Video Infographic - How to Survive...

Video Infographic - How to Survive by MeganHowett

Fantastic Voyage: Further Research and Ideas

Eukaryotic Animal Cells

I have decided to focus on the structure of a Eukaryotic cell, exploring the individual organelles within the cell. To do this I have broken down my research into key bullet points about each of the organelles.

Figure 1

Endoplasmic Reticulum:
Smooth ER - Important in lipid synthesis
Rough ER - Covered in ribosomes and transports protein made in the ribosomes

Figure 2

Ribosome:
- Protein factory
- Found on the RER and in the cytoplasm (as polyribosomes)

Golgi Apparatus:
- Interconnected flat membrane sacs that synthesise, package and release molecules to the outside of the cell in secretory vesicles

Mitochondria:
- Two layers of membrane; an outer layer and an inner layer called Cristea
- Energy from glucose is transferred to ATP through chemical reactions that take place with the presence of oxygen in the mitochondria

Figure 4

Lysosomes:
- Vesicles containing enzymes made by the Golgi complex
- Known as 'suicide bags'

Centrosome:
- Contain two hollow centrioles
- Plays a crucial role in the mitotic devision of animal cells

Figure 5

Nucleus:

- Double layered

- Contains genetic information (DNA) made up of chromosomes

- Produces ribosomes

Figure 6

Figure 7

Cell Membrane:
- Made of lipids and proteins
- Framework of phospholipids that form a barrier due to the hydrophobic tail and hydrophilic head

Initial Idea:

One of my initial ideas for visualising the structure of a eukaryotic animal cell is to create a journey through each of the organelles. Similar to the films shown in simulator rides, such as a journey through space or on a roller coaster, I want to use a point of view camera to create an immersive feel, as if the audience is inside the cell. To do this I plan to use techniques such as camera shake.

Figure 8.

Figure 9.

Illustrations:

Figure 1. http://biowithvalerie.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/eukaryote.gif

Figure 2. http://media.shmoop.com/images/biology/biobook_cells_5.png

Figure 3. http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/golgi/images/golgifigure1.jpg

Figure 4. http://www.methuen.k12.ma.us/mnmelan/Main%20Page/mitochondria.jpg

Figure 5. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3EB-MqrlkHk577yIbU1MV3v4RiNvy-imGH1gu1_9h5UYFZRHqi6vA1G02JDBoYxgepmYfycpIDEh3_14r6JuN_LcuHAiqC3DZgmklCPwnwHz3lYm9WqLKz7Rwhd-v6zBi08xfHp3yHg6/s1600/6-+centrioles.jpg

Figure 6. http://www.shmoop.com/images/biology/biobook_cells_2.png

Figure 7. http://citadel.sjfc.edu/students/map01009/e-port/ppt/cell_membrane.png

Figure 8. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignrkUKZRAPwj0bHpoeBqyWwUUW3w5BIxsj2Lfj_9-KC7OIIYW-9puzxJgFt0UhLoRIlOChjJzXdmTkfNp4DFnRx9MaVGRRrjFJ500y5naFltdKoOrglER9C9SPm4R8NG3n7kLEEaeSSc/s1600/gns400.jpg

Figure 9. http://www.screaminparties.com/images/main2.jpg 

From Script to Screen - Initial Character Designs

This first sheet is my initial sketches, trying to figure out what I wanted my chicken to look like. I chose  a combination of 4 & 6 and started designing the whole body. My favourite is number 2.

This is my initial idea for the character turn around. I used number 2 from above.

From Script to Screen: More Ideas

After feedback from Phil, I decided that I would quite like to have a non-human protagonist, and with the suggestion of a rubber chicken, I had a new script idea; 

Set in a 'Toy Story'-like joke shop, where things come to life when no-one is around, a rubber chicken has made a nest on the top shelf. One day a customer pulls the chicken off the shelf, plays with it then drops it on a lower shelf. When the lights turn off at the end of the day (although I imagine that while the chicken lays perfectly still, her eyes darts about nervously while the lights are still on), the chicken jumps up and looks around in panic for it's nest. Due to the rubber material she is made from, she can bend and stretch - like a contortionist. Using her bending abilities and with the help of other items in the shop (for example using a whoopee cushion like a trampoline), she climbs up to the top shelf to get back to her nest. Finally, she reaches the shelf and reveals a nest made of things from around the shop with three eggs laying in the middle. She lays down on top of the nest and falls asleep, relaxed now that her eggs are safe.

Influences:

My main influence for this idea is Scrat the squirrel from Ice Age. In all of the Ice Age films, Scrat endeavours to save his acorn from a multitude of different obstacles. I like the idea of my rubber chicken having some of the skittish characteristics of Scrat, built from the desperation to reach a goal. I also feel that chickens have a nervous, jittery quality that could help to shape my character.

Another key influence for this idea is Pixar's 'Toy Story'. I picture items such as a jack-in-box and fun snaps coming alive, some things helping and others hindering the chicken's journey.

From Script to Screen: Script Ideas

Environment: Joke Shop

Character: Contortionist

Prop: Egg

Idea 1. A man lives above an old joke shop. One day he wakes up and goes downstairs, stepping on a misplaced whoopee cushion on the way, and notices a large box outside his window. Intrigued, he brings the box inside, struggling with it's weight, and opens it to find a huge egg. After many attempts to crack the egg with various items found in his joke shop, he finally takes a running swing with a giant pencil and manages to break the shell. He falls to the floor and watches as the shell breaks away to reveal a contortionist hidden inside the egg. The contortionist unfolds and quickly runs out of the shop, leaving the man confused on the floor.

Idea 2. A man who owns a failing joke shop stages a competition. He claims to have a magical golden egg which he will give to the greatest performer. Many different types of performers arrive, hoping to win the magical item, and amongst them is a young girl who is practiced in the art of contortion. After all of the performers are finished, the contortionist is announced the winner and given the golden egg.

Idea 3. A child visits the circus with his parents and is amazed by all of the unusual people he meets there, including a contortionist. He then enters the circus gift/joke shop. He looks around at all of the items for sale and finds a box of rubber eggs emblazoned with the warning - extremely bouncy. Ignoring the warning, he picks up an egg and throws it to the ground. It bounces around knocking everything over, resulting in chaos. Eventually the egg disappears and the child is left surrounded by a destroyed shop and disgruntled circus performers.

Storytelling and Commission: Project 1 - From Script to Screen

Through the development of an original three-act story idea for a one minute animation (from initial premise to computer-generated pre-vizualisation via storyboarding), this unit requires you to engage creatively - and efficiently - with the challenges of crafting successful time-based narratives.

As part of the briefing for this project, we all selected three words randomly to give an environment, character and prop for our 1 minute animation.

My words:

Environment: Joke Shop

Character: Contortionist

Prop: Egg

My initial thoughts when receiving these words were that my animation will either be quite dark or a comedy. I feel that my prop is probably going to end up being a prank object in the joke shop.