1) Lego has a friendly-faced fairly poseable figure collection that almost invites one to bring to life.  We imagine stories with our Lego constructions as children... realizing them in film is the next step.  Also, Lego enables one to do things that aren't so easily achieved in live action.  Imagine making a space opera live action, then with Lego!

2) Some measure their success in how many views their videos receive.  I don't.  To me success is one of two things: 1) the sense of accomplishment for creating a piece of art with Lego, and 2) Successfully conveying a message to the viewers and encouraging them to think about it.

3) TO be successful at Lego animation to me requires 3 elements, in order of priority: 1) Patience and vigilance 2) A well-written story with a solid message or theme, and 2) Technical skills.  I think 3 isn't as crucial but not to be neglected.  Viewers will overlook amateurish animation if the story is entertaining or thought-provoking.  One's technical expertise increases with practice. 

4) My overall opinion of Brickfilming: a diverse community of laid-back, welcoming, cheerful hobbyists with a common love for the potential of the Lego brick.  The only thing I'd like to see different, although I'm totally anti-quota, is more females joining the community.  My reasons: 1) their films would open a new perspective, 2) there'd be a wider pool of female voice actors and 3) Lego is for everyone.

Last edited by HoldingOurOwn (June 4, 2016 (06:28am))

I animate with LEGO because it has always been around. I grew up surrounded by my LEGO collection. In fact, it was the toy I played with most over any other toy I owned. When I got into animation, it was the only logical choice. It was easy to build, the characters were articulate, and there was an established community so I didn't have to figure it out on my own. Over the years, I learned that LEGO is even more versatile that I ever knew. LEGO is simple, yet it can be complex. The medium is relatable to people who played with LEGO growing up, thus sparking a nostalgic emotion. Add a good story to that and a brickfilm is born.

Success. That's a tough word. To many, success comes through the number of hits they get on Youtube. However, that is a flawed viewpoint. Many things go viral on Youtube, yet, that doesn't mean they are good. I call a film successful if it sparks a reaction, starts a conversation, or simply impacts an emotion. This is not to say that all my films are soap operas, though! I find success by the satisfaction of the viewer. If the audience is satisfied with what they just watched and doesn't feel like the few minutes was a complete waste of time, the film was successful. You cannot please everyone, but you can at least try to personally affect the day of the viewer for the better.

Here were are again with success. But since you phrased it the way you did, I assume you are asking how a good brickfilms is made. Basically, to create a "successful" brickfilm, you need a good story. A story (like mentioned above) that is worth watching. Second, good animation. Obviously, the phrase "good animation" is way too crude and simple, since animation is such a complex thing. "Good" is very subjective, but I define it as an animation that is viewable and enjoyable. The more animation mastery, the better. Good animation is not defined in smoothness or in framerate. No, it's not even defined in the robot-y perfection of the walk cycle. It's defined by the character of the animation. Does it get the point across? Does it create the illusion of some type of life (doesn't even have to resemble a human or animal movement, as long as it is animated to covey the point the author wants to create).

But I could split up the parts of a good animation and describe each for hours. But that's now how it works. A successful brickfilm is one that the creator is proud of.

It's so great to have a community of brickfilmers. People who you encourage and that encourage you. People who you are friends with, people who you pretend to be friends with... Human beings who care about the same things you do. I guess you could say it's like a support group. And we all have that one thing in common: a passion to tell stories using LEGO bricks. Sure, there's community drama, but it passes and we're all friends again. We may argue now and again about different things, but in the end, we're all brickfilmers.

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"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31b

Another facet to answer: Why animate with Lego?  Is that It's a medium that's instantly recognizable.  If someone stumbles upon a brickfilm, they immedicately react with, oh, look! Lego animation!  It's been around since the 1950s and all generations know and possibly have used them.

Two days ago I went into a collectible shop and stumbled upon a Ronald McDonald mad with Lego.  He was about 12 to 15 inches in height, and made almost entirely with brick elements.  People can usually recognize the period something was made by the brick types used and color scheme.  I immediately placed the McDonalds statue at 1960s or early 1970s.  Lego has both a timelessness and nostalgia to it that makes it ideal for animations!

Sounds like we need to bring some harsh Blunty-ness to this community.

I couldn't agree with you more, backyardlegos. You summed that up perfectly

1. Lego, as a medium, has several incredible advantages. You can still create any sort of design or character you want, but it comes in special little parts that can be used over and over again in innumerable ways. Thus it is not as messy, limited, or temporary as other mediums. The minifigures have a nice balance of limited flexibility that, again, allows you to avoid the necessity of highly complex life-like movements for every motion that some require, yet they are still able to express emotion and action with surprising effectiveness. Plus, they are a house-hold item, and my large collection was a readily available resource of potential that did not require, (though it certainly led to) much further investment to get started.

2. As has been noted, there are two different definitions that go with the word success. I define it as the ability to examine the final product, and be proud of the results. Some of my films I look back on with slight regret, and wish that I could change this or that. That is the opposite of success. Success beyond my own perception only adds to the effect. Should a film of which I am proud then be well received by the community here, I count that as a double-success.

3. Patience and a dogged perseverance. The willingness to put your all into a film, holding nothing back. The personal dedication to see a project through to the end, no matter the obstacles ahead. It is primarily found in a well-polished story that is supported and enhanced by appropriate visuals. It is best achieved by preserving the initial passion and excitement for a project all the way through the process, as that inner drive will push you to craft the film in a careful and considering manner that will eventually result in a production that is satisfying to both the creator and the viewer.

4. It is delightful community that is fill by quite a good number of very fine fellows...And very few females. The community here has a refreshing spirit of encouragement and support that shows itself in kind and helpful critique, as well as equally-appreciated commendation. There is something special about knowing that there are other people with whom you share this slightly peculiar passion, and joining in this wonderful world-wide community has made me a better brickfilmer, as I dare say, a better person.

One of the things that I love most is the acceptance and politeness that we display to all. The maturity of the BiM community in particular is amazing. The level of respect that we grant others and their views (be they religious, social, or political) is quickly becoming a rare thing. Especially online. For Christians in particular, the secular world is getting more and more hostile to our sharing our beliefs. Yet here, folks of all kinds can make and present films supporting their worldview without fear of harsh and bias bashing from either side. (Provided they present them in a respectful manner) So no, I certainly don't agree with some of the men here religiously, nor would they agree with me. But the atmosphere is such that we can disagree in a kind and respectful manner, and then continue on together in our mutually-shared hobby.

...Wow, didn't mean to give such long answers. Oh well.