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10K Club Interview: RED DWARF: SLEEPING QUARTERS by BRO3

Welcome to another addition to the 10K club! Today we meet Sebastian, a.k.a. BRO3, and his RED DWARF: SLEEPING QUARTERS project. If you are a fan of British TV sitcoms, this project will be sure to impress! Show your support, and find out more below.


 

ABOUT YOURSELF

  1. Who are you?
    Hi, Bro3 here! My name is Sebastian Veselka.

     
  2. Where are you from?
    From Moravia, Czech Republic. 
     
  3. How old are you?
    Sweet 24.
     
  4. What do you study or do for a living?
    I am studying animation for my Master's degree. I am also a freelance animator and graphic designer. 
     
  5. What hobbies do you have?
    I very often like to dive into my own universes, drawing creatures and lands on paper. I have been passionate about drawing and LEGO since childhood.
     
  6. Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website that you can share with us?
    I have an Instagram profile @lego.bro3 that focuses on the Red Dwarf model updates and other LEGO MOCs or LEGO-related projects.
     
  7. Have you created any LEGO MOCs (my own creations) that you’re particularly proud of? What is it, why are you proud of it and do you have a photo of it? 
    I always dreamed about a LEGO set based on the LOST TV show. So I recently decided to make myself happy and to build one set according to the show. It's inspired by the end of the first season. Sailing on a raft always gave such hope, but it wouldn't be LOST if there wasn't a huge twist! 
     Unfortunately, it is not very obvious from the picture, but I was very happy with the use of technic bricks 1x16 in a special sand green color imitating metal beams for the raft. 
     
  8. How and when did your interest in LEGO products come about?
    LEGO has been a kind of stable rock for me since childhood. When I was about five years old, my mom brought me and my two brothers to LEGO when she bought us a mix of bricks from Tesco and the first set of Diagon Alley Shops 4723 with the first Hermione Granger Minifigure. For us, it always stays as Hermione's room.
     
  9. What is the LEGO hobby to you? What does it mean to you? How does it fit in your life? E.g. build, display, meetups, play the games or 'just' watch the cartoons.
    I mostly go for the Minifigures, but when there is a set that wows me, I can never wait to see what comes out. As I have been studying away from my hometown for the last few years and I don't have all the LEGO with me, I am now devoting myself to creating my own creations through the Stud.io software in my spare time. I highly recommend it. 
    And I haven't mentioned how much time we spent with Lego games as kids - the first Lego Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean will stay in my heart forever!

     
  10. What is your favourite LEGO theme (current or past)? Why? And has any theme inspired your building style or preference in any particular way?
    Honestly, it seems to be LEGO Ideas and its vast selection of themes, especially those inspired by TV sitcoms. I like to build specific movie scenes and the rooms are always the biggest fun. The most interesting spectacle always takes place in the intimate interior. 
     
    Anyway, from the old classics, I would go for the "Power Miners" from the yellow ones, and from the movie themes, definitely "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Pirates of the Caribbean". Both movie themes use a pleasant color palette in their sets, their design surpasses many of today's models, and the figures are rare collectibles. In addition, it brings many amazing molds that can still be perfectly used today.
     
  11. What is your favourite official LEGO set ever? Why?
    Set number 9476 - Orc Forge from "The Lord of the Rings theme".  
    My king between all sets. Pure nostalgia. I admire almost everything about that set. Simple yet effective design, color palette, ideal size, playability, the Minifigure of Lurtz and other orcs, especially eccentricity. When the set got out I was really looking forward to getting it. The delivery of a large shipment together with all other The Lord of the Rings sets was a gold spark to my summer at our family cottage in 2012. 
     
    The second one is The Upside Down set (75810) because of its playability, beautiful aspect retro look, many references to show, and the uniqueness of the minifigures. All of it is phenomenal. 
     
  12. What is your favourite LEGO element? Why?
    I can think of two: 

    LATTICE PLATE 1X2 "NO. 1000"  
    It was for a long time and today it is among the ones I use the most. Fits everywhere. You will find a use for it almost always. It makes the set more detailed, elaborate, and retro in a way and that's cool. It can be used for heating, ventilators, shafts, channels, carpets, fences, and whatever you want. In the end, I still like how this brick is full and porous at the same time, it's a blast. 
     
