Brickfilms: How do you make and share stop-motion LEGO movies?
Brickfilms are charming, handmade animations created using LEGO bricks and minifigures. What was once a niche hobby that embodied nostalgia became a global creative movement and style. The universal appeal of LEGO with animation is a huge hit whether you’re a lifelong LEGO fan or a budding filmmaker, and brickfilms offer a compelling way to tell stories, develop visual storytelling skills, and engage with an international community of creators.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how brickfilms are made, what tools you need, how to overcome common challenges, and where to share your work once it’s ready.
Key takeaways
Brickfilms are stop-motion animations created using LEGO bricks and minifigures.
Getting started requires only basic gear and software, but success depends on storytelling, consistency, and frame-by-frame attention to detail.
Online platforms like YouTube and Brickfilms.com have become essential hubs for creators and fans alike.
Lighting, smooth animation, and structural stability are some of the biggest challenges but are all solvable with practice.
Standout examples like The Magic Portal and Lego Star Wars: Revenge of the Brick show what’s possible with time, creativity, and LEGO bricks.
What exactly are brickfilms, and why are they so popular?
Brickfilms are a type of stop-motion animation that use LEGO bricks, minifigures, and sets to create short films or cinematic scenes. Each frame is captured manually with tiny adjustments made to characters or elements between shots. When played in sequence, these images give the illusion of movement.
The origins of brickfilms date back to the 1970s, with early pioneers using Super 8 cameras to animate LEGO figures. One of the earliest and most influential works is The Magic Portal (1989) ,which was shot on a 16mm film, is a fan-made epic that showcased just how sophisticated this form of storytelling could become. So what makes brickfilms so appealing?
Nostalgia and accessibility: Most creators grew up with LEGO, and many already have bricks lying around.
Creativity within constraints: Limited articulation of LEGO minifigures forces inventive storytelling and animation techniques.
Supportive global communities: Platforms like YouTube, Brickfilms.com, and Reddit foster engagement and collaboration.
Ease of entry: You don’t need expensive gear or software; just patience and passion.
The genre’s popularity exploded in the YouTube era. Viral hits like the Monty Python adaptation by SpiteYourFace Productions brought the genre to a wider audience and inspired other creators to give brickfilms a go:
How can you make your own brickfilm at home?
What basic equipment and software do you need?
The beauty of brickfilming is that it doesn’t take much to get started:
Camera
Smartphone: Great for beginners. Some apps even let you animate and edit right on the phone.
DSLR: Ideal for higher-quality footage, manual controls, and consistent focus.
Tripod or rig
Essential to avoid shaky shots. LEGO-compatible camera mounts also exist and work surprisingly well.
This can be an actual tripod or even a make-shift one (don’t be afraid to get creative!)
Lighting
Start with desk lamps or LED panels. Use white paper or tracing paper as diffusers to soften shadows.
Stability
Sticky tack (and sometimes even museum putty) helps keep bricks and minifigures in place between frames.
Animation and editing software
Stop Motion Studio (mobile and desktop)
Dragonframe (professional-level control)
DaVinci Resolve or HitFilm Express for editing
Audacity for sound design
These tools cover everything from frame capture and playback to compositing, effects, and sound mixing.
Step-by-step: what’s the workflow for making a brickfilm?
Storyboard your concept
Start by sketching your scenes. Even simple stick figures help visualize motion, dialogue, and composition. Focus on story structure, which is the beginning, middle, end of a story.
Build your sets and minifigures
Use LEGO bricks to construct your stage and characters. Think about color, scale, and how much of the environment will be seen on camera. If you’re just starting, avoid overly elaborate or complex builds as small sets allow for better control and faster turnaround.
Shoot frame-by-frame
Set your frame rate: 12 fps is standard for beginners; 15 or 24 fps offers smoother motion but requires more frames.
Move characters slightly each frame such as the limbs, heads, expressions (using swappable minifigure heads).
Capture one image at a time, previewing playback to ensure smooth transitions.
Use onion-skinning features in your animation app to see previous frames for better motion continuity.
