Robert Carlson
Robert started up the 5MadMovieMakers channel with his brothers in 2010. He graduated from Biola University in 2015 with a degree in film production. Now Robert makes videos on YouTube for a living. In his spare time he practices writing and plays MarioKart.
Elisabeth Carlson
Elisabeth advises the channel from a distance. She is continually telling Robert to get an official 5MMM Instagram because her calligraphy account has thousands of followers, which makes her the Instagram queen of the family.
Rebecca Carlson
Rebecca strategically shares the channel whenever she babysits kids. She also tracks subscribers and view counts, especially focusing on how many people have seen Hot Wheels Sandbox Track.
Mark Carlson
Mark supplies the music for many of the 5MMM videos. His pop sensibilities and electronic vibes have been heard by millions. He usually helps at the beginning of a roller coaster construction project and comes back when it’s finished.
Matthew Carlson
Matthew has appeared in many 5MMM videos as the kid who puts the car down the track. His mantra of ‘let’s do something’ usually leads to a video being made. He watches crazy amounts of YouTube videos and always has something to critique before Robert hits upload.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you buy tracks?
Check out the Toys tab for product names and descriptions. New products can be bought in toy stores or on Amazon, but older tracks such as Lego City 9V train rails are only available through Ebay or other resellers.
How do you put the camera on the car?
In 2016 I had my friends Cameron and Jessie from Raptor House Effects cut up the Hot Wheels “Pharadox” car chassis to put a GoPro Hero Session camera onboard. In 2017 they added a 3D-printed mount to the second generation model. The camera is positioned very low on the track, although it is not so low that it scrapes on the track sidewalls.
How do you get your roller coasters to work?
If you can find the problem, you can find the solution. Clear the track of debris, check that the wheels spin freely, add or lower height to change speed, build stronger supports, take physics lessons, and don’t give up!
When will you make another Lego animation / Hot Wheels track / marble run?
I enjoy using many different toys on the channel and can’t guarantee when they will appear next. Stay tuned because I usually post a new video every month.
Is this your full time job?
Making videos for the YouTube channel is my main source of income. However I also work on internet videos for Aaron’s Animals and Zach King, and I write in my free time.
Can I hire you?
Email [email protected] or use the Contact page to get in touch. Please be specific with what you want from me and I’ll respond with a quote if I’m available. I am not currently allowing product placement on my own channel but I occasionally construct tracks, produce videos and offer advice for third-party clients.
Why do you make these videos?
I love taking constructive play to the next level. Being creative is one of the best ways to enjoy God’s creation. Although I rarely mention my faith as a Christian in the videos, it motivates my filmmaking and how I explore the world. Check out more about my story and process in this documentary.
What video equipment do you use?
I use the Sony VG30H, GoPro Hero 4 Session, iPhone SE, Macbook Air, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Ravelli Tripod. If you have a kid who is starting to make their own videos, I recommend giving them an old VHS or DV tape camcorder that can play footage back without computer editing.
Are you an engineer?
No, but after playing with a track system for a while I have a good idea of what’s going to work and not work. It is faster to build and adjust without doing any math, although a risky layout takes more trial and error before it’s functional. Obviously this approach would be very expensive and unsafe for building real roller coasters.
How long does it take you to make a video?
Building and filming a track can take anywhere from several hours to several days. Some videos such as Hot Wheels Nightmare are filmed in sections and edited together later. For stop motion animation, I can film twenty seconds a day. Editing a video also takes several days especially when timing it with music or adding sound effects.
Where do you get your music?
I get a lot of music from the YouTube Audio Library, Incompetech and Soundcloud. My brother Mark has also made a lot of the tracks for my videos. If you are looking for the outtro music that plays at the end of every video, it is “Overlook” by EMCEE. Also check out the official 5MadMovieMakers playlist on SoundCloud.
Where can I buy your book?
The Miniature Railroad is available on Amazon. It’s a fictional chapter book about mice and toy trains in which Oliver and Emily have to work together to find the missing Red Train before Morgan and his henchmice take over the railroad.
How much money do you make?
My current YouTube CPM is $1 for every 1900 views. So if a video ever reaches 1 million views I would make $526.
How much track do you have?
600 feet of Skyrail marble track, 200 feet of Hot Wheels track, and 100 feet of Lego track.
How old are you?
Old enough to get weird looks from people while playing with Hot Wheels in public.
Is there still gravity underwater?
Yes. Water adds resistance, but a dense object will still sink.
How long have you been making videos?
My siblings and I have been messing around with the family camcorder since we were very young. In 2003 my brother Mark gave me Skyrail marble roller coaster track for Christmas. In 2008 I made my first YouTube video “Lego Indiana Jones – Mine Car Chase” for the AllAboardToys YouTube channel. My brothers and I started the 5MadMovieMakers channel in the summer of 2010 to share our toy roller coaster videos.
What is your favorite roller coaster?
Magnum XL 200 at Cedar Point is my favorite roller coaster. My second favorite is Cyclone at Lakeside Amusement Park and my third favorite is Matterhorn Bobsleds (Tomorrowland Side) at Disneyland.