Kipper: Difference between revisions

From Research Realm
← Older editNewer edit →
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 30: Line 30:


== Production ==
== Production ==
"Kipper" was created by [[Wikipedia:Copywriting|copywriter]] Mike Cozens and [[Wikipedia:Art director|art director]] Graham Watson at the London branch of the [[Wikipedia:Advertising agency|advertising agency]] [[Wikipedia:TBWA Worldwide|TBWA]].<ref name="Cook 1981"/>


The LEGO models used in ''Kipper'' were all created by [[David Lyall]], a LEGO model designer at [[LEGO UK Ltd]].<ref name="Bricks 'n Pieces 1981-1"/><ref name="Cook 1981"/> Lyall made two versions of each model: one glued version, and one to be assembled and disassembled during [[Wikipedia:Stop motion|stop motion]] filming.<ref name="Dye interview Watson"/>
The LEGO models used in ''Kipper'' were all created by [[David Lyall]], a LEGO model designer at [[LEGO UK Ltd]].<ref name="Bricks 'n Pieces 1981-1"/><ref name="Cook 1981"/> Lyall made two versions of each model: one glued version, and one to be assembled and disassembled during [[Wikipedia:Stop motion|stop motion]] filming.<ref name="Dye interview Watson"/>
Line 48: Line 49:
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Art Direction Book">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/artdirectionbook0000roto/page/170/mode/2up?view=theater |title=The Art Direction Book |publisher=Rotovision SA |location=[[Wikipedia:Crans, Switzerland|Crans, Switzerland]] |year=1996 |isbn=2-88046-284-3 |editor-first=Louise |editor-last=Bishop |section=Graham Watson |pages=170-171}}</ref>
<ref name="Art Direction Book">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/artdirectionbook0000roto/page/170/mode/2up?view=theater |title=The Art Direction Book |publisher=Rotovision SA |location=[[Wikipedia:Crans, Switzerland|Crans, Switzerland]] |year=1996 |isbn=2-88046-284-3 |editor-first=Louise |editor-last=Bishop |section=Graham Watson |pages=170-171}}</ref>
<!--ref name="Awdry blog">{{cite web |url=https://willawdry.blog/2020/09/23/watson-and-cozens/ |title=Watson and Cozens |date=23 September 2020 |first=Will |last=Awdry |website=willawdry.blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317041004/https://willawdry.blog/2020/09/23/watson-and-cozens/ |archive-date=17 March 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref-->


<ref name="Bricks 'n Pieces 1981-1">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/BricksNPieces-Spring1981-Brickset/mode/2up?view=theater |title=A Merry Old Soul |magazine=[[Bricks 'n Pieces]] |date=Spring 1981 |number=7 |editor-first=Clive |editor-last=Nicholls |editor-link=Clive Nicholls |page=1 |location=[[Wikipedia:Wrexham|Wrexham]], [[Wikipedia:Clwyd|Clwyd]] |publisher=[[LEGO UK Ltd]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Bricks 'n Pieces 1981-1">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/BricksNPieces-Spring1981-Brickset/mode/2up?view=theater |title=A Merry Old Soul |magazine=[[Bricks 'n Pieces]] |date=Spring 1981 |number=7 |editor-first=Clive |editor-last=Nicholls |editor-link=Clive Nicholls |page=1 |location=[[Wikipedia:Wrexham|Wrexham]], [[Wikipedia:Clwyd|Clwyd]] |publisher=[[LEGO UK Ltd]]}}</ref>


<ref name="Campaign article 949419">{{cite web |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/lego-kipper-tbwa/949419 |title=Lego 'kipper' by TBWA |year=29 October 2009 |website=[[Wikipedia:Campaign (magazine)|Campaign]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Haymarket Media Group|Haymarket Media Group]] |location=[[Wikipedia:London|London]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240817020449/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/lego-kipper-tbwa/949419 |archive-date=17 August 2024 |access-date=20 September 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="Campaign article 949419">{{cite web |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/lego-kipper-tbwa/949419 |title=Lego 'kipper' by TBWA |year=29 October 2009 |website=[[Wikipedia:Campaign (magazine)|Campaign]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Haymarket Media Group|Haymarket Media Group]] |location=[[Wikipedia:London|London]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240817020449/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/lego-kipper-tbwa/949419 |archive-date=17 August 2024 |access-date=20 September 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<!--ref name="Channel 4 100 list">{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/greatest_ads/ |title=The 100 Greatest TV Ads |year=2000 |website=Channel 4 Television |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010618095141/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/greatest_ads/ |archive-date=18 June 2001}}</ref-->
<!--ref name="Channel 4 100 video">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj14p4nulUw&t=2385 |title=The 100 Greatest TV Ads |date=29 April 2000 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Channel 4|Channel 4]] |location=London |time=39:45-40:25 |type=Repeat airing on 29 August 2004 |access-date=18 August 2024}}</ref-->


