Lifesaver intro video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zOaAA5i340
(Press Control + click mouse to open)
Comparing apples and pears…
• Hard to compare Lifesaver with the other programmes today
• Lifesaver not a proper e-Learning programme,
just a one-off interactive film
• Not made by a proper e-Learning company;
I’m a freelance producer/director;
found the funding and the client;
developed by a commercial production house, UNIT9
• Will talk about how to make an emotionally gripping interactive film which can be used as part of a
proper e-learning programme;
hope this is of some use
Finding the problem
The interactive film producer
• Interactive film far more effective crisis simulation
• Film gives realism and emotional power
• Interaction:
- gets players to think about what must be done
- gets players to act fast
- gives players a score on the results
• Interactive film gets longer views, more repeat views, and undivided attention
• If no increase in set ups, cost of interactive film only slightly higher
• If measure is impact, interactive film can cost less
The interactive film producer
• Most people think interactive films suck
• Most filmmakers – too interactive
Most interactives – want video to stay in the box
Most other people – think you mean
Choose You Own Adventure stories
• Fewer opportunities for interactive films than linear ones
• Lifesaver funded 50% by Tech Strategy Board,
50% by Resuscitation Council (UK)
Scriptwriting for interactive films
• What is your basic idea? Is it really best expressed by a linear story? If it is, then make a linear film.
• If you’re writing interactive, try to describe your concept as something the user can do or be
• Think of a real-world activity –
then model it with video and interaction
• The script for our real-world activity was clear…
Interactive story ideas that work
• Don’t let me choose my own adventure or the ending –
throw me into the adventure and make me fight for the ending
• Give me an overwhelming, obvious aim,
then make me do little things fast to make it happen
• Chaotic survival situation where things can easily go wrong – perfect…
You’ve got the idea – now write the script
• Storyboard the interactivity
• If necessary make your script interactive
(e.g. hyperlinked word doc)
• The player will try to break your film – so always script:
– what happens if the player does nothing
– what happens if the player does the wrong thing
• Do you need a site map of your video clips?
The interactive film director
How is directing an interactive film different from directing linear?
• Your deliverable/vision must be the finished fully interactive film, not just the video clips
• You are the glue that joins two different worlds:
film production and interactive
• But no-one ever looks for interactive film directors
Pre-production – interactive side
Pre-production with designers and coders
• Get relationship of video and interface right:
e.g. intuitive button positions, no text over faces etc
• Try to get coders to work before shoot with placeholder video files
Pre-production – film side
Pre-pro work with actors
• Workshops/rehearsals vital to strengthen script and performances
Pre-pro work on script
• You need to do a shoot script which is as simple as possible
• Reduce confusion with the sequence in which you shoot clips
On the shoot
• Cast/crew may be confused about how scenes fit together director must be able to tell them
• Continuity person may be useless
• Shoot 1st person POV to make player feel they are the hero
but also shoot 3rd person POV for emotional engagement
Post production – film side
The edit
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Put all buttons etc on offline video as placeholder titles
Editors often underestimate effort required for multiple clips
Easy to underestimate time viewers will need to make a decision
You’ll need to refine video edit once you see the interactive product working
Post production – interactive side
Coding
• Good if you can code but not necessary but you must understand what the coders are doing
Testing
• You must help test the site because testers don’t know your intentions
• Go back and re-edit the video where required
• Coders require precise feedback: get video screen capture tool like Camtasia; record test sessions so you
can show problems exactly
Results so far - research
• Tests at South Bristol Community Hospital:
confidence in doing CPR rose
from 3.7 out of 10 before Lifesaver
to 7.4 out of 10 after it.
• All who played said it made them
more likely, or much more likely,
to attempt CPR in a real emergency.
• Formal medical research paper currently underway
Results so far - prizes
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Clio Awards 'Healthcare - App', 2013 - winner, Grand Clio
BAFTA Awards 2013 - 'Children's Interactive' - nominee
FWA Site of the Month - August 2013
FWA Site of the Day - August 14, 2013
Webby Awards - 'Health', 2013 - Nominee
Lovie Awards - 'Best Use of Interactive Video', 2013 - gold winner
Lovie Awards - 'People’s Choice', 2013 - winner
Plus the kind attention of the E-Learning Awards…
Results so far - Twitter
Some tweets over the last two weeks:
MAD First Aid @MADFirstAid • 3h
• This really is a fantastic bit app. Please follow the link below Lifesaver. It's free and fun https://lifesaver.org.uk/
David Webster @davidcognite • Feb 26
• This is a fantastic interactive game with a serious aim, learn/practise basic life support: https://lifesaver.org.uk
Simon Starr @redunca • Feb 18
• Most powerful game experience of my life. https://life-saver.org.uk/ (Jake). Immersed? Viscerally.
Tom de Grunwald @tdgme · Feb 17
• Fantastic interactive video, moving, and you might save a life to boot https://life-saver.org.uk
Results so far – new projects or business
0
Thanks for watching
• martin@martinpercy.com
• @martinpercy
• www.martinpercy.com