the same subject, so I am glad they put that in this book. Still, I doubt that I'll be getting this book as I am less artsy and more technical with my approach to modelling. Still, thanks for the video, Scott!
Thanks, Evan. I wholeheartedly agree and I’m glad they excluded the gas chamber article. You correct It now reads as a normal modelling book. I hope everyone that watches will see this.
Well said. They certainly turned the book around at least. I can't say what the attitudes of the Facebook group are like these days as they banned me from it after I declined to accept their 3rd attempt at an apology. That and their justified attitude and inability to understand why people were so shocked and appalled with their marketing campaign was enough for me to walk away from them. I don't have a ton of disposable hobby income and if a company is going to work so hard to tell me they don't care about me or my opinion as a customer then I'll gladly listen to them and take my business elsewhere. At least they've tightened up some of their Spanish-to-English translations since the original release..
This was a hard subject to tackle being that it's such a controversial book. I appreciate your feedback on this review good or bad... just keep the comments PG, please. Please consider supporting my channel with a small contribution, you can do so here: www.buymeacoffee.com/SmallSoldier It's like Patreon... but simpler. Thanks
Great video Scott! It's a hard subject and I applaud you for tackling it at the potential risk of upsetting some of your subscribers. The content looks good and I'm sure some people at AK were involved in this project for the right reasons but the marketing team wasn't part of that group of good intentioned people. Unfortunately for me, AK already used up two or three second chances with me in their Facebook group. Anyway, I'm looking forward to your next Popeye video! Take care :)
@@BrailleScale Thanks Chris! I certainly appreciate your honest thoughts and opinions. Heck, we don't all have to agree... freedom of speech my friend. Cheers!
@@SmallSoldier absolutely! I'm glad they've turned themselves around enough to get back on track. If you and Rick Lawler are of the opinion that this was just an unfortunate, out of character mistake as opposed to a true glimpse behind the curtain then that's good to know. I had no intention of trashing my collection of AK products or anything like that, but have heard a lot of buzz online that I can't confirm about "some top people at AK" that were apparently less than upset about the whole thing and more inclined to write off a few customers at the expense of all the exposure they've gotten. Again, if that's internet rumor and not the case then my apologies. Ultimately why I don't want to act like my opinion is "the correct" opinion as like you said, we're all free to our own way of thinking and supporting the companies we want and your opinion on this matter is enough to get me to rethink my own perceptions about this event and the people involved.
@@BrailleScale That’s my understanding if I found out different then that would upset me. It’s hard to truly know who’s telling the truth and who just wants to destroy AKs reputation. It’s like politics... I would need to hear it directly from the horse’s mouth before believing anything I hear in the media.😉
this book and your talk changing my mind about how modelling can tell a story . not just making painting and showing our models in social medias ...thanks for good review and good words
Tough review that you handled the content well with empathy. Me, I will pass. Modeling is an escape for me; an escape I find so enjoyable and at times necessary. I understand the social statements, and even a need to express, but it would contradict the purpose of my hobby. I will continue to watch your figure painting videos - now those are uplifting and inspiring!
Thanks, Scott! Yeah to each they’re own. Everyone has different tastes and ideas about social and political issues. That’s what makes living in a free society so great. Cheers.
I'm glad you took the time to review it Scott, dicey subjects...no doubt. Heinous and vicious crimes against humanity should never be glamourized, but then again, they should also never be forgotten. Just my 2 cents.
It always amazes me that people who believe they are smart want to hide any trace of these issues, sort of out of sight out of mind. Modelling IS art and if we shy away from covering the hard topics then maybe we should just stick to static displays that have no story.
Well done Scott, you did a excellent review of a very sensitive modelling book that is causing a lot of disagreement and discussion involving a stark difference of opinion.
Well done mate. I am a collector, and will still try to obtain the original 1st edition, because that's what collectors do. The odd thing is that the most popular subjects in scale modeling are of many of the tools, tanks, warships, fighter aircraft, and countless reissues of WWII, WWI subject matter, that, in real life results in these same tragic loss of life of many on both sides of an issue. The main problem is that it comes from a company that people usually associate with fun things to get your modeling groove on, without making political statements about anything ( like comic books used too ), just make the product, and hope someone buys it. No one complains about the carnage that the tanks, fighter planes, battleships, big guns caused during history, yet they whine about a book like this. They are used to such subject matter coming from a documentary, or a nice book, not from a modeling company. No one complains about the many available model kits that depict wicked, gory scenes and characters that make you go wow, and it's not because of the fine skill of the modeler. some model contest have an area to allow for display, subjects that may be a bit too risky for younger ones, but they're not banned from showing it. How many of these guys who have a problem with it has watched the violent movies and super hero stuff that's making big bucks nowadays? If you are trying to be historically accurate, then you gotta show some things the way they were, like the Swastika on wartime stuff ( which, by the way, was used on both sides of the early war). Simply take out of the book, what you can use, and if the things that offend you are too much, cut it out. There are much more important issues in life to whine about than a modeling book with controversial subject matter. Applauds to AK Interactive for revising the book. They just pushed the envelope a bit, and have to deal with the consequences; can't be any different with all the inappropriate things in media and entertainment. I bet many of these guys who have a problem with the book, love horror movies, or movies/books that depict real human and property damage; they're just not used to it coming from a model hobby company. get over it guys, you don't have to buy it, but no one escapes history. Learn from it so bad stuff like that can never happen again.
