The premise is easy, pop your Sigfig (a LEGO you) in a brick-built scene, take a photo and share it on social media using #SigfigScene. Collaborate with @sigfigscene and tag the hosts. The harder part is coming up with an initial idea, implementing it and captivating your audience. Below are a few tips that I have developed over the years and have helped me immensely. 

Sigfig:

Always have your Sigfig to hand. It may sound obvious but having to root around for the star of the show is time consuming and a pain, not to mention giving up and not joining in because you can’t find it.

Brick-built background:

A set/MOC of any size will work, you don’t have to have a massive LEGO set to join in. A small corner or wall will often be enough to get in close and capture a simple story.

Lighting:

Lighting, it’s a pain for everyone. Having a decent light source doesn’t necessarily make or break a scene but it helps to get it just right. Spending that little longer finding the right light source will help highlight your Sigfig and capture smaller details clearly.

Caption:

Create a short story. I’ve found that creating something that wouldn’t happen to myself, something whacky, fun and silly. You can also portray messages in your scenes, raising awareness for Mental Health, disabilities and other important real-life situations. Keeping it short and sweet will help keep an audience, long winded ‘essays’ will deter most.

Outfits:

Change it up. Having an array of different torsos, legs, heads and accessories in your arsenal will enhance a scene and make it unique and memorable. If you’re struggling to find the right face or outfit, go custom. @minifigsme have a vast catalogue of parts and prints, they’ll also design you a custom face.

Editing:

Photo editing. After you’ve captured your shoot, don’t be afraid to play around with the brightness, contrast and so on. A little tweak here & there might bring out a certain detail or area previously hiding in the shadows. Slightly blurring the edges is my guilty pleasure, it draws focus ontoy Sigfig and what he’s doing, rather than a random object in the background.

Last but not least, HAVE FUN!

We hope this helps and you’re inspired to take part, if you haven’t already?! Below are a few examples that myself and the other hosts have created since #SigfigScene started.

The LEGO Group are very particular about supplying individual Minifigures, as this would be a bad business model. They need to sell Sets, and depending on which theme you’re collecting, Marvel, Star Wars etc, you’ll need to purchase multiple, sometimes big, Sets to grab those rare and illusive Minifigures to complete your collection.

My personal Minifigure collection flitters from one theme to another every week it seems. From Marvel to Lone Ranger, Star Wars to CMF (collectible minifigures), its forever changing. Each week the Postman pops a new Minifigure through my letter box and I can’t wait to rip open that packet and take a look at my latest acquisition!

Minifigure collection

This article will highlight a handful of key places to shop, which have helped me personally to obtain most of my Minifigure collection over the Years!

Websites:

Finding and buying Minifigures is relatively easy, if you know where to look of course.
There are two main websites that I use, BrickLink and BrickOwl.

Brickowl screenshot

Bricklink screenshot

These two websites host every LEGO Minifigure, parts, bricks, sticker sheets, and more, that LEGO have ever produced.

Mixed bricks

They are very similar in terms of usability, each having a vast user base and individuals selling their wares.

You’ll quickly notice that each website is setup as a selling platform, similar in ways to eBay. Each seller has their own shop, own catalogue and own postage rates and minimum purchase rules.

Bricklink stores

Be sure to shop around and compare prices, and always factor in postage costs.

www.bricklink.com

www.brickowl.com

Facebook groups:

I’m a member of several Facebook groups that allow members to post sale listings. They usually work on a ‘first comment, first served’ basis, which is great, but in some cases this means you have to be quick, and I mean QUICK!

LEGO groups

These Facebook groups are a great way to grab Minifigures at a usually cheaper price. ‘Collector to collector’ groups have some of the best deals going, as collectors hold each other in the same regard, often passing on Minifigures below other website/group prices.

Another advantage to joining a Facebook group is that you can ask for certain items. If you’re after a certain Minifigure and can’t seem to find it anywhere, simply post on the groups page and ask for it, it couldn’t be easier really!

As always when buying please be careful, a lot of the selling or trading that goes on in the groups is above board, some enforce a ‘name & date’ policy, which means when selling you must prove that you have the item in your possession, this requires you to write your name and the date on a small piece of paper when photographing any item. A great way to make sure the person you’re dealing with actually has the Minifigure you require!

Name and date example

All deals must be agreed upon and finalised in the posts comment section before moving on to private messages, where you’ll exchange payment details and address.

Please be careful and always use PayPal Goods & Services, this covers both you and the seller if things don’t quite work out as intended.

Two of the groups I use:

Lego, lego and more lego

Lego buy/sell/swap UK

Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and Shpock:

Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and Shpock all work in a similar way to each other as they allow you to search your surrounding area for private goods. Usually secondhand, with the occasional new or unopened item.

I’m going to be honest here and say that I don’t normally find what I’m looking for on these types of platforms as it’s totally random and usually household items that get listed. I do however recommend setting up an ‘alert’ on Shpock and Gumtree to notify you of any LEGO that gets listed, you just never know what may pop up for sale.

Shpock alerts

eBay and auction websites:

eBay can also be quite a decent place to shop for Minifigures and LEGO, if you don’t mind paying a little more for it. Indeed there are bargains to be had, but being such a popular website it’s somewhat unlikely and may push you over your budget.

eBay Screenshot

Again just like the Marketplaces above you can setup alerts. I’ve found these to work really well and have been lucky enough and won some great bargains!

Carboots:

During the Spring and Summer months Carboots can be a great place for finding bargains.

If you head to your local Carboot and get there early enough, you can bag some great deals, from Minifigures to Sets, joblots to boxes full to the brim with bricks. But be aware of others on the prowl, you’re not the only one looking for cheap deals!

Carboot example

When you see the LEGO logo or a box full of bricks out the corner of your eye and very quickly but covertly wander over to it, remember to have a decent look at the item you want to purchase, don’t be afraid to pick it up and inspect it thoughly. Ask if all the bits and pieces are there, the accessories, the Minifigures etc. Also check if it’s actually LEGO, you’ll be surprised how many people unknowingly call every brick LEGO, when it’s clearly not. They may try to fob you off with Megablox, Blox, or dare I say it….fake stuff!

Mixed Joblot at carboot

If you didn’t know it already, LEGO stamp their name on every piece they produce.

• Bricks and plates (baseplates) have a stamp on every stud.
• Minifigures have multiple stamps as they’re made up of a few parts. The one I check for is stamped on the neck after you pop the head off. Others to look out for are situated inside the legs (toe section), under each arm, and inside the head piece itself. Rotate each part to catch them in the right light, they’re there!

LEGO stamp on neck peg

Once you’ve spotted, fondled and inspected what you’re after, next is price and negotiations. Don’t be afraid to haggle, always try and get a better/lower price. To make haggling easier, point out that a piece is missing (if there is) or any defects you notice. Most importantly, don’t feel forced to commit to it if the seller has asked to much.

We hope this article helps you in obtaining some much sought-after Minifigures to add to your collections. Please feel free to comment and ask questions below.
Please note that we do not endorse or sponsor any of the above mentioned websites and/or groups, and buying & selling is at your own discretion and risk.