    BRICK, MODIFIED 1 x 2 WITH MASONRY PROFILE  
    Every time I see this brick I get the urge to build. Every set is noticeably prettier and more sophisticated with these pieces. 2012 was full of surprises for LEGO builders in many ways. I live with the idea that there is a 1x1 version of this brick.
     
  13. Is there a LEGO designer (official LEGO designer or fan designer) who you are inspired by and look up to? Who and why?
    From official LEGO designers, I would like to mention the legendary Henrik Rubin Saaby. I admire the love with which he created the sets he took charge of and the projects he chose. The sets he worked on are among my favorites (Orient Expedition, Indiana Jones, The Lord of the Rings, The Pirates of the Caribbean) until today. 
     
    Of all the LEGO enthusiasts who are not (and maybe one day will be) LEGO designers, it's Fourstud who amazed me the most - It is a pleasure to follow his Instagram posts. His work concures to official sets and minifigures. His sets look incredibly real, more than once I was fooled for a small moment that the given set was coming from LEGO. He really slayed with Fortnite. As a fan of art movies, I especially appreciate the choice of themes such as Babylon, Pearl, Baby Driver, or Starcourt Mall from Stranger Things. I am grateful for his work. 
     
  14. Is there one or more particular LEGO-related websites (not official LEGO websites) that you visit often and/or are inspired by? 
    From time to time I visite Firestartoys.com and I enjoy browsing their beautiful figure designs, especially those that are aimed at a more mature audience. I also love Bricklink.com - a heaven on earth for brick boys. 



     

ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

  1. Where did your interest in this particular model come from?
    I've been a sixth-year fan of the Red Dwarf show since my freshman year of college (better late than later). The Boys from the Dwarf are really energizing. As sad as the story is in the beginning, it's incredibly funny later. It's a show that I recommend to anyone who is going through a tough time or just looking for something to brighten their day.
    However, it was 2021; the year BobVintageBricks's Starbug did not pass in review phase and I thought, action is needed to get the Dwarf back on track. 
     
  2. How long was the process of making the project, and what did you have to research as well? What kind of prep, research and design phases did you go through to produce your creation?
    The main thing is to secure documents, look for reference images, and have a template.
    I designed the main prototype of the model during the vacation at the cottage, a few weeks of pure work. When I get passionate about something, I can sit with it from morning to night. From time to time I added updates, improved the model, and cleaned it up. There is still something to edit on it. 
     
  3. What special challenges did you face creating the model? What was the most difficult part to recreate?
    There was no such problem with the model as such as with the program in which I designed it. My fault is that I forget to save sometimes. And Stud.io likes to crash sometimes. In addition to that, I also simultaneously create the design of figures in Adobe Illustrator, I have a billion windows open on the Internet, and if I am very daring, I turn on a game in my free time. This makes the already demanding studio angry and decides to stagnate. So I recommend saving. More than less. It pays off.  
     
    In general, working with Stud.io was the biggest challenge. Especially work with angles (posing minifigures or setting the correct angle of the object in the building instructions). Of course, I'm very happy with the program, it's an incredible tool for quick construction and, above all, unlimited. 

     
  4. If you could talk to yourself before you started on this project, what would you tell them? What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
    With the right people and great fan support, you'll make it to the end, no matter how long it takes. 
     
  5. How long did it take to complete the model? Did you finish it fairly quickly, or did it take a long time? And how did the build time compare to the time you spent promoting your Product Idea to reach 10,000 supporters? 
    Time spent with modifications on the model versus the promotion period was roughly 35% to 65%.  
     
    I had the model itself ready in a few weeks. However, printing on the minifigures and objects, learning about new functions in programs and a lot of special scenes and shots took me much more time. I'm still adding new material. It's hard to estimate because I've been continuously working on the Dwarf and editing it for a little over a year and a half. 
     
