Monthly Archives: November 2009

How many times can you stick a pin into a maxifig?

While this clone shock trooper maxifig by Olivier may look like another solid LEGO sculpture, it’s actually quite different because you can make something happen by sticking a pin into it. Check out the video to see what I mean.

Via Eurobricks

Rainbow Brite brings color to the world

Since I wasn’t around when the mid-80’s cartoon Rainbow Brite debuted, I’ll assume the ignorant blogger in writing this post. For those who are old enough to have watched the show back in the day, these figures by Dave Sterling should evoke a pleasant trip down memory lane, one which you can relive over and over by purchasing these figures from Creations for Charity.

Thank you Dave Shaddix for the reminder to blog this :)

Bionicle discontinued after 2010 [News]

LEGO has just announced that 2010 will be the last year for new Bionicle sets; starting summer 2010 a new line of similar buildable figures will be released. This will mark the end of nine years since the arrival of the first Toa in 2001. Below is the official announcement from LEGO:

Dear BIONICLE Fans,

In reviewing the business across all of its play patterns and properties, the LEGO Group faced a tough question: should we take on a new creative challenge in the world of buildable figures that we pioneered in 2001?

BIONICLE re-invented the way consumers think of and play with the LEGO system. Through many chapters of compelling story and innovative product development, BIONICLE became a very strong property and an important part of The LEGO Group’s business. We think there is a significant opportunity to grow the buildable figure category, but it will take a more flexible platform that appeals to a wider range of ages through a variety of different entry points than BIONICLE has proven to deliver.

The easy decision would be to stick with a known entity in BIONICLE; but as history has proven, The LEGO Group achieves its greatest success by embracing the uncertainty that innovation brings. After all, BIONICLE almost never launched because it was such a big risk to the company’s way of doing business.

Because you have been such an important part of building the BIONICLE franchise and have been among its most valued fans, we are writing to tell you that the six BIONICLE Stars launching in January will be the last BIONICLE sets for the foreseeable future. Beginning in summer 2010, The LEGO Group will debut a new, more flexible buildable figure property created by the same people who brought you BIONICLE. At the same time, we are also expanding the category to appeal to a younger audience through an established third-party property, starting in January.

Since its beginning, BIONICLE has reflected the union of great product and a compelling story. Although there presently are no plans for more sets, the BIONICLE story is not ending. BIONICLEstory.com will remain an active site, with new story content updated by long-time BIONICLE writer Greg Farshtey. In addition, LEGO Group hopes to work with you, the fans, to continue to grow and expand the BIONICLE story universe.

This was an extremely difficult decision for all involved. But as seen in the tales of the Toa, striving for success in any mission requires imagination, new ways of thinking, and the willingness to take risks. We hope you will share the same level of enthusiasm we have for our plans for the buildable figure category.

We invite you to remain a part of the BIONICLE universe—a universe you have helped to build, and that we are confident that you will continue to build—in the future. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the BIONICLE and LEGO brands.

With our very best regards,
Jan Faltum, Global BIONICLE Director
Lincoln Armstrong, Senior Brand Manager, BIONICLE Team Member since 2002

LEGO auditions for model builder in Manchester, UK [News]

I just heard that they’re recruiting for a model builder for the new LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Manchester, UK. It could be a pretty cool opportunity for someone among our UK readership.

Here’s the word:

DO YOU HAVE THE BRICK FACTOR?

SEE YOUR MODELS IMMORTALISED FOREVER IN LEGO

OPEN auditions are being held at The Lowry Hotel on 27 November 2009 for a position as model builder at the new LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.

Faced with millions of LEGO bricks when they arrive, auditionees will need to show how skilled they are at building LEGO models by creating an animal model in just fifteen minutes. The successful builders will then pass to the second stage of the auditions when they will need to create a famous face out of LEGO.

The audition aims to find a potential model builder who is skilled enough to be responsible for developing new features, exhibitions and building new models as well as working with the thousands of children expected to visit the attraction.

Neil Crittenden, general manager of LEGOLAND Discovery Centre said: “We are holding open auditions to find the most talented and enthusiastic model builders. It is an unusual job available and we hope to meet some LEGO fanatics from the North West. We are looking for someone with a great sense of fun and though that holding an open audition would be the ideal way to find the perfect candidate.”

