I had a minor out of body experience when I opened up uber-record producer Rick Rubin's book, "The Creative Act: A Way of Being." Staring back at me, in the very first emboldened words on the page, was Tongal's ethos itself, "Everyone is a Creator." Did I read that right? Yes. And, as Rick would put it later, "There’s a time for certain ideas to arrive, and they find a way to express themselves through us." I suppose the time is right. Needless to say, I was hooked.

Rubin's book is a thought-provoking meditation on Creativity and the Creative Act itself. With it, he's pulled an essential manual into the world, broken into short musings on different parts of what it means to be an artist. He is adamant about remembering that creative potential is deeply wired inside all of us and that creativity is a fundamental aspect of being human. Rubin reframes our understanding of what it means to be a Creator by providing insight into the most simple (yet magnificent) of human endeavors.

Thought provoking stuff, to say the least. And it's interesting to reflect on. I've always considered creating and building Tongal to be one expansive and unfolding creative act. That creative act has set in motion a reverberation of other creative acts and a positive cycle of opportunity for people to be creative – to bring happiness into the world. I was excited that this was the essence of Rubin's book, and that he was able to make this idea accessible and easy to understand, by page 20.

The key idea here is that Creative Acts bring happiness – happiness to their Creators and happiness to the other Human Beings who experience the Creative Acts. Creative Acts reverberate into infinity from the moment they are brought into the world, and the bringing of them into the world is essential. As Rubin puts it, "Just as trees grow flowers and fruits, humanity creates works of art. The Golden Gate Bridge, The White Album, Clair de lune, the Philadelphia Cheesesteak."

Yes! Think about it. A guitar player comes up with a great riff. That riff inspires others to help build a great song. The song resonates with others (literally). The creative fingerprint of that song-creating energy brings joy to people all over the world. They sing it in the shower. It makes them feel human. Some might learn to play it themselves for campfires. Some people decide it's their wedding song. Others feel the happiness and pass it on. The song inspires new songs, and those songs go through the same cycle, which repeats itself forever. Further face-melting thought… Consider how many Creative Acts Rick Rubin's book can create? Have you figured out that I’m endorsing this book? Have a read. It's essential.  

Our second annual Pitch Fest is officially wrapped, and I'm so happy to share that the World of "Detective Bones" has been purchased from its Creator, Peter Jurado, and moved into development by the LEGO Group. "Detective Bones" features a young girl, Koriann, who takes the wrong train on Halloween night and ends up in an alternate New York. Raise your hand if you know the feeling… To get back home on time, she turns to Detective Bones and his ghost dog Krow. In an interview with our Pitch Fest finalists, Peter explained how Detective Bones evolved from bumbler to hero. Well, now he's evolved from hero to winner. Check out LEGO World Builder to get a jump on our next Pitch Fest, or to continue developing a promising new World!

If you're looking for a history lesson on women who changed the game in animation, this timeline of women animators is it. Give it a watch for a cavalcade of artists who've done work on everything from Disney Classics, like Snow White and The Little Mermaid, to Studio Ghibli masterpieces, like Spirited Away. From there, I'd recommend queuing up this interview with Tongal Creator Bethany Borg, for a modern take on what it's like working with iconic properties on Tongal, from Harry Potter to Star Wars to Sesame Street and more.

Sometimes, there's no better way to help others on the path to unlock their creative potential than to jump in and just do it. That's why we started our On-Set Apprenticeship Program. This program creates opportunities for new and aspiring filmmakers to gain experience through mentorship by established Tongal Creators, while building connections with local production crews. If you or someone you know is interested, check it out and spread the word. Next up? We have an April shoot in Chicago that is ready for an apprentice to come on board!