Fantastic Voyage

OGR – Emma Morley – 4th March 2015

My chosen bio scientific scenario is…

Influenza

Chosen audience• After much thought, I’ve decided to aim my animation towards a much

wider target audience as I’m planning to make a short formative video to be shown in doctors’ surgeries and hospital waiting rooms.

• The film would be like an NHS video which could also be accessed online and would have accompanying information leaflets and possibly a television advertising campaign.

• Although the video is aimed at all ages, it would focus on the particular risks to the elderly, young children and those with weaker immune systems.

• Because of the nature of the video, I believe it should be less scientific and with a friendlier, more informal approach. It should not be frightening but simply making the public aware of the differences between influenza and the common cold and showing ways to prevent the spread of the virus.

Supporting Market Research• As part of my continuing market research, I have looked online to see what

information videos are currently available. Links to some of these are below.• http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx

• http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/winterhealth/Pages/Fluandthefluvaccine.aspx

• http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Prevention.aspx

• http://www.webmd.boots.com/cold-and-flu/ss/slideshow-cold-or-flu

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31698038

• The information currently available generally seems to lack much interesting and family friendly visual reference and veers too much towards the ‘to vaccinate or not to vaccinate’ debate. The existing videos I have seen also seem to be quite scary and worrying perhaps for older or younger generations.

• http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/coldsandflu/Pages/Coldsandfluhome.aspx

• The idea I have is to relate the Influenza virus to unwanted dodgy door-to-door salesmen. These are the type that prey on the vulnerable, exactly like influenza, and con them out of money or possessions, leaving with goods which they then use for themselves. I think this idea is very similar to the way the virus works in the body.

• From the beginning of the project I liked the idea of the virus ‘shaking hands’ with the healthy cell, which led me to the idea of unwanted company and when crooks get their foot in the door of the house before taking over and causing havoc.

• After discussions with Phil, I’m going to look at simpler, 2D animation and incorporate some 3D elements. The style I am looking at is very similar to Bob Godfrey or George Dunning – quite illustrative with a colourful and friendly feel. This should appeal to my target audience and keep things simple, which will hopefully draw in their attention.

• The story would begin with a basic explanation of ‘flu with particular attention to the differences between that and the common cold. I would then relate it to the salesman scenario depicting someone who is not so informed of exactly what influenza is and lets the virus in through their vulnerability. Then the last act would show what the story could be like for someone taking precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

ThumbnailsI’ve been looking initially at characters but am moving on to focus more on the general look of my story.

Initially I looked at sea creatures as I felt their unusual shapes and textures could work quite well to depict cells and viruses. I’ve moved on, however, to human characters as I think the general public would be able to relate to this better and it would also suit a wider audience.

I want to give the story a slight comedic factor but still get across the seriousness that can come with Influenza, particularly with the more vulnerable.

Discarded Thumbnailed Idea