While I didn't see the original ad campaign. I did see portions of the original book. And maybe it's just me however I don't see what's so controversial about this publication. I didn't find it offensive and certainly didn't feel it promoted any kind of evil doings. No doubt it's a book on sensitive material meant for a mature audience. And there apparently is a shortage of mature people out there today in the modeling community. Spielberg won all sorts of awards for shindlers list. Hotel Rwanda won just as big. Not to mention the killing fields before that. The band U2 made its legacy bringing light to the evil that exist around the world. Not to promote it but to expose it. Nobody tells these people that they can't promote their work. Why should Ak Interactive be held to a different standard?
Agreed. People just don't like the fact that they may make a profit from it. But a photographic journalist, an artist that paints on canvas or sculptor that profit from controversial artwork... it's all the same thing.
I understand that the advertising campaign was incorrect but I think that people lost the point of what modelism its or can be. You may paint for war gaming but this dioramas in the book could be use for museums, associations etc that want to show what happened. How mamy times have you see dioramas in museums? And never thought of canceling those.
Not bad. I’m wondering how the other book is. I can see why people are mad about it with mass graves. There is no way from erasing the holocaust or other historical issues alike. Photos of war are not teddy bears and rainbows it’s WAR. if you don’t like it don’t buy it or look at it. Lastly if you are so hurt about a book that shows dioramas that show this stuff then you shouldn’t be modeling German related models or Russian kits since they were monsters during the wars and to its own people during its history.
I was unaware of this book. I think it's good that there are model makers out there doing something that brings some light to these atrocities. Well done explaining a difficult subject/s.
I don't think it was such an atrocious and disrespectful monograph as some people on the social media tried to portrait it. I see model building and painting as an art, so why is it different from movies or books that portray the same or similar content? There is a general trend to attack everyone and everything who thinks and acts different from the mainstream moralists. Yesterday it was AK, tomorrow, who knows...
Excellent review! Dioramas of guys pointing evoke zero emotion. In my opinion Art is looking at the universe and making a statement about what you see. I am proud of AK for taking this step! I wonder what the response is from modelers outside of the USA is as they tend to be very conservative.
Man it was so fucking hard to actually find out what this all was about after just hearing about this today for the first time. Personally I'm not offended by any of this and I generally find all of the work done here very impressive,but I honestly don't understand what were they thinking just from a business standpoint. Like yeah sure if you were an independent artist you'd probably just be seen as someone creating hard hitting art and might be a bit controversial but as a business this is a PR nightmare. I understand that this is the revised version of the book and original just completely fucked up during the marketing by just doing shit like playing heavy metal in the background when showing gas chambers etc so it's at least way better than that.
The backlash is really all childish.We live in a society where if we don't like something,complain until it's removed.We have childeren in class rooms demanding this type of history be removed from history books because they are offended.Every model maker who builds military,most sci-fi and and anime comes from violence.I got a one week ban on Facbook for posting a picture the Tiger tank i built.We live in a society where it's easier to erase the past and turn a blind eye to what has happened,thats why it keeps happening.Every model make wants to create something unique.The problem is there are too many Karens online.If don't like something someone creates,move on.Dont get your panties a bunch.Those who do are quickly joining the society of being offended by everything and they have to let everyone know.AK did nothing wrong,just like an author who writed on the subet for a book and includes pictures and sells the book for a profit.