The exciting new role will be based at the unique indoor attraction opening in March 2010.

Described as stepping into the biggest box of LEGO in the world, the attraction will host a unique MINILAND, which the successful model builder will need to create and maintain, as well as a number of other features including offer an exciting themed ride, a tour of a LEGO factory where children can help make their own LEGO brick. Plus there will be lots of opportunities to create their own models, race LEGO cars and areas for birthday parties.

The auditions will be held in meeting room seven and eight from 10am – 5pm at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester.

Auditionees need to register in advance by emailing register@legolanddiscoverycentre.com

For more information please contact the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre contact me, Nikki, at: ldc@brazenpr.com

If a reader ends up trying for this job, please get in touch. It could make for a pretty interesting story.

Win LEGO Star Wars goodies in the FBTB Charity Drive [News]

From Bricks to Bothans is hosting its first annual FBTB Charity Drive. For a donation of only $2.00, you get a “raffle ticket” and a chance to win great prizes like 8038 Battle of Endor.

From Bricks to Bothans Charity Drive 2009

More importantly, your donations support a great cause, Child’s Play — an organization that donates toys and games to hospitals worldwide.

The General in his Pavilion

Rod Gillies (2 Much Caffeine) applies his skills to medieval Japan with his latest creation, “The General is summoned to war”.

LEGO samurai general's pavilion

The stone wall has a great texture, and the green roof isn’t something you see that often in LEGO samurai/ninja creations (though they certainly exist in real life). My favorite detail is the fountain.

Pazu saves Sheeta on a buzzy flappy thing that goes ブンブン

I’m not doing this on purpose, I promise. Right after I’d blogged Howl’s Moving Castle and Nausicaä, I saw this flaptter by MooseBot over on the left side of the page. I blame technology.

LEGO flaptter

Hurray for Miyazaki!

Nausicaä soars on the wings of her Mehve glider, safe above the Sea of Corruption

Jon Hall brings us more Miyazaki goodness with Mehve, Nausicaä’s glider from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

LEGO Nausicaä and Mehve glider

What really struck me about this creation, though, is the custom minifig that Jon made.

LEGO custom Nausicaä minifig

The breathing mask is made from a minifig bandanna, while Nausicaä’s hood is made from a farmer’s cowl.

I’ve had enough of running away, Sophie. Now I’ve got something I want to protect.

There’s just something about the worlds of Hayao Miyazaki that inspire LEGO builders to new heights. This Howl’s Moving Castle by O-SAWA may be my favorite yet.

LEGO Howl's Moving Castle

From battleship turrets and chicken feet to houses and a big orange tongue, O-SAWA’s castle has it all.

Via twee affect.

HMHS Britannic and RMS Olympic

On November 21, 1916, HMHS Britannic struck a German mine and sank, following the fate of her sister ship Titanic. Rob H. (rh1985moc) has honored the memory of this ill-fated World War I hospital ship with a microscale rendition in LEGO.

Microscale LEGO HMHS Britannic

Of course, Britannic and Titanic weren’t the only ships commissioned by the White Star Line at the time. RMS Olympic served a long career, and accompanies Rob’s Britannic on the LEGO seas.

Microscale LEGO RMS Olympic

What makes both of these LEGO ships even cooler is that they’re threaded with LEDs to light up the night.

Microscale LEGO RMS Olympic with LEDs

Janey Red Brick on Toronto’s Breakfast Television

Janey “Red Brick” Gunning was recently featured on a segment of the Toronto morning show Breakfast Television:

Read more about Janey’s experience on her blog, The RED BRICK Road.

Victoria’s secret

Peter Morris LEGO ARX-02a Starfighter

In his latest Vic Viper, Peter Morris dispenses with minimalism in colouring and replaces it with all the gaudiness of a racecar. His ARX-02a Victoria’s Viper is loosely based on the 2009 Acura ARX-02a and the racing influence is a definite plus. It’s always a challenge to pull together this many colours but he’s managed with aplomb.