LEGO Masters week 6 exit interview
Posted by MeganL,
After another hiatus due to another baseball game, we were treated to double the LEGO Masters episodes last week. Today we'll review everything that happened and talk to the eliminated team, but it will be difficult to top the "awww" factor that last week's episode had. As always, we'll show all the final builds.
This week's challenge was a pirate ship! Teams were charged to build a pirate ship with a novel crews, and as Brickmaster Amy put it, "make it all about the story".
There were some terrific pirate ships, but at the end of the episode, Brendan and Greg brought home their second win in a row with a pirate ship that was in search of Davy Jones.
The team that had to walk the plank this week was Liz and Erin.
You pivoted in the middle of the build during the episode. In hindsight, was it the right decision?
Liz: I don't know. At this point, there's too many what ifs. I felt like staying with the candy thing, but with what was in the brick pit, I didn’t know if we had enough to make it really scream candy. That was my only thing. I didn't know how we were going to make it scream candy.
Erin: Yeah, it's interesting because watching (the episode), I was like “Man, I don't know, we could have gone either way.” But you jump in and commit to it. And the colours came out beautifully in the end and it really implied the whole Italian pizzeria theme. We still were able to use our kids, our kid pirates and it pivoted from instead of pillaging candy to maintaining Pizza Friday, seven days a week. So that was still a lot of fun for our story for us.
What is the biggest lesson you learned from that build?
Erin: We had an unpacking of the episode recently with the cast, and David said something which has really stuck with me. He said, “we only have enough time to build prototypes.” We didn’t have enough time to build what we would show at a convention. We had such a short amount of time. Otherwise, the pivot would not have been an issue. It was a time crunch. What we ended up pulling off in three hours, I’m so impressed with. I’m so happy with that we did. But it’s all prototypes.
Liz: That’s exactly it. With the dog challenge, we knew we had to figure something out, so we experimented in the beginning to figure out what’s going to have the best look. That paid off because the judges came over and said: “we love that you’re doing this.” For the pirate challenge, we didn’t prototype. We just ran with it because we were panicked for time. Everything is a prototype. If we had more time, we’d probably rip it up and fix it. That’s the biggest lesson, everything is a prototype and you can always take it apart and put it back together again. That’s the beauty of LEGO.
Amy's final speech to the two of you about inspiring women builders – what did that mean to you?
Erin: Honestly, for me, I cry every elimination and for that one, I was like, “I'm gonna hold it together.” As soon as she said that I was done. I was sobbing because it just……she means so much to me. She's one of the women I look up to in Lego, and that I met her, to get feedback from her was incredible. But at the very end to have her acknowledge, that we are two women who got into Lego later in life and acknowledge that we're doing something within that space - really I was so honoured. I cried again watching it.
Liz: I'm really glad that they showed all that because, I'm not gonna lie, I blacked out elimination. They said our names and I did not remember anything else. I just remember looking back seeing Emily crying and then Erin started crying and I was like what? Okay, yeah, it's happening. But at the same time, I was like, I don't want to go home. Not because of our build because that was, “One of these things is not like the others.”. I was more like, “I just don't want to miss these people.” The people were awesome. I know she did it last year with Natalie and Michelle. So yes, totally flattered. Humbled. I burst into tears.
Are there any details that you're particularly proud of that did not get shown on the show?
Liz: Jurassic World, the gem mine. We had a gem mine that the dinosaurs blew up and they showed like the mountain and dinosaurs and the trucks because the trucks were amazing, right? But we had this killer gem mine that the light hit it in the back. They didn't show that at all. So bummed about that. I think they showed too much of the dog. Everyone saw the holes underneath of her. They didn't show my staircase on the pirate ship. I had a really cool staircase that I really liked. Jamie mentioned it, but they didn't show it.
Erin: I know with our ukulele build, I don't think the video showed that we actually had three motors going in that one along with the lights.
Liz: I was so mad about the lights. So we were motor people. I'm sad that we didn't get to show off more of that because we actually taught a couple of the other teams how to program. In that very first one we had three motors. We had the lights going and I had a program where they were blinking alternately. And then Erin had the remote running for the thrusters. And then we had another one running to make the zero gravity Rock Band spin. So we didn't get to see all that in action in the Beauty.
