The question “Do you have instructions?” is asked by LEGO fans to MOC builders more than ever before. But what goes into making LEGO instructions, how has digital building affected them, and what else can you do to recreate a MOC you love?
Read MoreAh the Spinner, one of my favorite movie vehicles of all time. Blade Runner might have been a box office disappointment, but I chalk that up to studio meddling and very poor marketing. Since then the world has realized what a marvelous piece of filmmaking it is and it’s been influencing artists for decades. Like builder Davdup, who crafted this excellent Spinner, and will be offering instructions on how to build your own soon.
Blade Runner 2049 is one of those love it or hate it kind of movies it seems. I personally loved it, it's a slow burn, but so rich in style and visuals. The new Spinner is a very cool vehicle, not quite as cool as it's predecessor, but still pretty awesome, and this version by vaionaut not only depicts it really well, it's fantastically presented.
For his friend's 50th birthday, builder (and dear old friend of mine) Peter Abrahamson put together what might just be the most awesome birthday present ever. This is a recreation of a custom one-off Bladerunner Spinner that LEGO built for production designer and legendary artist Syd Mead. Not only that, it's with a custom framed license plate from the movie!
The Spinner that LEGO built was unique because of some non production color parts used. It was actually featured in a detailed account by Joe Meno for BrickJournal issue #28 and featured right here on BrickNerd way back in 2014. Joe provided Pete the digital model he reverse engineered, which Pete gratefully acknowledges he couldn't have done it without. Some of the flex tubing used was never in production in blue, as well as the part on the inside of the front wheels. Pete got around this problem on the front wheels by using parts that were spray painted (I can hear you purists gasp, it's gonna be ok) by a friend. And for the flex tubing Pete substituted gray tubing instead, which looks just fine.
Pete also custom printed water lift decals for the model which were painstakingly cut and applied. This was a real labor of love. Even the back of this thing is beyond awesome. To support the model on the frame, Pete custom built a frame back with a connecting beam at the bottom. Check out that custom waterjet cut Bladerunner detail in the middle!
So, an actual prop from the movie and a faithfully recreated custom LEGO model all in a totally cool custom frame. You have to agree, this is about the best present ever. I'm sure Pete's friend will be proudly displaying this unique work of art and love for years to come.
By the way, I turn 50 in a couple years Pete, I'm a big Star Wars fan...just sayin'
From the combined creative minds of Phillip K. Dick, Ridley Scott, Greg Jein and Syd Mead and now LEGOLIZE IT MAN comes one of the most iconic and beloved sic-fi vehicles of all time, the Spinner from Bladerunner. Like it's movie model counterpart this one lights up
This just happens to be one of my all-time favorite sci-fi vehicles from one of the all-time best concept artists Syd Mead. Builder Mad physicist totally nailed it, right down to the decals and fold up mandibles, awesome.
Brace yourselves. What do you get when you combine an awesome concept artist, with an awesome movie, with an awesome visual effect studio, with an awesome LEGO designer, with an awesome AFOL? You get this, the spinner from Blade Runner, designed by Syd Mead, realized by ILM, built in Technic by LEGO's Jørgen Thomsen and reverse engineered by BrickJournal's own Joe Meno.
What happens when a lifelong Trekkie, AFOL and professional toy designer finally gets an official LEGO Star Trek playset? Samuel Hatmaker explores the new Enterprise bridge and shows why playing Star Trek matters as much as displaying it.
We spoke with several Autistic AFOLs who shared their experiences with LEGO regarding coping, community, collecting and catharsis. And we found that Autism can be both a challenge and a superpower when it comes to LEGO.
What do you do when a LEGO Pokémon set doesn’t quite hit the mark? Take it apart and create an alternate build using only the pieces from the original set! But how do you level up a character as recognizable as Pikachu?
What happens when a LEGO builder who knows almost nothing about Pokémon takes on the entire Smart Play wave? We explore the colorful and curvy sets and then remix them into crazy creations far beyond the Pokédex.
Who was Susan Williams and why was her impact on people’s perception of LEGO so significant? Join BrickNerd as we piece together the illustrious career of this mysterious LEGO employee.
Have you ever wondered what the LEGO community was like in the 2000s? Today's guest writer and veteran builder, Nannan Zhang, shares his thoughts on building and sharing MOCs online for the past 20 years.
The blue Classic Space astronaut has come a long way from the 1980s. Richard Dryden explores LEGO’s new upscaled version and reflects on the Classic Space sets and memories that started his LEGO journey.
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