Underground - A Lego Stop-Motion Short Film

Timothy Smith wants to build a train. However, will his dream be worth it? This animated short was filmed by taking picture after picture and moving Lego bricks in very short increments. A five-minute version of this film won first place in the Short Film event at the 2011 state Thespian Conference.
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FAQ!
Q: How many pictures are in the movie?
A: During the course of the project I took 7366 pictures. However, I did cut out a lot of bad photos and also used some video footage. The total number of pictures in the movie is probably around six thousand, since there is at least six minutes of animation with a frame rate of 15 fps. The only section that uses 30 fps is when the subway train crosses the bridge.
Q: How much time did this take you?
A: From start to finish, six months. However, I was not constantly working on the project as I had school and vacation. Countless hours were involved with building, editing, and sound design.
Q: Where did you film?
A: The entire movie was filmed and photographed in my basement. Many scenes such as the opening shot were filmed under a bed, while others required me to film in front of a video on the computer screen (such as Tim riding the subway or controlling the train).
Q: How did you animate the welding scene at 2:55?
A: I used polyester filling/cotton to make a fuzzy little ball, and then lit it up with a flashlight from different angles.
Q: Does anyone actually read all of the FAQ?
A: I don't know, but high five to those who do!
5MadMovieMakers / Collide-A-Scope Animations 2011

[@UnidentifiedGecko]

This, this is childhood right here

[@CryoRaid]

I watched this almost when it came out.. Remembered it randomly today. I'm in my senior year of high school. I was not prepared for the nostalgia... Thank you.

[@yea4826]

Same

[@Usa____government___8]

Same

[@Alexander_Studios]

Congratulations on reaching one million subscribers! It's been a long way and I still remember watching this video 10 years ago and it being a huge inspiration for me at that time. Keep up the good work!

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Thanks so much! Congrats to yourself also! Cool to know you enjoyed this video back then.

[@Alexander_Studios]

@@5MadMovieMakers Thanks man!

[@akueche]

Hello 5madmoviemakers ❤

[@jasondalton9590]

@@5MadMovieMakers what 5MadMovieMakers do with this stop motion video. So old, 10 years ago.

[@funkidzcreations2793]

Oh my you commented this video, you make amazing stop motions!

[@terrier_productions]

God this bring backs memories from when I was like 6 or maybe even 8 yrs old

[@maxwellsteam5810]

Same

[@bramdeheus718]

me to just saw it in my recommended and i thought......................yes

[@devo_uber9746]

same bro

[@David-in2xt]

@Jayden you joined 10 years ago so your not 8 EXPOSED

[@patcole1420]

I know right. i remember watching this when i was younger. Time does fly bye fast 😭😭😭

[@filipgolonka3758]

I remember watching this as a kid... Man,does this bring back memories 👍

[@irmmz1776]

Filip Golonka me too I watched this when I was 5 ever since I got 4 LEGO trains

[@canyouflybobbyproductions]

Filip Golonka same I was 7 when I saw this now I’m 16

[@robertelliott-bach7101]

Same thing.

[@douglasthe103]

Filip Golonka you like what I like Daft punk, James is here, Brewstew, and TheOddOnesOut

[@jongvinlee]

Me too ...

[@TheyMightBeBricks]

What a classic, definitely needs a sequel!

[@Leonid_333]

This is perfect story! I'd cried 🥹 I'm Russian, when i was a kid I don't understand anything, but today I've rewatched this. And now i understand this masterpiece. Thank you for this.

[@jongvinlee]

I remember that I watched this video time and time again. I can still remember watching it as a kid. Perspective does shift a lot, and life does change.

[@KrishnaAgrawalFilms]

They really are the "5MadMovieMakers" ❤❤

[@CheifDG]

Nostalgia is through the roof right now

[@devo_uber9746]

Nostalgic, I can confirm this among many train lovers.

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Shout outs to all the train fans out there

[@antoniothegunexpert5955]

Yea

[@ErrolSlovak24]

I remember watching this as a kid.. I remember I tried so hard to build the train in the beginning all summer, but didn't have the right pieces. I'm so glad I came across this video again! :-)

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Glad you remember it!

