L’eggo My Lego (Animation) with Edwin Alvarenga

L’eggo My Lego (Animation) with Edwin Alvarenga

Dates: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Address: 100 Arthur Street (Artspace Building)

Location: WFG Blacklodge (room 304 - 3rd Floor)

Class: Limited to 25 participants | First come, first served

Cost: $35 Members | $45 Non-Members

CALLING ALL TINKERERS, DOODLERS, AND TOY STORY CONSPIRATORS!

Ever swore your toys were moving the second you turned your head? Ever caught your winter mitts, toque, and parka conspiring to hide to avoid -40° weather, or witnessed your food explain in a Shakespearean monologue why you shouldn't eat it? Welcome to the imaginative and whimsical world of stop-motion animation!

For one night only, Toronto animator Edwin Alvarenga will be making a special visit at the Winnipeg Film Group for a lighthearted and accessible entry into the craft. Edwin is currently completing a months-long residency in Winnipeg collaborating with local legendary director Mike Maryniuk on Born to Be Wild. This is 1 of 16 ambitious Canada-wide animations commissioned by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). The project is just wrapping up so they cannot show any footage… pssst but Mike and Edwin might be inclined to grant participants an exclusive peek into the magical and mythical set that they built, blocks away in Mike's studio!

About the Class

Let’s be real: nobody is animating a polished film in three hours, but you will walk away with practical knowledge and be inspired to start making things move using the portable tech you carry on you every single day, be it a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

This workshop is a half-and-half mix of show-and-tell and hands-on experimentation. Edwin will demonstrate both ends of the craft: from high-end, industry-standard Dragonframe software used on professional film sets, to the free and user-friendly Stop Motion Studio app. After breaking down the essentials of movement, timing, and simple setups, you'll jump in with hands-on animation to bring your own objects to life.

What You’ll Learn

• The Fundamentals of Frame-by-Frame: The core rules of spacing, timing, and squash-and-stretch that give inanimate objects weight, rhythm, and distinct personality.

• Pro vs. Pocket Tools (Dragonframe & Stop Motion Studio): Peek at how pro studio setups operate using Dragonframe, and learn how to translate those same framing and onion-skinning principles right into the free Stop Motion Studio app on your portable.

• Hands-On Tinkering & Play: Stage a quick mini-scene, test out practical character movement, and shoot your very own short animation clip before the night wraps.

Who Should Attend

• Beginners & Curious Minds: Anyone looking for a fun, zero-pressure, hands-on introduction to the world of stop-motion.

• Doodlers, Crafters & Visual Artists: Illustrators, makers, and hobbyists eager to step off the page and see physical objects move in real time.

• Anyone Reading Up to This Point: Because it's likely you are looking to inject playful, practical, frame-by-frame sequences into your videos.

What to Bring

• Your Device & Charger: A smartphone, tablet, or laptop equipped with a camera, along with its charging cable/power supply.

• The Free App: Please download and install the free version of Stop Motion Studio (available for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows) onto your device prior to class.

• Something to Animate: Bring 1 or 2 small, quirky objects from home (an action figure, bendable toy, desk trinket, figurine, or a chunk of Plasticine/Play-Doh).

About the Instructor

Edwin Alvarenga is a Toronto-based stop-motion character animator, filmmaker, and passionate educator with a genuine love for teaching interactive workshops. As a lead animator and co-founder of Tye Down Pictures, Edwin contributed character animation to the award-winning stop-motion music video for George Harrison’s “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth),” directed by Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things). The acclaimed project took home major honors, including “Best Animation” at the Hollywood Music Video Awards (HMVAs) and “Video & Film – Animation” at the Webby Awards.

Prior to his studio work, Edwin built a worldwide following on his YouTube channel Edbound, amassing over 280,000 subscribers and tens of millions of views. His kinetic brickfilms caught the eye of The LEGO Group, who officially commissioned him to create dynamic Spider-Man stop-motion animation content on YouTube. In television, he served as a character animator on the preschool stop-motion series Bumpadoo! (2025). Edwin is currently completing a residency in Winnipeg as the lead animator on Born to Be Wild, created and directed by Winnipeg’s own Mike Maryniuk and produced through the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).

Pricing & Support

This workshop is part of the Winnipeg Film Group’s 2026 reduced-rate workshop program, made possible through generous support from The Winnipeg Foundation. Their contribution allows us to offer more affordable, educational filmmaking opportunities for our community throughout the year.

Refund Policy

The Winnipeg Film Group reserves the right to cancel any course where the minimum registration has not been met. Anyone registered for a course that has been cancelled is eligible for a full refund. Cancelled course fees may also be used towards any other Winnipeg Film Group training programs.

Assistance and accommodations are available to participants with different disabilities. Please call or email us for more information: ben@winnipegfilmgroup.com