Erin: On the other stuff that I think about is not so much about the details, it has to do more with the structure. When we think about our dog build I'm really proud of that interior structure and how the neck and the head were really strong in that one and how we added battery boxes full of batteries to the rear of that dog so wouldn't go wouldn't fly forward.
Liz: We were watching everyone test. We actually didn't test that build. We were watching everyone test, and they were all top-heavy from the heads. Erin was like “what if we had boat weights, or hubs?” and I was like “Brilliant, let's go get hubs!”. So I think we had two back there.
Erin: I had to rework the legs to get them to go around them (the hubs) so they wouldn't fall off. I wish they showed our structure for that.
I think this is the first time out of all the interviews where somebody said that they wish the camera had shown less of a particular build, as you did with the dog.
Liz: We ran out of parts. We depleted the brick pit. I think that's a win, honestly.
What was the biggest adjustment for you building on set versus building at home?
Erin: Running to the brick pit. I have a level of organisation in my house, and I know where everything is. That learning curve never got a lot better. First episode, everyone was lost. After that, it was like: “I remember it is in this general direction.” I would just go and start pulling out drawers. That ate up time, it was tough.
Liz: I think a major adjustment was building with someone else. At home, I build by myself, or I build with my husband as my assistant. But building with someone else is like: “oh right, you have skills too!”
Erin: It was nice. It was: “what’s your strength? What’s my strength? How can we incorporate these two strengths and make something amazing?” That was fun.
What has your family's reaction been to you being on the show?
Liz: My son is thrilled. I was very apprehensive about talking about my son and our connection to LEGO. Because I didn't want him to be pigeonholed, I wanted him to be protected. When he saw that that promo I was nervous. I'm like, “Oh my god, it's all about him.”. And he was like, “I'm gonna be the most famous kid in school!”. So he was thrilled. He was very happy about it. His principal put a blurb about him and me in their little newsletter. So with him, it's fine that he's very happy. He's super supportive. I have to tell you, when we got home, he was just like, “Mama, why are you home? That means you didn't win.”. He's so funny. Then my daughter does not care. My daughter's in middle school. She's like, “Whatever.” But that's me and I did feel bad……Erin has a child (too).
Erin: Yeah, apparently I don't have a family. But it's great because actually, I auditioned for season two with my husband. And in this whole season, he's like, “I'm so glad I didn't do this with you.” (laughs) He was so excited watching me on the show. But at the same time, he is not the kind of person who wants to be on camera. So this whole season he's like, “Nope, that definitely made the right call.” And I have a 14-year-old and he's thrilled. He and his best friend are both determined to get on LEGO Masters at 18. So they've got four years of training.
Any favourite memories that may or may not have been caught on camera?
Erin: For me, it was the bricking bull ride and having that conversation with Amy and Jamie, mostly Jamie, on how I structured the inside of Rootin’ Tootin’ Tootie. My heart was so full. I was so proud that he acknowledged how I was doing it, and I was really hoping that was gonna make it on the show. I've really been working on LEGO engineering for the last two years and so like to have someone like him acknowledge that was so huge for me.
Liz: In the second episode - the Jurassic World episode, right? I am a BURP builder. I use BURPs all the time. When we did the mountain, I had made mountains before and learned really quick like what looks good and what doesn't. So I was meticulous about making my mountain, I didn't want any holes. Jamie's first words that I remember him saying were, “Wow, you really know how to build a mountain.” I was like, “Jamie just said I know how to build something. I could die happy.” I know I'm on the TV show. That means squat. It came from Jamie so there we go. Then there was the Will moment of jumping rope with the NASA tether. That was in a commercial for all of like half a second but in the first episode, Will pulls out like this like 30 foot NASA tether that's probably like $2 million. David and I run to the brick pit, and we're running back. I just stopped and David just stopped and Will was holding it (the tether) and it was like a jump rope. Will goes, “Yeah, let's go”, so David and I are holding bricks and we're jumping rope with this two million dollar NASA tether. We had like a rhythm going and it was amazing and it never made air. Except for the commercial for like three seconds. So yeah, I jumped rope with a NASA tether on LEGO Masters.
How did you get into the LEGO hobby?