So. I was a big fan of AK. And I have loved Rick Lawler's work since the early Mig Production days and still check in on his "Propaganda" blog from time to time to see what's new. But I'm not doing any more business with AK. I can't give them my hard earned modeling money anymore. The add campaign was heartless and their attitude towards the community was disgraceful in the face of that fallout. Instead of immediately seeing their mistake and working to correct it, they banned people and doubled down on their justifications. They took so long to eventually come out with an "apology" that it's impossible for me to believe it was sincere. Especially as they continued to ban people from their Facebook page even after that (myself included) calling us uneducated and uninformed. They want to make waves and sell tragedy, it's their right to do so. But it's the same reason I hate the mainstream media and the talking heads on TV. Turning tragedy to profit is exploitive to those victims effected by it, re-victimizes those people, and the fact that their idea to donate "some" profits- but only for the first edition of the publication speaks to their true greedy intent. For something that should be a sensitive topic handled with care (as Rick's dioramas have demonstrated in the past) one would think they could have someone actually fluent in the English language translate the texts of the book and the add campaign. But that too would likely involve more money than they'd wish to invest with maximum profit as the primary goal. They wanted to make a big social media splash to sell their products. They absolutely made the splash they were after. So I am ultimately upset that their campaign worked and their business will likely grow as a result. As they say, bad press is still press. And any press is good press.
@@SmallSoldier looking at the real copy you've shown as opposed to the mock up and the add campaign it seems like they truly did a refresher on not just the questionable content, but the English translation as well, so my comments about the erroneous text was more geared towards their prerelease add campaign which I suppose could have included some rough, unedited drafts of the book.
The book, while controversial itself, wasn't really what caused the backlash, the book itself didn't have bad intentions, it was AK's tasteless advertising that was disgraceful, I'm glad they apologised for it though. I personally wouldn't get the book as I feel it is out of my comfort zone. Of course learning history is important and acknowledging genocide and atrocities is significant in learning history, but I personally don't want to make models or dioramas of it, just me personally. If I want to inform myself over atrocities, I will read it up or watch a documentary of it, I won't make a model of it. Thanks for the review.
Well, that's the most intelligent response I've had so far. You get it. It's not about the subject matter so much it's more the way they went about the launch of the book. People/companies make mistakes and as long as they apologize and show the consumer that they truly f@@ked up, that's should be enough. And you're right, it's probably not something I'd ever model as well but it's a part of our history and it's something that should teach us the ugly side of ourselves and to never (or try to control) how we deal with each other in the future. Thanks for your insightful comment. Cheers!
AK walks away here that most people are not even ready for. And genocide against peoples or ethnic groups will exist as long as there are people. Thanks for this sensitive video, well done.
Thanks! It’s a hard subject to model or talk about for that matter. Hopefully by talking and creating works like theses about sensitive issues we’ll someday see an end to the suffering.🙏🏻
The book contents are really heavy and genocide is still happening in CCP regime nowadays. It shouldn't be a pleasure to read the book, as well as those modellers who building those diorama should have great patience to create those sad dioramas.
Yes, these topics have to be handled in a certain way and most of the time people will still be upset with the final outcome regardless of how subtle it is.
Check World press photo contest. If you want to win, you must come with misery, suffering, war... so from art point of view, it is ok. I like the content and the review.
I am not cool with them using these images to sell paint. Yeah, Ive seen them all before, I just dont think its respectful to the victims of these things for someone to make money from it. Still a fail in my book.
Thanks, for your comment. On the other hand, all those controversial photographs have at some point been published in magazines or books where the authors have made money as well.
@@SmallSoldier OK, I see your point, its all been done before. To me that does not make it right. They obviously feel they did something wrong by using a diorama of a gas chamber to sell their product.That was taken out of the second version. But they leave in the Rwanda genocide material. I love this hobby, this is just my opinion.
@@sayeager5559 Thanks for your honest assessment of the book. Everyone has to make their own decisions and that’s perfectly alright in my books. Cheers!
Just doing a review dude… don’t shoot the messenger. I’m not saying I agree/or disagree. with some of the content. Everyone has to make his or her judgement on weather it’s appropriate or not.
The intent of the project was cast in the initial campaign..it remains trivial ..and not art. It’s got some technique material. The toy dioramas only reduce these issues further..this isn’t Primo Levi, no schlindlers list...and you really think Romeo D’allaires wfie would want this ? Nope it’s junk.. and AK seems to still be trying to justify a bad decision.
It’s that..my personal and considered opinion..not trolling, and suffers from lousy social media “comment” format..it’s not just AK..Ammo by Mig I think blew it putting out a book modelling World War III, a supposed conflict between China and US..which I found a bit too charged..modelling as depiction hasn’t the ability to do justice to the topics..set pieces have been used with Mathew Brady, Frank Capra..but models are by definition just that.scaled down and dumbed down..Ak more than anything went about this the wrong way totally and all the little add ons after their faux pas and aggro attacks on naysayers doesn’t help..if they had introduced it differently and from the get go admitted the goof..might just have slid under the carpet ..instead? The pieces simply aren’t doing justice to their topics..nicely made, but kitsch per Greenberg ..and most certainly not art..it’s unfortunate this book is the focus of debate on art vs craft..there are two aspects here..the subject matter ..which I’d be embarrassed to display, and the art claim which I don’t support
@@johnaitken7430 Fair enough. What about photography or artwork that portraits these same sensitive subjects that hang in art galleries around the world. It’s art, isn’t it?
