Today, we're shining a light on Silent Brickographer - an incredible blocks builder from down under with a deep love for the Halo franchise. He and his builds will be joining us at Halo Fest to spend time with you all and we've got a brief interview to introduce him and his work!

Question: The Silent Brickographer breaks his silence – please introduce yourself and tell us a little about who you are.

Hi there! My name is Jack, and the first thing to say (that probably goes without saying) is that I am a massive Halo fan and have been since first playing co-op CE with my brother on a small CRT in the early 2000s. My brother and I still play through the campaigns to this day.

I have also been a lifelong LEGO fan and about 5 years ago was all too late to the realisation that LEGO Halo existed in the form of the Mega Bloks/Mega Construx. My first purchase was the Halo Infinite Pelican, and I was immediately hooked. 

My custom-building journey started out with the idea to build small dioramas to display the Halo vehicles and figures I was rapidly collecting. It started with dioramas for Halo CE, Halo Reach and Halo 3, then, over the last 18 months, I have dedicated countless hours to recreating scenes from every mission in Halo 2. Sharing my work online led to a tonne of support and positivity from the Halo Mega community and Halo fans, which has fuelled my desire to continue to push myself to create even more ambitious dioramas.

I have also begun creating instructions for my builds, lighting guides for my own and existing Mega Bloks sets, and small display pieces like the Superintendent here!

Oh, and every now and then I try my hand at stop motion. I recently entered a contest with a film based on the Tip of the Spear mission from Halo: Reach.

Watch on Youtube

When I am not building, playing, or thinking about Halo, I teach at a primary school close to home in Fremantle, Western Australia.

Question: When you first played Halo 2, were you blinded by its majesty?

Yes. Paralysed, dumbstruck...all of the above. To be honest, I don’t remember the first playthrough, but my strongest nostalgic memories are replaying Delta Halo a billion times, being terrified by the flood during Sacred Icon and Quarantine Zone (I just ran for dear life through those missions), buying the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack from Target, and thinking the Arbiter was the single coolest character ever created (apart from Chief, of course. Halo 2 Chief is unmatched).

Question: Why Halo 2 instead of the other games. (For the record, not complaining, it’s a damn fine choice)

When it comes to iconic story moments and memorable scenes, it is hard to go past Halo 2 for me.

My first Halo 2 build was actually for a stop motion film contest (The Mega Schism hosted by Simon at The Domain – a legend in the Halo Mega community). My plan was to create a set to replicate the scene where Chief is sent to High Charity by the Gravemind and ends up in the Council Chamber. Perfectionism got the better of me, and I ended up spending a lot more effort building the set than the actual filming. It was such a joy recreating that scene that I decided to keep it going with the Mark of Shame scene, then Cairo Station, and the rest is history!

A specific Mega set was also influential: Halo 2 Character Pack. It features 20 characters from the game, all in Mega’s typical incredible detail and full articulation, and I determined to create a diorama to celebrate each one.

Question: What were some of the more difficult parts to build? What made them difficult?

The Metropolis arch comes to mind immediately. Building height and large curves with bricks is tricky without using an ungodly amount of pieces. Most of the difficult challenges I set for myself start with me thinking, “wouldn’t it be cool to recreate this…”, and then, “how the hell would I even do that…”, and eventually, if I haven’t stumbled across a solution after a series of failed prototypes, I’ll find an incredible LEGO builder online who has created something similar. The Metropolis Arch is a great example of this (shout out to Brick Bending on YouTube). It turns out, when you stack a series of tiny 1x2 stud bricks together, they can bend. Finding a solution to the most difficult challenges is probably the most satisfying part of the hobby.

Building the large, open ceiling over the tunnels of the Mombassa Subway for Outskirts was also tricky, especially because I needed to build it in a way that was sturdy enough to fit the opening courtyard fight and a phantom on top (plus the occasional curious cat wandering through the building room. Surprisingly, the build survived a trampling!).

The Arbiter conveyor belt is another example. Working with LEGO gears and technic pieces is something I have very little experience in. They present a unique mathematical challenge that takes a lot of trial and error (and YouTube tutorials) to figure out.

