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Home › News & Events › News › Liam Mohajeri Norris to compete on LEGO MASTERS Season 3

Liam Mohajeri Norris to compete on LEGO MASTERS Season 3

September 15, 2022
First-year student Liam Mohajeri Norris and his mother Emily work on a challenge while competing on season three of “LEGO Masters.”
FOX

Brick by brick, Liam Mohajeri Norris, a first-year University of Arizona student, has been building a following with his Lego creations. After years of sharing his work on social media, he has earned the opportunity to build for his largest audience to date – as a contestant on season three of the FOX competition series “LEGO Masters.”

Mohajeri Norris, a student in the School of Theatre, Film and Television, says the show was an incredible experience that forced him to leave his Lego comfort zone.

“Not only are you building under a timer, but you also have to build these really large, beautiful models that will look good on TV,” he said. “That’s very different than what I and most Lego builders usually build.”

Mohajeri Norris is also making history on the show. He and his mother, Emily Mohajeri Norris, are the first mother-son team to appear in the competition.

“As his mother, I was the natural provider of Lego sets and his sounding board,” she said. “I am his ‘ooh and ahh’ team.”

The next level of building

“LEGO Masters” features 12 two-person teams taking on ambitious brick-building challenges, with the winning team receiving the ultimate LEGO trophy, a cash prize of $100,000 and the grand title of LEGO MASTERS. Challenges from previous seasons have called on teams to create anything from sea creatures to theme park rides.

Liam and Emily Mohajeri Norris standing at the lego masters studio
The mother-son team said the “LEGO Masters” studio features a huge brick pit with over 5 million LEGO pieces and a wall with more than 4,000 minifigures.FOX

Emily Mohajeri Norris said the “LEGO Masters” studio in Atlanta is a builder’s dream come true, from giant lights shaped like Lego bricks to a wall display of 4,000 Lego minifigures.

“It’s such a joy,” she said. “There’s this amazing brick pit with over 5 million pieces and 3,300 different kinds of bricks. It’s amazing to have this gorgeous display of Legos at your fingertips.”

Most Lego builds are only seen by the builder and maybe a small group of family and friends. On “LEGO Masters,” Liam Mohajeri Norris said, he and his mother had to scale up their ideas to wow a national audience and impress the judges.

“On TV, our builds need to be big and recognizable from across the room,” he said. “There is a balcony that the judges stand on. They need to be able to know what your build is while seeing it from the balcony. You have to be able to convey the story through an instantly recognizable build.”

 

Video by Arlene Islas, University Communications

Building on a hobby

Like many children, Liam Mohajeri Norris began building with Lego sets at an early age. As he grew older, his interest in the hobby continued.

“When I was about 13 years old, I started a Lego design club for the kids in the community and I started participating in LEGO Ideas, where you can submit projects that could get made into actual sets if they get enough supporters,” he said.

large lion made of LEGO bricks
This picture of a 5,000-piece original build titled “Spirit Lion,” which Liam Mohajeri Norris posted on social media, is what first caught the attention of “LEGO Masters” casting agents. Emily Mohajeri Norris

Liam Mohajeri Norris is channeling his creativity into his time at the university as well. As an aspiring screenwriter and director, he says his time on “LEGO Masters” was incredibly valuable.

“I talked to every producer and director I could,” he said. “I learned a lot about presenting on camera, how to advertise, and how to network and connect. These are important in film and television, but also as general life skills.”

While Liam Mohajeri Norris continues his journey at the university, his Lego work shows no signs of slowing down. He will continue to produce building and tutorial videos for his YouTube page and will be part of a “LEGO Masters” reunion at the BrickCon Lego convention and exhibition in Seattle next month. In addition, he has a proposal currently being considered on LEGO Ideas: a posable figure of Link, the hero of the video game “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” If the project gets 10,000 supporters, it will be reviewed by experts for the possibility of becoming an official Lego set.

Even with the national exposure on “LEGO Masters” as he builds his brand, Liam Mohajeri Norris says he ultimately enjoys his hobby for the same reasons he did the first time he picked up a brick at 6 years old.

