The Liveable Cities project brought together five of the UK’s top academic institutions to look into how we can design and engineer a sustainable way forward for our cities.
This world-class research project invited Studio Donshades in to look at their research findings, and their methods with a brief to write and produce a film that would represent this project on the world stage.
The brief required a film that would introduce the schema of cutting edge research work and itβs unique approach; introducing the major themes and notable outcomes of the research programme while looking to what happens next.
The greatest challenge was that their story was buried deep within the schema of academic research that had been carried out by a group of different academic institutions over 5 years.
Our response was to embed ourselves with the research team as the programme entered itβs final six months. We listened to the researchers themselves; documenting presentations and engaging in the results of their work.
Concurrently we worked with the programme leaders to gain oversight as to the journey of the project, itβs learnings and itβs legacy.
As external story tellers we provided the ultimate antidote to βI canβt see the wood for the treesβ syndrome, so often experienced by large academic projects as they evolve.
Our response combined location filming in 6 locations with animated sequences and visual effects to effectively and concisely tell this story in a way that engages a wide audience and is accessible to those new to the subject area.
The film is currently on display at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London; with more information about the project on the Liveable Cities website.