The Void War: The Hunger of Slag
Fargo, North Dakota | Film Feature
Animation, Sci-Fi
As eldritch horrors infiltrate the holy city of Vitorum, private Huxley and his unusual allies are cast into combat against the all-consuming SLAG. Tasked with a vital mission, 7 legendary super soldiers fight to escort them through the chaos. But faith and duty can only withstand so much madness...
The Void War: The Hunger of Slag
Fargo, North Dakota | Film Feature
Animation, Sci-Fi
1 Campaigns | North Dakota, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $10,498 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
52 supporters | followers
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As eldritch horrors infiltrate the holy city of Vitorum, private Huxley and his unusual allies are cast into combat against the all-consuming SLAG. Tasked with a vital mission, 7 legendary super soldiers fight to escort them through the chaos. But faith and duty can only withstand so much madness...
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A Divinely-Appointed Task
Hux, Slade, and Iris are lucky to be alive. After narrowly surviving a monster-plagued struggle for survival aboard the orbiting warship The Impervious, their momentary reprieve is interrupted when an emergency signal declares that Earth is under attack by slagic forces. Despite the psychic Iris' lack of experience and the mysterious Slade's unknown and potentially dangerous abilities, the two are divinely appointed a special task - reaching the Keonic Temple in the holy city of Vitorum, where the powerful humanity-protecting deity KEO himself lies waiting.
Though the purpose of the mission remains uncertain, the importance of the mission is primary. With little time to prepare, the psychic duo is provided with a military escort: The Archangels. Insisting on acting as a liaison for his two cosmically unpredictable comrades, the young and jaded private Huxley is faced with the intimidating responsibility of serving alongside legendary warriors with power beyond Hux's imagination. Through trial by fire, he will come to perceive a deeper reality of humanity's universally lauded heroes.
Angels and Demons
As Hux, Slade, Iris, and the Archangels penetrate deeper into the city, they are faced with horrors unlike anything humanity has faced in its 1000-year war against the hive-mind known as slag. New variants of the all-consuming entity with yet unseen abilities lurk in every nook and cranny of the compromised city. While they fight to fulfill their mission, the remnants of the city's Unum Vires military forces fight tooth and nail to protect the city's citizens and keep the Keonic Temple from being overrun by the endless waves of slag. They are aided by The Apostles, the seemingly immortal machine god offspring of Keo, sworn to protect and guide humanity. In spite of their awesome power and abilities, the situation grows bleaker by the minute.
Live Action - one frame at a time
The Hunger of Slag is a sci-fi epic to be animated almost entirely using stop motion animation. It will depict a magnificent conflict between heroic plastic figures and horrific clay monstrosities. But make no mistake; the laser fire will burn, the impacts will smash, the teeth will tear and the ships will scream. After more than 10 years animating with bricks and clay, I've learned more than a few tricks to create an engaging visual adventure using this particular(ly niche) medium.
I am the biggest LEGO nerd I know. But in a weird way.
I have always loved building sets and following the instructions, but assembled sets never lasted long in our basement playroom. Shortly after assembly and a bit of play, sets would be dissected and harvested for parts. These parts would soon find their way into one of our massive LEGO bins. To me, those bins came to represent infinite potential.
At 12 years old, I began to explore the potential of storytelling using LEGO as a medium. I am still exploring that potential at 29 years old, and I am finding that the potential is beautifully endless.
The first film in the Void War Trilogy, Grey Horizons, was an experiment in creativity and project management. It stretched my skills and demanded every shred of my ability and persistence. The scope of this sequel project, The Hunger of Slag, is a full order of magnitude higher. I know we can make it, and I know what it will take. Because of that, I know it will take support from individuals who are passionate about creativity, original storytelling... and LEGO, of course.
What is TheVoid War trilogy all about?
The Void War Universe is my exploration of meaning in a dark and confusing universe. I put my characters through the wringer, searching for answers to questions of faith, hope, and duty. In The Hunger of Slag, I place my heroes in a hopeless situation that will require them to either give up entirely or put faith in something. They are faced with dramatized versions of the trials we go through every day: doubts, fears, pain, indignation... but not without hope, humor, courage, and love.
