Small Subjects

Jim and Barry

Small Subjects is a podcast devoted to discussing big topics in the worlds of scale modeling, diorama-building, and sculpting and painting miniature figures, as well as presenting interviews with some of the top artists in the field, including every era, and ranging from historical to fantasy subjects. Co-hosts Barry Biediger, who is based in Salt Lake City, and Jim DeRogatis, who lives in Chicago, are the editors of the Web site boxdioramas.com. Both have decades of experience as modelers, though they maintain that they are always curious and always learning. They are dedicated members of the Military Miniature Society of Illinois, where they considered the great Sheperd Paine a friend and mentor. Barry is also a member of his local chapter of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society, while DeRogatis has written, co-written, or edited ten books about popular music and two about miniatures and modeling (Sheperd Paine: The Life and Work of a Master Modeler and Military Historian and Shep Paine’s Armor Modelers Guide). You can contact the hosts at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

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Episodes

Episode 37: Gary Baker, hair and Historex
Jul 20 2023
Episode 37: Gary Baker, hair and Historex
In this episode, your hosts have a fascinating chat with British native, now San Diego-based painter and modeler Gary Baker. In addition to being big fans of his work, and agreeing that he’s one of the finest gents we’ve met in the hobby in recent years, we were eager to hear Gary’s thoughts about sculpting and painting hair—he’s a professional stylist and the creative director at UNITE Hair—and he made us think even more about how much character hair adds to a figure, as well as paying attention to the fine distinctions in hair styles in different eras. We’re used to focusing on uniforms and equipment and the way such change, even within the span of one conflict, but Gary got us going even deeper.Barry and Jim are excited about the Historex group build that sprung from the enthusiasm of their listeners. They discuss what makes these little white plastic kits, made up of a bag of initially bewildering parts, so fun to work with. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comJoin us on Facebook:Historex group buildFantasy bust group build  or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite. Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you’d like to hear us address, and we’ll air it in an upcoming episode. Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com
Episode 32: Travis Haussener
Feb 16 2023
Episode 32: Travis Haussener
On this episode, we talk with one of Barry’s fellow modelers from Utah, Travis Haussener, who, despite the shared passion for miniatures and modeling, differs from him and co-host Jim in two pretty significant ways: Athleticism (you won’t find either of us getting buried in an avalanche, mainly because you’d never find either of us on skis), and, um, he holds a PhD in organic chemistry. We thought we could glean some insights into a lot of stuff we use on the workbench all the time without having much of a clue about how it works—or what we may be doing to ourselves by inhaling or ingesting it. We were not disappointed, and in fact, we’ve already got a long list of questions for a second round with Travis in the future (and maybe his physician wife, too). Modeling may not be as dangerous as skiing off-trail in the mountains, but then again, stabbing yourself with the X-acto or spilling a bottle of plastic cement is no picnic, either. Enjoy!BTW, in spite of Jim welcoming Travis to Sound Opinions, you are indeed listening to Small Subjects.You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.comCheck out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.comWe want to hear from you! CLICK HERE to leave us a message about anything in any of our episodes, or to pose a question you’d like to hear us address, and we’ll air it in an upcoming episode.Join our fantasy bust group build on Facebook, or hang out in the Small Subjects Hospitality Suite.  Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com