Small Soldier adventures in miniature it can be, it can be reportage, but has scale modelling put forward anything as compelling or evocative. At such point as miniatures make a statement which other media can’t then it can stand as art..the gallery hanging aspect is slightly red herring because as you know much hung in a gallery, museum isn’t more than kitsch. The context of military museum and diorama is interesting, except the main usage of dioramas is explicatory context, and the war art is hung on the walls..
Because they get off the the subject matter. I see a big difference between study/teaching and fetishizing, which is what making concentration camp and genocide dioramas of this comes off as. Our whole community just flat out started boycotting Ak when they dropped this. All actions are political, and supporting this material is a political decision as is boycotting.
my personnel meaning about that book : ... I'll never would buy that ! I think modelling should'nt go so far to show all that cruelties. A modeller whou build that ... show that on an model show ... did'nt help anybody, so it's better don't show such 'reality' dioramas on a public show. The reaction would be 'bad press' and def no help for any modeller !!!
If it only wasn´t advertised in such a cheap and greedy way by AK, this would not have imploded the way it did a few weeks ago.
In general, this is a free world and art is allowed to do almost everything, so that is an aspect of the book i do not mind at all, i´m rather saying more power to them! If this is not for everyone, who cares? Nobody is forced to look at such dioramas or think anything bad of those modellers who created the pieces.
However, i minded the cheap horror movie trailer for this book and the fact that this was marketed as a super edgy thing so everyone hears about it just because of that. If it is good, it sells, but it should not sell due to the controverse content. It is basically just an ethical question of art vs commerce. They try to push the commerce further by making the art very edgy. That is not what art is for in my humble opinion.
You did a great job at showing and explaining this book to us, i understand that this was a difficult walk on the tightrope.
I agree Michi. Be as edgy as you want, but don't try to shove it down the throats of the public.
Yes, agreed Michael! As I said the ad campaign was absolutely awful and I’m surprised they did it the way they did. Like I also said in the video people should always be given a second chance to redeem themselves and I think they did in the end. Thanks for your input. Cheers.🙏🏻
@@AdamMann3D agreed.
Very well said. That's what has pushed me away from AK. Their attitudes towards these atrocities as a money making scheme and their attitudes towards the members of the community that spoke out against their actions. I think the artists that put these scenes together like Rick Lawler have done so out of a true desire to use their platform to bring social awareness to certain issues. But AK half heartedly slapped them together in order to make some money while virtue signalling a cause (only portions of the 1st Edition proceeds will be donated according to AKs original press release) and it's pretty heartless on their part.
Well said Hamilkar
Thanks for reviewing the book, it’s always as well to be informed. I think there are two points you sort of gloss over;
1. What does this book add? As you point out it’s nothing we haven’t seen before, it doesn’t tell us anything new about these atrocities. The only new thing about it is showing people how to make models of atrocities.
2. My original objection wasn’t that it glamourises the Holocaust etc but rather that they are using the Holocaust to market hobby products. It seems like they have reduced the amount of product placement but ultimately they are using these atrocities to make a profit and I’m not comfortable with that.
Ultimately if you are going to produce a book, film, whatever about these subjects you need to ask yourself what you are adding to the public discourse on the subject. AK are adding instructions on how to make models of them, nothing more. I’m still not convinced it’s ok.
Fair enough. It's not everybody's cup of tea and I think AK learned a lesson or two about marketing from this one... good and bad. Thanks for your detailed comments. Cheers!
It’s nice they are giving some of the proceeds to charitable causes, but who wanted this thing? I can appreciate wanting to do something different, however, I can’t recall ever feeling like there was a gap in the modeling industry which could only be filled with dioramas of atrocities. And let’s say a person decides to make a diorama or vignette of the Rwandan Genocide. OK what then? I can’t see too many people wanting to display their work in their model cabinet or somewhere in their house. “Yeah here is my model of this tiger tank, here is this diorama of an auto shop with a Mustang in it, And then here is one of some dead children wrapped in trash bags in a ditch.” While I absolutely agree that models and dioramas are in fact art, they are also somewhat “toyetic” and having toys of Jewish prisoners emptying train cars of other Jews’ possessions would certainly be a tad off-putting. I wouldn’t use the medium of model-making to “explore” these topics personally.