[@editsxajt4161]

Gosh its been 7 years since i was watching tysm Mermories brings me back

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Thanks for coming back!

[@user-sr9zg1qh1y]

This should get more views it’s a masterpiece I used to watch it when I was like I don’t know like four or five 😢 nostalgia

[@devgame5593]

This just brings back soo many memories from 2016

[@_LLevi_]

I was seven when this came out. Remember watching it and wanting the train from it. This aged really well. Thanks for the nostalgia

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Sure thing

[@_LLevi_]

@@5MadMovieMakers Omg. Thanks for answering. You are a legend for still answering comments.

[@ironnokana6760]

I remember when the youtube was still classic back at 2006, I watched this as kid, with one small lego city fire car, so nostalgia. :3

[@SJRstudios2010]

This hit me so hard with nostalgia, this what inspired me to even start doing stop motion.

[@irmmz1776]

Stace: is it important??? Me: well yes that is the brake!

[@finnbeegee]

i just finally rediscovered this. my entire childhood was this. thank you, sir.

[@5MadMovieMakers]

You're welcome, thanks for checking it out again

[@finnbeegee]

@@5MadMovieMakers no problem man 👍👍

[@True_NOON]

Watched this many years ago, still holds up just as great today , props man 👍🎉

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Thank you!

[@True_NOON]

@@5MadMovieMakers np, u made it that good 😄👍

[@AtkataffTheAlpha]

I remember watching this so much on Safari on my old iPad after I had discovered youtube and this appeared. So happy to see it still up. Nostalgia hits me hard

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Welcome back! Glad you found it again

[@teez46]

i actually remember watching it on my old hp pc when i was like 5 or 6, still have it after i moved too

[@patrickcoleman4311]

I remember watching this when I was like 7 or 8. Back when times were fun without a care in the world

[@alfredogalletti4425]

Beautiful work on the film 5MadMovieMakers you’re the star of making movies

[@Timmyg1249]

I remember watching this when I was 6 so much nostalgia :)

[@ArmandoMan]

That was probably the best stop motion LEGO movie I have ever seen!

[@Queen_Vibri]

Damn, i was 6 when i watched this. Where did the days go.

[@jyoung2574]

This is incredibly impressive for 2011 stop motion.

[@NapoleonBonaparte-of4sl]

This explain my childhood more

[@Ethan-jc2nx]

I watched this like 5 years ago it came on my recommended today and I was like yep I’m going to watch this.

[@DaGoatDefaultVR]

This was my favorite back then

[@ArcadeMan411]

What a nostalgia... Best animation! Thank you for childhood ❤️

[@LEGOziggyakuecheyoutubeyt7550]

Awesome, Lego Stop motion! locomotive. 🚂🚂🚂🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@dominedgar9458]

I would say that he had a lego My Own Train set series. First the Steam Engine was a usual engine in that series, like being in a set that's called My Own Train, and it also comes with a Coal Tender in each set it appears in. And I do think he gave the Engine a new nose. The Blue Passenger Car he used must have came in the set that had the Engine. Then the Green Passenger Car would be from a My Own Train set that shows just that. The Boxcar he used wasn't from the My Own Train set series, but was from a Lego City Cargo Train set. And he probably had that car just laying around. And the Caboose he used was also from the My Own Train set series, that was in a set that's about the Caboose. He probably got it because he would always like a Caboose at the End of a Train. So I would think that when he first saw this series he decided to do something with it. First getting a set with an Engine that also would have Coal Tender and also an Extra Passenger Car. Then Get another Passenger Car from that series to make 2. Then get a Boxcar he had and add it so it would be like it has Passenger and Freight. Then he always can't forget the Caboose and he noticed the series has a Caboose.

