Royal Institution and Genetics Society – Short films brief 2019

Overview The Royal Institution is an independent charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. We’re looking to commission four short films on the subject of genetics, as part of our collaboration with the Genetics Society to celebrate their centenary.

Your role The topics for the films have already been confirmed (more information below), and we are in the process of approaching presenters. They will either be available for filming at the Ri, or at their academic institutions. We can reimburse travel costs.

We are looking for someone who has experience taking a film from an initial idea through all stages of production, from developing scripts and treatments to filming and editing.

The Ri Digital Team will be available to provide editorial input and to approve any scripts. We can also provide access to filming locations in the Ri and may be able to provide some limited filming kit like lighting and tripods, but ideally you’d have your own.

Films The topics and the presenters for the films will be as follows:

FILM 1: DNA CHIRALITY

Overview: This would be a light hearted film on how the handedness or chirality of DNA is often represented wrong in pictures, logos, movie posters etc.

Format: Presented directly to camera, it would be a simple edit of the interview and some illustrative pictures, around 3mins long

Audience: We imagine this film would be released on the Ri’s Twitter, Facebook and possibly Youtube channels. The audience are people who enjoy videos explaining science and actively seek out science videos online.

Content: The actual content and examples for the film would be largely self-led from us and the presenter, but it would be great if you could find examples too.

Rough narrative arc: DNA is often represented the wrong way round in popular culture Explain chirality and how the DNA spiral is right handed

List of examples of where it’s been done wrong (including some scientific institutions who should know better - like the Ri!) Talk about different DNA spirals we actually see in organisms (A, B and Z DNA, the latter is actually left handed) Ending - does it really matter? Why is it actually important to get it right?

Reference examples This film by is the kind of style and tone we had in mind.

FILM 2: ANCESTRY - HOW NEARLY EVERYONE IS DESCENDED FROM ROYALTY

Overview: This would be a film explaining how everyone is related to each other, because of the exponential way our family tree grows back in time.

Format: Presented directly to camera, with presenter possibly drawing out some simple diagrams. The film would be a simple edit of the interview and maybe some very simple 2D animations of family trees and maths equations, around 5mins long.

Audience: We imagine this film would be released on the Ri’s YouTube channel. The audience are people who enjoy videos explaining science and maths, and actively seek out science videos online.

Content: The idea for the film is based on this article written by and this blog post from Wait But Why. It’s also been tackled in this film from It’s Okay to Be Smart

Reference examples: We imagine this to be a “show and tell” film, using simple props and animations, a bit like this film from Phil Ball

FILM 3: GENETIC DETERMINISM - IS YOUR DESTINY IN YOUR DNA?

Presenters: Jonathan Pettitt. Jonathan is a geneticist at Aberdeen University who also works for the Genetics Society.

Overview: This would be a film explaining how even though your genes are important for lots of your characteristics, the environment is equally important, and your destiny isn’t in your DNA.

Format: Jonathan would present directly to camera, it would be a simple edit of the interview and some illustrative pictures, around 5mins long.

Audience: We imagine this film would be released on the Ri’s YouTube channel. The audience are people who enjoy videos explaining science and maths, and actively seek out science videos online.

Content: The content for the film would be self led by Jonathan. The content is based on a talk he has already given.

Reference examples: This film would be like a mini version of the lectures given at the Ri. Jonathan uses humour in his talks, like this one given by Hannah Fry.

FILM 4: WEIRD EXAMPLES OF EVOLUTION

Presenters: This film just needs a voiceover, which we can provide actors for.

Overview: This would be a film describing some weird and wonderful (and also ridiculous) examples of things produced by evolution.

Format: Images with a text overlay, about 2mins max.

Audience: We imagine this film would be released on the Ri’s social media channels. The audience are people who enjoy fun shareable content and weird animals, and might follow accounts like BBC Earth or Chester Zoo, but the film should appeal to science enthusiasts too.

Content: The idea for this film came from this blog, https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com You’d need to find some interesting examples and source creative commons images of the animals or organisms too.

Reference examples: In style it might look similar to this film from the BBC World Service.

Proposed timeline:

Share first draft of scripts with us by… 5th July Finalise first draft of scripts with us and presenters by… 26th July

First cut of film 1 by… 26th August Final cut of film 1 by… 6th September

First cut of film 2 by… 23rd September Final cut of film 2 by… 4th October

First cut of film 3 by… 21st October Final cut of film 3 by… 1st November

First cut of film 4 by… 18th November Final cut of film 4 by… 29th November

Next steps

Please send examples of your work and a brief statement about why you are interested to [email protected] by the 24th May.

Please include rough quote for your daily filming and editing rate.

We’ll be inviting shortlisted applicants in to talk about the project on the w/c 3rd June.