Thanks for your honesty I appreciate your input. 👍🏼
It was my understanding that the original had a gas chamber dio which really upset a lot of people. These are sensitive subjects, I get that, I agree with that, I fully understand that, and in no way am I detracting from them. But I feel like people get way to sensitive, bringing these events to life in remembrance in an artistic manner isn't a bad thing. Whats new though... everyone is so ready to write off the past because its a sensitive subject...
@OriginalYithian valid point, I was unaware of this. But we could also look at it from the perspective of using the real footage to be as raw, and real as possible. I dont think AK had any malice intent when all this was initiated.
Absolutely. If we sweep sensitive issues under the carport they’ll just continue. Thanks for your comment. 🙏🏻
Thanks for the video of the new version of the book. To me it now looks pretty much like a normal modelling book just with some more ...uncommon subjects. I don't think the problem with the original was the "promotion" of any ideologies or crimes, but rather it was the pure lack of taste with the original release and certainly the ad campaign. For example, in the original book we saw them demonstrating the use of chipping fluid to make the nail scratches on the inside of a gas chamber. Like...why...who would want to model that? I felt like they just picked the most edgy or shocking subjects and it made no sense. The famous diorama The Burden of Proof is at least a more tasteful storytelling diorama of the same subject, so I am glad they put that in this book. Still, I doubt that I'll be getting this book as I am less artsy and more technical with my approach to modelling. Still, thanks for the video, Scott!
Thanks, Evan. I wholeheartedly agree and I’m glad they excluded the gas chamber article. You correct It now reads as a normal modelling book. I hope everyone that watches will see this.
Well said. They certainly turned the book around at least. I can't say what the attitudes of the Facebook group are like these days as they banned me from it after I declined to accept their 3rd attempt at an apology. That and their justified attitude and inability to understand why people were so shocked and appalled with their marketing campaign was enough for me to walk away from them. I don't have a ton of disposable hobby income and if a company is going to work so hard to tell me they don't care about me or my opinion as a customer then I'll gladly listen to them and take my business elsewhere. At least they've tightened up some of their Spanish-to-English translations since the original release..
This was a hard subject to tackle being that it's such a controversial book. I appreciate your feedback on this review good or bad... just keep the comments PG, please.
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Great video Scott! It's a hard subject and I applaud you for tackling it at the potential risk of upsetting some of your subscribers. The content looks good and I'm sure some people at AK were involved in this project for the right reasons but the marketing team wasn't part of that group of good intentioned people. Unfortunately for me, AK already used up two or three second chances with me in their Facebook group. Anyway, I'm looking forward to your next Popeye video! Take care :)
@@BrailleScale Thanks Chris! I certainly appreciate your honest thoughts and opinions. Heck, we don't all have to agree... freedom of speech my friend. Cheers!
@@SmallSoldier absolutely! I'm glad they've turned themselves around enough to get back on track. If you and Rick Lawler are of the opinion that this was just an unfortunate, out of character mistake as opposed to a true glimpse behind the curtain then that's good to know. I had no intention of trashing my collection of AK products or anything like that, but have heard a lot of buzz online that I can't confirm about "some top people at AK" that were apparently less than upset about the whole thing and more inclined to write off a few customers at the expense of all the exposure they've gotten. Again, if that's internet rumor and not the case then my apologies. Ultimately why I don't want to act like my opinion is "the correct" opinion as like you said, we're all free to our own way of thinking and supporting the companies we want and your opinion on this matter is enough to get me to rethink my own perceptions about this event and the people involved.
@@BrailleScale That’s my understanding if I found out different then that would upset me. It’s hard to truly know who’s telling the truth and who just wants to destroy AKs reputation. It’s like politics... I would need to hear it directly from the horse’s mouth before believing anything I hear in the media.😉
@@SmallSoldier haha agreed!
I appreciate you showing us what all the fuss is about. For me, there isn't a hope in hell I will support AK on this. Its a bridge too far.
I totally understand and appreciate your input. Thanks!
this book and your talk changing my mind about how modelling can tell a story . not just making painting and showing our models in social medias ...thanks for good review and good words
Thanks so much. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Tough review that you handled the content well with empathy. Me, I will pass. Modeling is an escape for me; an escape I find so enjoyable and at times necessary. I understand the social statements, and even a need to express, but it would contradict the purpose of my hobby. I will continue to watch your figure painting videos - now those are uplifting and inspiring!
Thanks, Scott! Yeah to each they’re own. Everyone has different tastes and ideas about social and political issues. That’s what makes living in a free society so great. Cheers.
I'm glad you took the time to review it Scott, dicey subjects...no doubt. Heinous and vicious crimes against humanity should never be glamourized, but then again, they should also never be forgotten. Just my 2 cents.
