Here you can find the front page news stories, announcements, and article references since Brickfilm's launch on December 16, 2000.

Also, check  out the Old Forum .

First, we have several new films in the directory.  Check out the new films near the top of each catagory listing, which will be the new policy from now on.

Second, the Director's Project has been updated.  Due to some bow outs and reorgs, Seth and legowig are now up to the plate, and have until August 16th to complete their portions. 

Third, I hear a lot of work being talked about for the Classical Movie Contest, so I'm really looking forward to entries.  I will probably pick up prizes next weekend and post pictures of the prizes to the winners.

As always, happy filming!
 

Two new films in the directory today.   Fire At The Pizzeria by David Clough and Tube Wars by Rod Kent.  If you have the bandwidth, I highly recommend you check out the one by Rod.  It's our first entry using Duplo and a cute little film.
 

The Brickfilms Director's Project page has been updated with some changes.  First, Ben dropped out so Robert Thomas is next up to start filming for Group 1.  Also, Seth Rotkin from the pool has been added to Group 1.  We also have a new director in the pool.  Sushifly and Robert, happy filming!

Also, two new movies in the directory today.  It's getting a bit crowded in there, so I may have to change how it's presented in a little while.   But for now, please check out the films of Seth Rotkin and Tony Seibel, new today under "Shorts".

And last but not least, I am working out the final touches of a new Contest for Brickfilms.  This one will go on for a while so you will have plenty of time to submit.   Right now, just think of classical musical pieces you want to use in your film.
 

Also, I've updated a few links.  If you would like to report a broken link, please contact us.

A great time had by all.  Everyone I met or talked to thought it was worth the trip and was surprised at how much was there.  We had giant sculptures and detailed meets, enormous castles and even bigger battleships.   I saw hundreds of creations I had only seen on the internet, and it was a great way to get the creative juices flowing.  Once I am all unpacked, expect new movies! : )
 

In huge news, a generous fan over at www.ozbricks.com has donated some web space to us.   Soon Brickfilms will be able to host some of your films as well as get that bigger version of Vecna's Lens online!  Great news, and worth celebrating!  Mention this announcement at Brickfest and I'll buy you a beer on Saturday at Rocklands!  One more sentence with an exclamation point and I may have to become a kindergarden teacher!

Speaking of Brickfest, I will see everyone who is coming on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  I have just finished a one hour LEGO animation video.  It includes all the films I had access to on my hard drive before I moved and lost my fast connection.  Oh, I weep for those of you stuck in 56K land as I am now.  Hurry up, Verizon, and turn on my DSL already.  Anyway, the films that will be shown on the "bigger screen" at Brickfest will be:

Vecna's Lens: Part I
All Of the Dead
2001: A LEGO Odyssey
ONE: A Space Odyssey
Twelve Bucks
The Thing
LeGorso
Lego Ministry Video
Lego Chainsaw Massacre
Brain Damage
Dancing On The Moon

I wish I could have included many, many more films on the tape, but lack of time and not having a fast connection to download have prevented this.  Next year, I'm sure the video will be 3 times as long.   But where else in the world other than Brickfest 2001 can you see an hour of brick animation?  If you have a movie and want to show it, bring it to Brickfest and I'll put it on the tape.  We will also be ripping it up with Brikwars for anyone who knows what that is.

One last note:  Brickfilms and LEGO animation will be mentioned in The Sunday Times this Sunday in the Culture section.  Those of you in the UK can check it out firsthand.  Those of you elsewhere check back here Sunday to see the story.  Those of you coming in from the Times, welcome!
 

Hoffa is on right now.  Nicholson does an excellent job in this movie.  I don't think he got nearly enough credit for this role.

Brickfest is 3 days away!  See everyone there!
 

Anyway, so there will be a big update when I get back, next week.  Have fun on the discussion forum!
 

Also, we a have a new link to Cool Brick Movies on the resources page.  There are also a few more films in the directory today.
 