Edit and add sound
Import frames into your editing software. Clean up timing, trim unnecessary shots, and sync your scenes to dialogue or music. Use royalty-free sound effects or record your own. Many successful brickfilms blend classic cartoon-style sound design with creative Foley work.
What common challenges do brickfilmers face, and how can you overcome them?
Even with a simple setup, brickfilming isn’t without its pitfalls. Here are some typical issues and solutions:
Lighting consistency
Problem: Flickering frames due to changing light levels or shadows.
Solution: Use blackout curtains to block natural light. Keep your light sources fixed in place. Avoid auto-exposure or auto white balance settings.
Jumpy animation
Problem: Inconsistent movement or unsteady camera.
Solution: Always use a tripod. Animate with tiny, controlled motions. Use onion-skin tools in your software.
Set stability
Problem: Bricks or props shift accidentally.
Solution: Anchor props with sticky tack. Place your setup on a sturdy table to avoid vibrations.
Time management
Problem: Underestimating the time needed.
Solution: Budget time for each scene. Break your project into manageable sections.
Where can you share your brickfilms and connect with other creators?
Once you’ve exported your film, it’s time to share it with the world.
Online platforms
YouTube: The main stage. Optimize your titles, thumbnails, and descriptions with relevant tags like #brickfilm and #LEGOAnimation.
Brickfilms.com: Longstanding community site with forums, resources, and contests.
Reddit: Communities like r/lego and r/brickfilms are great for feedback and visibility.
TikTok: The newest platform for trends and getting your work out there to a big audience fast.
Festivals and contests
Brickfilm Day (annual online showcase)
BRAWL and THAC: 1-week and 24-hour brickfilm contests
Animation festivals: Many now accept short brickfilms under stop-motion or indie animation categories.
Audience building tips
Engage with other creators by commenting and collaborating.
Upload regularly and show behind-the-scenes footage or tutorials.
Stay active on platforms with your niche. Consider TikTok or Instagram for short teasers or time-lapse builds.
What are some must-see brickfilm examples that can inspire you?
Watching great brickfilms is the fastest way to improve your own:
“The Magic Portal” (1989)
One of the earliest fan-made brickfilms. It is ambitious and technically groundbreaking for its time. It still holds up as a testament to creative dedication.
“Lego Star Wars: Revenge of the Brick”
A fast-paced, humorous entry from LEGO’s official YouTube channel, showing what’s possible with a polished pipeline and experienced animators.
“Bible Bricks” by Bricktime Studios
A polished adaptation of the Bible starting from Genesis 1-3. It’s educational side of it is perfect for students and parents and shows that brickfilms are not only fun, but can be informative as well.
What makes these stand out?
Creative use of brick elements: Using existing LEGO pieces in novel ways to simulate effects or environments.
Strong cinematography: Thoughtful camera angles, depth of field, and scene composition.
Great pacing and sound: Even short films benefit from deliberate rhythm and engaging soundtracks.
How is the brickfilm community evolving in 2025?
Embracing new tools
More creators are experimenting with:
AI-assisted voiceovers to quickly generate dialogue
Virtual production combining real LEGO with digital backgrounds
Advanced visual effects like green screening, simulated particles, and digital lighting tweaks
More recognition
Brickfilms are getting screen time in festivals and indie showcases. Some animators have even transitioned to commercial work on LEGO-themed projects or animation studios.
Educational and learning resources
Online tutorials, courses, and creator interviews are more accessible than ever. Beginners can fast-track their skills by learning from veterans who’ve spent years refining their workflows.
What’s the best way to get started with brickfilming today?
Start small: A 10-second scene is a great first project.
Use what you have: Don’t wait for a perfect setup. A phone camera and desk lamp are enough to begin.
Watch and learn: Study other brickfilms, break down their techniques, and experiment with your own.
Seek feedback: Post your work in forums or Discord groups. Improvement often comes from outside perspectives.
Keep creating: Each new scene teaches something such as lighting, animation, or storytelling.
Brickfilming combines play with production. It turns bricks into stories and motion into magic. Whether your inspiration comes from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The LEGO Movie, or your own imagination, the only thing standing between you and your first brickfilm is starting.
