Studio Update: Software Failures, Sobek-Ra Ready for his Close-up, Filming Six Movies at Once, and More Shenanigans.

 By: Andrew Bermudez

(Mustache Maniacs Film Co. Headquarters; August 19, 2020)

    There's been a lot going on at the studio recently, including some crippling issues and steps forward. Read on to see what we've been up to.

Software Failure: Post-Production Work On Hold

    Earlier this week, some of our studio technicians were called in to check on a possible software issue related to the functionality of the installed programs. What they discovered was that most of our programs are not running (i.e., they're not launching at all), which is an issue that is currently being addressed. Based on IT's analysis, they have said that the programs are not running either because one of the executable files is not properly located on the computer, or because it's 2020. Due to this, post-production work is on hold, though not much post-production work was underway at the time of the software failure. Bear in mind that the computers themselves are running properly, which were even just updated with no foreseen issues.

08/30/2020 Update: Some issues have been resolved, but others have occurred. We believe we know the root cause and are currently working on them. However, this does mean that many of our projects are on hold. Principal Photography for our on-going projects has not been affected.

Animatronic Sobek-Ra Begins Testing!

    When we gave a first look at Patrick: The Movie back in March 2019, one of the things mentioned was that the obscure LEGO Pharaoh's Quest character Sobek-Ra was going to be featured in the film with an overhauled look. Later that September, we showed off this piece of concept art, which showed off the statue's approved appearance. Now, we can safely say that the full-body animatronic version of this character has completed construction and is undergoing testing for its scene in the film. We don't have any photos of the completed character, but we must say that it's impressive! The film's director, Barry Hollows, was especially pleased. "I'm so glad that Mustache Maniacs Film Co. and LEGO Studios were able to fit this massive animatronic into the film's budget," said Barry. "While I wasn't able to get my full-fledged city set for Zombie: Genesis, this more than makes up for it, as well as ensures that this film uses no CGI. Just standing in front of the giant head is enough to assure me that this will be the best origin story movie ever made!" Patrick: The Movie has no set release date, but is aiming for a late 2020 release.

Heat Wave Passing Allows Schedule for Six Films in Production to Commence!

    In Southern California, we've had a massive heat wave over the past weekend, and then some. Well, now that it's over, we are ready to move forward with a recently-drafted plan to film six films at (mostly) the same time! In theory, the proposition sounds completely nuts, especially considering how small our production facilities are, but we have a way to clear out several sets for filming in Project U, as well as officially complete production on Patrick: The Movie! Here's our production schedule for the next few weeks.

1. Alpha Team HQ Briefing Room (Alpha Team: Mission Deep City; Legends of the Universe)
2. Pyramid Corridor (Patrick: The Movie)
   
3. Desert Dunes (Patrick: The Movie)
4. Bluebell Mine (A Future in the Past; Alpha Team: Mission Deep City)
5. Alpine Oil Refinery (Patrick: The Movie; Mysteries of the Arctic)
6. LEGO City Museum Exhibit Hall (A Future in the Past; Alpha Team: Mission Deep City)
7. Mistden Capitol Street & Henchman Bar (Patrick: The Movie; Johnny Thunder and the Wonders Beneath the Waves)

Across these seven sets (selected in this order to maximize efficiency), we'll finish Patrick: The Movie, push A Future in the Past forward, and officially start principal photography on both Johnny Thunder and the Wonders Beneath the Waves and Mysteries of the Arctic!

Studio Construction Update: Opening Delayed to 2021

    However, we have some bad news for our production teams. Due to the pandemic and other delays, the new LEGO Studios Campus has been pushed back to 2021 for its official opening. We have some time to go before we can get the facilities in working condition, so this move was in everyone's best interests. Due to this, the start of principal photography for Johnny Thunder and the Secret of Marco Polo: The Adventure Retold has also been pushed back to 2021.

Re-Writes for Project U Just About Done!

    Earlier this year, we started re-evaluating the scripts for the remaining Project U films and making subsequent re-writes, including one to ensure that Legends of the Universe will take the record held by The Wars of Darkness for the longest brickfilm ever created. We're now almost done with that, with only one script left that's in need of attention: Mysteries of the Arctic. "The script stands out from the rest of Project U for one reason: it sucks," said LEGO Studios CEO Mark Matthew. "When I was reading it, I didn't know who was who, everyone was either stiff-lipped or kept on calling everyone 'dude,' and too many ideas were clashing with one another, feeling redundant. Ultimately, it felt pointless, but this film literally ends with the beginning of Legends of the Universe, so it has to stay. We're currently working on a complete re-write that'll streamline the film and make the scenes work." The re-writes that affect the above schedule are completed, and full re-writing is expected to be completed in September.

Lead Out

    Well, there you have it: our studio woes, trials, and tribulations. With a schedule like this, though, we've got a lot on our plate!

    Don't forget that we're looking for people for our currently-forming story team! If you're interested, take a look at this press release for more information.