• Scenes from the docks in Dalewind, otherwise know as the City of Thieves
• An opening dialog setting up the rest of the movie; filmed in The Lucky Pirate, a rough and tumble dockside bar
• A dramatic execution scene
• A town fighting off a dragon
• An exciting fight with a huge owlbear
• Scorcery, knifefights, swordfights, fisticuffs, drunken singing, pirates, horseback riding, and more!

Note that this is NOT the trailer, it is the actual first 13 minutes.  This should be out by the next update, barring anything unforseen.

I've gotten the help I need with the directory, so about 10 more films should be listed soon.

Brickfilms is delighted to present the first article written for Brickfilms by a fan of the site.  Jared Gilbert has written an insightful piece criticizing the contents of the LEGO Studios sets.  Read his article and see if you agree with him.  If not, let him know (his email is at the bottom of the article, hint hint).

Remember to don the asbestos vest before venturing into the forum.   Things are a bit flamey now, but hopefully this will die down soon and turn more to filming technique.   Or, maybe it will be fun while it lasts.   One thing no one should do, however, is represent yourself as someone else, or use another's name as your own in a post.  I'd hate to have to move to a forum that required registration.  And if you are an active member of LUGNET, you will know what a pain in the ass the new verification system they put in can be.  Please don't make us go to such lengths.  Flame away, but have the courage to use your own name, please.
 

If you pop on over to Ifilm.com, you will see that they have a new look.  On the front page they are still featuring LEGO films, and one will be released every week for a few months now.  Andy Thornbery's first film has gotten over 10,000 views, and Marc Atkin's film has gotten almost 50,000!

The forum is exploding with activity and ideas.  A lot of good suggestions, including a "featured film" and contests.  Over the next few weeks we will be seeing some of these come to life on the site.
 

The forums are exploding with activity recently.  I am getting flooded with emails from people who created brick films years back and now have an outlet for their creativity.  Get them digitized and let the world see them! Jump on in and join the frenzy!
 

The first film featured on Ifilm.com, Marc Atkin's 2001: A Lego Odyssey, has gotten over 13,000 views last time I checked.  My short, Dancing On The Moon, premieres today.

In exciting news, some of the directors that frequent this site are collaborating on an experimental short tentatively known as the "Lego Director's Film".   There are numerous ideas and threads about this in the forum.  The general idea is that a story gets passed around to several directors, with each one adding a one minute clip.  When it's all finished, I'm going to edit them together to create a surrealistic experimental narrative.   Only in the age of digital film and the high speed internet could something this cool be done so easily. 
 

Thanks for all the positive comments coming through email.  It really makes my weekend when I see a whole slew of emails praisng this site.   But, as nice as that feels, don't forget to also leave comments in the forum for the directors of all the films in the directory.  You don't have to register or even use your real name if you don't want to.  But leaving a comment for a director's work you enjoyed will really make their weekend too.

Expect a few articles and some new improvments to the site in upcoming weeks.  Our staff is tweaking and writing to give you the best brick animation site on the web.  Ok, that's a pretty narrow niche to fill, but we like it. : )
 

In the headlines today, here is some good news for anyone making a parody brick film right now.  Frankly my dear, I don't really give a crap about the book.  However, the important thing here is that this is a parody, and a federal court overruled an injunction against shutting it down.  And, the author writing the parody is actually going to make money doing it.  The argument is that a parody is protected by the First Amendment.
 

I'd like to congratulate the directors whose work will be featured on Ifilm.  Check the site to see who they are.
 

I'm happy Brickfilms can be a part of this and welcome everyone who is coming in from Ifilm to the site.  Enjoy and please leave us your comments! 
 

With a few days left, it looks like the consensus is to host films on Brickfilms.  So ... as a preliminary announcement, if you would like to advertise with us, please click here .  This will greatly defray the cost of buying space for the films.

