Subject:
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Interview by email
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.people
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Date:
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Sun, 25 Jun 2006 22:09:49 GMT
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(details)
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Dear Eric,
Greetings from Malaysia! My name is xxxxxx xxxxx. I’m a freelance writer, and
also a budding AFOL recently returned to the hobby. I discovered your site
about a year ago via the Lego Mecha Hall of Fame, and have been continually
amazed by your creations. Keep up the good work!
Hello good sir, thank you very much!
I’m currently writing an article on Adult Fans of Lego for a local newspaper,
and I was hoping you would agree to an interview via email. Unfortunately, here
in Malaysia, Lego has faded somewhat in popularity due to its relatively high
cost (that and the proliferation of Mega Bloks... shudder), and I’m hoping to
spark some interest with the article.
I would be delighted. Please feel free to send them.
I will be able to respond later this day.
The email questions are quite straightforward and should take about ten-fifteen
minutes to complete. I would also like to ask your permission to use several
photos of your creations (your choice which creations to show), as it would
really liven up the article.
Interview by email
In a message dated 6/2006 8:08:22 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, xxxxxxxxxxxx
writes:
Hi Eric,
Thank you for the prompt reply. Below are the email questions. Could I also have
a photo of you (preferably with one of your creations) for the article?
Photo of me:
or
or
Top Mecha Designs for you to choose from can be found here:
click to view
1. Name, Age, Location, Occupation
Eric “Legomaster” Sophie, Operator Lightning Bug Gallery, Independent LEGO
Artist, Certified Artist, Teacher - LEGO Building Classes, Teacher - MINDSTORMS
Robotics, 35 years old, will be 36 this July. Jersey City, New Jersey USA!!!
2. How did you get started in Lego? Were you always a fan, or did you
rediscover it as an adult?
I always loved LEGO. As a child I built many things. As a teenager, I built cars
and trucks. I stopped building for two years from about 14 to 16, then my father
made me a bet. He said “I bet you $50 that by the time you are 18 you will be
more interested in girls then LEGO!”
So on my 18th birthday, I had my girlfriend show my father the new robot I made.
He gave me $50. It just happens to be that some months later I decided to make
LEGO my choice as a medium for artistic design. A way for me to build anything I
want. I have been building everything I can imagine ever since.
3. What is it you love most about Lego?
What I love most is the colors. I just enjoy the bright colors and combinations.
What I also love about LEGO, is that the system seems to be based on the most
elementary principles of engineering. Basic shapes like squares and triangles,
beams and plates. Items that when you look around in the man made world, seem to
be the basis of everything. Plus building is fun too. I also love the fact that
most everyone on the planet has had some contact, knowledge or experience with
LEGO, so just about everyone I meet has some sort of story about these wonderful
plastic blocks and elements.
4. What do you think is the best thing about being an AFOL? (as opposed to just
kids who play with Lego)
I must say it is simply the ability to use your mind to really explore the
possibilities. As adults, we can take or make the time to pursue ideas.
LEGO presents me with a way to build the robot designs I dream of.
Not just in an aesthetic or stylish way, but as a real and truly mechanical or
even robotic model.
Being an adult, and a Fan of LEGO, (AFoL) sometimes the LEGO company itself
recognizes my work. I have been featured on www.lego.com, I have had my Mecha
Models featured in Official Lego magazines and publications, I have done public
shows and events along with the company. So as an adult, I have had a chance to
do things ordinary kids could only imagine. The exciting part is that I was just
like those same kids! One day perhaps one of them will see my work and be
inspired to share their ideas too. There by contributing to the cycle of fun and
excitement.
5. Which Lego events do you regularly attend? What do you like about these
events?
I used to go to all the LEGO Fan events. I now focus more of my time on local
events and Art shows. Brick Fest; a convention and gathering for LEGO fans
usually held in Virginia, USA, and the North West Brick Con, usually held in the
Seattle Washington, USA area, is another example of a great convention where
LEGO fans get together to display and share LEGO creations. I have been to many
of these conventions, I always have a great time. Being able to see and talk in
person with other LEGO fans is a great experience.
6. You’re known as the Legomaster. How did you get that name?
Well that’s a funny story.
