LEGO Masters NZ - week 2 exit interview

LEGO Masters NZ episode three is done! This week's challenge was "Cut In Half", where teams were given half of a recognisable item and had to build the other half while building a story about it.

Each week we'll be bringing you an exit interview but to avoid spoilers for those of you watching on catch-up or via some illicit website in other countries we won't reveal their names above the fold.

If you're in New Zealand, these episodes can be downloaded from the TVNZ website.

I am thrilled to see Emily and Sarah - Mums - win this challenge, as they built an octopus onto half a barbecue.

Sadly, one team had to go home, and this week it was Emily and Liam.

EMILY AND LIAM

FLATMATES

David: Hey, listen, I'm really sad to have to be talking to you because you've been eliminated from the show. It's not a pleasant sort of thought, and I'm sorry that that happened on Monday night.

I'd like to talk to you about the pirate ship you built because I was particularly impressed with that model. As you may know, I'm a seafarer. I don't know whether you follow my reviews on Brickset, but I took the Imperial Flagship to sea with me when I did the re-enactment of James Cook's voyage around New Zealand for the Tuia 250 celebrations.

I was voyage crew in the HMB Endeavour as we sailed across the Tasman Sea and in the middle of the voyage, I was able to produce a section of the Imperial Flagship and take some photographs with the ship in the background of a ship that was about the same size as the Imperial flagship and I published a review on Brickset.

And when I saw your ship coming out of half of the globe, I thought ‘wow,’ you've knocked together a pirate ship pretty quickly. You must have a passion for that because you knew what to do to get it underway in a nautical sense.

Liam: Surprisingly, I didn't actually think it was going to support its own weight attached to the globe. But amazingly it did it was quite heavy.

David: Is that a theme that you're interested in?

Liam: Previous to the show, not really. I’ve started another one as it's my project for the Auckland Brick Show this year.

David: And you don't have a background in building pirate ships?

Liam: No, my background is building cars.

David: And with that Cut In Half theme where there was half a lawnmower, half a globe, half a car, half a suitcase all of those things. What were you trying to communicate with your ship coming out of the globe?

Emily: I think we both pretty much went to the same kind of place when we got the globe. That we wanted to have an adventure build.

And I think the globe was such a great object to get because there were just so many possibilities. I'm really like happy that we decided to go really, really big and kind of go for something that wasn't a country or wasn't something basic on the globe.

We kind of just took the spirit of the globe, and the fact that the Earth is mostly covered in water and just kind of ran with it. Liam, do have much to add to that?

Liam: Yeah, I think that’s pretty much it. To most of us, a globe inspires travel and adventure and the first thing I think of is ships and that is why we went that route.

David: Yeah, we live in a nation where if you think back, all the people initially arrived regardless of where they came from, arrived by ship or boat of some form or another, whether it was from the Pacific exploring or a European exploring. We are a nautical nation and our flag is a maritime flag.

Liam: 100%.

David: I’ve seen some images on social media, where because this was the show where it was the last time all of you would be together, you did a presentation before the end of that show: You presented Robin Sather and Dai Henwood with a pounamu pendant, a jade pendant.

Liam: We gave them a traditional New Zealand pounamu necklace each.

David: Whose idea was that or was that a collective thought that you would do this?

Emily: It's an idea that spread. It was mostly because Robin is new to the country. And we just wanted to get him something that was a little bit special, and kind of welcome him and obviously having Dai was really good as well.

Liam: The big thing about pounamu is that traditionally you can't buy for yourself so Robin being foreign to New Zealand, it's not something he could just go out and get for himself. Well, he could, but it's not the right way to do it. Pounamu is supposed to be gifted, so we thought why not gift him one. It would be really nice remembrance of this time here in Aotearoa.

David: It must have been quite a special sort of ceremony when you as a group acknowledged his presence here in Aotearoa - New Zealand, which was pretty cool.

Liam: It was a really nice little moment on set for us.

Emily: Yeah, it was.

David: You're preparing for the Auckland Brick Show.

Liam: Well, the two of us are both preparing for the Christchurch Brick Show first, because that is in July. And all of us contestants are going to be down there for the weekend, which should be a really, really awesome reunion.

David: How does it feel to be LEGO celebrity?

Liam: I don’t know that celebrity status is quite a thing here in New Zealand. So, we’re pretty lucky in that respect.

David: All right. How does it feel to be a celebrity in the LEGO community?

Liam: It's pretty cool. When I went to the world record for the most LEGO train carriages up in Auckland the other day and I got to talk to quite a few fans of the show and met quite a few people. And that was really awesome.