In other news, Brickfilms will officially have a content partnership with Ifilm.com very soon now.  This will let millions of viewers see our interesting hobby.  We also have a new email address for submitting films.  I'd like you to use this email to submit films, as we will have a dedicated staff member handling that process soon.

brickfilms_submit@yahoo.com .  Make a film and get it to us quick!
 

I've never intended to use this site as a way to make money.  Until now, everything I've used has been for free.  But web space would not be.  So if I did host movies, there would have to be a way to pay for it.  I think the most fair way to do this would be to charge whatever I am charged, without markup, to the creator of the film that wants it hosted. 

Another, way, however, is putting some click ads up.  As you have probably noticed, there is already one above.  This is because I use a free site to host the files for Brickfilms.  If I paid for space there would be no ad by default.  So essentially, there would be no change, because those two things even each other out.   Using this model, I would still probably have to charge a very small amount for the larger films.  And of course, it would up to the discrection of the staff as to which films are hosted.   There is also the issue of getting ads from someone, setting all this up, etc.  And the ads would have to actually be clicked on for that model to work.  I know I personally am not a big clicker.  Let me know what you think in the new poll. 

Did I say staff?  Yes, I did.  Brickfilms is now looking for a part-time volunteer to write articles, look at film submissions, and other miscellanious stuff.  If you would like to apply, please email me .

In other news, lots of new films in the directory.  Check out a very long rock video, a wrestling match, and some flash movies.
 

New films in the directory today.  Check out "Darth Binks" for the first cool thing I have ever seen done with the most annoying Star Wars character since the Ewoks. 

Also, LEGO has opened a page on their site called " Film School ".  I especially like the "lighting" area, which you can click the different lights on or off to see the effects.  I've added that link and a few more to the Resources page.

My sources at The Lego Company tell me a patch to fix some bugs with Studios is in the works, and will be released soon .
 

I have begun production on a new film, as yet untitled.  This short will be my first attempt at serious subject matter with LEGOs.  We'll see how it goes.  Set construction and costumes are finished and principal filming begins tomorrow.  I'm shooting for about a 4 minute length.
 

THE THING by Andy Thornbery

The 6 top favorite films, ranked in order are:

1. The Thing by Andy Thornbery
2. Brain Damage by by Robert Thomas
3. Dancing On The Moon by Jason Rowoldt
4. Twelve Bucks by by Rob Weychert
5. Salt Lake Spaceport by by Kelley Jeffery and Russ Gatrell
6. ONE: A Space Odyssey by Tim Drage and Tony Mines

Congratulations to everyone, and thanks for voting!

Thinking about special effects?  Look at this discussion in the forum.  Here's an example I made recently with fire effects. 
If you can't see that clip, here is a version in Quicktime.

In unrelated news, a few movies in the directory are not working correctly.  These include anything made by me or Robert Thomas.  The ftp server we both use appears to be down.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  By the way ... anyone have some FTP space I can use? : )
 

Ok, now ponder this for a moment.  Can you believe we now have 60 films, 60 LEGO films, listed here?  Maybe it's the gas talking, but I think that's pretty damn cool.  I hope everyone is enjoying the films and all you crazy directors out there feel the effort was worth it and keep ...on... filming!.  Every day I get a film submission in my inbox is a good day for us all.

As a side note, the adventures of Doug James and getting his film on the web have brought up a major point about internet-only films.  What is the best way to get your work out there?  Do you have a favorite free hosting site?  Do you make different versions of your films for broadband and modem users?  I'd like to hear opinions in the Forum .

As always, Happy Filming!
 

In other news, there are new films in the directory.  Check out new shorts by Russ Jensen, Erik Coleman, and Jason Alleman. 

I would also like to annouce that in the next month or so, Brickfilms will have a partnership with Ifilm.com, which is the world's biggest movie site.   Fifteen minutes of fame coming to a director near you!
 