Erin: I got into it through supporting my family’s interests. As a family, we’ve been collecting for 18 years, but I was the enabler in my family. I was the one who was going to garage sales on weekends and picking up bulk bricks and scoping out sales. But I got into it because I opened a LEGO themed business running birthday parties and a small retail store. I found myself building displays for my store. I’ve always been a very artistic person, but that’s when LEGO became my artistic medium. I started building displays for my windows. I started building little sets of my own that I could have events for and that kids could build to take home. I started to print up directions and put together the parts for all that. That’s where I started and from there it kept building more and more.
Liz: I grew up with LEGO, the LEGO Movie was my life. The first time I saw the LEGO Movie, my jaw hit the floor and I was like: “there are others?!?” My brother had a two-car garage with a ginormous LEGO city that was organised meticulously, and I was not allowed to touch it. I’ve grown up with LEGO my whole life… (but) not playing with it. Then when I had children, we got gateway LEGO for my daughter, the little cases. She played with it and it was really cute. Then my son got it, and my son is obsessed. My son would go look for Nexo Knights sets, and I’d be buying stuff that I never even heard of. I had to go down the rabbit hole. My first favourite one was 70323 Jestro’s Volcano Lair. That one, I built that sucker and was like: “this thing is SO COOL!” So, I loved building for my kids. Then, the more I built, the more I went down the rabbit hole, the more I was on Bricklink and Brickset. Then I found Brick Nerd and SortLUG. One thing led to another, then COVID hit and it was great therapy for me. That’s how I got into it much later in life.
What advice do you have for other adults who are getting into the LEGO hobby?
Liz: Make a bigger savings account [laughs]. Always plan on more space when you’re making storage. For MOCing, never be surprised at what you can do with bricks. I love NPU. I love using random crap. For MOC building, I get very intimidated with “everyone’s already done this.” If you Google ‘waterfall’, you’ll find 20 other people have done a waterfall. But how can you make it your own? That might be one thing. How can make something that someone has already done your own?
Erin: I always advise people not to be intimidated by what you see out there on social media. Everyday I open up Instagram and I see what people have built out of LEGO and I’m like: “WHAT?!?” It’s so amazing. But just because that’s someone else’s LEGO experience doesn’t mean you don’t get to have your own. You build whatever you want. If you like particular colours, just build with those colours. If like to build things that move or mechs, just do your thing. There’s no wrong way to LEGO. Even if you just like sorting, it’s still engaging with LEGO.
What advice do you have for future LEGO Masters contestants?
Liz: Definitely be yourself. Imposter syndrome is going to happen no matter what. You’re going to compare yourself to everyone else. Also, don’t be afraid to learn and try new things. I was so scared going on because I felt like I had not done enough. I felt like hadn’t done enough sculpting. Just try to learn new things. Don’t be afraid and don’t pigeonhole yourself.
Erin: I have to agree with that. I’ve actually had a few people ask me for information about how to get on the show. I always remind people that they have to build MOCs and to take lots of photos of those MOCs. That’s the first step. You have to show them that you can build, so you have to have the photos that you can upload. But then, try different techniques. I went through YouTube tutorials, read articles, I learned new things with the intention of getting on the show. I learned new techniques that I might not have tried otherwise. In hindsight, there are a few that I hadn’t thought of, like pirate ships [laughs].
Many thanks to our friends at True North Bricks for the collaboration on this interview.
All photo credits: FOX
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11 comments on this article
Okay so I’m just gonna say it: I think the US builds are way too similar each and every time. I’ve not watched the show but have read these articles each week and I simply don’t know how they are making these challenges so restrictive. Okay, last week the dog breeds thing was nice, but they were all just… dogs…
I mean, where’s the spark of imagination? That little flourishing touch of insanity that somehow makes the whole thing pop? The completely nonsensical and utterly impractical concept that gives the build the personality it so desperately needs? I mean, when I look at this weeks’ builds, it’s just: oh, a boat. And another one. Hey look this one’s really green. Oh and this one has a frog face on it, that’s cute.
Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the Dutch version but you’d assume that the friggin’ US of all places would have the budget to improve upon these things, right? In one episode over here it’s not unlikely to see a massive factory with GBC-like functionality, a giant asymmetrical space police flagship, a large-scale stage with dancing rock band players, a choir of life-size birds with moving beaks and a mouse army serving their rat king with junk from a vacuum cleaner, all standing proudly next to one another as the result of four mastermind couples interpreting the same assignment! And yes, that is oddly specific because it is the actual lineup from the last episode I saw.
@mr_Fikou
Well said.
