Questions About the Post-Apocalypse Theme

[WesternOutlaw]

I've been wanting to start this thread for some time now as I've seen a significant increase in the number of post-apocalypse MOCs. Although there has been some really good creations over the past year, I'm personally not too interested in the theme. This brings me to my question. Why the interest in this genre? I'm curious to know from those of you who build or enjoy Post-Apocalypse MOCs.

[MicVash]

...For the same reasons that can apply to any other genre.

I assume you mean Post Apoc by "Apocalypse" but just like any other genre, it's just a theme that requires certain elements just like Castle needs its knights and armor and castles, and Space needs its mechs and ships. Post Apoc can be seen as somewhat of a collabortion of these ideas of Castle and Space. It has its allure because builders are challenged to create their own style of Post Apoc. It's actually quite a broad category. In Post Apoc we see the grittiness of world war and its legacy of the past, but we also see it fused with future innovation. In Post Apoc there is an excuse for perpetual war, hardship, and destruction. It is self-evident. Post Apoc calls for extensive creativity. How do you make something look really good when it's supposed to look "junky"?? And of course, we love Post Apoc because of BatBrick's awesome interactive story!

[WesternOutlaw]

Interesting thoughts.

It has its allure because builders are challenged to create their own style of Post Apoc.

I would also say that this challenge is applicable to all themes.

In Post Apoc there is an excuse for perpetual war, hardship, and destruction.

Exactly. Why do some want to depict this with Lego, aside from the challenge of making something look good that is suppose to look junky (as you've said)?

And where do zombies fit into the Post-Apoc genre? Are these part of many Post-Apoc mocs or just a few?

Is this concept from movies like 28 Days Later and/or Resident Evil, others?

[hollisbrick]

And where do zombies fit into the Post-Apoc genre? Are these part of many Post-Apoc mocs or just a few?

Is this concept from movies like 28 Days Later and/or Resident Evil, others?

Have you seen I am Legend? I'm guessing it comes from that..

Well first The "apocolipse" is when the world will pretty much end and "post apoc." is pretty much just before the world ends and people are fighting to survive.

Why do some want to depict this with Lego

The same reason aswhy people do it with other themes that have that in it..

just my 3 cents..

[Batbrick]

...For the same reasons that can apply to any other genre.

I assume you mean Post Apoc by "Apocalypse" but just like any other genre, it's just a theme that requires certain elements just like Castle needs its knights and armor and castles, and Space needs its mechs and ships. Post Apoc can be seen as somewhat of a collabortion of these ideas of Castle and Space. It has its allure because builders are challenged to create their own style of Post Apoc. It's actually quite a broad category. In Post Apoc we see the grittiness of world war and its legacy of the past, but we also see it fused with future innovation. In Post Apoc there is an excuse for perpetual war, hardship, and destruction. It is self-evident. Post Apoc calls for extensive creativity. How do you make something look really good when it's supposed to look "junky"?? And of course, we love Post Apoc because of BatBrick's awesome interactive story!

I would very much agree with this. Post-Apoc is a great "theme" because each builder has their own unique style and vision of the dreary future, using a far greater imagination and allowing you to create far more of your own world than almost any other theme. Not to mention post-apoc has a deeper meaning in most cases, it reflects the mistakes of this decade/century having a negative impact on our future. Also, there is that "junky" feel as you mentioned, which provides a terrific challenge for those wishing to make a moc that looks good but isn't all sleek and shiny.

I make post-apoc because more than any theme I have ever built with, it by far demands the most creativity, thinking and style. Adventurer mocs require thinking and creativity, but not nearly on the scale post-apoc offers, which demands that you create and shape an entire world while combining aspects of past, present, future, fiction and more.

Thanks for the comment on my creations too MicVash, have you seen the latest part?

I would also say that this challenge is applicable to all themes.

As I said before, I would disagree here. Hardcore post-apoc builder, such as myself and others, throw themselves deeply into the world they have created, post-apoc is so open that the scenarios are limitless. Unlike other themes it also can use elemnts from just about any theme ever, I could have castle weapons and viking torsos with and indy hat, and it makes an effective resistance fighter.

Exactly. Why do some want to depict this with Lego, aside from the challenge of making something look good that is suppose to look junky (as you've said)?

Because some people love the idea of something that isn't all sunshine and rainbows. I could ask you why you like building Gravestone or Jungle and it would be the same. Lego is widely accepted among AFOLs as an art form when it comes to building, and art isn't restricted to bounderies. Some of the best films, literature and stories ever contained much hardship and downer endings.

And where do zombies fit into the Post-Apoc genre? Are these part of many Post-Apoc mocs or just a few?

Is this concept from movies like 28 Days Later and/or Resident Evil, others?

The zombie concept I would say has been around far before those movies. I'm not sure where zombies fit into post-apoc, but isn't that what makes it great?

The fact that I can't give a proper definition of what a post-apoc moc must contain shows just how endless the building opportunities are.

Btw, I hope I haven't offended you with this TheBrickster, I mean none, I was just sharing my opinion

Now this thing was hard to get looking "junky", I love those log pieces:

Batbrick Away!

