Suggestions for possible future LPL bonus round themes - list updated p14

[Froggy the Great]

Seriously though:
Navy - anyone or anything that is stationed on a fighting ship, or the boat thereupon - covers ancients to VSF to modern to Star Wars.
Genre Dysfunction - mix genres.  Paladins with rayguns, Conan Built My Hotrod, that sorta thing.
Flying Things - good wide range of applicability there.

[gamer Mac]

"Ludicrously overbuilt"

Definetly covers a lot of my entries so far
How about "Robbers" as in thiefs or cops and robbers

[Heldrak]

Snipped from a draft e-mail to the Captain and the Professor (never sent):


As regards themes for bonus rounds, I thought the themes for LPL4 were interesting and well-chosen, and they represented a nice variety of some of the more vocal interests on the board. That being said, in practice I thought that the first-round theme (Conan's world) resulted in too much sameness amongst the entries (I love barbarians and I was getting a little tired of looking at so many similar entries myself). In hindsight, I think that broader themes are better, as they result in a more interesting variety of entries.

For LPL5, I thought that "Civil War" might be an interesting bonus round theme, as this applies to a large number of historical conflicts (ACW, ECW, AVBCW, etc.) and the theme could be stretched to include fantasy and science fiction entries as well (Eldar vs. Dark Eldar, Dwarves vs. Chaos Dwarves, Space Marines vs. Chaos Space Marines, etc.). I thought perhaps a set bonus for presenting a single side of a civil conflict as a team, a higher bonus for presenting two teams from both sides, and maximum bonus for including an artillery piece.

I thought another interesting theme might be "Tales From Shakespeare". Since Shakespeare set his plays in a wide variety of historical contexts, this would allow a  good variety of entries: Romans (JULIUS CAESAR, TITUS ANDRONICUS, CORIOLANUS, ANTHONY & CLEOPATRA, etc.), the War of the Roses (HENRY VI, RICHARD III), Agincourt (HENRY V), fantasy themes (A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, THE TEMPEST), ancient Greece (TROILUS & CRESSIDA). While this might require a little more mental effort on the part of the forum members, I think it would result in a rich variety of entries. I thought that there could be a set bonus for a shakespearian force, with additional bonus points for those who stage a particular recognizable scene from a specific play (with appropriate quotation).

Another idea that I had for a bonus round would be "Women and Children". Entrants would receive bonus points for doing a mixed team of 5 women and/or children, or extra points for doing two separate teams of at least 5 of each.

[Ray Rivers]

I tend towards Heldrak's thinking.

Broadish categories which allow folks to use their imagination and inspiration to fit the theme.  These kinds of themes bring out lots of surprises and are quite fun.

[Hammers]

Nudes

I would quite seriously consider that a great idea. How well you paint nudes is to me very much a indication of your level as a painter.

[OSHIROmodels]

Some very good suggestions there, I personally like

'Film scene'
'Navy' (this could be expanded to include army and airforce)
'Africa' )there could be a selection of continents for this one, one continent for each bonus round)
'Civil War'

Personal suggestions would include

'Novel' (always open to interpretation)
'Creatures'
'Whimsy' (think of this one what you will   )

cheers

James

[Lt. Hazel]

I like the 18th century and civil war suggestions. For nudes I´ll paint up a squad for "shemale wars".
For me Medieval Asia (Japan/China/Corea) is interesting too.

[Silent Invader]

I would quite seriously consider that a great idea. How well you paint nudes is to me very much a indication of your level as a painter.

That's what I was thinking Hammers - a real test / exhibition of shading, highlighting and blending. 

[HerbyF]

I'm all for the Asian theme. Navel sounds good to me too. And Horror/gothic horror. Comic books, could include anything from Fantasy to Sci-fi to pulp or superheros or just about any hitorical, broad enough? As for the alcohol inspired theme, I have a Pinkerton posse all named after whiskey labels. I do think a book cover or movie poster theme could work. A picture of the book cover or movie poster & one of the figures inspired by it.

[answer_is_42]

A few ideas of mine;
Literature
Revolution and Counter-Revolution
Civil War
Fauna and Flora
Moustache
Armour and Artillery
Wars of Unification
Guerrilla/Irregular Warfare
Hat

[leonmallett]

My suggestions:

Not... (basically a round to enter any of those Not-[insert name] minis)
Future War
Monsters
Repaint prepaint
Secret Agents
Superheroes and Supervillains
Starships and Sailing-boats (basically a catch-all for all sorts of stuff)

[D@rth J@ymZ]

Seriously though:
Navy - anyone or anything that is stationed on a fighting ship, or the boat thereupon - covers ancients to VSF to modern to Star Wars.
Genre Dysfunction - mix genres.  Paladins with rayguns, Conan Built My Hotrod, that sorta thing.

Both of these are excellent! 

I would also agree with the following (most have been suggested) themes:
* Future Wars
* Swashbuckling
* Weird War II
* Super Heroes

not for the reason that I personnally have interest in these themes but as they are all included in LAF they should appeal to a more broad range of LAFers

[D@rth J@ymZ]

That's what I was thinking Hammers - a real test / exhibition of shading, highlighting and blending. 

Good point.  That would be a very entertaining round 

_{from a painting point of view...I know what you were thinking...
so was I...}

[Johnno]

I like movie themed entries.

Or some type of vehicle featured with the troops.

[Overlord]

I would also agree with the following (most have been suggested) themes:
* Future Wars
* Swashbuckling
* Weird War II
* Super Heroes

On that basis you could just take each of the 17 "periods" listed on the forum, giving nearly 2 leagues worth of topics.  I think a bit more definition is required in some cases, though not too specific as the whole idea is to paint miniatures and reduce the leadpile rather than buy miniatures to fit any specified theme. Thats rather counter-productive to the original idea.

General movie or literature themed rounds sound interesting as they are non period specific, although you have the option to define them further such as War Movies, Sci-Fi Movies etc.  Any themes that cross "periods" are also a good choice as the range of entries is great to see and often inspired.  The more open the categories, the greater the number of participants we should get.  If they are too specific you will restrict entries as people will have no interest or have no suitable minitures in their leadpile.

In LPL4 every miniature I painted was already in my leadpile apart from the Automata, which I had bought for a specific game that happily coincided with the League.  I paint far more during the League than I would do so otherwise, undoubtedly the Profs original intention.  The theme rounds in all the Leagues so far have been fine for me.