Star Bricks

LEGO General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Strider on January 08, 2014, 06:20:47 pm

Title: Brickfilming
Post by: Strider on January 08, 2014, 06:20:47 pm
If you do brickfilms yourself, or just enjoy watching them please leave your thoughts! What do you enjoy most about the process of making them or do you have any tips for beginners? On the other hand, what makes a brickfilm enjoyable for you, and which genres do you enjoy? I do brickfilms myself, and I would say I was just coming out of amateur stage. I use iMovie for my videos, which only goes up to ten frames a second, but it isn't a bad speed, and if you're not going to make a really long professional film it works just fine. Plus you can focus more on other things when you don't have to take twice as much pictures. To the beginner ten frames per second would be an admirable starting point so don't let that fact stop you if you are considering! I enjoy comedy lego movies, but my favorites are the ones that act serious and dramatic over little things. Also don't try to hard to write comedy when you start out, (although this is generally what you will find in Lego stopmotion.) Just seeing Lego people do the stuff we do is funny all by itself so just pick a lighthearted subject and maybe add some slapstick. As you get better writing comedy might be more natural, but it's a big turn off one a movie that could have been fine is fool of cheesy jokes. (If you do have talent for it, don't let me stop you though!) A good place to start with comedy is dry humor. If you want to make a serious movie, just don't over do it. If you add guns through out the whole thing, or lots of whoosh and blam sound effects, the idea will come across that it's purely an entertainment and the audience will see it as more lighthearted or funny. Maybe add a slow undertone, or make the lighting a little darker. Imovie has an effect where there is a vignette theme, (the edges are dark.) Also, try to make your script, (if you have one,) sound like real people talk. Don't worry about making it cheesy too much, if they say it in real action movies say it here and audiences will get the idea of the genre. Play slow a bit till the battle, (or whatever your type of climax is,) and then bring out the good stuff. Just remember, and this goes for any movie, don't make everything too flashy or exaggerated, or the idea will come across that you're using this as a cover up. Take advantage of the effects you have, but they should complement the movie. If you have any questions I might be able to help you, or you can search the web. If you wan to get into it stopmotion is a great hobby, it helps with your attention span, your patience (duh), and your skills with making interesting stories. (P.S. I cannot stress enough how much a good and detailed back ground can help with your movie. I know you might want to jump right in but taking the right time to prepare your set will give people some respect for your film no matter how bad the movement is. Every one likes a lego creation, well almost.) If you get discouraged, just remember that every one has a starting point :).Thanks for reading!
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 08, 2014, 07:18:55 pm
Wow!  Really well written!
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: NinjagoNerd36 on January 08, 2014, 07:34:07 pm
Nice topic! I might get a camera for Christmas from my Grandparents, they were out of town on Christmas, so I might do some Brickfilming, :)
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 08, 2014, 07:36:34 pm
Nice topic! I might get a camera for Christmas from my Grandparents, they were out of town on Christmas, so I might do some Brickfilming, :)

Brickfilming is fun! :D
If you do make some, upload them here :)
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: NinjagoNerd36 on January 08, 2014, 07:38:37 pm
Nice topic! I might get a camera for Christmas from my Grandparents, they were out of town on Christmas, so I might do some Brickfilming, :)

Brickfilming is fun! :D
If you do make some, upload them here :)
How do you do that?
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 08, 2014, 07:40:05 pm
In the top menu there is a button called 'Gallery'.  You can upload them there, or you can attach them to a post :)
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: NinjagoNerd36 on January 08, 2014, 07:46:06 pm
In the top menu there is a button called 'Gallery'.  You can upload them there, or you can attach them to a post :)
Is this the menu with Profile and Search buttons? Because I don't see it. Could you give me a direct link?
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 08, 2014, 07:49:06 pm
In the top menu there is a button called 'Gallery'.  You can upload them there, or you can attach them to a post :)
Is this the menu with Profile and Search buttons? Because I don't see it. Could you give me a direct link?

Here you go :)
http://starbricks.createaforum.com/index.php?action=gallery
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: NinjagoNerd36 on January 08, 2014, 07:52:46 pm
In the top menu there is a button called 'Gallery'.  You can upload them there, or you can attach them to a post :)
Is this the menu with Profile and Search buttons? Because I don't see it. Could you give me a direct link?

Here you go :)
http://starbricks.createaforum.com/index.php?action=gallery

It said An Error has Occurred, you are not allowed to view the gallery.  ??? I think you must have it so only a certain rank and above can access it or something.
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 08, 2014, 07:54:03 pm
In the top menu there is a button called 'Gallery'.  You can upload them there, or you can attach them to a post :)
Is this the menu with Profile and Search buttons? Because I don't see it. Could you give me a direct link?

Here you go :)
http://starbricks.createaforum.com/index.php?action=gallery

It said An Error has Occurred, you are not allowed to view the gallery.  ??? I think you must have it so only a certain rank and above can access it or something.
Just a second.....
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: M_Project on January 08, 2014, 08:05:21 pm
I made a LEGO stop motion once.  It was 2 minutes long and took dozens of hours to put together using Move Maker (it was very frustrating).  It's on youtube.  If anyone is interested I could post a link.

Making it gave me a great deal of admiration to other LEGO filmers.  It's very tough especially if just one person is directing the whole thing.
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 08, 2014, 08:08:51 pm
Do!
If you still have the file on your computer, please upload it!
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: M_Project on January 08, 2014, 08:17:37 pm
Do!
If you still have the file on your computer, please upload it!