A new film is in the directory, a CGI short about a LEGO world.  There are now 45 films listed.  I've also updated the directory with more descriptive comments about the film, giving you an idea of what they will be liek before you download them.  Also available at the top of the directory are any programs you may need in order to watch the films.
 

An interview with Andy Thornbery, director of The Thing and LEGO Chainsaw Massacre is in the works.  Also in the interview pipeline is that fantastic dynamic duo, Tim Drage and Tony Mines.

And finally, check out this discussion going on in the Forum.  Should the Directory get more detailed reviews and/or ratings?  Give up your opinion and de-lurk in style.
 

First, new films in the directory.  Check out Tjeerd Kamps' Mountain Duel.  Tjeerd is working on a much longer film right now, so check out this work for a preview of his style.  The brilliant Andy Thornbery also has a new one, The Thing.  Check them both out in the directory.

Second, Thomas Foote has an updated site.  All his links should be working now.  He also wrote an absolutely fantastic Stop Motion Primer .   This can be found replacing his old link under Resources.  Also from Thomas are 3 new parts of his big project, Jake Technic.  Find them in the directory.

Fourth, I've got some rather blurry "behind the scenes" pics of Vecna's Lens.  I've really gotten back into the filming and might . . . might . . . have the first full 15 minutes or so ready in a few weeks.  Anyway, the pics can be found here .  This movie is going to be looooong.   I now have over 30 minutes of raw footage.  Whew!

Fifth, come to Brickfest 2001 !  That page is not extremely clear, so here's a brief description.  Brickfest is a festival held by WAMALUG, the DC chapter of Adult Fans of LEGO.  Basically people bring their creations or just come to see all the stuff others have brought.  There are also contests, games, a giant pile of LEGO to build with, and god knows what else.  This year I'm giving a stop-motion animation demonstration and I also plan on putting a bunch of animated films on tape and playing them there.  But regardless of the animation portion, Brickfest is a whole lot of fun and worth the trip!

Sixth, for some reason I decided to put some self-portraits on the Contact page.  I think because Mr. Foote did. : )

Do you have a project to report?  If you are working on a big movie, email me and I'll feature you in an upcoming article about large LEGO movie projects.
 

We also have two new films in the directory today, incuding a nice tribute to Easy Rider, "Lego Rider".
 

We now have forty films in the directory!  Can you believe there are that many out there?  I hope all the films inspire us to outdo each other in the coming months.  I know I am learning a lot from other director's works.  Camera angles, style, what to do and what to avoid.  Let's hear it for brick animation!

Whenever you feel the motivation waning, visit and watch a film.  It really gets the juices flowing.

In the next few days there will be an article appearing on Brickfilms entitled: Brick Animation 101.  I hope this to be the first in a series of articles on stop motion animation.  Look for it soon!
 

Who will be the first person to get listed under Feature Length Movies?  An incredible amount of work, and no doubt worth an interview when someone's opus finally comes to life.  Will anyone beat me to the punch? 

Brickfilms has also been mentioned on Ifilm.com, Salon.com, and a few other sites.  Congrats to directors who got mentions!

Also, check out the heated discussion in the forum.  Tony Mines, co-creator of All of the Dead and ONE: A Space Odyssey had a run in with the legal department of LEGO.  Read what he has to say.

And finally, we now have our own domain name.  Just tell your friends it's www.brickfilms.com .  I've redesigned the site a bit to reflect this. 

Brickfilms was mentioned in the British Newspaper, The Guardian. Go here for the story.

Also, there are several more interviews coming down the pipeline, so our hobby will get some great exposure.

Please note: The contest has been postponed.

Take care everyone, and have fun with the directory.

Happy filming!
 

First, two new films in the directory.  This brings the total up to 26 films.  Who knew there were so many LEGO movies?

Second, Brickfilms will be appearing in the news again, this time in the Tech section of The Guardian , which comes out Thursdays.  Look for it in the upcoming weeks. . .

