NEWS
QR codes for TV series: how producers sneak in QR codes to engage viewers
The mid-credit scene of The Umbrella Academy season 3 finale gave away an easter egg hiding in plain sight.
A QR code briefly flashed on the screen as protagonist Ben Hargreeves read a book on a train to Yeouido station in South Korea.
Eagle-eyed fans and viewers who noticed and scanned The Umbrella Academy QR code found a website where fans can access different tattoo designs inspired by the series.
This is a subtle element, but it’s an excellent impression for avid fans who followed and loved the TV series.
The Umbrella Academy isn’t the only show that sneaked in QR codes in TV series; many producers have done it several times.
It’s easy to see why many producers use QR codes to sneak in some hidden messages and easter eggs—a QR code generator is quick and easy to use and takes little to no learning curve for most people.
Here’s how other TV series are sneaking QR codes to engage viewers.
Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is one of the most popular shows on Adult Swim and Hulu streaming platforms.
In one of the episodes in its fourth season, Rick wears a funnel hat with a QR code in it.
When scanned, viewers found a website where they could buy the exact same hat.
For fans that want to cosplay Rick or just want the hat as a collectible, it’s now easier to find the merchandise online with QR codes for e-commerce platforms.
Black Mirror
The hit Netflix series Black Mirror partners with Tuckersoft games to explore the Bandersnatch episode, where a young programmer turns a fantasy novel into a video game.
A QR code promotional material for the game Bandersnatch is shown on the screen during the show’s credits.
With its unique plot and seemingly realistic notions, fans were curious and scanned the QR code in the promotional material.
Turns out, the Bandersnatch can be played in real life too!
Viewers found the Tuckersoft website, where fans can play the game.
This took a lot of effort for the production team because they even had to develop a game based on the episode’s storyline to engage more viewers in the TV series.
Love, Death & Robots
Another hit series on Netflix, Love, Death & Robots, also sneaked in nine QR codes in both the online and offline spots.
Viewers are treated to a scavenger hunt throughout the episode, engaging them into watching closely every scene of the show for the QR code.
When scanned, viewers can find exclusive art pieces inspired by the series, which can be downloaded afterward or minted as a non-fungible token (NFT).
Moon Knight
Are you a fan of the comic book series Moon Knight?
Disney+ turned the series into a six-episode under the same name.
But here’s a twist—in one of the episodes of the series, specifically the scene inside the museum, there’s a QR code lurking in the background!
Those lucky enough to see and scan the code get free copies of each Moon Knight comic book series. These are rare items, especially for loyal fans.
Another Disney+ series based on a comic book series, Ms. Marvel, has the same thing as Moon Knight.
Start-Up
Hit Korean drama series, Start-Up, has caught up with the use of QR codes—a fitting theme to the storyline about start-up businesses.
In the fifth episode of the TV series, QR codes are assigned to each start-up business joining and competing in the hackathon.
In the TV show’s premise, this is an integral element of the series, but it’s also an easter egg for fans!
Scanning each QR code leads to a rundown of each company, its owners, and its officers.
Be as creative with endless possibilities of QR codes
If you’re a show producer or part of the creative team, you can use the existing applications to sneak in QR codes in your TV series, too!
Or, you can get as creative as possible because the possibilities of QR code applications in the media are endless!
Trust a credible QR code generator where you can customize QR code colors and designs, add compelling call-to-action, and even track the number of scans.
Use QRTIGER, the best free QR code generator software, to generate QR codes for TV series.
Create high-quality QR codes today.
Umar Nisar was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Umar Nisar has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Umar Nisar earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Umar Nisar follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.
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