MEDIA
OPINION
Making it interesting How do you keep a character engaging? Clive Crouch asks the question…
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he front cover of Time magazine has produced some classic images over the years. It sits alongside Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe images in shops and galleries, such is its standing. Last month the front cover of Time pictured a curvy black silhouette with long blonde hair; almost unmistakably Barbie at 57. Barbie made her first catwalk outing at New York Toy Fair in 1959 and a lot has been written about her future by people closer to her than me. Animation and physical toys can be kind to our heroes and heroines, the most simple consideration is that they have to remain interesting, to avoid a slow passing away. Recently, two people who touched the lives of children, with very different connections, both passed away - David Bowie and Terry Wogan. Bowie happened to be a big SpongeBob fan. He watched Mr SquarePant’s show with his daughter for over 10 years. Bowie wrote the original music for the SpongeBob stage show and guest starred as the voice of Lord Royal Highness in Sponge out of Water. As a broadcaster, Terry Wogan was the front man of Children in Need; reaching out to families and children with a style that no one will ever emulate. Children are not accustomed to losing heroes in this way. Children establish their play heroes from a very young age, perhaps even before they know the meaning of the word. They can form an early attachment to the classic super hero, with its powerful imagery emanating from comics and cartoons, that continues into
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adulthood. Consider two alternative words which may better describe the relationship between young children and their toy heroes and heroines, “affinity - a natural liking, inclination to a person or thing”, and “association – a friendship or companionship, which may not last”. Those last four words are really important, they are almost true. The association that young children establish with their heroes and heroines, they leave behind as they grow up for the next wave of new borns. Literature plays a big part in establishing these relationships; Thomas the Tank Engine (now Thomas and Friends) was 70 last year. The Reverend Awdry penned 26 books that have sold over 50 million copies. By comparison in the digital era Michael Acton Smith launched Moshi Monsters 59 years after Thomas and has 90 million users worldwide. Time helps to identify the difference between these two properties, they both have a role to play in children’s play between appearing very worthy and right, or very worthy and interesting. Last year The Sunday Times published the Top 50 Children’s Books of Modern Times. It featured A.A. Milne’s The House at Pooh Corner, followed by The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe with Harry Potter in third while Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman was placed at number 28. Published in 1978 and adapted into one 26-minute animation, The Snowman was broadcast on the fledgling Channel 4 on 26 December 1982. Briggs brought The Snowman to life without any words, in book and film, then added the music score Walking in the Air. Back to the league of super heroes, not The Hulk or Spiderman, but super heroine Barbie. What Barbie has achieved since her birth year is a huge success story in itself, and Barbie’s legacy in image and sales may well be a reasonable indicator for her prospects at the age of 60. From January 2016, Mattel have decided to make Barbie a lot more interesting. Barbie Petite, Barbie Tall and Barbie Curvy will be available alongside Barbie Original. The availability of three new Barbies is no longer about being virtuous and right, it’s about being more interesting. I know when I’m having a chat in the pub I don’t want to talk to the bloke who is always right, I want to talk to the bloke who is always interesting. Let’s hope it is that simple for Mattel.
Recently, two people who touched the lives of children, with very different connections, both passed away
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Clive Crouch can be contacted on: www.clivecrouch.com, info@clivecrouch.com, mobile: 078 31 670 453
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