“Lego requires problem solving,” he said. “It’s relaxing and helps me reset.”

Season three of “LEGO Masters,” hosted by actor and comedian Will Arnett, premieres Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. You can stream previous seasons on Hulu.

Featured originally published on UANews.

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The Laramie Project opens in the Tornabene Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 12. The deeply moving production delves into the aftermath of the 1998 murder of university student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. Drawn from real interviews with Laramie’s residents, the play is a portrait of a regular American town challenged to confront itself.

“We grew up in a very divisive world ... and I think that one of the questions that we have to ask ourselves is ‘how did we get here?’” says cast member Isabella Santoni. “The Laramie Project ... helps, at least me, start to get a better handle on how we got here today, and I think that’s also what makes the play so continually relevant.” Isabella joined fellow cast members Leland Ho and Taylor Swingle and director Greg Pierotti in a recent interview about the play for KCRB Outbeat Radio in California. Listen to the full interview: www.outbeatnews.com/show-notes-news/.

‘The Laramie Project’ will run from Oct. 7 - 22 in the Tornabene Theatre. Visit theatre.arizona.edu for tickets, more information on the production, and a special Oct. 19 companion event featuring Matthew Shepard’s parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard.

FREE TICKETS to this production are available for all college and high school students. For details, visit azart.fyi/freetftvtix.

Rehearsal photos by Tim Fuller.
... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
The Laramie Project opens in the Tornabene Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 12. The deeply moving production delves into the aftermath of the 1998 murder of university student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. Drawn from real interviews with Laramie’s residents, the play is a portrait of a regular American town challenged to confront itself.

“We grew up in a very divisive world ... and I think that one of the questions that we have to ask ourselves is ‘how did we get here?’” says cast member Isabella Santoni. “The Laramie Project ... helps, at least me, start to get a better handle on how we got here today, and I think that’s also what makes the play so continually relevant.” Isabella joined fellow cast members Leland Ho and Taylor Swingle and director Greg Pierotti in a recent interview about the play for KCRB Outbeat Radio in California. Listen to the full interview: https://www.outbeatnews.com/show-notes-news/. 

‘The Laramie Project’ will run from Oct. 7 - 22 in the Tornabene Theatre. Visit theatre.arizona.edu for tickets, more information on the production, and a special Oct. 19 companion event featuring Matthew Shepard’s parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard.

FREE TICKETS to this production are available for all college and high school students. For details, visit azart.fyi/freetftvtix.

Rehearsal photos by Tim Fuller.Image attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment
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We can’t wait!

As a cast member of a former production of The Laramie Project, this is a powerful work and incredibly relevant.

School of Theatre, Film & Television's Professor Beverly Seckinger recently sat down with KXCI Community Radio to discuss the 30th anniversary of Lesbian Looks, the venerable showcase presenting cutting edge features, shorts, documentaries, experimental films, and new media works.

Seckinger has directed Lesbian Looks since 1993. It was the first public screening program of the fledgling Institute for LGBT Studies at the University of Arizona, and since then Lesbian Looks has presented over 250 films to audiences drawn from campus and the Tucson community. Lesbian Looks also features panel discussions on topics ranging from breast cancer to homeless youth to Israeli-Palestinian politics, LGBTQ refugee resettlement, trans identity, borders and immigration, and queer history.

"It's been so interesting watching the LGBTQ+ movement evolve over the years" Seckinger reflects. "When we began Lesbian Looks thirty years ago, there was very little media made by and for this audience - there were the occasional 'special episodes' on television shows like LA Law, Designing Women and The Golden Girls, and only about a dozen feature films. So from our first event, Lesbian Looks was a film screening that was also a grass roots community-building event. It's still that. Over time, everything has changed enormously. Films have become more accessible and diverse, and the subject matter has grown from your basic coming out story to every other kind of subject matter imaginable."