Then there is battling perfectionism and convincing myself to compromise because I can’t recreate a scale model of the entire mission. Were it so easy...

Question: How many pieces do you estimate it took to make all of those? (unless somehow you know the real number)

I haven’t been counting, although having created step-by-step instructions for most of the builds, I can give a very rough ball-park. On average, each mission uses around 4000-5000 pieces, plus lighting components (Delta Halo is probably closer to 6000). Let’s say around 25-30,000 bricks for all seven.

Please don’t ask me how much they all cost…

Question: Which Halo 2 level is your favorite? Was that also your favorite to build? How come?

That is a really tough question. Building-wise, they’ve all had their moments of frustration and joy. I’d say my favourite to build was probably the lower section of The Oracle. I’m really proud of the way the I captured the details and integrated an array of coloured lighting, especially in the doorway. I also managed to capture some level of accuracy in the central structure while also building it to provide support for the top section.

I also enjoyed creating the ruins of Delta Halo, particularly blending the ‘natural’ trees, vines and grass with the temple-esque structures, as well as creating drop dpods and shade turrets.

I love so many of the missions in Halo 2 but if I had to pick I’d say Gravemind. There was something so wonderous about being inside High Charity. I just love the colours and atmosphere. It is pure Covenant. Rescuing and trying to keep the marines alive in that mission was also really fun. Oh, and Breaking Benjamin. Need I say more.

Question: We’re confirming today that you and your Halo 2 builds will be at Halo Fest – what are you most looking forward to about the trip?

As a lifelong Halo fan, this trip is a dream come true and I still don’t quite believe it’s happening. Having never been to a convention like this, or the States for that matter, the list is long. I think what I am most looking forward to is meeting and hanging out with people who are as obsessed with Halo as I am. As a bonus, it would be really cool to meet a few legends from the games and community who have inspired me from afar for so long!

Question: Were any injuries sustained while creating these? If so, please tell the story.

Apart from the occasional chipped fingernail, nothing to speak of (yet). My cats certainly make life tough for the figures, though. Here is Otis, plotting his next chaotic moment.

Question: Talk to me about the conveyor belt – how the heck did you make that?

I have Brickman117 to thank for that (another Halo Mega community legend). He built a “warthog run” which features a similar conveyor system with terrain running underneath a stationary warthog.

(Link to the video if I can pop this in here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9r1SnJDO9s&t=139s)

Each conveyor uses around 130 small LEGO treads, covered in plates and tiles, that move using axles and gears. The platform is raised so that the gas cannisters can continue looping on the conveyor. They have a tendency to fall off occasionally, but apart from that it turned out nicely.  

Question: What are you working on next?

I plan to continue building each Halo 2 mission in order, so a diorama of Regret is next. It’s in the early stages of planning, but expect a majestic, motorised waterfall in the background while Chief pulverises the Prophet!

I am prone to a side quest, though. I am currently attempting to recreate the Arbiter’s armour case. If all goes to plan, it will use LEGO gears to move and open just like it does in the game. Eventually, it will be the centre feature of the diorama for Gravemind.  

Question: Thanks for the time and for sharing your incredible craftsmanship with the whole world – any shoutouts you want to give?

You are more than welcome. My first shout out has to go to you, Tashi, and the team at Halo Studios for providing this once in a lifetime opportunity. It is still all so surreal.

I’d also like to thank the Halo Mega community who have been endlessly welcoming, supportive and positive. Keep collecting, building, customising and believing!

Within that community are a couple of key influencers that I have mentioned above who deserve another shout. Firstly, Simon at The Domain, who I look forward to meeting and teaming up with to create something special for Halo Fest in December, and Brickman117; his incredible Halo custom creations are a sight to behold and continue to inspire me to this day.

To my US family who I have never had the chance to visit before - I can't wait to see you!

Finally, to my brother, Harry, who is joining me on this trip. Who knew that shooting aliens on the CRT all those years ago would lead us here.