Entertainment and unnatural biologies: ISEA Sydney 2013. Presentation by Catherine Fargher, ZIna Kaye and Danielle Wiessner.

1. The Dr Egg Adventures transmedia storyworld
Exploring un-natural biologies, ethics and
entertainment for 8+ audiences
The Dr Egg Digital Project:
Dr Catherine Fargher
Zina Kaye
Danielle Wiessner
www.dreggdigital.com www.dreggadventures.com

2. In the beginning was the
story...
Our appetite for story is a reflection
of a profound human need to grasp
the patterns of living...within a very
personal emotional experience.
Robert McKee, 'The Story Problem' p 12.

3. Brad Pitt + wine glass = DNA
+ =

4. Witch + stolen hair = power
(fables = the first science Vico. 1725.)
+

5. Historically, fables have explored the place
of humans and animals in nature, and how
life’s difficulties may be met with cunning,
ingenuity, invention, transformation, mutation
and sometimes magic or luck. Scientific
corporations are making promises for
remarkable futures and present day miracles
using these same means to meet life’s
difficulties.
Fables and Scientific
Geno-hype

6. Referencing real science and getting kids interested:
Brad Pitt's DNA and the 3D printed ear
Cornell University Bio-
engineering researcher, Dr
Bonassar

7. Theatre: Dr Egg and the Man with No Ear

10. Dr Egg's Magical Laboratory

12. Our mini market test revealed that children enjoy,
remember and are engaged in learning when music and
sound are also present.

13. The Dr Egg Adventures prototype
all ages testing day in the
Media Lab at Metro Screen

15. Age, Gender and The perception of Audio
in the Learning Environment.
Market Test Response Summary

16. Mika age 5 "I can't read, but I can listen"

18. 'This project has been assisted by the Australian
Government through the Australia Council for the Arts,
its arts funding and advisory body.'

19. Fun stuff - Bio-goo and square tomatoes

20. Elements of Sound and their effects on Perception
Pitch: High Low
delicate sinister
bright strong
elevated peaceful
Loudness: Loud Soft
closeness distance
strength weakness
importance tranquillity
Timbre: Sound Source Sonic qualities
(tonal quality) *reedy rich
*brassy thin
*tympanic edgy & metallic
*reedy qualities of clarinet or oboe = wistful, lonely, sweet.
*brassy sounds = cold, harsh, fierce, bitter, forceful, martial, big.
*tympanic or percussive sound can convey drama, significance, power.

21. Tempo: Fast Slow
agitate monotony
excite dignity
accelerate control
Rhythm: Simple Constant
deliberateness dullness
regularity depression
lack of complication uniformity
Complex Changing
complication uncertainty
elaborateness vigour or the erratic
Attack: Hard/Crisp Soft/Gradual
sharpness gentle
excitement muted
danger blaze
Duration: Short Long
restlessness peace
nervousness persistence
excitation tiredness
Decay: Quick Gradual Slow
confinement distance
closeness smoothness
definiteness uncertainty

22. Features
· An exciting interactive storyworld: The Dr Egg Adventures series of
fantastical scientific adventure stories forms the basis of a range of innovative
trans-media products.
· A distinctive aesthetic style: Integrating a highly distinctive aesthetic
style, the interactive storyworld uses illustration, animation, puppetry, video and
a rich soundscape to immerse the audience, entice the imagination and
encourage participation.
· Trans-media potential: As children and users seek to take their
experiences off-line, this storyworld has the potential to be incorporated into an
animated TV series with Augmented Reality (AR) tags, stand alone games,
mobile cross-platform Apps, published books and graphic novels, as well as a
range of toys and models.
· Educational potential: The Dr Egg Adventures features genetic science
themes and introduces ethical decision-making, creating a strong educational
focus aligning with the Science, Maths, History, and English curriculum Years 3
to 8.