To kick off anniversary celebrations, Lesbian Looks will present a screening of Alexandria Bombach's It’s Only Life After All on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7pm at The Loft Cinema. The screening, a love letter to the massively beloved folk-rock duo Indigo Girls, will be free to attend. More information is available here: lesbianlooks.org/its-only-life-after-all

You can also listen to the full interview at KXCI: kxci.org/podcast/beverly-seckinger/
... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
School of Theatre, Film & Televisions Professor Beverly Seckinger recently sat down with KXCI Community Radio to discuss the 30th anniversary of Lesbian Looks, the venerable showcase presenting cutting edge features, shorts, documentaries, experimental films, and new media works.  

Seckinger has directed Lesbian Looks since 1993. It was the first public screening program of the fledgling Institute for LGBT Studies at the University of Arizona, and since then Lesbian Looks has presented over 250 films to audiences drawn from campus and the Tucson community. Lesbian Looks also features panel discussions on topics ranging from breast cancer to homeless youth to Israeli-Palestinian politics, LGBTQ refugee resettlement, trans identity, borders and immigration, and queer history.

Its been so interesting watching the LGBTQ+ movement evolve over the years Seckinger reflects. When we began Lesbian Looks thirty years ago, there was very little media made by and for this audience - there were the occasional special episodes on television shows like LA Law, Designing Women and The Golden Girls, and only about a dozen feature films. So from our first event, Lesbian Looks was a film screening that was also a grass roots community-building event. Its still that. Over time, everything has changed enormously. Films have become more accessible and diverse, and the subject matter has grown from your basic coming out story to every other kind of subject matter imaginable.

To kick off anniversary celebrations, Lesbian Looks will present a screening of Alexandria Bombachs It’s Only Life After All on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7pm at The Loft Cinema. The screening, a love letter to the massively beloved folk-rock duo Indigo Girls, will be free to attend. More information is available here: lesbianlooks.org/its-only-life-after-all

You can also listen to the full interview at KXCI: https://kxci.org/podcast/beverly-seckinger/
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Prof. Beverly Seckinger makes an announcement before a Lesbian Looks screening. From an Arizona Daily Wildcat feature circa 2000. Photo by Amy Bohme.

Congrats on an incredible run!!

congrats! 👏👏👏

Monika Treut Su Friedrich Megan Rossman Michelle Memran Michelle Citron Sandra Schulberg Jan Oxenberg Jen Gilomen Greta Schiller LeAnn Erickson Sheila SchroederC Melinda Matney Levin Jean Carlomusto Esther Newton Liz Kennedy Janet Jakobsen Lidia Szajko Kate Stilley Steiner Barbara Hammer lesbianlooks.org/

🌟 Congratulations, Babacar! 🌟The 2023 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards took place this weekend, and Babacar Ba (BFA Acting, '24) collected the award in the category of Outstanding College Talent Performer, marking a first-time Acting win for the University of Arizona!

Ba was awarded for his leading role in DESERTED, the short film directed and co-written by Ryan Ramsey (BFA Film & Television, '23) and produced by Kaila Hines (BA Film & Television, '23). DESERTED debuted earlier this year at I Dream in Widescreen, where Ba's portrayal of a rock climber fighting for his life earned the Monte Ralstin Award for Excellence in Acting.

Also present at the awards ceremony were Film & Television Production students Rene Marcelle and Fiona Paskoff, nominated in the category of College Fiction Short Form for their dark comedy OPENING NIGHT. Joining them were their film's costumer/make-up artist Rachel McClemons (BA Film & Television '24) and BTS photographer Kat Kones (BFA Film & Television ‘24).

"First of all it’s just an honor to even be nominated by the NATAS," said Babacar. "I want to once again give a huge shout out to Ryan and Kaila for the opportunity to be part of their spectacular film DESERTED! As for the awards ceremony itself, the energy at the Tempe Center for the Arts was so amazing! Everyone was so passionate and excited to be there. I was very happy to represent UA School of Theatre, Film & Television alongside my fellow nominees Rene and Fiona. This award is truly an honor and l want to again thank the Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards."
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2 weeks ago
🌟 Congratulations, Babacar! 🌟The 2023 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards took place this weekend, and Babacar Ba (BFA Acting, 24) collected the award in the category of Outstanding College Talent Performer, marking a first-time Acting win for the University of Arizona!
 
