A LEGO Journey to the East is a documentary produced and directed by Naomi Zola under the Tuesday's Child production company. It details and records the creation and conceptualization of Monkie Kid. The documentary was teased on May 12, 2020[1] before it released on May 30, 2020 in China along with "Monkie Kid: A Hero is Born."
Synopsis[]
Embark on a journey with LEGO as the Danish company attempt to move the interlocking brick phenomenon East towards China for the first time. With unprecedented access, we follow an international team of designers as they construct an ambitious new range rooted in Chinese culture. But with so much to learn about the traditions, heritage and values, will they be able to successfully adapt to this 3000-year-old civilisation and finally crack the Eastern market?[2] |
Summary[]
Click here to add more ▸ |
Cast[]
Voice Actor | Role(s) |
---|---|
Jeremy Adams | Writer |
Dennis Fong | Concept Designer Team Manager |
Yeen Huang | Brand Director, Marketing |
Wei Wei Gluckman Prince Jiang |
LEGO Certified Professional |
Neville Lin | VP Marketing, China |
Simon Lucas | Concept Designer Creator of Monkie Kid Team Manager |
Sean Schemmel | Narrator |
Robin Smith | Head Lawyer, China |
Xiaodong Wen | Concept Designer Illustrator Tour Guide Animation Overseer |
Star Zhu | Senior Brand Manager |
Xin Chen | Concept Artist |
Bebe Wang | Creative & Toy Designer |
Joseph Coleman Ruth Kelly Christopher Perron Justin Ramsden Jordan Scott Paul Turcanu Nico Vás Li Yu |
Model Maker |
Names in other languages[]
Language | Name | Translation, etymology, and notes |
---|---|---|
Mandarin (China) |
乐高品牌:讲好中国故事 | Lego Brand: Telling China's Story Well |
Trivia[]
- Despite being produced in English, the documentary has never been officially released outside of China.
- The event Simon Lucas and Xiaodong Wen visited was the Shanghai AFOL Festival 2019 which lasted from August 24-25.[3]
- Adobe Photoshop was used to draw the concept art of Monkie Kid. Zbrush is used to animate the LEGO hair models.
- A sketch of Ne Zha is visible on the pinboard during the beginning discussion, and the Black Tortoise is described and drawn.
- Around the 30 minute mark, a whiteboard can be seen with some interesting text:
- "Calabash" is summarized in bullet points.
- Red Son is referred to as Red Boy.
- "Bizarro MK" is referring to Macaque. The "bizarro" is referencing Bizarro Superman, an evil mirror-version of Superman.
- The board also shortens Monkey King's name as "MK" and calls MK "MKid".
- The episode "The Great Wall Race" can also be seen being pitched.
- The Cloud Roadster and Spider Queen's minifigure are both shown being designed, this is the first view the public would have of Wave 2 before it was unveiled in July 2020.
Video[]
References[]
- ↑ LEGO (2020-05-12). 升温预警!四字英雄来了! (Mandarin) (Article). 升温预警!四字英雄来了!. WeChat. “本文图片素材来自 纪录片《乐高品牌:讲好中国故事》敬请期待”
- ↑ A LEGO Journey to the East | Tuesday's Child TV
- ↑ 纵哥 MOCOZONE (2020-05-15). 乐高全新系列悟空小侠系列正式发布! (Mandarin) (Blog). WeChat. “设计团队于2019年来到中国参观了第三届AFOL 节”