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Bricks in Motion
Bricks in Motion
We are a friendly filmmaking community devoted to the art of stop-motion animation using LEGO® and similar construction toys. Here, you can share your work, join our community of other brickfilmers, and participate in periodic animation contests!
A place to discuss, share, and create stop motion films.
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I was actually kinda expecting some sort of gag/joke at the end 
I liked it though, good work 
Heads turning, that's about it in terms of animation. I like the barbecue grill set and the lighting effect. Was expecting more animation instead of zoom shots.
Well, I was (Like the others) expecting something more to it.
In fact, I was thinking it would show how Julie got in the hospital. But for better or worse it didn't.
Unfortunately this went the way of most sequels, that being downhill.
There was what, six seconds of animation in it? (And even that wasn't your best work.) Not counting the shot with the fireworks, which was no more than turning lamps on and off. Then there was all the zooming that looks like it was done in post, so really, it felt really lacking. "A Date with Julie" had the same tone, had no talking, and used a lot of still frames and zooming, but still managed to convey not only a plot, but a strong message, this failed at both. It felt like you woke up yesterday morning, decided to make a video for July 4th, shot a few seconds of animation, then took a bunch of different pictures to put to music.
Sorry to sound all negative, but when the video ended I felt really let-down. I was really expecting better. 
I agree with Pritchard. Sweet, but disappointing.
Great sets, though. You've got a knack for great props/sets.
I agree. After the ten-second mark, it really went downhill. But, the animation was really smooth and I liked how you did the fireworks, but maybe it could have been a bit more than just shining a color-filtered LED light on the minifigs.
Thanks for the feedback one and all! I'm somewhat surprised by the negative reaction, but I understand. If only you all knew what I knew concerning the overarching plot when it comes to the story of Gary and Julie. In time it should all make sense. In the upcoming weeks and months there will probably be a couple of other shorter videos leading up to a big production which details the events leading up to "A Date with Julie" (I decided to let this out so that those who were wanting the back story wouldn't lose hope). There is a purpose behind this mini video and upcoming ones. I guess that's the risk I took in doing it, but in the end it should pay off in a big way to those who are faithful in watching my work. Thanks for being honest though everyone, I respect what you say. I've learned and grown just because of the responses. I don't regret how this video turned out, in fact I still love and enjoy every second of it. I'll end my commenting with this:
Good things come to those who wait. Thanks once again everyone.
@Pritchard - For the record, I didn't just wake up yesterday morning and decide to make a quick video. Though I can see why you might think that. It was pre-planned, storyboarded, and thought out. Thanks for the long comment and detail in your reaction to it! I like those type of replies.
Last edited by Repelling Spider (July 3, 2012 (07:30pm))
I like the simplicity of it all; I just think that you should have relied less on digital zooms and more on animation to tell the story.
I think people are underwhelmed due to your public actions leading up to the film, such as releasing two frames and saying other stuff which made it seem like it would be more fantastic. Which is a bit odd for a short short.
The way you present a film in an advertising stage can influence peoples' thoughts on it.
Example! Bridge to Teribithia: the trailers showed fairy tail action and some other stuff which made it look like a big magical world of adventure. I saw the movie, and found the the magic world was just in the imaginations of some regular people, and the action that was shown in the trailer was actually all of the action in the film.
On top of that, the film takes your heart, rips it out, and crushes it to tiny pieces and then stomps on those pieces until it can think of something even worse to do.
(Your film doesn't do that) xD
However, I wanted to give an example of misdirection.
I liked it, it looked really nice, but I think the best thing to do for something so short is a total surprise release, then try to get people to watch.
Unless you are doing something comical that relies on an anti-climax.
Squid, I must confess that you are correct. I think in my head everything is all fantastic and great because I have a clear view of the entire story. I guess I should've remembered that everyone else doesn't, so it isn't quite as amazing as I think it is. (not that I think that this is anything amazing. I just like it.) I think I agree with you about a basically surprise release with less promotion. I enjoy sharing the preview frames and posting about animating, but this has shown me there is more to it. Thanks for your comments, they have really hit home and bring about a great lesson.
Also, great job with incorporating ponies into this!
@Juggernaut - I find it funny how the post-production zooms are taken so negatively so many times. Was it really that bad? I thought it looked good. A lot better than how some people use them relentlessly for everything. Thanks for the comment, though I'm not sure what you meant by the simplicity of it. (unless you are referring to this animation only, and not the story as a whole) Also, this animation and "A Date with Julie" rely heavily upon animation to tell the story. There is no dialogue whatsoever, something I'm planning on keeping as I finish the story out.
Last edited by Repelling Spider (July 3, 2012 (08:12pm))
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, you forgot to make the DYNAMITE BLOW UP!!!
Also, on YouTube, you don't need to put (Brickfilm) at the end of the video title.
I agree with multiple people here. The animation indeed is not very much. I like the story, and like all the Julie series before it it has a nice emotional touch to it. Was the sky made in post or in the actual shot?
3.5/5
@Mickey I'm going to answer this one, because I do it too. I think it gives more clarification to what kind of video it is.
@Juggernaut - I find it funny how the post-production zooms are taken so negatively so many times. Was it really that bad? I thought it looked good. A lot better than how some people use them relentlessly for everything. Thanks for the comment, though I'm not sure what you meant by the simplicity of it. (unless you are referring to this animation only, and not the story as a whole) Also, this animation and "A Date with Julie" rely heavily upon animation to tell the story. There is no dialogue whatsoever, something I'm planning on keeping as I finish the story out.
Generally I'm not a big fan of the post-production zooms. It almost looks too mechanical if you know what I mean. It wasn't "that bad", I'm just not a big fan of it. By the simplicity, I meant the story. I like how you were able to convey a broad message in a relatively simple manner and without dialog.
The movie is realy Nice and smooth!!
Greets from the Netherlands!!
Personally, I think that Post movements should always be avoided. Yours, however, aren't that bad.
But It's still always best to move the camera in short.
I'm planning on making a tutorial sometime explaining how to do ridiculously easy moving camera shots sometime.
@Mickey - It isn't necessary, but it helps with video and search rankings on YouTube. I'm planning on doing a post about metadata, keywords, titles, and descriptions for YouTube videos on my blog soon. A lot of people neglect this area but it can be very helpful.
@Keesret - The sky was in the actual shot. I'll be posting a BTS post on my blog somewhat soon I hope that details that various things I did in the animation (the sky, lighting, fireworks, and talk about the set itself).
@Juggernaut - Ah okay, thanks for the clarity there!
@Jan687 - Thanks! And greetings!
@Squid - That would be nice! I'm hoping to build a dolly soon which would allow me to do those zooms in camera instead.
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