None of the people in my local area have seen or heard of anybody that builds to
the extremes I do. So, many of my friends and folks from the area I live in
started calling me “Legomaster”. It was mostly a funny and loving name. Then
when I started doing more public shows and events, people who attended the
various Art Shows and Exhibits I have done, started to also call me
“Legomaster”. Soon, people I hadn’t even met would walk up to me and would say,
“hey! you are the Legomaster! right!?”. After many years of showing my work in
public, there were so many people in the tri-state area (surrounding New York
state) that were using the nic name, It stuck.
7. Your creations are amazingly complex. Where do you get your inspiration?
How did you even begin to learn such building techniques?
Thank you, mostly just hard work and the desire to make the best models I could.
Parts and types of elements help determine what my collection can conjure.
I use traditional expert builder or TECHNIC building techniques.
Using TECHNIC principles in my Mecha models became the basis of many creations.
Taking engineering solutions and implementing them in to my designs.
Sometimes it all comes down to watching a great Sci-Fi movie and saying to
myself, “I wonder if I can make something like that?” Then I just rely on the
LEGO system to help make my ideas a reality. Oh yes, plus a lot of trial and
error.
8. You also conduct Lego building classes in your area. Do you think such
skills can be learnt?
When I was asked to teach LEGO building classes in late 2004, I didn’t think I
could teach people to make the kinds of robot designs I had been making. Then
again, I didn’t have too. I could just help teach the kinds of principles
inherent to the LEGO system. Things like bond building, proper use of scale, and
making your structures strong. The great thing about teaching LEGO building
classes, is that most of the students, both kids and adults, have a love for
LEGO already. These people have their own LEGO and enjoy building with it. So it
makes the job easier because when I say, “take your 2x4 bricks and connect them
at a right angle to your Technic beams” they know what I am talking about. Like
a common building language.
9. Just how many Lego pieces do you own? How many hours a week do you spend
with your hobby?
I have many LEGO parts. I rent an Art Studio where I just do my LEGO Art.
I once had a friend that created a formula the equated my collection to having
over one ton (2000 pounds) of LEGO. I don’t know if he was correct, but I think
he was close. I actually built my collection years ago. Buying all kinds of sets
and kits. I have also had many of my friends give me their childhood
collections. Plus I have had the good fortune of being sponsored on occasion by
the LEGO company on various endeavors. Now days, I only buy the hottest and
newest sets so I can keep current with the newest and hottest parts and
elements. I try to use the parts I have, trying to make use of the LEGO I have.
I usually spend most everyday working on my LEGO projects. I long ago abandoned
the notion that this is a “hobby” for me. Since I now make my living teaching
and doing public displays and events, I consider my efforts Artistic, I enjoy
the interpretation of my ideas by using LEGO. The more I work on my ideas, the
more successful I have become. Reaching out to others and sharing my ideas. I do
like other activities in life, but I am content to spend most of my time working
on and with LEGO.
10. What do your friends and family think of this hobby? Anyone ever told you
to grow up and stop playing with toys? (Feel free to inject some humour here)
Ha ha ha ha ha, I surround myself with other Artistic types. The people who know
me, know that I take my Art serious. Serious enough to create a working four
foot tall robot. Serious enough to be asked on a regular basis to exhibit and
display my work all around the local area. Serious enough to be recognized by
the LEGO company itself. In fact, it is I who tell my friends and family to
pursue their dreams and goals. I am a living example of this. I take pride in
pursuing my dreams, even if it is to just build LEGO, even if in a unique way.
11. Finally, any advice to Lego fans out there (kids and adults alike)?
My advice to other people who enjoy building with LEGO is simply to continue.
Continue building and continue to dream up ideas and make them.
Use the system to make anything, ANYTHING!
One day you may just inspire someone who will make the idea a reality. We all
contribute to the grand experiment we call life.
It all comes down to some quiet time and your ideas. Let your mind seep out.
Build and be happy. Enjoy your own creativity. Plus, buy more LEGO!
Thanks once more for agreeing to this.
Best regards,
Xxxxxx
You are very welcome.
Please let me know where this interview will be in print or electronic form so I
can see the finished product. Thank you again, and I wish you luck!
yours,
Eric Sophie
www.biomechanicalbricks.com
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