Yr 10 : LEGO

Everything is awesome!

We finished last term with an enjoyable exploration of BBC 1 Radio LiveLounge, our radio topic. Time to tackle our film marketing topic (Paper 1, TV and promoting media), how Warner Bros marketed The Lego Movie (2014). Our text book covers this on pages 43-66. We study

• the Lego film trailer and poster campaign
• the Lego Movie ad break
• the Lego Movie video game

We need to know about the film industry, such as how the franchise (= collection of media products like films, video games, comics, TV programmes) operated across different areas and how they worked together to promote The Lego Movie.

We also study how film audiences are targeted by the franchise and how they respond to & interact with the products. 

We learn about:

• who produced and regulated The Lego Movie and the Lego Movie video game
• BBFC certification; PEGI certification
• why a film company releases a spread of products along with the film
• terms like franchise, synergy, tent-pole production, ensemble cast, conglomerate
• vertical integration
• Lego's brand values
• cross-platform release

We learn to apply theory:

• the uses and gratifications theory
• narrative theory

We use media concepts:

• representation - how are people and places portrayed? gender roles? feminism?stereotypes (supported / subverted)?
• media language - narrative (the story); iconography (heroes /villains, composition, action/adventure props, fonts, colours)
• genre - what action /adventure codes excite audiences? heroes & villains? superheroes?comedy? hybridity (mix of genres, like comic characters with 'heroes')
• genre conventions - typical features (in a video game, film poster, TV advert)
• audience - family audience; appeals to adults & children; how different demographics are targeted

We start with the Lego movie. Watch the official trailer here

Task 1: how does Emmet come across? How effective would this trailer be in promoting the film?

Task 2: Find out what The Lego Movie (2014) is about. As you read, think about why the film appeals to different types of audiences (both children and adult) and is family friendly.

 

Task 3: Go to the BBFC site and research age ratings. Why was The Lego Movie (2014) given a U rating? You need to click on the Ratings info

  

Go to the PEGI site and research what age ratings are about. Why is The Lego Movie video game classification 7+?