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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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CASTING CALL: Does your dog want to be a star?

We are searching for a small-medium sized well-trained dog to play Bruiser Woods in our upcoming production of LEGALLY BLONDE.

The show dates will be October 2-16 with rehearsals beginning in September (more details to follow).

If interested please contact Christie Kerr (Director) for more information: ckerr1@arizona.edu or 520-621-1324.
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6 months ago
CASTING CALL: Does your dog want to be a star?

We are searching for a small-medium sized well-trained dog to play Bruiser Woods in our upcoming production of LEGALLY BLONDE.

The show dates will be October 2-16 with rehearsals beginning in September (more details to follow).

If interested please contact Christie Kerr (Director) for more information: ckerr1@arizona.edu or 520-621-1324.
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Margie Perry!

Lisa

This weekend TREASURES BENEATH MY TREE, the senior thesis film directed by TFTV alum Alexandra Cerna ('21), screened at Comic-Con International as part of the 18th annual San Diego Children’s Film Festival. Alexandra travelled to the world-famous convention to take part in a festival panel - watch an excerpt below!

TREASURES BENEATH MY TREE has now been officially selected by nearly a dozen film festivals. Additionally, on being awarded “Best of the Fest” at the Children's Film Festival Seattle, Cerna’s film is part of the Festival’s traveling film series currently screening in cinemas around the country. Next, the film will make its European debut at Festival FILMAR en América Latina, Switzerland’s premiere festival dedicated to Latin American cinema, and Festival Ciné Junior, the biggest youth film festival in France with an annual audience of 45,000.

“I am so grateful for the success of my film nationally and internationally, and it would not be possible without TFTV's Advancement Director Kerryn Negus.” says Cerna. “She developed a film festival entry strategy tailored specifically for my film and has been mentoring me for months, encouraging me to set high standards when it comes to marketing myself and my work. I am very proud of everyone involved with 'Treasures Beneath My Tree,' and excited for its upcoming European premiere in November!"
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6 months ago
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✨ 2022/23 Theatre Season Announcement ✨

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is excited to announce our 2022/23 theatre season. A mythologically inspired play, two award-winning musicals, a world-premiere production of visual theatre, and the ultimate love story all feature in the 2022/23 theatre season. Starting October 2022, we invite you to join us on campus to be among the first to discover the next generation of outstanding theatre makers.

Hailed by Broadway World as “a stellar program to rival some of the nation’s most reputable institutions,” the UA Arizona Repertory Theatre, led by Artistic Director Hank Stratton and comprising students in the University of Arizona: Acting/Musical Theatre, presents LEGALLY BLONDE, POLAROID STORIES, HEAD OVER HEELS and ROMEO & JULIET. The Next Performance Collective, a program of the School’s BA Theatre Studies division, will present the balance of the season with two original productions: VAUD and the second annual NEW DIRECTIONS FESTIVAL. All productions are supported by students in the UA School of Theatre, Film, and Television Design & Technical Production program.

“I am excited to welcome audiences to campus for a season that blends exciting new devised work with beloved classics of love and longing, contemporary stories of resilience and triumph, and buoyant musicals that will inspire joy at a time when our community needs it the most,” said Dr. Brant Pope, the School’s new Interim Director.

Subscription packages for TFTV’s new theatre season are now on sale in-person at the Arizona Arts Box Office, and by mail, phone, or online. Individual tickets will be available from August 23.

Get your subscription here: am.ticketmaster.com/uacfa/buy
... See MoreSee Less

7 months ago
✨ 2022/23 Theatre Season Announcement ✨

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is excited to announce our 2022/23 theatre season. A mythologically inspired play, two award-winning musicals, a world-premiere production of visual theatre, and the ultimate love story all feature in the 2022/23 theatre season. Starting October 2022, we invite you to join us on campus to be among the first to discover the next generation of outstanding theatre makers.

Hailed by Broadway World as “a stellar program to rival some of the nation’s most reputable institutions,” the UA Arizona Repertory Theatre, led by Artistic Director Hank Stratton and comprising students in the University of Arizona: Acting/Musical Theatre, presents LEGALLY BLONDE, POLAROID STORIES, HEAD OVER HEELS and ROMEO & JULIET. The Next Performance Collective, a program of the School’s BA Theatre Studies division, will present the balance of the season with two original productions: VAUD and the second annual NEW DIRECTIONS FESTIVAL. All productions are supported by students in the UA School of Theatre, Film, and Television Design & Technical Production program.

“I am excited to welcome audiences to campus for a season that blends exciting new devised work with beloved classics of love and longing, contemporary stories of resilience and triumph, and buoyant musicals that will inspire joy at a time when our community needs it the most,” said Dr. Brant Pope, the School’s new Interim Director.