I totally agree! It’s the only way to move forward by not forgetting our past. I appreciate your honesty.🙏🏻
Great job on this sensitive topic. Well done!
Thank you! 🍻
It always amazes me that people who believe they are smart want to hide any trace of these issues, sort of out of sight out of mind. Modelling IS art and if we shy away from covering the hard topics then maybe we should just stick to static displays that have no story.
Yep... agreed. Thanks for your comment. Cheers!
Well done Scott, you did a excellent review of a very sensitive modelling book that is causing a lot of disagreement and discussion involving a stark difference of opinion.
Thanks, Mark! Yes it was very difficult. I’d say one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to present and talk about. Thanks for listening. Cheers.
looks great
Thanks! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Well done mate. I am a collector, and will still try to obtain the original 1st edition, because that's what collectors do. The odd thing is that the most popular subjects in scale modeling are of many of the tools, tanks, warships, fighter aircraft, and countless reissues of WWII, WWI subject matter, that, in real life results in these same tragic loss of life of many on both sides of an issue. The main problem is that it comes from a company that people usually associate with fun things to get your modeling groove on, without making political statements about anything ( like comic books used too ), just make the product, and hope someone buys it. No one complains about the carnage that the tanks, fighter planes, battleships, big guns caused during history, yet they whine about a book like this. They are used to such subject matter coming from a documentary, or a nice book, not from a modeling company. No one complains about the many available model kits that depict wicked, gory scenes and characters that make you go wow, and it's not because of the fine skill of the modeler. some model contest have an area to allow for display, subjects that may be a bit too risky for younger ones, but they're not banned from showing it. How many of these guys who have a problem with it has watched the violent movies and super hero stuff that's making big bucks nowadays? If you are trying to be historically accurate, then you gotta show some things the way they were, like the Swastika on wartime stuff ( which, by the way, was used on both sides of the early war). Simply take out of the book, what you can use, and if the things that offend you are too much, cut it out. There are much more important issues in life to whine about than a modeling book with controversial subject matter. Applauds to AK Interactive for revising the book. They just pushed the envelope a bit, and have to deal with the consequences; can't be any different with all the inappropriate things in media and entertainment. I bet many of these guys who have a problem with the book, love horror movies, or movies/books that depict real human and property damage; they're just not used to it coming from a model hobby company. get over it guys, you don't have to buy it, but no one escapes history. Learn from it so bad stuff like that can never happen again.
Thanks, all valid points. Cheers!
While I didn't see the original ad campaign. I did see portions of the original book. And maybe it's just me however I don't see what's so controversial about this publication. I didn't find it offensive and certainly didn't feel it promoted any kind of evil doings. No doubt it's a book on sensitive material meant for a mature audience. And there apparently is a shortage of mature people out there today in the modeling community. Spielberg won all sorts of awards for shindlers list. Hotel Rwanda won just as big. Not to mention the killing fields before that. The band U2 made its legacy bringing light to the evil that exist around the world. Not to promote it but to expose it. Nobody tells these people that they can't promote their work. Why should Ak Interactive be held to a different standard?
Agreed. People just don't like the fact that they may make a profit from it. But a photographic journalist, an artist that paints on canvas or sculptor that profit from controversial artwork... it's all the same thing.
I understand that the advertising campaign was incorrect but I think that people lost the point of what modelism its or can be. You may paint for war gaming but this dioramas in the book could be use for museums, associations etc that want to show what happened. How mamy times have you see dioramas in museums? And never thought of canceling those.
I fully agree.👍🏼
Not bad. I’m wondering how the other book is. I can see why people are mad about it with mass graves. There is no way from erasing the holocaust or other historical issues alike. Photos of war are not teddy bears and rainbows it’s WAR. if you don’t like it don’t buy it or look at it. Lastly if you are so hurt about a book that shows dioramas that show this stuff then you shouldn’t be modeling German related models or Russian kits since they were monsters during the wars and to its own people during its history.
Thanks, for your comment.
I have the same book, but my book is the early version of this book, it's a little different.
Yes, they removed some content and made the design cleaner.
I would love to get a copy of the original book!
@@midori6756 the one in spanish on ak looks like its original
@@midori6756 I saw it on their website.
@@scalede4371 Yep.
I was unaware of this book. I think it's good that there are model makers out there doing something that brings some light to these atrocities. Well done explaining a difficult subject/s.
Thanks, Vic. It’s was a difficult subject to talk about. 🙏🏻
I don't think it was such an atrocious and disrespectful monograph as some people on the social media tried to portrait it. I see model building and painting as an art, so why is it different from movies or books that portray the same or similar content? There is a general trend to attack everyone and everything who thinks and acts different from the mainstream moralists. Yesterday it was AK, tomorrow, who knows...