It's only on youtube.  The original file has been missing for years...

This is my first stop-motion.  (And very well can be my last :-\)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qRCmXROKLg

Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 08, 2014, 08:28:58 pm
Do!
If you still have the file on your computer, please upload it!

It's only on youtube.  The original file has been missing for years...

This is my first stop-motion.  (And very well can be my last :-\)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qRCmXROKLg



Awesome video!  You really should do more!
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: NinjagoNerd36 on January 08, 2014, 08:46:37 pm
Awesomee stop motion! I think that was well worth the effort making it for you.  ;)
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 08, 2014, 08:51:56 pm
Do!
If you still have the file on your computer, please upload it!

Wow!
Nice vid!

It's only on youtube.  The original file has been missing for years...

This is my first stop-motion.  (And very well can be my last :-\)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qRCmXROKLg



Awesome video!  You really should do more!
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: ~RC-1138"Boss"~ on January 08, 2014, 09:47:00 pm
Nice brickfilm M_Project!
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: Strider on January 10, 2014, 03:35:32 am
That's a really great movie, if that was my first right now I would be a lot better then I am. It looks like you've got the right materials and talent to keep improving so I recommend you keep on going! (I thought it was really cool with the fire all around the guy who fell down.) Right now I am working on a stop motion series about a spoiled young millionaire and his many escapades in life, with his servants and butler getting him out of most trouble. (No voiceover just captions since I don't want to give it a amateurish feel, and I can't really do girl voices.) I'll post the teaser trailer here when I finish it, (pics uploading now,) and when I'm done with the pilot episode I'll post it here! (Whenever that may be. It's hard to tell how long a film will take before hand.)
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 10, 2014, 11:45:17 am
That's a really great movie, if that was my first right now I would be a lot better then I am. It looks like you've got the right materials and talent to keep improving so I recommend you keep on going! (I thought it was really cool with the fire all around the guy who fell down.) Right now I am working on a stop motion series about a spoiled young millionaire and his many escapades in life, with his servants and butler getting him out of most trouble. (No voiceover just captions since I don't want to give it a amateurish feel, and I can't really do girl voices.) I'll post the teaser trailer here when I finish it, (pics uploading now,) and when I'm done with the pilot episode I'll post it here! (Whenever that may be. It's hard to tell how long a film will take before hand.)

Awesome!!!!!
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: Strider on January 10, 2014, 06:43:15 pm
You should definitely continue. This totally blew me away, it's hard to believe it's your first! I didn't really have the materials for my first one but it looks like you've got all the stuff you need to make some awesome vids! (I've used Movie Maker too before and I can't relate, it's a real pain for stopmotion. But you could always try downloading some free software. I've heard Monkey Jam is good.) I'm making a stopmotion series called The Young Millionaire, I'll post the teaser trailer in the gallery in a few minutes and eventually the episodes, if you don't mind. 
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: Strider on January 10, 2014, 07:09:43 pm
Sorry that I replied twice, I didn't see my first one and because I didn't realize the thing was two pages I thought that something got messed up. (Oh well, everybody can use more compliments :D).
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 10, 2014, 07:31:24 pm
Sorry that I replied twice, I didn't see my first one and because I didn't realize the thing was two pages I thought that something got messed up. (Oh well, everybody can use more compliments :D).

:P
Do you want me to delete your second reply?
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: Strider on January 10, 2014, 07:39:44 pm
No it's okay. And sorry but I can't post my trailer because its a mov. and that file type is not allowed :(.
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 10, 2014, 07:42:02 pm
No it's okay. And sorry but I can't post my trailer because its a mov. and that file type is not allowed :(.
Oh, sorry.  I'll fix that now! :)
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 10, 2014, 07:45:29 pm
No it's okay. And sorry but I can't post my trailer because its a mov. and that file type is not allowed :(.
I can't change the settings....sorry.   Why don't you upload it directly to a post using the attach function (not sure if this will work either)?
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: Strider on January 10, 2014, 08:33:34 pm
I tried and it doesn't. Oh well. No biggy.
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 10, 2014, 08:34:35 pm
I tried and it doesn't. Oh well. No biggy.

But I wanted to see the trailer!!!! :( :(
Oh well.  Is it on YouTube?
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: Strider on January 10, 2014, 08:38:27 pm
No, I don't have an account. I could email it to you though, my email is eragonandsaphira@rocketmail.com if you want to send me yours. (Right now it's pretty much the only way. I'll be happy to email it to anyone else if they give a request.)
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 10, 2014, 08:40:56 pm
No, I don't have an account. I could email it to you though, my email is eragonandsaphira@rocketmail.com if you want to send me yours. (Right now it's pretty much the only way. I'll be happy to email it to anyone else if they give a request.)

I don't really want to reveal my email address to you... Sorry.
Can you save future stop motions as .avi or .mp4?
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: Strider on January 11, 2014, 08:54:43 pm
I perfectly understand and respect your privacy. I'll look into saving videos as different files, their may be a way I can change the file format.
Title: Re: Brickfilming
Post by: LK901 on January 18, 2014, 09:01:47 pm
I perfectly understand and respect your privacy. I'll look into saving videos as different files, their may be a way I can change the file format.

What program do you use?