It is now confirmed, The LEGO Movie is a hit in the USA, with $ 69 million raised for the first weekend of operation across the Atlantic. The first feedback from spectators and the reviews offered by various specialized sites confirm that the film is successful, that it appeals to fans, young and old, and that LEGO is on the way to succeeding in its bet: To promote its products internally. without having to rely on any license.

The success of the film can be a game-changer for the manufacturer: LEGO has succeeded in creating a universe, making it popular and accessible to as many people as possible through a quality cinematographic work, and promoting a range that displays at both derivative and primary carrier status. The circle is complete.

If sales of The LEGO Movie sets match the success of the film, LEGO will be able to further reduce its dependence on Disney, which has recently become the main beneficiary of the long-term licenses exploited so far (Marvel , Star Wars). After Ninjago or Legends of Chima, two in-house licenses that work very well on store shelves and on the various media on which they are available (animated series, video games, etc.), The LEGO Movie should logically become a license recurring (we use the theme evergreen to designate these long-term licenses) in the manufacturer's catalog.

While waiting to be able to discover the film which will be released on February 19 with us, be careful reading the various reviews published on US sites or blogs, they abound spoilers which could spoil the surprise of anyone who does not want to know anything until they have seen the film.

However, you can find out more about the animation techniques used by the company Animal Logic which is at the origin of the very realistic rendering of the bricks and minifigs on the screen by going to this address (article in English): Brick-by-brick: how Animal Logic crafted The LEGO Movie.

You will learn that Vesa Lehtimäki alias Avanaut, a talented photographer who has already collaborated with LEGO in particular on the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit ranges, was consulted by Animal Logic, that more than 15.000.000 bricks would be needed to reproduce the entire content of the film and that home software Lego digital designer was used to model the different environments of the film.

You already know the character if you are a regular member of the forum BrickPirate. Excellent MOCeur (see his blog), LEGOmaniac also gives of its person to organize multiple contests which generally bring together a good number of participants on a wide variety of themes.

We had the opportunity to discuss face to face, and I really appreciated the calm and thoughtful side of this always deserving and often militant actor within the French community. So I had to ask him some questions to which he provides interesting answers below. Good reading.

By the way, go vote for his project presented as part of the competition organized at dwell (Click on the image above or go at this address).

Hoth Bricks: Hello LEGOmaniac, when did your passion for LEGOs go back?

LM: I've grown up with LEGOs since I was a kid. I am from the Space Classic generation and as much as I remember I never kept a set assembled! Everything was mixed in a big wicker barrel and I spent afternoons building anything and everything.
For my son's 4th birthday a friend gave my son 6187. The set followed us during the holidays and Little LM "modded" for 15 days with 300 pieces. Back from vacation, the little one was infected and I was nostalgic. This marked the start of a great adventure and everything has happened very quickly for 3 years.

HB: You are the instigator and organizer of the now classic MOCs competition called L13. How did you come up with the idea of ​​launching and running this series of competitions?

The idea comes from there: https://www.defi13.com/
My wife has been participating in this competition for years and I find it original to "impose" a subject, it forces participants to develop new techniques and to widen their minds. When I got back to LEGO, after registering on the forum, I said to myself that a small monthly topic could push people to create and boost personal production. Little by little, I told myself that if certain subjects could be sponsored by large MOCeur, it could even more push people to participate. The most astonishing was the reactivity and the kindness with which these Moceurs responded! The choice of sponsors is very personal because it reflects my “heroes of the brick”, the people I particularly appreciate for their work and their ability to adapt to any subject.
I believe that since its creation I have 12 classic editions and 6 special editions. Beyond that, it allowed many members to compare their creations to the rest of the community and to give a certain vision of the French touch in terms of LEGO.
What gives me the most pleasure is seeing the level of creations go up over the editions, the interest that members have in this competition and that people contact me to propose to illustrate the L13! The next guest should please a good number of members.

HB: You yourself participated in many competitions this year, especially on the Super Heroes theme. How do you go about creating your MOCs? Some advice for the youngest?

LM: I really enjoy participating in contests on the net when I have the time. I find it a way to confront his creations and try to surpass himself every time. The participants come from all over the planet and it is also the way to forge links with certain MOCeurs.
When I decide to participate in a contest I try to do something that I have never done before and often I make an idea board: an A3 sheet where I note my colors that I will use, real details drawn from the net, or atmospheres that make me dive directly into the intention I want to put there. Then it's hands in the tubs and forward, a glance from time to time on the board to properly reframe the mind.
For the youngest, the only advice I could give them is to give free rein to their imaginations and to feed on comments or other creations. The technique is a plus for sure but it does not do everything and it will come according to the obstacles they will encounter during their creation.

HB: One of your MOCs will be on the cover of N ° 20 of the Brickjournal. A Frenchie in a leading English-speaking newspaper, how does that inspire you?

LM: To be on the cover of BrickJournal is for me a kind of “recognition” of the community. The most rewarding being that this creation was not doomed to be presented for a contest, it was really a personal challenge fueled by the work of Avanaut (https://www.flickr.com/photos/avanaut/) or Shobrick (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47018679@N02/). Knowing that he has been noticed and appreciated gives great satisfaction. However, you should know that the MOC has been completely redone for the cover because Joe Meno and the publisher deeply wanted to have Batman face to face for the cover (how to refuse him?) Concretely I do not know if there will be a real impact on my work ahead, I will continue to do things as I always have.

HB: What are you preparing for Fanabriques? In 2012, a new project you would like to tell us a few words about?

LM: Fana 2012 will be like the previous year the way to build with 6 hands with people that I particularly appreciate for their sense of creation. Capt'n Spaulding (https://www.flickr.com/photos/-captain-spaulding-/ and its techniques, each as eccentric as the next) and 74louloute (https://www.flickr.com/photos/74louloute/ who has a superb and so original way of staging the minifigs) are people who inspire me a lot and the meeting between our 3 universes was a real pleasure as much in the creation as in the meeting. For 2012 we will do it again. The idea is there, but we still have to lay it all down and release the first modules. For the subject, it will be a surprise! We are more the type not to do like everyone else and to stand out so we will maintain our reputation! To laugh
For 2012 on the superhero program, the L13 with a special edition beyond our borders, and other projects adapted from TV series.

When it comes to LEGO photography, there are only a few talented artists like Avanaut, Smokelbech ou legofenris who find favor in my eyes. But I am always open to a great discovery and Ezechielle (Do not miss his blog Lego militaria, you'll learn stuff) just sent me a nice gallery dedicated to LEGO and Star Wars, that of Blockaderunner.

In 43 photos, Blockaderunner reveals an impressive know-how. Not only does the guy know how to use a camera, he also has a sense of direction.

For each shot, it integrates minifigs, ships and machines in a hyper realistic context and it perfectly recreates the atmosphere of the scene in question.

The result is breathtakingly realistic and immediately reminded me of the Thunderbirds known to us as the Sentinels of the Air. The puppets evolved like here in an environment with a very realistic aspect.

Not knowing which photos to choose, I selected two according to my own tastes. Go quickly see the rest on Blockaderunner's flickr gallery.