<ref name="Cook 1981">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessbookofwi0000cook/page/5/mode/2up?view=theater |title=The Guiness Book of Winners and Champions |edition=2nd |year=1981 |first1=Chris |last1=Cook |first2=Anne |last2=Marshall |publisher=Guiness Superlatives Limited |location=[[Wikipedia:Enfield, London|Enfield, London]] |isbn=0-85112-218-3 |page=5}}</ref>
<ref name="Cook 1981">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessbookofwi0000cook/page/5/mode/2up?view=theater |title=The Guiness Book of Winners and Champions |edition=2nd |year=1981 |first1=Chris |last1=Cook |first2=Anne |last2=Marshall |publisher=Guiness Superlatives Limited |location=[[Wikipedia:Enfield, London|Enfield, London]] |isbn=0-85112-218-3 |page=5}}</ref>
<!--ref name="Dye interview Cozens">{{cite interview |url=https://davedye.com/2016/01/29/mike-cozens-interview/ |title=INTERVIEW: Mike Cozens |website=Stuff From the Loft |first=Mike |last=Cozens |interviewer=Dave Dye |date=January 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818094227/https://davedye.com/2016/01/29/mike-cozens-interview/ |archive-date=18 August 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref-->


<ref name="Dye interview Watson">{{cite interview |url=https://davedye.com/2023/11/27/blog-cast-graham-watson-1/ |title=BLOG/CAST: Graham Watson #1 |website=Stuff From the Loft |first=Graham |last=Watson |interviewer=Dave Dye |date=November 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817134023/https://davedye.com/2023/11/27/blog-cast-graham-watson-1/ |archive-date=17 August 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=20 September 2025}} Includes three documents:
<ref name="Dye interview Watson">{{cite interview |url=https://davedye.com/2023/11/27/blog-cast-graham-watson-1/ |title=BLOG/CAST: Graham Watson #1 |website=Stuff From the Loft |first=Graham |last=Watson |interviewer=Dave Dye |date=November 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817134023/https://davedye.com/2023/11/27/blog-cast-graham-watson-1/ |archive-date=17 August 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=20 September 2025}} Includes three documents:
Line 59: Line 68:
* {{cite document |last1=Watson |first1=Graham |last2=Cozens |first2=Mike |date=25 April 1980 |title='Kipper' TV/Radio Script |publisher=TBWA}}
* {{cite document |last1=Watson |first1=Graham |last2=Cozens |first2=Mike |date=25 April 1980 |title='Kipper' TV/Radio Script |publisher=TBWA}}
* {{cite document |last1=Watson |first1=Graham |last2=Cozens |first2=Mike |last3=Bearman |first3=Jane |date=15 July 1980 |title='Kipper' Contact Report |publisher=TBWA}}</ref>
* {{cite document |last1=Watson |first1=Graham |last2=Cozens |first2=Mike |last3=Bearman |first3=Jane |date=15 July 1980 |title='Kipper' Contact Report |publisher=TBWA}}</ref>
<!--ref name="Kanner 1999">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/100besttvcommerc00kann/page/90/mode/2up?view=theater |title=The 100 Best TV Commercials ...and Why They Worked |first=Bernice |last=Kanner |year=1999 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Times Books|Times Books]] |location=[[Wikipedia:New York City|New York]] |isbn=0-8129-2995-0 |pages=90-91}}</ref-->
<!--ref name="Lego Parents">{{cite web |title=Kipper Back in the Menu for LEGO UK |date=27 November 2009 |author=<!- -none listed- -> |url=http://parents.lego.com/en-gb/news/Kipper.aspx |website=[[LEGO.com]] Parents News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203163057/http://parents.lego.com/en-gb/news/Kipper.aspx |archive-date=3 December 2009}}</ref-->
<!--ref name="Marshall 1994">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessbookofwi0000mars/page/5/mode/2up?view=theater |title=The Guinness Book of Winners |first=Anne |last=Marshall |year=1994 |page=5 |isbn=0-85112-791-6 |publisher=Guinness Publishing |location=[[Wikipedia:Enfield, London|Enfield, London]]}}</ref-->