Exactly, and I’ve made that statement several times already. You get it.👍🏼
Excellent review! Dioramas of guys pointing evoke zero emotion. In my opinion Art is looking at the universe and making a statement about what you see. I am proud of AK for taking this step!
I wonder what the response is from modelers outside of the USA is as they tend to be very conservative.
Thanks, Bill! It's a hard topic to talk about of model for that matter.
Man it was so fucking hard to actually find out what this all was about after just hearing about this today for the first time. Personally I'm not offended by any of this and I generally find all of the work done here very impressive,but I honestly don't understand what were they thinking just from a business standpoint. Like yeah sure if you were an independent artist you'd probably just be seen as someone creating hard hitting art and might be a bit controversial but as a business this is a PR nightmare.
I understand that this is the revised version of the book and original just completely fucked up during the marketing by just doing shit like playing heavy metal in the background when showing gas chambers etc so it's at least way better than that.
Yes, they screwed the pooch on the initial release but most people seem to think this revised edition is less offensive. Thanks for your insights.
The backlash is really all childish.We live in a society where if we don't like something,complain until it's removed.We have childeren in class rooms demanding this type of history be removed from history books because they are offended.Every model maker who builds military,most sci-fi and and anime comes from violence.I got a one week ban on Facbook for posting a picture the Tiger tank i built.We live in a society where it's easier to erase the past and turn a blind eye to what has happened,thats why it keeps happening.Every model make wants to create something unique.The problem is there are too many Karens online.If don't like something someone creates,move on.Dont get your panties a bunch.Those who do are quickly joining the society of being offended by everything and they have to let everyone know.AK did nothing wrong,just like an author who writed on the subet for a book and includes pictures and sells the book for a profit.
All valid points. Thanks for your comments, I appreciate your time. Cheers!
So. I was a big fan of AK. And I have loved Rick Lawler's work since the early Mig Production days and still check in on his "Propaganda" blog from time to time to see what's new. But I'm not doing any more business with AK. I can't give them my hard earned modeling money anymore. The add campaign was heartless and their attitude towards the community was disgraceful in the face of that fallout. Instead of immediately seeing their mistake and working to correct it, they banned people and doubled down on their justifications. They took so long to eventually come out with an "apology" that it's impossible for me to believe it was sincere. Especially as they continued to ban people from their Facebook page even after that (myself included) calling us uneducated and uninformed. They want to make waves and sell tragedy, it's their right to do so. But it's the same reason I hate the mainstream media and the talking heads on TV. Turning tragedy to profit is exploitive to those victims effected by it, re-victimizes those people, and the fact that their idea to donate "some" profits- but only for the first edition of the publication speaks to their true greedy intent. For something that should be a sensitive topic handled with care (as Rick's dioramas have demonstrated in the past) one would think they could have someone actually fluent in the English language translate the texts of the book and the add campaign. But that too would likely involve more money than they'd wish to invest with maximum profit as the primary goal. They wanted to make a big social media splash to sell their products. They absolutely made the splash they were after. So I am ultimately upset that their campaign worked and their business will likely grow as a result. As they say, bad press is still press. And any press is good press.
In the credits, there was a fellow I know from here in Canada that was a translator but things can get missed either way.
@@SmallSoldier looking at the real copy you've shown as opposed to the mock up and the add campaign it seems like they truly did a refresher on not just the questionable content, but the English translation as well, so my comments about the erroneous text was more geared towards their prerelease add campaign which I suppose could have included some rough, unedited drafts of the book.
The book, while controversial itself, wasn't really what caused the backlash, the book itself didn't have bad intentions, it was AK's tasteless advertising that was disgraceful, I'm glad they apologised for it though. I personally wouldn't get the book as I feel it is out of my comfort zone. Of course learning history is important and acknowledging genocide and atrocities is significant in learning history, but I personally don't want to make models or dioramas of it, just me personally. If I want to inform myself over atrocities, I will read it up or watch a documentary of it, I won't make a model of it. Thanks for the review.
Well, that's the most intelligent response I've had so far. You get it. It's not about the subject matter so much it's more the way they went about the launch of the book. People/companies make mistakes and as long as they apologize and show the consumer that they truly f@@ked up, that's should be enough. And you're right, it's probably not something I'd ever model as well but it's a part of our history and it's something that should teach us the ugly side of ourselves and to never (or try to control) how we deal with each other in the future. Thanks for your insightful comment. Cheers!
AK walks away here that most people are not even ready for.
