After posting the new video about Bluey in Crossy Road Castle and then watching it on my Apple TV, I started seeing a lot of interesting behind-the-scenes videos being suggested on YouTube. After a deluge of constantly alarmist and depressing content, it was refreshing to see a return to more inspirational and educational videos.
This cartoon for kids ultimately led to big thinking. It started with a video about the audio production. The Dallas Taylor YouTube channel posted an interview with Dan Brumm. “Why Bluey doesn’t sound like a cartoon with Bluey’s sound designer”. It showed the high level of detail and passion that went into creating the sounds for the cartoon.
While watching that video, one of the first things I thought was that I should have a portable microphone like that. 😄
But also, what a cute city. It makes me wonder why Hipster Whale hasn’t relocated to Brisbane. That looks so much nicer than Melbourne. Apparently, the 2032 Olympics are going to be in Brisbane.
But, the deep thinking goes even further. On the Gearside channel, there’s a video entitled, “How Australia Lost Bluey”. It’s tells a story that suggests Australia (ABC) made a bad deal with the merchandising rights to Bluey.
After watching that video, I wasn’t so sure about that. Perhaps a better deal could have been negotiated, but would I even know about Bluey if there wasn’t such a massive marketing push? Bluey merchandising was excessive last Christmas. And now, if Apple’s involved with creating a collaboration in Apple Arcade, that’s marketing muscle.
I think the bigger message was about risk and innovation. Are Australians risk-averse? That’s when I look at Hipster Whale and Crossy Road. Why aren’t I seeing those voxel-shaped characters as plushie toys in the aisles of Walmart? Where’s Crossy Road cartoon? Is it a matter of risk?
That’s how the video ends. It emphasizes the importance of investing in yourself. It suggests that’s something way better than gambling on sports, which appears to be a big problem in Australia. And with the necessary technology probably already existing in your own home, you can improve your skills and create your own intellectual property. Perhaps you can build the next Bluey or the next Crossy Road. And then, you can learn from the history of Bluey to make better negotiations.
That last part was especially relevant, as a lot of work has been put into Photics and trying to make it grow. The “Photics Web Guide” is the current big project, but then what’s next? It’s funny how the legacy of an Australian cartoon is now a small part in determining the future strategy.