<ref name="McCarthy Drum">{{cite web |url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2022/06/14/world-s-best-ads-ever-88-lego-lays-the-foundations-40-year-legacy-with-kipper |title= World’s best ads ever #88: Lego lays the foundations for 40-year legacy with 'Kipper' |first=John |last=McCarthy |date=June 14, 2022 |website=The Drum |publisher=Carnyx Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817094431/https://www.thedrum.com/news/2022/06/14/world-s-best-ads-ever-88-lego-lays-the-foundations-40-year-legacy-with-kipper |archive-date=17 August 2024 |access-date=20 September 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="McCarthy Drum">{{cite web |url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2022/06/14/world-s-best-ads-ever-88-lego-lays-the-foundations-40-year-legacy-with-kipper |title= World’s best ads ever #88: Lego lays the foundations for 40-year legacy with 'Kipper' |first=John |last=McCarthy |date=June 14, 2022 |website=The Drum |publisher=Carnyx Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817094431/https://www.thedrum.com/news/2022/06/14/world-s-best-ads-ever-88-lego-lays-the-foundations-40-year-legacy-with-kipper |archive-date=17 August 2024 |access-date=20 September 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Line 67: Line 82:


<ref name="One Show 1981">{{cite book |url= |title=The One Show: Advertising's Best Print, Radio, TV |volume=3 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:The One Club|The One Club for Art and Copy]] |location=[[Wikipedia:New York City|New York]] |year=1982 |isbn=0-960-2628-3-0 |issn=0273-2033 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/oneshowadvertisi0000unse_c1w0/page/n55/mode/2up?view=theater 46], [https://archive.org/details/oneshowadvertisi0000unse_c1w0/page/n95/mode/2up?view=theater 86]}}</ref>
<ref name="One Show 1981">{{cite book |url= |title=The One Show: Advertising's Best Print, Radio, TV |volume=3 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:The One Club|The One Club for Art and Copy]] |location=[[Wikipedia:New York City|New York]] |year=1982 |isbn=0-960-2628-3-0 |issn=0273-2033 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/oneshowadvertisi0000unse_c1w0/page/n55/mode/2up?view=theater 46], [https://archive.org/details/oneshowadvertisi0000unse_c1w0/page/n95/mode/2up?view=theater 86]}}</ref>
<!--ref name="Robinson 2000">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/100greatesttvads0000robi/page/34/mode/2up?view=theater |title=100 Greatest TV Ads |first=Mark |last=Robinson |year=2000 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:HarperCollins|HarperCollins]] |location=[[Wikipedia:London|London]] |page=34 |isbn=0-00-711123-1}}</ref-->
<!--ref name="Russel 2013">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9783836545242/page/53/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Game Changers: The Evolution of Advertising |editor-first1=Peter |editor-last1=Russel |editor-first2=Senta |editor-last2=Slingerland |year=2013 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Taschen|Taschen]] |location=[[Wikipedia:Cologne|Cologne]] |isbn=978-3-8365-4524-2 |page=53}}</ref-->
<!--ref name="Ten Best 1980s">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/advertisingstenb0000unse/page/66/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Advertising's Ten Best Of The Decade 1980–1990 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:The One Club|The One Club for Art and Copy]] |location=[[Wikipedia:New York City|New York]] |isbn=0-929837-02-9 |year=1990 |editor-first=Mary |editor-last=Warlick |page=66}}</ref-->
}}
}}


Revision as of 00:58, 22 September 2025

Kipper
Frame from the advertisement showing the titular kipper (left) and the submarine
AgencyTBWA\London
ClientLEGO UK Ltd
LanguageEnglish
MediaTelevision
Running time45 seconds
Product
Release date(s)
  • 29 October 1980 (1980-10-29)[1]
Slogan
  • It's a new toy every day
Written by
  • Mike Cozens (copywriter)
  • Graham Watson (art director)
Directed byKen Turner
Starring
Production
company		Clearwater Films
Produced byDavid Mitton
CountryUnited Kingdom

Kipper is a British stop-motion television commercial first aired in 1980.