[@yemmel9761]

Wow still to this day the animation holds up

[@opticalreality2991]

This video is one of my oldest childhood memories since I was 5

[@poznanskiszybkowiec_official]

Fun Fact: One Of The 1st Underground Line Services Were Hauled By Steam Trains From 1863 to 1906, The 1st Line Using Steam Trains Was The London Metropolitan Railway (Today's Metropolitan Line)

[@filmstudios4832]

This film brings me back when I first saw it and went like...wow...this is amazing

[@RealtorCardozo]

I can’t believe this still exists...

[@Battleshipfan]

i cant believe i still remember this

[@Marcy53Volkswagen]

i remember when i first saw this before i had an acount. you made my childhood

[@5MadMovieMakers]

glad to hear it!

[@jquinc093]

this is amazing, excellent camera movements. I loved the shots of the train going through the dark tunnels with the lights on, very dramatic effect.

[@_casey_idk_]

This video is so nostalgic for me lol

[@jacktmyt378]

This is giving me back memories :)

[@carinha1]

i remember of me wathing this video 9 years ago, congratilations for this amazing video!

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Thanks for remembering it!

[@bramdeheus718]

its still as good as i remember

[@sammyjpeg8322]

I finally remembered this

[@spungbopscarepans]

Beautiful, excellent, it really did deserve to be in first place

[@jacobaldeman1016]

I make ten fps videos, and this one makes mine look like they were made by babies. I love steam trains, and this is the most beautiful video I have ever seen. This video is beyond words. Keep making videos!!!!!!

[@ericjr.4310]

A great time in Lego stop motion history we need more of this nowadays and my own train was a classic but to bad its like 500 dollars when you try to find one on ebay

[@disabledinfernotower2170]

I found this a while ago and I LOVE THIS

[@KoopaMaster]

It's ... wonderful. It looks like one blockbuster , and the end is very sad , but a few happy . I LIKE IT !!!

[@Vinyl_guy]

this is a certified hood classic

[@SethYoderMusic]

Besides good movie quality, I must say that was an excellent way of sharing the love of Christ!

[@willkrondak6444]

Whenever I find a video as good as this, I wonder why it got so many unlikes! ???? no sense of a good story

[@dejulesb974]

This is some how relevant today

[@marymertz1]

I loved to watch this

[@Idkjustgothere]

Will there be a Underground 2 by chance? because this is just the best stop motion iv ever seen in my LIFE

[@5MadMovieMakers]

I plan on making a train-themed stop motion this year, it'll be based on a book that I wrote two years ago called the Miniature Railroad

[@walkerdalton11435]

@@5MadMovieMakers is the book public

[@5MadMovieMakers]

@@walkerdalton11435 yeah www.amazon.com/Miniature-Railroad-Robert-Carlson/dp/0997830115

[@DoodleOnMyRails]

this is awesome we need more stuff like this!

[@ilyquinn]

This is amazing I remember when I first watched this, this is why I build LEGO trains and why I make stop motions your so amazing keep it up

[@thechicagorailfan9234]

For a someone that likes trains and is Christian. Its the best Lego film and I've watched this when I was around 8, 6 years ago

[@Mrinternet6]

Bro, this was my childhood

[@leejoey3287]

At 4:51 Stacy found out the brakes dropped off from the caboose!😮😮😮

[@burningjdm]

Still looks stunning

[@teez46]

yooo i loved this sm

[@brickcraftproductions3065]

I remember watching this Long ago, amazing I was able to find it again

[@UNIVERSE_X_STUDIOS]

Very nice job!! The cinematography and lighting is very good! You really made every shot count! :D

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Thanks!

[@warriorpredator1285]

Now I really want to buy that steam train and those cars

[@Mythic2099]

Wow 9 years ago huh I’m not sure if I seen this video on release but I do recall seeing it and it just shocked me I think right here is where my stop motion dream got sparked I came back for the nostalgia and to this day it’s still the greatest animation I’ve seen thanks for making this and hope your doing alright 💯

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Glad you remember this video! I'm doing quite well myself, just got married

[@The_NW_EngineYT]

While some of this is a little out of the range of possibility (an entire locomotive in 3 days???) It still brings back good memories.