David: I saw you there and that was actually a great day.

Emily: And I live in Gore, so I haven't talked to anybody.

David: So, you're at the opposite ends of New Zealand.

Both: Yeah.

Liam: Emily left me behind about a month ago and traversed across the country.

David: And I've noticed you while we're doing our interviews are always sort of building something there. Emily, what are you preparing for next?

Emily: I am on building for Christchurch Brick Show as well. But I've just joined LUG South last week, so I've got some builds going for them as well.

David: No pressure, but they're probably expecting something grand.

Emily: My life is still in boxes from moving. So, I can’t come up to Christchurch with something that’s not very good.

David: Is there any is there anything you'd like to add about the experience of being on LEGO Masters New Zealand. The inaugural series. You are the trendsetter. You are now part of a community of twelve people who have competed in the first-ever LEGO Masters New Zealand. What does that mean for you?

Emily: Being in the inaugural show in season one of LEGO Masters New Zealand. Essentially, it's the Super Bowl of LEGO in a country. It’s just an incredible privilege and an incredibly humbling experience to be picked.

I don't actually know how many people applied, but you can imagine there were quite a few. To actually get on and be able to do it is just an absolutely amazing experience.

And even though we went first and there were still lots of things that we would have wanted to build and give it a go. I just think I’m incredibly proud of what we actually achieved and what we did. And it's just been such a great experience with all the other cast members. We're kind of like a little family now, and it's just been an incredible experience and I think something that will kind of carry for the rest of our lives.

Even though there will be more seasons, and we’ll be forgotten, I think just for the twelve of us, it's just been an unforgettable experience. And it'll be neat to share with the new people and the new seasons. New Zealand's such a small country so we'll see each other at shows and everything like that. I just think it's just been a really, really great experience.

David: And how do you feel about it, Liam?

Liam: I completely agree with Emily. It really was a once in a lifetime opportunity and, at first, we were a bit hesitant about applying, but I'm really glad that Emily suggested it.

I mean, if we hadn't done it, we would just be sitting here watching it with everybody else. It's always enjoyable to watch LEGO Masters, but it really takes a little step further, knowing that you got to go on and give your everything and have an absolute blast. But it's so cool. I mean, who else gets to just walk in and play with two and a half to three million bricks and just have a great time of their lives with a bunch of awesome people?

The casting crew were amazing. I can't speak highly enough of them. They were all awesome. And the community in New Zealand, the LEGO community, has been so supportive as well. Online and Facebook and Instagram, just the positivity towards us and our builds has been great. I'm really thankful for that.

David: Has it changed the way you build. I mean, you've been there for three episodes, and you've had to build three fairly impressive models with a Brick Pit that is extensive. Do you now approach building stuff with LEGO differently?

Liam: The problem for me is that I'm a bit more ambitious now, but I have had to remind myself that I don't have two and a half million bricks to build with anyone.

Emily: I think for me, off the back of it, having that many bricks and being able to build whatever you want, and just having them available has solidified my build style and the way that I build.
That's been really helpful because what better way to really cement how you build than to have that many bricks and be able to build whatever you want and really get to know that you can build anything. The things that come to mind. It's just like, yeah, that's my style and that's how I build.

It was such a fun experience being there with Liam because we always knew that we'd have similar ideas but then when the challenges were announced, then we just look at each other, and we were pretty much in the same ballpark.

I just think that was a really fun experience. Hopefully, we continue to build together even though we're really far apart now. Collaboratively, we just worked so well together, and I hope that came across on the show because it was like that on and off-screen.

David: About the globe and the selection. At the end of the second episode, no one knew exactly what the win had given them. And then it was revealed straightaway at the start of the third episode that Amy and Adam had the first choice of what they wanted to build, and they could allocate the other cutaway challenges for you guys. Were you pleased with being given the globe?

Liam: Absolutely stoked?

Emily: Yeah. That was what we wanted.

Liam: The globe was definitely my first choice. Was that yours, Emily?

Emily: Yeah. 100%. When we got it, I was ecstatic! I couldn't actually believe it because the I guess you rank them, from one through to six, and you're hoping for your top pick.

David: So, you were hoping for the globe?

Liam: Oh, yeah.

David: What features about the globe appealed to you the most?

Emily: If you look at all of the other objects, that globe is actually like a piece of art: it has things to look at on it already. To the two of us, it was just perfect, like amazing. Everybody knows what it is, but you just have so much creative freedom.

I think if you listen to some of the feedback that we had from Robin regarding the globe, we really didn't want to cover the globe. We didn't want to put anything over it. I really wanted it to be feel seamless. I just felt like I couldn't have covered it. The world is beautiful. Why would I cover it with bricks if that makes sense? That's how I felt about covering it.