The Hunger of Slag takes inspiration from a variety of sci-fi classics, including The Thing, Starship Troppers, and Edge of Tomorrow. There is also a pretty clear Warhammer 40,0000 influence, and I have no doubt that fans of the grimdark tabletop game will find a lot to love about this movie and this cinematic universe. The alien threat is almost comically overwhelming, but humanity's forces are equipped with some serious heavy-hitting warriors. It is a cosmic clash of epic (yet tiny) proportions.
Storytelling is my passion, and my deepest desire is to take inspired audiences on incredibly fun visual and emotional journeys. Of course, I am also a sci-fi nerd and monster movie lover, so it is my joy to add my own flavor of weird to the mix. The Hunger of Slag will feature epic spaceships and mechs, towering city spires, powerfully equipped super soldiers, strange psychic abilities, divine cyborgs, and of course, freaky, horrifying monsters. Most of these designs have been completed, and it is just a matter of funding their physical creation.
Budget and stretch goals
We made Grey Horizons on a shoestring budget largely out of our own pocket. We're looking to take things to the next level with The Hunger of Slag, with far bigger sets, mind-blowing vfx, top quality sound design, and smoother animation. $10,000 is really the bare minimum for this film to be realized, and we will likely pay for additional unexpected or desired items out of pocket. However, for every dollar that exceeds our minimum, we guarantee it will increase the quality of the film.
Our ultimate stretch goal is $22,000. If we were to reach that level of support, it would enable us to pursue adding mouth animation to the film. This would be a first for a Twisted Bricks project, and we would use the extra money to commission an expert to add the animation in post production. While we love the classic brickfilm look (as it imitates classic LEGO play), mouth animation would add an undeniable level of cinematic excitement to our film.
Why support us?
I have been expanding this cinematic universe for neatly a decade now, and my passion for it is a strong as ever. My audience and followers know that I am tenacious and get projects done, and it is clear to me that the momentum of The Void War is an inspiration to many. Supporting this film will get you more than cool perks, merch, figures, and comics: by supporting this film, you will participate in the expansion of a project that has been inspiring young stop motion animators and storytellers for years. If there is one thing the world could use now, it is creative youth fueled with inspiration.
Thanks for considering supporting the creation of our film.
Kristian Stenslie
Creator and Director
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Bricks and set design
Costs $3,800
To make a film of this scale, we need to pay for the bricks, camera and video equipment, and special stop motion tools
Commissions and fees
Costs $1,200
This amount is needed to pay for an incredible musical score and mind-blowing special effects scenes
Pledge fulfillment
Costs $700
Providing truly awesome perks for supporters will take a chunk of our budget, but it is well worth it to fund the film!
Software and digital assets
Costs $800
Many of our effects are homegrown, but we do want to pay for higher-quality assets and programs where it is needed
Marketing
Costs $800
Once the film is ready to premiere, additional funds will be needed to spread the word!
Specialized stop motion equipment
Costs $1,000
To animate the larger figures and monsters, we will need sturdy and dependable rigs.
Minifigures and accessories
Costs $500
Minifigures are expensive! To ensure we have fun and interesting character design, we have budgeted specifically for this element.
Computer hardware
Costs $1,200
With more advanced 3D and editing, we need a beefier computer!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
A small team with unique ambitions
Over the years, the Twisted Bricks team has expanded in organic and personal ways. To date, the team is composed of family, high school friends, long-time fans, and international fellow creators. While I keep the train going (writing, animating, editing), these individuals all enthusiastically contribute in myriad ways with their own unique skills.
Family, friends, fans
My brother Johan, the longest-involved TB team member, has always been along for the ride with my LEGO shenanigans. Fortunately he is also a musical wizard, so he has been composing the soundtracks to my projects since the beginning.
Adam, Matt, and Chris have been voice acting for me since the very first episode of the LEGO Zombie Apocalypse. They were among the first people I ever asked to voice act for me. Since then, they have helped me organize casting events as well as the feature premiere of Grey Horizons in 2023.
Asher Getz (Gray 101) and Sunny Johnson were both fans who reached out to me looking to contribute creatively, and since then they have both contributed tremendously. Sunny has helped in many ways, particularly in terms of script editing. Asher himself designed two of the Apostles in The Hunger of Slag, and more of his creations are on their way to making it into Void War Lore.
