Envision science animation: The environmental impacts of historical lead mining
We worked with the environmental scientist Andrea Sartorius to communicate her research into the environmental impacts of historic lead mining.
There are over 1,300 abandoned historic metal mines in Wales, most of which are still surrounded by mining waste containing toxic trace metals, such as lead. These metals can be moved by wind and water from mines into surrounding environments. Local plants and animals can be harmed through their exposure to lead, potentially leading to illness, or even death. Lead can also end up in food produced on contaminated land, which can harm humans. Andrea’s project focuses on determining the extent and effect of lead pollution from mines in Wales.
This video aims to share Andrea's scientific research to inform the general public about lead contamination and its continuing effects on the environment. It was designed to be shared through social media and in public engagement seminars/webinars to introduce the topic and encourage the audience to learn more.
This is one of the six animations we created for Envision PhD researchers in 2021. In autumn 2020 Envision ran a competition where candidates submitted a brief for an animated film. The winners were selected by a judging panel and the prize was to have an animation produced about their research work.
The environmental impacts of historic lead mining in Wales.
Process
Script
We collaborated with Andrea to write a 2 minute script for the animation based on the competition entry that explained her research and pitched the storyline concept.
Style design
A style frame was designed to give an idea of how the final animation would look.
The style design was created using Adobe Illustrator.
Sketched Storyboards and Animatic Video
A storyboard was sketched out based on the script. The storyboard images were then put into a video sequence with a draft voiceover recording so we could test the timings and ensure the script and images made sense when played together.
At this point we made some script and image revisions before moving to the next stage.
Illustration of Animation Assets
Once the sketched storyboards were signed off, the storyboards were illustrated in the style design.
The illustrations were created using Adobe Illustrator.
Some revisions were made before moving onto the next production phase.
Animation
The animation phase started by preparing all the illustrations for animation. This involved separating artwork out onto layers and naming them.
Some illustration files were imported into Adobe After Effects then animated.
A professional voice over artist recorded the script then the audio track was mixed and edited so it could be animated in time to.
Results
Andrea is using her animated video to successfully explain and engage people in her research. It is informing viewers about lead contamination and its continuing effects on the environment through social media and in public engagement seminars/webinars.
The animation was released publicly on the Envision website and Twitter and received positive feedback and engagement from peers in the science community and members of the public.
