Turning a childhood hobby of building with LEGO^® bricks into a lucrative full-time job as an adult is something many young boys and girls dream about. For Gary McIntire, that dream became a reality. He is currently one of two master model builders at LEGOLAND California and took some time recently to chat with me about his highly coveted position as professional model maker.

1. How long have you worked at LEGOLAND California? Three and a half years. Before that I lived in Seattle and worked as a construction manager for custom homes.

2. What drew you to become a Master Model Builder? Building with LEGO bricks has always been my hobby. My house was LEGO central when I was a kid. Essentially, I got older but didn’t grow up. I began collecting LEGO sets, building at home, and I got involved in an Adult LEGO fan community. A few years ago I entered the Master Model Builder Search, competed and came in second place.

3. How did you end up getting the job at LEGOLAND? I became acquainted with the Park and the staff through the Master Model Builder Search but didn’t get hired at first. It was a foot in the door though, and then awhile later, when I was here on vacation, it was the right place at right time. At first they hired me for a three-month stint and then it became a full-time job.

4. Describe a typical day for a model builder. In the morning I ride a tricycle around the Park to do a Park Check. I check all the models and do any repairs that need to be made. I make sure the models are in good shape, that there are no safety hazards, and that they’re ready for the Park to open. Then I go to the Model Shop and begin designing new models by hand or I use the computer to do mosaics. I’ll get an idea from someone and then look up images on the Internet. I’ll sketch it first, pick colors, design the prototype by hand, and then glue the final model together.

5. What’s your favorite model you’ve built? It’s the model of the General William Tecumseh Sherman statue in Central Park.

6. Do you like to listen to music while you build? If so, what kind? Yes, definitely. I listen to music that relates to the theme of whatever model I’m working on. At home I listen to scores of sci fi movies.

7. Do you have any suggestions for kids who dream of building with LEGO bricks as a career? Keep having fun and keep trying to be a better builder. Look at what other people build, that is a key. Brothers Brick is a great site to get tips and tricks.

8. What kind of experience/training do you need to become a Model Builder? One of the first steps is to learn how to reproduce things--understand how the LEGO brand works, how different elements can be combined. I like to use the analogy that each brick is like a musical note that can be arranged in so many ways in order to compose amazing works of art. Model Builders have all sorts of different backgrounds from Art to Psychology to Astrophysics. Anything goes as long as you tie it back to LEGO.

9. What was the most challenging model you’ve ever built for the Park?

I’d have to say the mom pushing a stroller, out in front of the park. It was one of my first assignments for the Park and it was the first time I had done the human form.

10. Is there anything you’d like to build for the Park? I’d like to build Alcatraz to sit in the harbor outside San Francisco in Miniland U.S.A.

11. What models can we look forward to seeing coming up at LEGOLAND California? Well, we are expanding our Halloween Brick-or-Treat Trail this year to include a second trail so we’re busy making new models for the 2nd trail.

12. If you could choose any other profession besides building models what would it be? Designing playgrounds and tree houses.

Next time you’re in the Park, be sure to stop by the Model Shop to say hi to Gary and the model building team!

Brick Regards,
Model Mom Mary