And genocide against peoples or ethnic groups will exist as long as there are people.
Thanks for this sensitive video, well done.
Thanks! It’s a hard subject to model or talk about for that matter. Hopefully by talking and creating works like theses about sensitive issues we’ll someday see an end to the suffering.🙏🏻
Will this book be available in the iPad app eventually?
Sorry, Jake, I'm not sure. Contact AK they'll know the answer. Cheers!
The book contents are really heavy and genocide is still happening in CCP regime nowadays. It shouldn't be a pleasure to read the book, as well as those modellers who building those diorama should have great patience to create those sad dioramas.
Yes, these topics have to be handled in a certain way and most of the time people will still be upset with the final outcome regardless of how subtle it is.
Check World press photo contest. If you want to win, you must come with misery, suffering, war... so from art point of view, it is ok. I like the content and the review.
Thanks for your comment, I agree.👏🏻👏🏻
I am not cool with them using these images to sell paint. Yeah, Ive seen them all before, I just dont think its respectful to the victims of these things for someone to make money from it. Still a fail in my book.
Thanks, for your comment. On the other hand, all those controversial photographs have at some point been published in magazines or books where the authors have made money as well.
@@SmallSoldier OK, I see your point, its all been done before. To me that does not make it right. They obviously feel they did something wrong by using a diorama of a gas chamber to sell their product.That was taken out of the second version. But they leave in the Rwanda genocide material. I love this hobby, this is just my opinion.
@@sayeager5559 Thanks for your honest assessment of the book. Everyone has to make their own decisions and that’s perfectly alright in my books. Cheers!
This book has nothing to do with education, its just all the exploitation of human suffering.
Ak interactive needs to be eradicated.
Just doing a review dude… don’t shoot the messenger. I’m not saying I agree/or disagree. with some of the content. Everyone has to make his or her judgement on weather it’s appropriate or not.
The intent of the project was cast in the initial campaign..it remains trivial ..and not art. It’s got some technique material. The toy dioramas only reduce these issues further..this isn’t Primo Levi, no schlindlers list...and you really think Romeo D’allaires wfie would want this ? Nope it’s junk.. and AK seems to still be trying to justify a bad decision.
I disagree, but everyone has the right to his or hers opinion. Thanks for your honest opinion.🙏🏻
It’s that..my personal and considered opinion..not trolling, and suffers from lousy social media “comment” format..it’s not just AK..Ammo by Mig I think blew it putting out a book modelling World War III, a supposed conflict between China and US..which I found a bit too charged..modelling as depiction hasn’t the ability to do justice to the topics..set pieces have been used with Mathew Brady, Frank Capra..but models are by definition just that.scaled down and dumbed down..Ak more than anything went about this the wrong way totally and all the little add ons after their faux pas and aggro attacks on naysayers doesn’t help..if they had introduced it differently and from the get go admitted the goof..might just have slid under the carpet ..instead? The pieces simply aren’t doing justice to their topics..nicely made, but kitsch per Greenberg ..and most certainly not art..it’s unfortunate this book is the focus of debate on art vs craft..there are two aspects here..the subject matter ..which I’d be embarrassed to display, and the art claim which I don’t support
@@johnaitken7430 Fair enough. What about photography or artwork that portraits these same sensitive subjects that hang in art galleries around the world. It’s art, isn’t it?
Small Soldier adventures in miniature it can be, it can be reportage, but has scale modelling put forward anything as compelling or evocative. At such point as miniatures make a statement which other media can’t then it can stand as art..the gallery hanging aspect is slightly red herring because as you know much hung in a gallery, museum isn’t more than kitsch. The context of military museum and diorama is interesting, except the main usage of dioramas is explicatory context, and the war art is hung on the walls..
Not sure why anyone would want to model this stuff. Just a bad idea all around.
Because they get off the the subject matter. I see a big difference between study/teaching and fetishizing, which is what making concentration camp and genocide dioramas of this comes off as. Our whole community just flat out started boycotting Ak when they dropped this. All actions are political, and supporting this material is a political decision as is boycotting.
Yikes... just awful
What exactly are you saying? the whole book or certain parts?
@@SmallSoldier the whole book. Using atrocities for fodder. All of those projects could be done without using those examples
@@StormWildSpace Some hit harder than others. I think they published it just to stir the pot tbh.
my personnel meaning about that book : ... I'll never would buy that ! I think modelling should'nt go so far to show all that cruelties. A modeller whou build that ... show that on an model show ... did'nt help anybody, so it's better don't show such 'reality' dioramas on a public show. The reaction would be 'bad press' and def no help for any modeller !!!
Appreciated, thanks.