Ba was awarded for his leading role in DESERTED, the short film directed and co-written by Ryan Ramsey (BFA Film & Television, 23) and produced by Kaila Hines (BA Film & Television, 23). DESERTED debuted earlier this year at I Dream in Widescreen, where Bas portrayal of a rock climber fighting for his life earned the Monte Ralstin Award for Excellence in Acting.  
 
Also present at the awards ceremony were Film & Television Production students Rene Marcelle and Fiona Paskoff, nominated in the category of College Fiction Short Form for their dark comedy OPENING NIGHT. Joining them were their films costumer/make-up artist Rachel McClemons (BA Film & Television 24) and BTS photographer Kat Kones (BFA Film & Television ‘24). 
 
First of all it’s just an honor to even be nominated by the NATAS, said Babacar. I want to once again give a huge shout out to Ryan and Kaila for the opportunity to be part of their spectacular film DESERTED! As for the awards ceremony itself, the energy at the Tempe Center for the Arts was so amazing! Everyone was so passionate and excited to be there. I was very happy to represent UA School of Theatre, Film & Television alongside my fellow nominees Rene and Fiona. This award is truly an honor and l want to again thank the Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards.Image attachmentImage attachment
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So amazing!!!! Congrats!!!

Congratulations 👏👏👏

Excellent! So proud!

Couldn’t be more proud!! Congrats Babs!! ❤️⭐️⭐️

This week Asst. Prof. Greg Pierotti and Acting students Ray Cuevas (BFA, '24) and Lily Wilson (BFA, '25) discussed 'The Laramie Project' for a BroadwayWorld story.

TFTV's production will mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, the university student whose murder in Laramie, Wyoming, became one of the highest-profile hate crimes of its time.

Pierotti, co-author and an original cast member of 'The Laramie Project,' will direct the play. "I pitched this play because it’s the 25th memorialization of Matt’s death," says Pierotti, "and between the time I pitched it and now, the onslaught of anti-trans legislation has come out across the world. It’s a political agenda because people don’t understand Trans. It’s a great way to stoke fear and anxiety in people. So you can see this kind of national approach to legislating that exists to stoke fear of 'the other' and of somebody who’s different. Suddenly, I feel like this play is back on the map. It couldn’t be a better time to be doing this play."

Read the full interview, including Lily and Ray's reactions on first reading the script, here: tftv.arizona.edu/news/prof-greg-pierotti-and-students-ray-cuevas-and-lily-wilson-talk-the-laramie....

The Laramie Project will run from Oct. 7 - 22, 2023 in the Tornabene Theatre. Visit theatre.arizona.edu for tickets, more information on the production, and a special companion event featuring Matthew Shepard's parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard.
... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago
This week Asst. Prof. Greg Pierotti and Acting students Ray Cuevas (BFA, 24) and Lily Wilson (BFA, 25) discussed The Laramie Project for a BroadwayWorld story.

TFTVs production will mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, the university student whose murder in Laramie, Wyoming, became one of the highest-profile hate crimes of its time. 

Pierotti, co-author and an original cast member of The Laramie Project, will direct the play. I pitched this play because it’s the 25th memorialization of Matt’s death, says Pierotti, and between the time I pitched it and now, the onslaught of anti-trans legislation has come out across the world. It’s a political agenda because people don’t understand Trans. It’s a great way to stoke fear and anxiety in people. So you can see this kind of national approach to legislating that exists to stoke fear of the other and of somebody who’s different. Suddenly, I feel like this play is back on the map. It couldn’t be a better time to be doing this play.

Read the full interview, including Lily and Rays reactions on first reading the script, here: https://tftv.arizona.edu/news/prof-greg-pierotti-and-students-ray-cuevas-and-lily-wilson-talk-the-laramie-project-with-broadway-world/.