I’m glad to see all of the builds! Those never disappoint, and are pretty much the reason I kept tuning in.
I watched the show with my family. Unfortunately, the dog episode made my mother mad, along with the new team being introduced. That and the constant baseball delays making it hard to tell when the show was even airing sadly led to us giving up on tuning in...
@PixelTheDragon said:
"I’m glad to see all of the builds! Those never disappoint, and are pretty much the reason I kept tuning in.
I watched the show with my family. Unfortunately, the dog episode made my mother mad, along with the new team being introduced. That and the constant baseball delays making it hard to tell when the show was even airing sadly led to us giving up on tuning in..."
Hulu had it on demand
There are brick nerds who also love sports. Don't be such a Debbie Downer with the repetitive use of 'another.' Oh, it's just Megan with yet 'another' passive-aggressive swipe at something she can't appreciate!
@mr_Fikou said:
"Okay so I’m just gonna say it: I think the US builds are way too similar each and every time. I’ve not watched the show but have read these articles each week and I simply don’t know how they are making these challenges so restrictive. Okay, last week the dog breeds thing was nice, but they were all just… dogs…
I mean, where’s the spark of imagination? That little flourishing touch of insanity that somehow makes the whole thing pop? The completely nonsensical and utterly impractical concept that gives the build the personality it so desperately needs? I mean, when I look at this weeks’ builds, it’s just: oh, a boat. And another one. Hey look this one’s really green. Oh and this one has a frog face on it, that’s cute.
Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the Dutch version but you’d assume that the friggin’ US of all places would have the budget to improve upon these things, right? In one episode over here it’s not unlikely to see a massive factory with GBC-like functionality, a giant asymmetrical space police flagship, a large-scale stage with dancing rock band players, a choir of life-size birds with moving beaks and a mouse army serving their rat king with junk from a vacuum cleaner, all standing proudly next to one another as the result of four mastermind couples interpreting the same assignment! And yes, that is oddly specific because it is the actual lineup from the last episode I saw."
I suspect it’s largely because of the themes and the inherit restrictions then that are placed. Since the last theme was pirate ships, of course you’re going to see a bunch of ships. It’s just how this show is structured.
@Wewalter said:
" @PixelTheDragon said:
"I’m glad to see all of the builds! Those never disappoint, and are pretty much the reason I kept tuning in.
I watched the show with my family. Unfortunately, the dog episode made my mother mad, along with the new team being introduced. That and the constant baseball delays making it hard to tell when the show was even airing sadly led to us giving up on tuning in..."
Hulu had it on demand"
I don't have Hulu.
@Wewalter said:
" @PixelTheDragon said:
"I’m glad to see all of the builds! Those never disappoint, and are pretty much the reason I kept tuning in.
I watched the show with my family. Unfortunately, the dog episode made my mother mad, along with the new team being introduced. That and the constant baseball delays making it hard to tell when the show was even airing sadly led to us giving up on tuning in..."
Hulu had it on demand"
Not for me, it didn’t. Hulu has been spotty with their on-demand releases. I’m getting pretty close to dropping them because of it.
@MaxA said:
" @Wewalter said:
" @PixelTheDragon said:
"I’m glad to see all of the builds! Those never disappoint, and are pretty much the reason I kept tuning in.
I watched the show with my family. Unfortunately, the dog episode made my mother mad, along with the new team being introduced. That and the constant baseball delays making it hard to tell when the show was even airing sadly led to us giving up on tuning in..."
Hulu had it on demand"
Not for me, it didn’t. Hulu has been spotty with their on-demand releases. I’m getting pretty close to dropping them because of it.
"
Hulu currently has all seven of the Season 3 episodes available on demand. I don't know why that would be different for different subscribers....
@mr_Fikou said:
"Okay so I’m just gonna say it: I think the US builds are way too similar each and every time. I’ve not watched the show but have read these articles each week and I simply don’t know how they are making these challenges so restrictive...
...Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the Dutch version but you’d assume that the friggin’ US of all places would have the budget to improve upon these things, right?"
I assume that's just how it is with our reality shows. Take The Great Food Truck Road Race, each team is welcome to do the foods they want, but there are challenges where they need to make a dish with a certain ingredient. I do see the benefit as it would be harder to judge things with vastly different concepts and ideas imo.
@Quinnly said:
" @mr_Fikou
Well said."
I second that!