  6. How did it feel when you reached the magic 10,000 votes and how long did it take? 
    Via phones, I counted the last votes with my family. However, I have to admit that at first, I felt riven because I was incredibly excited and happy to finally make it to 10K after such a long time, and at the same time I had a final thank you update ready that I wanted to post, I just had no idea that I would miss it by 5 seconds before last vote was voted. So I was a little bit disappointed because I am a perfectionist. :D Anyway, the rest of the evening and the following day were spent in a spirit of big celebrations and the support from all the Dwarf fans was amazing. 
     
  7. Approximately how many LEGO bricks did you use to create your model? 
     The main model with side rooms and 5 minifigures contains 1954 bricks. With the Carbug and Camille updates, it contains 2070 pieces.
     
  8. What is your favourite building technique or part/section that you’ve incorporated into your Product Idea?
    These little buildings:
     
    Skutters; especially their heads system. 
     
    Traffic cone; I enjoy using a screwdriver on it. 
     
    Bazookoid; I would prefer to have this model patented. :) 
     
    Sleeping quarters sofa; here you would find several bricks that give the model a specific shape, but it was nice to use the back sides of "Brick, Modified 1 x 1 with Headlight" as the bottom of the sofa to snap to the floor. Also, the addition of chrome color moves the model to the next level. 
     
    Vending machine; here I found a great use for "Brick, Modified 1 x 1 x 2 with Square Hole".
     
  9. If you built your model digitally, what software did you use to build and render your model?
    I used Stud.io software for building and rendering.
     
  10. If you used custom stickers or prints for your design, how did you create them or where did you get them?
    I created my own prints in Adobe Illustrator and imported them into Stud.io via PartDesigner.


     

ABOUT LEGO IDEAS

  1. Do you have any useful advice about creating a successful LEGO Ideas project?
    Above all, I recommend that if you are choosing a third-party theme, choose one that you have a personal relationship with and that you will love to come back to throughout the year and take care of it like a flower.  
    I would recommend choosing a topic with your heart but also with your head, choosing a topic that you believe could be successful. It is necessary to think that you are trying to charm as many LEGO fans as possible with your set. If they don't already know the theme you've chosen, try to dazzle them with the interesting design of your buildings, the choice of colors, or the jokes you put into the set.  
     
    And definitely don't give up, believe in the project, and reach out to people on the internet, and social networks, or go to festivals where you can get new friends and potential voters for your set. 
     
  2. What (if any) methods did you use to advertise and attract support to your Product Idea?
    I aimed primarily at the Red Dwarf fan base, for both of them. The global one and our national one. I tried to keep the project alive through new updates, i.e. creating new renders of various scenes across the series, I added favorite characters, shots from favorite episodes, and lots of references to accompany it. I also added content that the fans asked about and would like to see, which was mainly the traffic cone, the Camille, the Inquisitor, Mr. Flibble, Duane Dibbley, and legendary Ace "What a guy!" Rimmer. 

     
  3. What is your favourite LEGO Ideas Product Idea (besides your own of course)? Are there any Product Ideas you think have been overlooked?
    My favourites through model design:  
    The Tardis, The Yellow Submarine, and Sainfeld's apartment. 
     
    Best choice of theme and minifigures too:  
    The Office! I was watching the review in one of the Budapest parks when they announced the winners and I learned that Jaijai.Lewis's idea finally won, and I jumped up high with the most sincere joy! I never expressed my feelings so much in public as I did that day. What a lovely day. 
     
    Projects I think should have succeeded: Any of Artem Biziaev's projects, especially his Baba Yaga model.   
     
    Honorable mention: Both Starbugs models; from Bob's Vintage Bricks or Diving Faces, Night at the Museum from CARLIERTI. 
     
  4. What is it about the platform that attracts you? What tips would you give to anyone who is thinking about uploading an idea?
    There is a chance to be part of the LEGO team, dream your way, and get your project to the top. The idea that the project I come up with might one day succeed is magical.  
     
    Also, posting your own model on LEGO IDEAS is a new experience and it's a great joy to share your projects with other LEGO enthusiasts. It fills me with positive energy.
     
  5. Do you have plans to submit any other Product Ideas in the future? If yes, can you give us a hint what that might be?
    I have several projects lined up, so we'll see which one goes out into the world first. Save your bricks for another day and stay tuned! 

      
  • 10k club
  • 10k club interview
  • bro3
  • red dwarf sleeping quarters
  • product idea
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