A collaboration with highest-rated miniature figurine shop on Etsy
I am also beyond excited to be partnering with JustMyGame on this film. He was responsible for creating and painting the incredible Archangel armor sets, and he is contributing generously to provide our supporters with awesome custom premium 3D Printed Minifig sets. Many of the incentive packages include great discounts to his store as well!
I couldn't do what I do without passionate help from friends like these. Greetings from the Twisted Bricks crew!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A Divinely-Appointed Task
Hux, Slade, and Iris are lucky to be alive. After narrowly surviving a monster-plagued struggle for survival aboard the orbiting warship The Impervious, their momentary reprieve is interrupted when an emergency signal declares that Earth is under attack by slagic forces. Despite the psychic Iris' lack of experience and the mysterious Slade's unknown and potentially dangerous abilities, the two are divinely appointed a special task - reaching the Keonic Temple in the holy city of Vitorum, where the powerful humanity-protecting deity KEO himself lies waiting.
Though the purpose of the mission remains uncertain, the importance of the mission is primary. With little time to prepare, the psychic duo is provided with a military escort: The Archangels. Insisting on acting as a liaison for his two cosmically unpredictable comrades, the young and jaded private Huxley is faced with the intimidating responsibility of serving alongside legendary warriors with power beyond Hux's imagination. Through trial by fire, he will come to perceive a deeper reality of humanity's universally lauded heroes.
Angels and Demons
As Hux, Slade, Iris, and the Archangels penetrate deeper into the city, they are faced with horrors unlike anything humanity has faced in its 1000-year war against the hive-mind known as slag. New variants of the all-consuming entity with yet unseen abilities lurk in every nook and cranny of the compromised city. While they fight to fulfill their mission, the remnants of the city's Unum Vires military forces fight tooth and nail to protect the city's citizens and keep the Keonic Temple from being overrun by the endless waves of slag. They are aided by The Apostles, the seemingly immortal machine god offspring of Keo, sworn to protect and guide humanity. In spite of their awesome power and abilities, the situation grows bleaker by the minute.
Live Action - one frame at a time
The Hunger of Slag is a sci-fi epic to be animated almost entirely using stop motion animation. It will depict a magnificent conflict between heroic plastic figures and horrific clay monstrosities. But make no mistake; the laser fire will burn, the impacts will smash, the teeth will tear and the ships will scream. After more than 10 years animating with bricks and clay, I've learned more than a few tricks to create an engaging visual adventure using this particular(ly niche) medium.
I am the biggest LEGO nerd I know. But in a weird way.
I have always loved building sets and following the instructions, but assembled sets never lasted long in our basement playroom. Shortly after assembly and a bit of play, sets would be dissected and harvested for parts. These parts would soon find their way into one of our massive LEGO bins. To me, those bins came to represent infinite potential.
At 12 years old, I began to explore the potential of storytelling using LEGO as a medium. I am still exploring that potential at 29 years old, and I am finding that the potential is beautifully endless.
The first film in the Void War Trilogy, Grey Horizons, was an experiment in creativity and project management. It stretched my skills and demanded every shred of my ability and persistence. The scope of this sequel project, The Hunger of Slag, is a full order of magnitude higher. I know we can make it, and I know what it will take. Because of that, I know it will take support from individuals who are passionate about creativity, original storytelling... and LEGO, of course.
What is TheVoid War trilogy all about?
The Void War Universe is my exploration of meaning in a dark and confusing universe. I put my characters through the wringer, searching for answers to questions of faith, hope, and duty. In The Hunger of Slag, I place my heroes in a hopeless situation that will require them to either give up entirely or put faith in something. They are faced with dramatized versions of the trials we go through every day: doubts, fears, pain, indignation... but not without hope, humor, courage, and love.
The Hunger of Slag takes inspiration from a variety of sci-fi classics, including The Thing, Starship Troppers, and Edge of Tomorrow. There is also a pretty clear Warhammer 40,0000 influence, and I have no doubt that fans of the grimdark tabletop game will find a lot to love about this movie and this cinematic universe. The alien threat is almost comically overwhelming, but humanity's forces are equipped with some serious heavy-hitting warriors. It is a cosmic clash of epic (yet tiny) proportions.