Liam: I felt the same way as well. I didn't want to cover the globe at all. I know there were a lot of comments where if you took the globe, and you took the pirate ship, both of them separately still makes complete sense, which they do, but I think together they make far more sense.

David: When the model options were divided up, I felt as if people were matched up with the task that suited them. You weren't given something with the intention that this would be difficult for you therefore I have an advantage, and you're going to fail because of it felt. It looked like there was some real thought put into pairing up the cutaway model with the teams’ preferences on the show. Do you think that's a fair comment?

Liam: I do really have to say about Amy and Adam are two of the nicest people I've ever met. Wouldn’t you agree Emily, with this? They are so lovely.

Emily: Absolutely. They are really, really, really nice people.

Liam: They really wanted to bring the best out of everybody with their builds. They don’t want to see anybody struggling. They want everyone to do their best as well.

Emily: Especially on a challenge that is an elimination. So, we were really happy with the pick.
The selections had really different surface areas sizes. So, the barbecue was quite large, and then we had the smallest surface area, which created its own challenges in the sense that you still have to create a large build, but it has to come off at an angle as well. Logistically, it was tough, but I am absolutely really happy with what we got.

Liam: We made a call very early on when we first arrived at a pirate ship and a dragon to not have it horizontal because initially that was my initial idea and Emily said ‘no, why don't we make it like it's coming out of the globe.’ And I'm so glad that we did that. It really had such a cool effect.

Emily: Like coming out of the clouds.
Liam: Then we had the dragon coming out sideways, the pirate ship on a huge angle. I think it really looked awesome.

Emily: It was just a moment of impact like a photograph, essentially, of what was a really, really busy scene with a lot happening.

David: I think that's one of the key features of that challenge is that none of the surfaces are flat, or level. They're all they're either got a vertical surface or they're on an angle like yours, the suitcase was on an angle and that forces people to think differently about how the LEGO is going to interact with what you're trying to achieve.

David: All right. Thanks a lot for taking the time to talk with me.

Liam: Thanks so much.

Emily: Thank you very much.

LEGO Masters NZ

LEGO Masters NZ every Monday and Tuesday at 7:30 pm on TVNZ 2.

7 comments on this article

By Coopa in New Zealand, 22 May 2022 06:47

Thanks for the awesome interview David. I really love how they all gave Robin a Pounamu too, makes it even more special

By Zordboy in Australia, 22 May 2022 08:35

I'm just going to ask. How come the Australian series (and this year's was a good season) didn't even rate a mention, here on Brickset?

By CasperH in Netherlands, 22 May 2022 09:47

@Zordboy said:
"I'm just going to ask. How come the Australian series (and this year's was a good season) didn't even rate a mention, here on Brickset?"

Maybe because it was the fourth season, and the NZ series is new? The Australian show went at glacial speed, too. I think it took four episodes before the first team left.

By FlagsNZ in New Zealand, 22 May 2022 09:54

@Zordboy said:
"I'm just going to ask. How come the Australian series (and this year's was a good season) didn't even rate a mention, here on Brickset?"

I'm a Brickset News Editor based in NZ so have an interest in NZ LEGO-related news items.

I'm not sure whether there is any Brickset staff resident in Australia.

By Huw in United Kingdom, 22 May 2022 20:21

@Zordboy said:
"I'm just going to ask. How come the Australian series (and this year's was a good season) didn't even rate a mention, here on Brickset?"

We are reliant on local correspondents and access to the contestants etc.

In the USA, LEGO and the production company reached out to fan media which enables us to cover it there, and in NZ @FlagsNZ has liaised with the producers there in order to do so.

If you'd like to do the same for the next Aus. series I'll be happy to publish your articles!

By Zordboy in Australia, 23 May 2022 00:27

@Huw said: "If you'd like to do the same for the next Aus. series I'll be happy to publish your articles!"

It's a tempting offer, and I appreciate it, but I lack the journalistic skills, and my proximity to the cast is limited to occasionally interacting with them on the Lego Master Australia FaceBook threads.

@CasperH said: "The Australian show went at glacial speed, too. I think it took four episodes before the first team left."

Yeah, but the show rates really well. If they eliminate a team every episode, you'd get about 2 weeks out of the show, and then you've hit the finale. Taking their time means more viewers, more revenue from sponsors, and you get to know the teams better, thusly making it easier for the audience to invest in them.

By theseasentinel in New Zealand, 23 May 2022 11:16

Has anyone had success in downloading the episodes from TVNZ?