Summary

The advertisement features two LEGO creatures battling by changing into new forms to defeat the other. A small LEGO mouse, who narrates the film, is standing by a mousehole when a LEGO cat appears. The mouse turns into a dog to scare the cat, but the cat becomes a fire-breathing dragon; the dog then becomes a fire engine and extinguishes the dragon's flame. The back-and-forth transformation goes on as the two become a submarine that emerges from a puddle, a submarine-eating kipper (initially misheard as "slipper"), an "anti-kipper ballistic missile", a "missile cruncher", and finally an elephant. As the missile cruncher is about to be stepped on by the elephant, it changes back into a mouse, scaring the elephant and causing it to fall over.

Production

"Kipper" was created by copywriter Mike Cozens and art director Graham Watson at the London branch of the advertising agency TBWA.[2]

The LEGO models used in Kipper were all created by David Lyall, a LEGO model designer at LEGO UK Ltd.[3][2] Lyall made two versions of each model: one glued version, and one to be assembled and disassembled during stop motion filming.[4]

The largest model built for the advertisement, the dragon, contained around 20,000 LEGO bricks.[5]: 86 

Kipper was produced at Clearwater Films, a studio founded by former Century 21 directors Ken Turner and David Mitton.[6][7] Turner and Mitton worked on the advertisement as its director and producer, respectively.[8]: 486 

Clearwater initially suggested building a detailed set "complete with wallpaper and carpets" for filming, but Watson wanted to direct it "simply", using "just the skirting board and a reflective floor."[9][8]: 252 

Filming took place over the course of seventeen days, and was done in a single take.[5]: 86  The stop motion LEGO models were built in stages during filming, with a few frames of footage being shot between each stage.[5]: 86  Watson later likened the filming process to watching paint dry.[4]

Reception

References

  1. ↑ "Lego 'kipper' by TBWA". Campaign. London: Haymarket Media Group. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cook, Chris; Marshall, Anne (1981). The Guiness Book of Winners and Champions (2nd ed.). Enfield, London: Guiness Superlatives Limited. p. 5. ISBN 0-85112-218-3.
  3. ↑ Nicholls, Clive, ed. (Spring 1981). "A Merry Old Soul". Bricks 'n Pieces. No. 7. Wrexham, Clwyd: LEGO UK Ltd. p. 1.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Watson, Graham (November 27, 2023). "BLOG/CAST: Graham Watson #1". Stuff From the Loft (Interview). Interviewed by Dave Dye. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2025. Includes three documents:
    • Hegarty, John (18 October 1979). "TBWA contract letter" (Letter to Graham Watson). Covent Garden, London: TBWA.
    • Watson, Graham; Cozens, Mike (25 April 1980). "'Kipper' TV/Radio Script" (Document). TBWA.
    • Watson, Graham; Cozens, Mike; Bearman, Jane (15 July 1980). "'Kipper' Contact Report" (Document). TBWA.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 The One Show: Advertising's Best Print, Radio, TV. Vol. 3. New York: The One Club for Art and Copy. 1982. pp. 46, 86. ISBN 0-960-2628-3-0. ISSN 0273-2033.
  6. ↑ McCarthy, John (June 14, 2022). "World's best ads ever #88: Lego lays the foundations for 40-year legacy with 'Kipper'". The Drum. Carnyx Group. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  7. ↑ Moody, Annemarie (May 28, 2008). "Children's TV Creator Dies Unexpectedly". Animation World Network. Van Nuys, California: Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Myerson, Jeremy; Vickers, Graham (2002). Rewind: Forty Years of Design & Advertising. New York: Phaidon Press. pp. 252, 486. ISBN 0-7148-4271-0.
  9. ↑ Bishop, Louise, ed. (1996). "Graham Watson". The Art Direction Book. Crans, Switzerland: Rotovision SA. pp. 170–171. ISBN 2-88046-284-3.
External video
video icon 1980 Lego 'Kipper' via History of Advertising Trust on YouTube (this one is clearer but slightly squished)
video icon Kipper (2008 version) by TBWA Worldwide on Vimeo
video icon Kipper (New Zealand version) on YouTube
Retrieved from "https://wiki.researchrealm.net/index.php?title=Kipper&oldid=8619"