Science Motion
How to bring to audiovisual narrative the intricate journey of iron inside our body? Although it is a micronutrient, that is, an element we require in very small quantities, its contribution is essential for maintaining good health, especially for our mature red blood cells to (through the hemoglobin present in them) carry the oxygen we breathe to all our tissues. We say it’s a journey because the tiny iron will have to overcome countless obstacles to reach its destination. We decided then to build a story that preserved scientific nomenclature (the names of receptors, transport and storage proteins, enzymes, etc.), without losing sight of the need to turn this biological adventure into an everyday story through small clues made of common symbols that help us learn a little science without ceasing to have fun.
So, let’s get to work: To shape our story, let’s start with its protagonist, iron. What shapes and colors do we associate with it? And moreover, should it be a playful ghost, perhaps a little strongman, or maybe an elegant knight?
And just like ferric iron, our main character, we brought the entire cast to life: ferrous iron (its stunt double), the proteins that allow it to switch between ferric and ferrous forms to navigate various environments (its makeup artists), the forming red blood cell (its ultimate destination), and, of course, the digestive system (the landscape where its adventures unfold).
So, after many successive frames, where the biochemical journey blended with animated fiction, we witnessed our elegant and tiny protagonist in action, reminding us of the beauty and complexity of the small things that allow life to thrive.
