It's Tuberrific

...I really shouldn't try and post before my second cup of coffee.

Crappy title (mine) not withstanding, this is a great shot by Alex Eylar showing how simple tubing can be used as an arm substitute to great effect. I personally think ball joint arms are the next step in minifig evolution, but so far Billund isn't listening. Hopefully this gives you ideas for your own 'straight shooters'.

You can check out more from Alex on his Flickr stream.

Alex Eylar Recreates 10 Oscar Nominees

Via Gawker's Defamer column we see a mix of new and previous creations from Alex Eylar representing the 10 best picture Oscar nominees.

To the best of my knowledge some of these are brand new pics not even featured on his Flickr stream.

You can see the remaining nine nominees on Gawker's Defamer.

Quick Hits: Holiday Traveling

Doing a bit of traveling to visit relatives this weekend, but there are a few items to report.

Remember those great film vignettes that Alex Eylar was putting together? Well I guess at least one of them was used for a story on The New York Times website. Very nice! Not only that, he's selling many of those creations as prints via Imagekind. Check it out when you get a chance.

Huw scores again with news of individual Series 4 Collectible Minifigure pics. These are via Brandora, a website that's offered up similar pics of earlier series. Although rendered, it gives you a closer look at each figure to see what they have to offer. I'll definitely be using these once we start our Series 4 guide entries in the near future. Thanks Brickset!

Hopefully our combatants aren't finding this month's Minifig Design Battle brief too difficult - The Sinister Toymaker. If you have any questions, just drop us a line (uglyduck.bricklink@gmail.com) or post a question on the group page. 

Also don't forget that you can get 10% any order at FireStar Toys, now through the end of January 2011. Just click the banner at the top of the page and enter coupon/voucher code 'KV882256' at check-out. It might be a good way to get supplies for the challenge.

That's all for now, citizens. Have a great weekend.

Cygnet
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Ugly Duck Command Center
Minifig Nation

He Can Move You with His Mind

Alex Eylar has a unique super power - he can make your mind explode through his creations. His creations, on the other hand, can move things with their mind.

What's more amazing is that he likely didn't use any digital wizardry to create this. Let's hope agents one through eight show similar promise...

(Via Alex Eylar's Flickr stream)

1000 Cinematic Ways to Die?

Alex Eylar doesn't have a lot of time, being a film school grad and all, but recently he's posted these pics depicting several key scenes in the movies Psycho, Pulp Fiction, and Reservoir Dogs. He states these are "..for a thing." I can't wait to see what exactly this 'thing' happens to be.

One of the many things that I love about Alex is that he's very open to sharing how he achieves some of his shots. All three set ups for these shots can be found on his Flickr stream (link below).

This just in...a fourth shot depicting Bond has just gone up for this mystery project! Do you expect us to figure out the mystery? "No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die." The plot thickens...

(Via Alex Eylar's Flickr stream)

Ultra Kill Indeed

Alex Eylar shoots off this wonderful scene based off of a video game...I think? The reference is totally lost on me. The lettering adds a sense of depth that takes this from good to great.

It sounds like Alex will be on his way to Seattle attending and presenting at BrickCon this weekend. Say 'hey' if you are there...

(Via Profound Whatever's Flickr stream)

Alex Eylar's Series 2 Historical Figures

Alex Eylar (AKA Profound Whatever) has been playing with some of the parts from the Series 2 Collectible Minifigures to create minifig versions of Lenny Bruce and Jimi Hendrix.The figures were a gift from Nannan, likely a 'thank you' for the interview featured recently on The Brothers Brick.

Alex is really a master storyteller using LEGO as one of his many mediums. A prolific builder, often known for his lighting techniques, he incorporates custom minifigures into brick-built pieces effortlessly. His lighting techniques are that much more impressive once you realize he doesn't often use expensive, high-end equipment or photoshop. Many of his tools of the trade are likely in your home right now.

I highly recommend perusing through his Flickr stream, whenever you have the time. You won't be disappointed.

(Via Profound Whatever's Flickr stream)

Waldo's Got Nothing on This Guy

Alex Eylar (AKA Profound Whatever) has another fantastic composition featuring a strong concept and presentation. Titled 'Camouflage' it took me a while to figure out what was going on. I wonder why that knife is floating in midair...

(Via Profound Whatever's Flickr stream)