Storytelling is my passion, and my deepest desire is to take inspired audiences on incredibly fun visual and emotional journeys. Of course, I am also a sci-fi nerd and monster movie lover, so it is my joy to add my own flavor of weird to the mix. The Hunger of Slag will feature epic spaceships and mechs, towering city spires, powerfully equipped super soldiers, strange psychic abilities, divine cyborgs, and of course, freaky, horrifying monsters. Most of these designs have been completed, and it is just a matter of funding their physical creation.
Budget and stretch goals
We made Grey Horizons on a shoestring budget largely out of our own pocket. We're looking to take things to the next level with The Hunger of Slag, with far bigger sets, mind-blowing vfx, top quality sound design, and smoother animation. $10,000 is really the bare minimum for this film to be realized, and we will likely pay for additional unexpected or desired items out of pocket. However, for every dollar that exceeds our minimum, we guarantee it will increase the quality of the film.
Our ultimate stretch goal is $22,000. If we were to reach that level of support, it would enable us to pursue adding mouth animation to the film. This would be a first for a Twisted Bricks project, and we would use the extra money to commission an expert to add the animation in post production. While we love the classic brickfilm look (as it imitates classic LEGO play), mouth animation would add an undeniable level of cinematic excitement to our film.
Why support us?
I have been expanding this cinematic universe for neatly a decade now, and my passion for it is a strong as ever. My audience and followers know that I am tenacious and get projects done, and it is clear to me that the momentum of The Void War is an inspiration to many. Supporting this film will get you more than cool perks, merch, figures, and comics: by supporting this film, you will participate in the expansion of a project that has been inspiring young stop motion animators and storytellers for years. If there is one thing the world could use now, it is creative youth fueled with inspiration.
Thanks for considering supporting the creation of our film.
Kristian Stenslie
Creator and Director
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Bricks and set design
Costs $3,800
To make a film of this scale, we need to pay for the bricks, camera and video equipment, and special stop motion tools
Commissions and fees
Costs $1,200
This amount is needed to pay for an incredible musical score and mind-blowing special effects scenes
Pledge fulfillment
Costs $700
Providing truly awesome perks for supporters will take a chunk of our budget, but it is well worth it to fund the film!
Software and digital assets
Costs $800
Many of our effects are homegrown, but we do want to pay for higher-quality assets and programs where it is needed
Marketing
Costs $800
Once the film is ready to premiere, additional funds will be needed to spread the word!
Specialized stop motion equipment
Costs $1,000
To animate the larger figures and monsters, we will need sturdy and dependable rigs.
Minifigures and accessories
Costs $500
Minifigures are expensive! To ensure we have fun and interesting character design, we have budgeted specifically for this element.
Computer hardware
Costs $1,200
With more advanced 3D and editing, we need a beefier computer!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
A small team with unique ambitions
Over the years, the Twisted Bricks team has expanded in organic and personal ways. To date, the team is composed of family, high school friends, long-time fans, and international fellow creators. While I keep the train going (writing, animating, editing), these individuals all enthusiastically contribute in myriad ways with their own unique skills.
Family, friends, fans
My brother Johan, the longest-involved TB team member, has always been along for the ride with my LEGO shenanigans. Fortunately he is also a musical wizard, so he has been composing the soundtracks to my projects since the beginning.
Adam, Matt, and Chris have been voice acting for me since the very first episode of the LEGO Zombie Apocalypse. They were among the first people I ever asked to voice act for me. Since then, they have helped me organize casting events as well as the feature premiere of Grey Horizons in 2023.
Asher Getz (Gray 101) and Sunny Johnson were both fans who reached out to me looking to contribute creatively, and since then they have both contributed tremendously. Sunny has helped in many ways, particularly in terms of script editing. Asher himself designed two of the Apostles in The Hunger of Slag, and more of his creations are on their way to making it into Void War Lore.
A collaboration with highest-rated miniature figurine shop on Etsy
I am also beyond excited to be partnering with JustMyGame on this film. He was responsible for creating and painting the incredible Archangel armor sets, and he is contributing generously to provide our supporters with awesome custom premium 3D Printed Minifig sets. Many of the incentive packages include great discounts to his store as well!
I couldn't do what I do without passionate help from friends like these. Greetings from the Twisted Bricks crew!