CHARACTER RESEARCH - ESSAY PLAN

Just a quick post to show my initial plan for my essay's question, structure and points, with sources to pair with them where I can add them.

QUESTION
DOES EMMET FROM THE LEGO MOVIE REPRESENT THE LEGO BRAND AND PRODUCT FAITHFULLY?

I feel quite confident in my chosen question, in that I feel familiar enough with the source material, and what it's based on, very well. This will involve looking at the history of the LEGO Group, their beliefs, and also looking at Emmet and how he acts throughout the film. Do the two meet in some kind of middle ground? Is there overlap? Does Emmet take some matters differently? All things worthy to think about.

INTRO
Introducing the movie, character and question. Just to give a bit of context to the film, so that the reader and I are on the same page as soon as the essay starts.

PARAGRAPH 1 - METAPHORICAL REPRESENTATION OF THE BRAND'S BELIEFS
This is mainly going to be driven by the characters personalities and actions in the film. Mostly going to discuss how Emmet goes from a regular construction worker who follows the instructions, doesn't disobey commands, etc., to becoming the prophesised hero. The person he becomes is representative of LEGO's belief of not having just one way to go with what you make or imagine, being able to build whatever you want.

Sources to use - "The LEGO Story", an official abridged telling of the LEGO Group and product's history. 

PARAGRAPH 2 - ACCURATE PORTRAYAL OF THE PRODUCT
Talking about how Emmet's movement don't exceed any of the actual limitations of the actual LEGO Minifigure; arms can only swivel around at the shoulder but can't go out, no bending knees, no tilting head, etc. 

Sources to use - "Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitsu", an animated LEGO TV show which features LEGO Minifigure characters flexing and moving in ways actual minifigures can't.

PARAGRAPH 3 - CHARACTER DESIGN
Talking about how Emmet actually looks. He's a construction worker dressed in orange and blue, with a yellow face and brown hair. His looks is almost like a blueprint for other construction workers with very little variation, so it could be worth talking about how his visual design fits into the storytelling. The fact that he looks like everyone else is a big part of his journey.

Sources to use - the film itself

PARAGRAPH 4 - REALISM VS REALISTIC
Talking about something looking "real enough" vs "photo-realistic". Almost like the two main points bordering the uncanny valley. The LEGO Movie is photorealistic, going as far as to scan in real LEGO elements and create new software for adding smudges and scratches.

Sources to use - "The LEGO Movie - Creating the Bricks", and online featurette published by Warner Bros., showcasing interviews with the directors and other crew members as to how the film was made and animated.

PARAGRAPH 5 - ON THE OTHER HAND (COMPARISON / ANTITHESIS)
Making sure I can display both sides of the argument. Comparing it to a somewhat similar film, LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers. Both are LEGO feature length films, starring a minifigure living in a large LEGO City, who at some point showcase skills in building pseudo-professionally. Both use different animation styles, and even handle the source material differently.

Sources to use - "LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers", LEGO's first attempt at a film starring minifigure characters, and the theme of building & imagination.

PARAGRAPH 6 - WHO CHARACTERS REPRESENT
Emmet embodies the ideals of the kid imagining the entire plot of The LEGO Movie, Finn. Meanwhile the antagonist, Lord Business, represents Finn's dad who demands rule following and perfection. Emmet, and by extension Finn, demonstrate core beliefs of imagination overcoming everything else when it comes to LEGO, instead of just sitting on a table not doing anything.

Sources to use - The LEGO Group's official list of values, specifically relating to imagination.

CONCLUSION
The end point, where I wrap it all up. Don't introduce new arguments or points, just summarise what I thought about the case presented, and then give my final thought.


Initial plan right now, things can change though. Paragraph subjects, sources, ordering is all game for editing.