[Brickmaster]

I see it like halo; the builder doesn't have to do something truly significant to get alot of attention.

[Batbrick]

I see it like halo; the builder doesn't have to do something truly significant to get alot of attention.

What's that supposed to mean? That its builders aren't doing anything "worthy"?

Batbrick Away!

[Brickmaster]

Not particularly; just more attention for less astounding work.

I did a personal test on this even; I built a halo 3 scarab, which was mediocre at best. It remains to be my highest viewed + Rated Moc. Yet I barely consider it my best work.

And don't get me wrong; in every genre, there are particularly great builders. Like in Halo, there are some. And especially in some apoc stuff.

No offense ment in anything; just my views.

Another view I hold is that some insane bioncle creators are horridly under appreciated; bionicle is hard to build with. Even harder to build with well.

[Batbrick]

Not particularly; just more attention for less astounding work.

I did a personal test on this even; I built a halo 3 scarab, which was mediocre at best. It remains to be my highest viewed + Rated Moc. Yet I barely consider it my best work.

And don't get me wrong; in every genre, there are particularly great builders. Like in Halo, there are some. And especially in some apoc stuff.

No offense ment in anything; just my views.

Another view I hold is that some insane bioncle creators are horridly under appreciated; bionicle is hard to build with. Even harder to build with well.

I understand that, but the question was not of that nature, it was discussing why builders like the theme. I don't build it because of attention, goodness knows I'll have to end my interactive game soon before people think it's stale. I think my creations are good, not as good as the ones you posted, but I think they are original and rather well made, to say that I put a bit of effort into them would be the understatement of the century. No offense taken of course, but I find your views a little odd, why take a stance to a theme like that just because it receives more attention? Granted I agree that you're Halo moc is not nearly your best work (joints were far too exposed ), but if it is of interest than I say it should receive as much attention as possible. The problem is when people start calling it your masterpiece

Batbrick Away!

[Brickmaster]

I also do agree with you ironically, I have a two sided, hypocritical view, I know, but I can't help it I just know some builders that went into certain themes purely for more attention, and it can really thwart what you think of a theme.

Just have a soft spot for underrated creations and themes, too, andfor some reason, can leave a sour taste for overly popular themes? I am an odd one.

[iamded]

Well first The "apocolipse" is when the world will pretty much end and "post apoc." is pretty much just before the world ends and people are fighting to survive.

Actually, post-Apoc is after the Apocalypse. If it were before it would be pre-Apoc. And there's not much point in fighting for survival if you're going to get wiped out at the Apocalypse.

I like post-Apoc, because it's creative and there are all sorts of post-Apoc. I like to make post-post-Apoc, where the world is healing and being rebuilt after the post-Apoc era. And post-Apoc MOCs tend to have Steam-punkish sort of aspects to it as well, as in they have that scrappy looks. I myself just like building ruins.

~Peace

[WesternOutlaw]

Hardcore post-apoc builder, such as myself and others, throw themselves deeply into the world they have created, post-apoc is so open that the scenarios are limitless. Unlike other themes it also can use elemnts from just about any theme ever, I could have castle weapons and viking torsos with and indy hat, and it makes an effective resistance fighter.

I understand and agree with you and others who point out that with Post-Apoc, you can combine elements from numerous themes for an endless variety. At the same time, building within a single theme, like Castle, Adventure, Space, (most others), limits the types of creations that one can combine, making building something creative even more difficult. I suppose it's just how you look at it.

I could ask you why you like building Gravestone or Jungle and it would be the same.

I'm one of just a few builders who build "Ghost Town" MOCs (myself and Brick Miner to be more specific). And my stories are dark. But at the same time, I don't see many other Ghost Town MOCs, unlike Post-Apoc. This is why I ask the question. Jungle interest comes from the recent Indiana Jones releases. While not many are building jungles, they are building Indy MOCs.

Lego is widely accepted among AFOLs as an art form when it comes to building, and art isn't restricted to bounderies. Some of the best films, literature and stories ever contained much hardship and downer endings.

I find it interesting that more "youth" seem to be drawn toward these types of stories. I don't mean that from an opinion or judgement perspective, but rather just an observation.

The zombie concept I would say has been around far before those movies. I'm not sure where zombies fit into post-apoc, but isn't that what makes it great?

I'm not into post-apoc and/or zombies so I'm pretty much indifferent on the subject . I suppose that sounds sort of strange coming from someone who likes the macabre and gothic horror, but blending zombies with the colapse of civilization is just one more challenge that post-apoc civilization has to overcome.

Btw, I hope I haven't offended you with this TheBrickster, I mean none, I was just sharing my opinion

Not at all Batbrick. I respect your opinion and value your thoughts on this subject. I was hoping you would provide some feedback on this thread as I know you've created some nice Post-Apoc mocs.

And post-Apoc MOCs tend to have Steam-punkish sort of aspects to it as well, as in they have that scrappy looks. I myself just like building ruins.