The Laramie Project will run from Oct. 7 - 22, 2023 in the Tornabene Theatre. Visit theatre.arizona.edu for tickets, more information on the production, and a special companion event featuring Matthew Shepards parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard.
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🎟✨ ON SALE NOW

Single tickets for all of our 2023/24 Theatre Season performances are now on sale!

• The Laramie Project: Oct.7 - 22, 2023
• The Thanksgiving Play: Oct. 8 - 22, 2023
• Jesus Christ Superstar: Nov. 12 - Dec. 3, 2023
• Sweeney Todd: Feb. 25 to Mar. 17, 2024
• New Directions Festival: Mar. 21 - 31, 2024
• Argonautika: Mar. 24 - Apr. 7, 2024
• Much Ado About Nothing: April 14 - 28, 2024

Get your tickets at tickets.arizona.edu! Subscriptions for the season will remain available throughout the year.

Are you a student? You get in for free! We're excited to announce that we will offer free student tickets on a first come, first serve basis on the day of each performance for all of the above theatre productions. More info is available at azart.fyi/freetftvtix.

We can't wait to see you at a show!
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1 month ago
🎟✨ ON SALE NOW

Single tickets for all of our 2023/24 Theatre Season performances are now on sale!

• The Laramie Project: Oct.7 - 22, 2023
• The Thanksgiving Play: Oct. 8 - 22, 2023
• Jesus Christ Superstar: Nov. 12 - Dec. 3, 2023
• Sweeney Todd: Feb. 25 to Mar. 17, 2024
• New Directions Festival: Mar. 21 - 31, 2024
• Argonautika: Mar. 24 - Apr. 7, 2024
• Much Ado About Nothing: April 14 - 28, 2024

Get your tickets at tickets.arizona.edu! Subscriptions for the season will remain available throughout the year.

Are you a student? You get in for free! Were excited to announce that we will offer free student tickets on a first come, first serve basis on the day of each performance for all of the above theatre productions. More info is available at azart.fyi/freetftvtix. 

We cant wait to see you at a show!Image attachment
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We're thrilled to share that Rene Marcelle and Fiona Paskoff have been nominated for the 2023 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards for OPENING NIGHT! Their hilarious film, which debuted at Magic Hour last spring, is nominated in the category of College Fiction - Short Form.

Written and directed by Marcelle (BFA Film & Television), with direction and cinematography by Paskoff (BFA Film & Television), the film follows an ego-driven actor who teams up with a neurotic stagehand after a body is found backstage on the opening night of their musical. The film stars TFTV talent Alex Simpson (BFA Acting), Lisitte Mora (BA Theatre Arts) and Haiden Pederson (BFA Musical Theatre).

"We’re so honored our dark comedy is nominated for the NATAS award," said Marcelle and Paskoff. "It's our love letter to bad musicals, terrible people, and even worse Boston accents. We want to thank our cast and crew for all of their hard work, and the team at Centennial Hall for giving us the opportunity to bring our film to life!"

The awards will be announced at a ceremony in September. Congratulations to Rene and Fiona and the entire OPENING NIGHT team!
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Were thrilled to share that Rene Marcelle and Fiona Paskoff have been nominated for the 2023 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards for OPENING NIGHT! Their hilarious film, which debuted at Magic Hour last spring, is nominated in the category of College Fiction - Short Form.

Written and directed by Marcelle (BFA Film & Television), with direction and cinematography by Paskoff (BFA Film & Television), the film follows an ego-driven actor who teams up with a neurotic stagehand after a body is found backstage on the opening night of their musical. The film stars TFTV talent Alex Simpson (BFA Acting), Lisitte Mora (BA Theatre Arts) and Haiden Pederson (BFA Musical Theatre).

We’re so honored our dark comedy is nominated for the NATAS award, said Marcelle and Paskoff. Its our love letter to bad musicals, terrible people, and even worse Boston accents. We want to thank our cast and crew for all of their hard work, and the team at Centennial Hall for giving us the opportunity to bring our film to life!

The awards will be announced at a ceremony in September. Congratulations to Rene and Fiona and the entire OPENING NIGHT team!Image attachmentImage attachment
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