Third, a lot of people have inquired that some movies are not downloading/streaming correctly.  I went back and checked all the links, and all but All Of The Dead were working properly on 3 different computers running different operating systems and browsers. Please make sure you have the Realvideo/Quicktime/Windows Media Player plugins installed and working properly.  Someday streaming video over the internet will be as easy as watching TV, but we are not there yet.  The sites are up, you might just have to tweak, unfortunately.  I don't know what happened to Tim Drage and All Of The Dead.  I might have to remove the movie if the site does not come back up or get forwarded somewhere else.

Fourth, I'm making great headway in my next film, Vecna's Lens.  Sets are being created, filmed, and torn down.  Dragons roar.  Magic spews forth.  Swords clang.  One thing I still need, however, are voice actors.  Three major parts have been cast, leaving a major part still, 2 smaller parts, and many one liners.  Would anyone like to read for a part?  Contact me .

Fifth, I'm working on a content partnership with a major online film site, but have not really had a chance to talk to the right people yet, and am a bit time poor right now.  More on that later, I'm sure.

And last, but not least, I'm leaving the country for a month.  In all of Februrary, I'll be trekking in Nepal.  What this means is that Brickfilms will probably not be updated from Janurary 29th to March 1st, unless I find an assistant webmaster in the next week.   The site will obviously still be here, but let's hope my provider does not do anything weird.

In other news, it looks like my next film, Vecna's Lens, will be upwards of an hour long.  I have an almost finished script and am looking for people to voice act some of the roles.  I have a few major characters cast already, but need committed voice acting on a few more, as well as dozens of small parts.  If you are interested in a part, email me. with the subject "voice acting". 

Things are coming along nicely here.  A few more reporters have contacted me for interviews, so our hobby is getting some great exposure.  Many of the directors listed in the film directory are working on bigger, better, badder projects right now.  I think the next 6 months will see an awesome amount of quality films.  But with big films come frustrations, writer's block, and even the occasional creative breakthrough.   If you need some support or have an inspiring story to share, email me or talk about it in the forum.  Don't be afraid to ask for help or share your insight with everyone.  That's what this site is all about. 
 

And speaking of which, new films in the directory today.  Keep em coming! 
 

Brickfilms may be mentioned in the New York Times!  Look in the Monday, January 15th edition in the Business section.  I was interviewed about the LEGO movie community and being an AFOL in general.  No promises but we will see! 
 

I am interviewing a director and will have an interview posted in the next week. 

Happy filming!

We really have a great bunch of shorts and movies.  Tell your friends about Brickfilms to let us all get exposure to this great hobby!  (Don't worry, I make no money off this site, that's an innoculous plug.) Ignore the crappy banner ad above. :) 
 

In other news, Todd Lehman of Lugnet has opened a film discussion newsgroup, lugnet.publish.cinema.  Check Resources for the link to Lugnet. 
 

Go here to see them

This film will be a feature length movie set in a fantasy/medieval setting, complete with sword fights, magic, dragons, monsters, heroes, treachery, and of course, tavern fights. 

More to come, including an online copy of the script, and a trailer in the next few weeks. 
 

Added a new listing to the directory. 
 

In other news, check out the "Resources" section for some of ThomasFoote's insights into stop motion animation.  Tom gave a wonderfulpresentation on LEGO animation at Brickfest 2000 in June of this year inWashington, DC. 

The forum is now open!  Click on the link and let the artisticdifferences fly. 

Also added are a few more films in the directory.  Thanks for thoselinks! 
 

To the left, you will find a repository of existing lego films. If you would like to submit a film, please contact the webmaster. 
I hope you will enjoy some of the wonderful films listed.  Relaxand enjoy a flick.

Also, my first very short film, "The Chase" premeires. Not on the level of some of these works yet, but now I'm familiar withthe Studios software.  Check it out in the directory of films under"Shorts".