Bricks in Motion
We are a friendly filmmaking community devoted to the art of stop-motion animation using LEGO® and similar construction toys. Here, you can share your work, join our community of other brickfilmers, and participate in periodic animation contests!
A place to discuss, share, and create stop motion films.
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14.) Organize your LEGO collection in some way that will benefit you.
Making a good set is still part of a good film, and if you can find the pieces your looking for then your screwed.
15: Don't make it to complicated!
I know someone out there is thinking of making a sprawling war epic with battle scenes and effects, but riddle me this batman, you only have 24 hours to make your video. How will you make all your sets, animate it, and do all the other things you need to do in just 24 hours. What I am trying to say is, don't make it so complicated that your working from the second THAC starts to the second THAC ends, and be only 40% done.
15: Don't make it to complicated!
*cough, Darkman* jk 
16: Keep moving on the Internet before the contest starts
What if you're not on the Internet, and when you finally get on, 5 hours have gone by?! Make sure you're on the computer, waiting in the BIM forums ready to start. 
Okay, I suppose we could say that we wrapped up the pre production stage, sort of. You can still add Pre-Pro stuff but now we should focus on the production part of THAC.
So...
17.) Don't make the set hard to animate in.
To avoid technical issues like camera bumps and set bumps you should make it easy to move around in.
18. have a microphone
Yes,you WILL need sound(my mic is broken,i'm trying to fix it).
No one wants to listen to a song playing through the entire video,and there is no conversation.
19. Make TEST videos
THAC 9 will test all your skills,and by doing tests,you will slowly remove the ( 
) flawy brickfilm.
-CDP
No one wants to listen to a song playing through the entire video,and there is no conversation.
I disagree; many films don't require dialogue. It's not a bad idea to make a dialogue-free THAC film, provided the plot can be presented well without it.
No one wants to listen to a song playing through the entire video,and there is no conversation.
I guess you've never heard of silent film.
Actually, I would perfer doing a silent film for THAC. It's easier without having to put in one part of the editing puzzle (other parts are video, titles, sound effects, music), especially a part that is mostly reliant on other people (for me, at least).
20.) Constantly save — and back up — your work.
I have heard many a woe about damaged hard drives, power outages, and corrupted software on here. It does you no good to have to start your entire film over again with <50% of the time allowed remaining.
No one wants to listen to a song playing through the entire video,and there is no conversation.
I disagree; many films don't require dialogue. It's not a bad idea to make a dialogue-free THAC film, provided the plot can be presented well without it.
Then again, finding a good song without Copyrights is starting to get tricky.
Atleast i'm personally tired of hearing spazzmatic polka and other McLeod songs in all brickfilms...
If I remember correctly, copyrighted material is permissible during THAC. If you host on Youtube it could become a problem, but the contest itself doesn't distinguish. I'd also like to take this moment to suggest that people dig a little deeper in Kevin McLeod's collection if they're dead set on using his work. He has lots of nice music that isn't on the first page of results.
No one wants to listen to a song playing through the entire video,and there is no conversation.
I disagree; many films don't require dialogue. It's not a bad idea to make a dialogue-free THAC film, provided the plot can be presented well without it.
Same. Last year, I had 1 song play throughout (2 if you count the credits) the film. Surprisingly enough, it got a good enough response and it got in the recommended directory. Having a "silent" film is actually quite nifty, because you don't have to stress about voice actors sending in there lines late.
As for my THAC tip:
TIME MANAGEMENT
create a rough schedule for the production of your entry. Try to estimate how much time each segment of production will take (Brainstorming, scripting, voicing, animating, editing, etc). It'll give you a picture of when you'll be doing what, and how long everything will take you.
21. Keep Your Cool
It can get pretty stressful trying to get the perfect shot, and sometimes it just takes a little while longer than anticipated. Don't create more problems for yourself by getting impatient. Although time is pressed, you need to look at the problem without getting angry, because otherwise it will just get more difficult to complete.
Last edited by Awesomeonomy (December 11, 2011 (03:16pm))
22. Make sure your room is comfortable.
Last year my room was extremely overheated (I live in the desert 
) and uncomfortable, making it extremely difficult to think of anything. You probably want to make sure your room isn't too hot, it makes it extremely difficult to animate and your computer is more prone to heating up (especially if you have an older computer like I do).
22. Make sure your room is comfortable.
Last year my room was extremely overheated (I live in the desert
You live in the desert?
Are you a nomad or something?
-CDP
23. Don't prepare with nearly two dozen preparatory steps, and counting
Part of the fun of THAC is all the spontaneity and the fact that it should only take one day of your time, not days of preparation. Sometimes I'll think through ideas a couple days in advance and maybe build some sets the night before, but I think if you make THAC into a week-long process it kills much of the fun.
24. Study, study, study!
If this is your first THAC, like me, avoid confusion and watch other people from last year's THACumentaries. Understand the ways of THACers.
Le Bump
Seeing as it's the THAC season, I'd like to finish/continue this thread.
25. Make sure you wake up!
Many years the host of all people have slept in. Sorry, but this is no real excuse. Set your alarm, and go to sleep earlier than you usually do. Do everything to wake up on time!
26. Get on Skype and the Chat room!
It's simply the best way to get voice actors fast.
27. Have fun
Yes, this is an incredibly clichéd and rather cheesy tip - but if your not having fun then you are missing the whole point of THAC and shouldn't enter. Winning THAC isn't really a big deal (although, if your reading this and your a winner - well done sir!), its about the adrenaline rush and the satisfaction of creating a piece of art within such a short time.
I cannot wait until the next THAC. I have entered five THACs in my time and look forward to bringing my tally to six. I've never expected to win, I don't get anything out of the experience except the knowledge that I have entertained...and sometimes that's all one needs.
It's almost THAC X!
28. Make sure your studio is cleaned up and accessible during THAC
You will need constant access to your studio during THAC, and if you have to spend a couple of hours cleaning it up, that is precious time lost.
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