LEGO in Budapest: Building Big Ideas, Brick by Brick
Production service in Hungary? Your answer is Cabbage Film Factory!
It all started when a friendly team of producers from the Netherlands got in touch about a two-day LEGO shoot in Budapest. The brief came through the Dutch production company Holy Ravioli, and although we knew we were competing with another company for the project, the initial Zoom call gave us a good feeling—there was great chemistry!
The producers from Holy Ravioli had already heard positive things about Hungary, as their Director of Photography (DOP) had previously worked in the country. They came with a clear creative direction and a detailed plan, including location, cast, wardrobe, props, and equipment, allowing us to quickly prepare mood boards and a quote.
Fortunately, our proposal won them over. There were the usual rounds of cast and prop approvals, but the location was locked in from early on: Budapest’s Keleti (Eastern) Railway Station.
With its 140-year history and iconic architecture, Keleti has become a go-to backdrop for international productions—having appeared in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, All the Light We Cannot See, Black Widow, and yes, our own viral Burger King commercial.
With casting confirmed and the props signed off, we moved on to the logistics. The DOP had requested full lighting control, so we had to black out the station’s massive windows and bring in a massive lighting rig. Our grip crew handled it expertly, working overnight to prep the space without disrupting the daily foot traffic of one of Hungary’s busiest railway terminals.
One of the more unexpected challenges was cleaning the floors. The station sees millions of passengers each year, so we needed a serious deep clean to get the surfaces spotless. This was especially important for the child actors who’d be sitting on the floor, building and playing with LEGO figures in several scenes.
The first shooting day focused on the lead actor, while day two saw the introduction of more children and the toys—but not just any toys. These were pre-release Ninjago sets, so security was tight, with no unauthorised photos or videos allowed. Even the official behind-the-scenes content was strictly limited to avoid early leaks.
To help elevate the visuals, we used a Technocrane and a high-powered projector to create striking effects. It was this tech that gave the commercial its signature look.
The two-day shoot involved a crew of more than 80 people, all working towards a successful outcome. By the end of the second day, the client left satisfied, and we even surprised the director with a quick birthday celebration—complete with cake—just before wrapping up.
By the time we wrapped, we had not only pulled off a high-profile shoot under a tight deadline, but helped create something that felt true to LEGO’s spirit: full of imagination, precision, and joy.
Ready to produce your next international commercial shoot in Budapest? Drop us a line—we’d love to build something together.
For our favourite BTS film click here.
