How to Make a LEGO Animation

LEGO® bricks are one of the most classic, fun, and clever toys ever made. Advances in consumer electronics, such as affordable computers, camcorders and digital cameras have made it possible for to produce high quality LEGO animations inexpensively.

Steps

  1. Image titled Make a LEGO Animation Step 1
    1
    Go on a video sharing website like Youtube and search for LEGO movies, to get ideas. (Examples:LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Mario, LEGO Batman.etc.)
  2. Image titled Make a LEGO Animation Step 2
    2
    Make sure you have all of your materials.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Make a LEGO Animation Step 3
    3
    Build and stage your set, this could be 100% LEGO, a real world scene or a combination of the two. Be sure to look through the camera you'll be using, to get a sense of how your video will look. While you're doing this you can check for unwanted elements that need to be covered up or camouflaged, especially in the background.
  4. Image titled Make a LEGO Animation Step 4
    4
    Get the LEGO minifigure actors ready. As the stock minifigure heads are very static you may want to have a few suitable heads ready to go if you'd like for your actors to be expressive. If you can't find heads that work you could always paint some yourself.
  5. Image titled Make a LEGO Animation Step 5
    5
    Position the starting scene of your movie and your camera keeping in mind it is imperative that the camera be immobilized; otherwise your finished video will be jerky. Use a tripod or similar device to keep the camera still, then take the picture.
  6. Image titled Make a LEGO Animation Step 6
    6
    Move the actors in your scene, but just a little bit. It is easiest to move the character about two paces on the platform or about half an inch on the floor. Continue this until you are done with your movie.
  7. Image titled Make a LEGO Animation Step 7
    7
    Use any stop motion application on your computer that can make variable fps time settings. preferably one that can set up to 15fps, It will give the best results.
  8. Image titled Make a LEGO Animation Step 8
    8
    Go on iMovie, Windows Movie Maker or another movie making program and import your photos.
  9. Image titled Make a LEGO Animation Step 9
    9
    Delete any extra photos and put them in the correct order.
  10. Image titled Make a LEGO Animation Step 10
    10
    Watch your movie using the sideshow setting.
    Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    If I want to do the stage 100% LEGO, how many bricks I could need for a sitcom-like room?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    All you would need to make is 3 walls and whatever you want inside. Depending on how much detail you'll give it, 80 - 120 bricks should suffice.
  • Question
    Is it a good idea to post it on social media or YouTube?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as you don't use any copyrighted material or make it seem like you work for Lego.
  • Question
    Can I add special effects?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you will have to use an editing software or complicated brick effects.
  • Question
    Can I make an animation with my tablet?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can if your tablet has a good camera. You would also need an app for stop motion and a tripod. You can make a simple stand for your tablet out of LEGO bricks.
  • Question
    What is the proper way to animate speech?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Some people just move the hands around. Some alternate between open and closed faces. Some use editing tricks. And some do nothing. It just depends on how you want to animate and your skill level. I would recommend just moving hands or doing nothing if you're a beginner and alternating faces if you have experience.
  • Question
    Can I use a phone app to do this?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as your phone has a good camera. You may even be able to find an official app for making Lego brick films.
  • Question
    How can I add sound to my videos?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You have to record sounds separately, then add then to the animation by using a editing program.
  • Question
    What is a stop motion application?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It's an application that converts your pictures into a movie. Windows Movie Maker is an example.
  • Question
    What is a good stop motion software for Mac computers (other than iMovie, and preferably free)?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Stop Motion Studio is a great app to use. There is a free version and a pay version. The pay version comes with more features, obviously.
  • Question
    How can I add voices and sound effects?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You would need to use an animation/video editing software (like Movie Maker) to add audio, sound effects, special effects, etc.

Warnings

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • LEGO Bricks
  • Digital camera
  • A lot of patience
  • Good lighting
  • A computer with a video editing software installed
  • If you can, for iPod, iPhone or iPad, there are various movie making apps. You can also use the 3DS camera.

You Might Also Like

Animate Clay
How to
Animate Clay
Create a Stop Motion Animation
How to
Create a Stop Motion Animation
Sort and Store LEGO Toys
How to
Sort and Store LEGO Toys
Paint Warhammer Figures
How to
Paint Warhammer Figures
Animate in Clip Studio Paint
How to
Animate in Clip Studio Paint
Make a Cartoon
How to
Make a Cartoon
Create a Good Animated Film
How to
Create a Good Animated Film
Make an Animated Short Film
How to
Make an Animated Short Film
Animate
How to
Animate
Make Your Own Animation
How to
Make Your Own Animation
Become an Animator
How to
Become an Animator
Make Anime Movies
How to
Make Anime Movies
Make Your Character Move on Scratch
How to
Make Your Character Move on Scratch
Animate With MS Paint and Windows Movie Maker
How to
Animate With MS Paint and Windows Movie Maker
Advertisement

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 67 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 219,099 times.
321 votes - 71%
Co-authors: 67
Updated: September 3, 2021
Views: 219,099
Categories: Animation
Advertisement