I began learning what it’s like to be a contestant on LEGO Masters and beyond when I interviewed Jason and Rachel DeVries who competed on LEGO Masters New Zealand. However, LEGO Masters is not exclusive to one region. In fact, the competition is held in many different countries. Part of my goal in figuring out what life as a LEGO Master is like is learning the differences between the shows, be it LEGO Masters Australia or LEGO Masters UK.
l-r: mel brown & jermaine gardner, source – legomasters
In this installment of Life After LEGO Masters, I had the opportunity to speak with Mel Brown, a contestant on season 1 of LEGO Masters USA (2020), and winner of LEGO Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular in 2022. Mel is a former police officer, a father, grandfather and current president of Maryland’s Charm City Lug. Mel continues to be a public figure in the LEGO community with his Iceberg Bricks channel on YouTube and his Pardon the Brickruption podcast.
Mel Brown & Leslie Jordan on the set of LEGO Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular – Source: Mel Brown
Mel and Leslie won the trophy on LEGO Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular – Source: Mel Brown
I sat down with Mel for a quick chat.
A Solid Brick-Built Foundation
Melissa: Let’s start from the beginning. What was the defining moment that got you into LEGO?
MB: Ah, that famous question. I was 38. I never had a dark stage, I just started very late. It was because of my grandson who was four at that time. We went to see The LEGO Batman Movie and jumped right into the hobby.
Mel and his grandson watching The LEGO Batman Movie – Source: Mel Brown
70905 was the first set Mel and his grandson ever built – Source: Mel brown
Melissa: What a great story! Do you remember the first set you and your grandson built together? Was it, by chance, a Batman set?
MB: It was! He wanted the Speed Wagon LEGO set. We built the set together after watching the movie.
Melissa: What influenced you to apply to be a contestant on LEGO Masters? Did you consider yourself a serious or casual AFOL when you applied?
MB: I decided to apply while watching LEGO Masters Australia, seeing the thrill of competition in the hobby, and the wonderful creations that lead to endless possibilities. I was a serious builder at the time, but I was still brand new. I had already displayed at several conventions and I was a LUG member.
source: thebrickman.com
Melissa: You mention fan conventions. Which conventions have you visited?
MB: I’ve been fortunate to have done a lot of them. Let’s see, Bricks Cascade, BrickFair Virginia, Brickworld Chicago, BrickSlopes, and Brick Convention.
Melissa: I know you appeared on Buddy vs Christmas after LEGO Masters. Did being on one show help to get you on the other?
MB: Yes, I was on Buddy vs Christmas after the LEGO Masters. It was to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation on behalf of Corey and Travis from LEGO Masters Season 1 and I think it helped.
L-R: Mel Brown, Travis Samuels, Jermaine Gardner, Buddy Valastro, Corey Samuels, Manny Garcia. The LEGO Masters who competed on Buddy vs Christmas raised $5000 which they donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation – Source: Getintobuilding.com
Ultrabot was created on Episode 3 of Buddy vs Christmas by LEGO Masters Contestants – Source: Mel Brown
Melissa: Did being on LEGO Masters change your goals?
MB: I believe that it did. I am involved in the community and hobby differently. Opportunities have opened up. My goals have changed from being the typical AFOL to making non-AFOLs aware of this awesome LEGO community. I feel like a LEGO Ambassador. I feel like it is my duty to tell other people about this wonderful thing called LEGO.
Melissa: Did you change careers after the show ended?
MB: I changed careers inadvertently. Due to an injury at work, I was made to retire from law enforcement early. LEGO and my love for the community enabled me to work with the local boys and girls club and teach LEGO stem to the youth.
Melissa: Did you take building even more seriously after the show?
MB: I believe I have. Each LEGO creation that I craft has become more evolved than the last. I am learning to be a better student of brick building. As artists, we are always chasing that next best creation.
Opportunity is Knocking
Melissa: Can you share any projects that came your way as a result of being on the show?
MB: Yes, Jermaine and I took on a LEGO commission after the show for the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington DC. The project was to make a large statue of a commemorative coin that the organization produces every year. The project was five feet in diameter, had 90,000 LEGO elements, weighed 500 pounds, and took us approximately two weeks to make.
This commemorative coin was a commission the duo created for the NLEOMF – Source: Mel Brown
This commissioned coin built with LEGO bricks resides at the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum – Source: Mel Brown
This commissioned coin built with LEGO bricks resides at the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum – Source: Mel Brown
The LEGO Group also reached out to collaborate with me for a community outreach project. The project titled Build Your Story reaches out to black and brown families across the US. This initiative is to introduce the creative to this part of the community. I was able to create easy and buildable models for inspiration for the selected families who got to showcase their creations in a gallery.
Build Your Story – Source: Mel Brown
Mel Brown at a Build Your Story event – Source: Mel Brown
Artwork to promote Build Your Story – Source: Mel Brown
Melissa: What’s been the most unexpected or exciting thing that happened to you because of LEGO Masters?
MB: I got to meet Leslie Jordan and catch up with Boone again on the LEGO Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular show. Getting to build LEGO with Leslie was an absolute joy. Every day on the set he would be so cheerful. He made it easy to build great creations during the show.
Melissa: Do you get recognized frequently as a result of being on LEGO Masters?
MB: I do, at LEGO conventions, but seldom in the LEGO store. I think LEGO Masters fans look for the new faces from the show. Which they should, there have been many great seasons of talented builders after season 1.
Melissa: How do you think your time on LEGO Masters has influenced the way you see yourself as a builder or creator?
MB: Well my time on LEGO Masters helped push me to take the art of building with brick just a bit seriously. I love the thrill of competing and pushing my building knowledge to become a better builder each time.
L-R: top row: mark, boone, travis, corey, tyler, amy, aaron. christian. bottom row: mel, jermaine, amie, krystle, flynn, richard, manny, nestor, sam, jessica, kara, jessie – Source: Lego.com
Melissa: Looking back, what advice would you give to future contestants or aspiring LEGO builders who dream of following in your footsteps?
MB: I would tell them to go for it, whatever you wish to do within the hobby and community just put your best foot forward and don’t look back.
If you are interested in seeing Mel’s work, he can be found on Instagram and YouTube.
Do you have a favorite build challenge from a LEGO Masters episode? Why did it inspire you?
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