[@gageblymyer6552]

This is awesome!

[@andrket931]

Fascinating work! I've sheded a tear in the end. Thank you for this beautiful stop-motion!

[@5MadMovieMakers]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@shrambostudios]

I don't know what to say. I don't think I can find the words to describe how great this was.

[@SIMPLE-DASHY]

🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲 it's a masterpiece

[@prathmeshshinde8th-b247]

Loved your video. Love from India. 🇮🇳🇮🇳😘

[@leteziaedwards5445]

3:21 Many hours, and seconds and days later, Tim... Finished.

[@ArinGokdemir]

These guys seem to have retained all of their childhood dreams and interests! Really cool

[@andreworders7305]

Interesting world-building. Pun not intended.

[@johnnations]

FANTASTIC! great smooth motion, camera angles, sound effects, and special effects (love the welding!) When the dispatcher guy hands the briefcase to Timothy, that is such great fluid animation, looking so real. Also: I wish I had a Lego train. You must have worked hard to set everything up. It paid off! Way to go.

[@woodstock0779]

Wow,this is really awesome man

[@LT-Films]

Wow, this is the best lego film i've ever watched!!

[@wefful97]

I don't see how this video would get a single dislike, that is to say that almost 1/5 of people did. This is an amazing animation that probably took ALOT of hours to produce for someone's free enjoyment. Yes maybe the 'outside world' wasn't explained to well as it's an original concept however it's left for the viewer to comprehend. Leaves room for imagination. Great work and an outstanding video!

[@dayunitalestari1423]

Kkkm zP

[@arturoarriaga8353]

uun.k

[@brandonlantz6098]

terthhn. m

[@Build-It-Bray]

I love this video

[@jamcamrailfanning]

Lol I just remembered about this and was like what heck let me watch it

[@ajstevens1652]

Great video! The animations were really good quality, and I loved how you could see the moral of the story at the end.

[@itscanaan]

you know... I was amazed of the video and the stop motion. Then when I saw it was about the Biblr and God really blew my mind. Thank you so much. You made my day. Here is a like... 👍

[@Railfan242]

Good short film. My son, who is obsessed with Legos and trains, loves it too.

[@CalebsCoasters]

What a great job

[@Din9r_]

I remember watching this when I was a kid I was so jealous but amazed it was the best stop motion ever in history (my opinion)

[@lucianavargas7651]

Cool 2 guys Friends ö

[@noobland3601]

ikr

[@thenathanator4890]

Me to I did the same thing good old memories

[@marcrieke]

Cool 2 guys Friends qqweeseevbnnmssdxffgnnmm,..bjb

[@skyb6871]

You are so awesome man

[@user-px9hk1yh8j]

0:31 This Guy is So Disrespectfull, He Didn't Say "Please" After

[@keenwy5061]

I still remember watching this when I was 3 now I'm 11 years old

[@danielmendoza355]

This Lego Underground train Stop Motion Film reminds me of My Own Lego CSX Train for the future that i am planning to build the Diesel Locomotive will be a GE GEVO Diesel Locomotive in the CSX Lifesaver paint scheme!

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Sounds cool!

[@edwardrain8940]

It must definitely be one of the coolest films I've ever seen !

[@RedOnyxProductions]

Wow, there were a few technical problems here and there, but the main thing is the plot and message, and you hit it out of the park. Great work.

[@PersianMonkeyStudios]

I LOVE this video! great stop-motion! this is by far one of the best/most christain-based message'd movie in lego. not so skippy, good message, and it is awesome! good job!

[@UberchaunicoAnimation]

That was really awesome! Way to go!

[@edgam3934]

Very very good 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@aussiegamingproductions9251]

One of my favorites :D

[@TylerHolender]

This is one of the best and most entertaining lego animations I have ever seen, great job!

[@SwiftGearheart24]

From one Christian to another-GREAT JOB! Awesome short film! I'm a big train buff and I love making stop motion films, so this was right up my alley. Thanks for doing this! By the way, what train set is that?