Interesting points Iamded. I agree that some of the Post-Apoc MOCs that I've seen resembled Steam Punk. I had never attempted to build ruins before, until my Decrepit Bank MOC (pictured in my signature). After I was done, I thought to myself, if I added a few details and some soldiers, it could be a destroyed WWII building.

Just for the record. I'm not knocking the Post-Apoc theme. Just curious as to why the interest in this specific genre. Many know that I enjoy horror, but post-apoc is something different (a theme/subject of it's own). It blends in Sci-Fi (sometimes horror), war, adventure, and other elements, as said above. Of particular interest is that Post-Apoc is just one of a few themes that focuses on torn/destroyed buildings. This is what I find most interesting. The average Lego builder designs "new" or "clean" buildings, not destroyed or ruined.

[Batbrick]

I understand and agree with you and others who point out that with Post-Apoc, you can combine elements from numerous themes for an endless variety. At the same time, building within a single theme, like Castle, Adventure, Space, (most others), limits the types of creations that one can combine, making building something creative even more difficult. I suppose it's just how you look at it.

Good point there, that creativity can also be done in limits, I like that. Maybe that's also why I like post-apoc, some themes inspire creativity from all themes, some inspire creativity by improvisation.

I'm one of just a few builders who build "Ghost Town" MOCs (myself and Brick Miner to be more specific). And my stories are dark. But at the same time, I don't see many other Ghost Town MOCs, unlike Post-Apoc. This is why I ask the question. Jungle interest comes from the recent Indiana Jones releases. While not many are building jungles, they are building Indy MOCs.

I used a bad analogy there. I merely meant that asking why someone would want to build a post-apoc creation is alike to asking anyone why they would build a town, space or castle creation. So while you may not understand why some people build a deliberately "junky" (but still well made) moc, others might question the use of sleek, clean construction on other creations. It's a matter of taste really.

I find it interesting that more "youth" seem to be drawn toward these types of stories. I don't mean that from an opinion or judgement perspective, but rather just an observation.

I'd definitely agree that there seems to be a draw, but I wouldn't be so quick to point out just youth. Many, many older people have been writing rather somber stories for ages, heck, even Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has quite a melancholic ending. That said, while I love a good (or bad ) downer ending, I can also love the uplifting ones. Who doesn't get a warm feeling inside at the end of the Shawshank Redemption?

That said, perhaps a reason that more people are drawn to more depressing literature/films is because of the world we live in today, one can only look at where we are now and guess where it's all going. Like you, this is just my observation.

I'm not into post-apoc and/or zombies so I'm pretty much indifferent on the subject . I suppose that sounds sort of strange coming from someone who likes the macabre and gothic horror, but blending zombies with the colapse of civilization is just one more challenge that post-apoc civilization has to overcome.

I'm not really into zombies either, though I have no problem including them in my creations. I am sorry, but what do you mean by "one more challenge"? Are you saying that it is one challenge too many? As for me, post-apoc can fit into more macabre and gothic settings in my eyes, as post-apoc is essentially showing man's problems, weaknesses, strengths and consequences of today, but just exaggerated.

Not at all Batbrick. I respect your opinion and value your thoughts on this subject. I was hoping you would provide some feedback on this thread as I know you've created some nice Post-Apoc mocs.

Thankyou TheBrickster, it's nice to know you can respect something despite not being a fan of it. Would you ever consider trying ot make something post-apoc, or something alike, just as a one-off shot? I think the problem with it right now is that it has become more of a fad than a thought out idea, I would like to see more people try and put real effort into a totally original setting like iamded did.

Just for the record. I'm not knocking the Post-Apoc theme. Just curious as to why the interest in this specific genre. Many know that I enjoy horror, but post-apoc is something different (a theme/subject of it's own). It blends in Sci-Fi (sometimes horror), war, adventure, and other elements, as said above. Of particular interest is that Post-Apoc is just one of a few themes that focuses on torn/destroyed buildings. This is what I find most interesting. The average Lego builder designs "new" or "clean" buildings, not destroyed or ruined.

Ye, destroyed is a very hard thing to do and post-apoc building helped me with that. If nothing else for the critic, it does provide excellent examples of how to make a "ruined" looking creation, while still being actually good (a bit like the Orc siege tower this year, but one more). Of course Post-apoc can fit into a horror subject, I recall a rather gothic tale of a world gone mad with but a few still sane, stalked across the earth, included some suspenseful stuff that I had previously never thought was achievable within the realms of post-apoc.

Batbrick Away!

[WesternOutlaw]

I am sorry, but what do you mean by "one more challenge"? Are you saying that it is one challenge too many?

Not really. I just mean that with the demise of modern civilization and order, I consider the introduction of Zombies just one more challenge for the survivors of a post-apoc event. Seeing them in mocs reminds me of the last Resident Evil movie. I suppose that they do add a certain action element to Post-Apoc mocs.

Would you ever consider trying ot make something post-apoc, or something alike, just as a one-off shot?

Maybe - I wouldn't know where to start though. I would really need to put on my creative hat. Honestly though, I'm more inspired by actual history as opposed to something like post-apoc. If I do ruined buildings, I'd probably go the route of WWII mocs.