Subscription packages for TFTV’s new theatre season are now on sale in-person at the Arizona Arts Box Office, and by mail, phone, or online. Individual tickets will be available from August 23.

Get your subscription here: https://am.ticketmaster.com/uacfa/buyImage attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
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Here's Assistant Professor of Practice Darnell T. Roulhac in his "The Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully" workshop at the International Thespian Festival 2022!

"The Room Where it Happens" is a masterclass-style workshop to better prepare young singers as they are auditioning for schools and shows. Participants get tips on how to pick impactful songs as well as how to get the attention of the panel one's performing for. They will also discuss 32-bar cuts and what else one should have prepared.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions!
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8 months ago
Heres Assistant Professor of Practice Darnell T. Roulhac in his The Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully workshop at the International Thespian Festival 2022!

The Room Where it Happens is a masterclass-style workshop to better prepare young singers as they are auditioning for schools and shows. Participants get tips on how to pick impactful songs as well as how to get the attention of the panel ones performing for. They will also discuss 32-bar cuts and what else one should have prepared.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions!
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Three of our University of Arizona: Acting/Musical Theatre faculty members are spending the week in Indiana at the International Thespian Festival 2022! The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is one of the participating colleges and faculty members Christie Kerr, Darnell T Roulhac, and Hank Stratton are in attendance.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions! This year over 5,000 students are attending the festival, and our faculty members are there promoting all the TFTV degree offerings. Our faculty members are also participating in two different workshops at the festival, including 'In the Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully,' and 'Defying Gravity: Belting 101.'

They are currently located at Booth 46 if you are attending and want to chat with any of them! Thank you for your amazing recruitment work Christie, Darnell, and Hank, Bear Down!
... See MoreSee Less

8 months ago
Three of our University of Arizona: Acting/Musical Theatre faculty members are spending the week in Indiana at the International Thespian Festival 2022! The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is one of the participating colleges and faculty members Christie Kerr, Darnell T Roulhac, and Hank Stratton are in attendance.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions! This year over 5,000 students are attending the festival, and our faculty members are there promoting all the TFTV degree offerings. Our faculty members are also participating in two different workshops at the festival, including In the Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully, and Defying Gravity: Belting 101.

They are currently located at Booth 46 if you are attending and want to chat with any of them! Thank you for your amazing recruitment work Christie, Darnell, and Hank, Bear Down!
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Welcome Wildcats!

On Saturday night Zach Lovvorn (BFA Film & Television ’20) walked the red carpet as a nominee at the Next Generation Indie Film Awards in Los Angeles. It’s the latest achievement for Zach and his senior thesis short IRIS, which is set in a world where everyone owns - or is owned by - a companion in the form of a sentient human eyeball. “I’m very grateful to the Next Generation Indie Film Awards for including IRIS in this year’s lineup for Best Sci-Fi Short Film!” said Zach. “It’s been a long, and often unforgiving last couple of years, so having IRIS be recognized was such a great feeling. It was an amazing opportunity and a night I’ll never forget!”

IRIS, written and directed by Zach Lovvorn and produced by Antonia Maher (BFA Film & Television ’21) and Lana Moltrop, with eyeball voiced by Alex Simpson (BFA Acting '23) has also been an official selection at the Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival in New York, the Phoenix Film Festival in Arizona, and Phoenix Shorts in Ottawa Canada, where it won Best SciFi/Fantasy Short. Last week the film was part of a special screening presented by the Bristol Science Film Festival in the UK, where it was included in a lineup of science fact or fiction films with a data science and AI theme shortlisted for the Jean Golding Institute prize.

Congratulations Zach!
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8 months ago
On Saturday night Zach Lovvorn (BFA Film & Television ’20) walked the red carpet as a nominee at the Next Generation Indie Film Awards in Los Angeles. It’s the latest achievement for Zach and his senior thesis short IRIS, which is set in a world where everyone owns - or is owned by - a companion in the form of a sentient human eyeball. “I’m very grateful to the Next Generation Indie Film Awards for including IRIS in this year’s lineup for Best Sci-Fi Short Film!” said Zach. “It’s been a long, and often unforgiving last couple of years, so having IRIS be recognized was such a great feeling. It was an amazing opportunity and a night I’ll never forget!”  
 
IRIS, written and directed by Zach Lovvorn and produced by Antonia Maher (BFA Film & Television ’21) and Lana Moltrop, with eyeball voiced by Alex Simpson (BFA Acting 23) has also been an official selection at the Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival in New York, the Phoenix Film Festival in Arizona, and Phoenix Shorts in Ottawa Canada, where it won Best SciFi/Fantasy Short. Last week the film was part of a special screening presented by the Bristol Science Film Festival in the UK, where it was included in a lineup of science fact or fiction films with a data science and AI theme shortlisted for the Jean Golding Institute prize.
 
Congratulations Zach!
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