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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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Cause everything sucks. 
It's mostly a case of having lots of things going on in their lives - things like study and jobs that need to take precedence over reviewing stop motion films.
We're aware of this and the Directory and staff reviews are currently being revamped. Please be patient as it is still in development.
As for why we don't review anymore: Because of the aforementioned revamping that, until recently, was in a brainstorming stage for a few years, and because people volunteer their time to do this. Brickfilm Reviewers are not being paid to give their critical opinion about a brickfilm. Also, 9 out of 10 entries submitted to the directory are test clips, lack a story, below average animation quality, etc. 1 out of 10 may or may not be notable or worth reviewing. Imagine having to watch 9 flops before getting to a decent brickfilm. The site has gone through numerous official reviewers because they burn out quickly from having to sift through subpar submissions. I should know, I signed up to review for a few months and stopped a month into it. Lastly, there's the backlog of, as you say, 4 years worth of submissions.
Also, this is the age of YouTube and social media, where people can just comment and Like/Dislike your brickfilm on YouTube.
Again, this has been discussed heavily among admins and moderators and thanks to some creative individuals, we are in the process of rebooting and reintroducing the Directory with a new way of generating reviews. Please be patient.
As for why we don't review anymore: Because of the aforementioned revamping that, until recently, was in a brainstorming stage for a few years, and because people volunteer their time to do this. Brickfilm Reviewers are not being paid to give their critical opinion about a brickfilm. Also, 9 out of 10 entries submitted to the directory are test clips, lack a story, below average animation quality, etc. 1 out of 10 may or may not be notable or worth reviewing. Imagine having to watch 9 flops before getting to a decent brickfilm. The site has gone through numerous reviewers because they burn out quickly from having to sift through subpar submissions. That and the backlog of, as you say, 4 years worth of submissions.
Basically, everything sucks.
I know you might have already though of this, but can I suggest singling out particular brickfilmers and only reviewing films they submit?
If somebody become reputable or skilled enough, then they are added to the list of staff review-worthy brickfilmers. This way it cuts down the amount of brickfilms that need reviewing. Great brickfilmers also know how the site works and don't submit any old light saber fight/test.
Just an idea (probably been suggested before).
The site has gone through numerous official reviewers because they burn out quickly from having to sift through subpar submissions. I should know, I signed up to review for a few months and stopped a month into it. Lastly, there's the backlog of, as you say, 4 years worth of submissions.
What about if we have a nomination system, where members can suggest films to be staff-reviewed? That way the subpar films won't have to be sorted through.
The only downside to this is that a gem slips through without being nominated, though I could see this happening with a reviewer wading through all the submissions. Just a thought. 
Thanks for the suggestions. We've got a plan of attack pretty much laid out and those of us behind the scenes are quite excited about it. Give us a little patience, it'll be worth it!
I can confirm we're developing a new system which should be ready sometime this (northern hemisphere) summer. The old staff-based review system was feasible many years ago, but the number of films submitted has exploded in the post-YouTube era of internet video to where this system is no longer -- and never again will be -- feasible. It is time to start over.
This is not going to be just a few small tweaks. If things come together as we are planning, the new system will be very significantly different from the current one.
That's excellent to hear, Sméagol. Really looking forward to the new system.
Really looking forward to the new system.
Me too.
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