Meet Bryan Firks

We were lucky to catch up with Bryan Firks recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bryan, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose when my dad brought home a set of tiny LEGO minifigures when I was three years old. It was the coolest thing I’d ever seen! I instantly started to make up my own stories with the figures, and take apart the set to build my own creations. Fast forward to now, I am an independent LEGO artist and had the chance to compete on the TV show LEGO Masters on FOX. The creative fire that started with LEGO building kept growing when I discovered writing and filmmaking — I’ve now had the opportunity to work behind-the-scenes in building worlds for TV shows as a script coordinator, researcher, writer, and even LEGO builder for stop motion videos!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My work is split in two parts, but I like to think they’re connected by both allowing me to build worlds from scratch: through writing and through LEGO art.

In pursuing a writing career in Hollywood, I’ve had the chance to work as a Script Coordinator and Researcher for the sci-fi show Dune: Prophecy coming to Max. There I loved researching world-building details for the show, and contributing to the writer’s room. I write my own movie and TV scripts too, and was lucky enough to see my grounded sci-fi feature script place as quarterfinalist in the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship — a film I hope to make one day soon! I’ve directed several short films in the past and am looking for the challenge to direct something longer.

I’ve always been inspired by larger-than-life worlds, and feel grateful to work in the sci-fi & fantasy space. I think it must be the LEGO builder in me — like LEGO, these sprawling worlds have infinite possibilities, but once you know the rules, everything starts to click into place. I could tell you pretty much anything you want to know about the universes of Dune or The Lord of the Rings. In fact, watching all of the behind-the-scenes DVDs of The Lord of the Rings films (almost 100 hours’ worth!) is what inspired me to pursue a career in writing and directing.

As an independent LEGO artist, I make custom LEGO brick models of anything you can think of — a pet, favorite car, iconic building, movie scene, office sign — the list goes on. Recently, I’ve had someone request a surprise proposal using a build (such a cute idea!) or request individualized, thoughtful gifts for friends and loved ones. With these custom sets, I either design the model with instructions to build yourself, or as pre-made sculptures shipped fully assembled. Each project is a challenge that takes me outside the box of what I might normally build, which I love.

The adventure as a LEGO artist began after I appeared on Season 2 of the TV show LEGO Masters, where my sister and I made giant brick-built creations competing against other teams of builders. Now that our season is over, I’ve enjoyed attending LEGO conventions across the country (speaking of The Lord of the Rings, my latest build project is a giant map of Middle-Earth!) and I’ve loved the opportunity to create these fun commissions for people worldwide.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’ve always wanted to approach my work with a smile on my face — working in Hollywood, I’ve always been drawn in by the magic, and refuse to let that fade! Times might be tough or challenging, but I think that “yes” attitude and positivity can lift others up and hopefully make them excited to collaborate with you, and hopefully can lift you up through the journey as well.

I also think persistence is key, which I think you hear a lot, especially in entertainment. I’ve been pursuing a larger goal for a while now — to be a creative in movies and TV — and it’s had its ups and downs, but I am committed to seeing that goal through. It’s a career with no set “path,” so the only guide you can really stick to is your own perseverance and commitment to what you want.

Lastly, I am a big believer in communicating clearly and advocating clearly for yourself. I’ve had some points in my career where opportunities arose that I knew would bring me further away from the path I wanted — so I had to communicate exactly what I wanted to do and why. It can be a tough thing to do, and takes some practicing (in front of a mirror, even with a friend or loved one!) but I feel you can never assume that other people know what you’re thinking or what you want, so sometimes you just have to say it.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

My parents always created an environment where I felt like I could pursue my dreams and crazy creative passions. They didn’t tell me I should stop building LEGO after a certain age — and thank goodness they didn’t, because now it’s grown into a lifetime hobby, part-time career, and being on a TV show! They’ve always supported my endless hours of creative tinkering, whether I was holed up in my bedroom for hours building a new creation, or on the TV designing video game worlds, or even using their house for a short film shoot. I am so grateful for all of that, and I think my parents’ openness to my dreaming paved the way for the path I’ve chosen to take.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bryanfirks.com
• Instagram: @bryanbuilds_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-firks-989888117/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/bryanfirks

Image Credits

Credit: FOX