WaterAid brings a new angle to the global conversations around Mars with a thought-provoking animated film looking at the search to find water here on Earth. The release of “The Girl Who Built A Rocket” coincides with three Mars missions going into orbit, and is the launch film for an ongoing campaign, by creative agency Don’t Panic, that looks to explore new ways to engage the public in the global water crisis. To increase consideration for the charity, the ad does not have a donation ask but instead directs viewers to the WaterAid website and other online assets, to find out more about the importance of the charity’s work. The animated short film was produced by Nexus Studios and directed by student BAFTA shortlisted rising star, Neeraja Raj, with sound design by String and Tins, and distributed by WaterAid’s media agency The Kite Factory. The film also features a specially composed soundtrack of David Bowie’s iconic Life on Mars–which is 50-years-old this year–and includes a voiceover by award-winning journalist and newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald.
The touching film tells the story of Fara, a little girl from Madagascar, who dreams of being an astronaut. She attempts to fly from her home on the “Great Red Island” to the “Red Planet” in a homemade rocket in order to collect water for her family, after hearing a news report saying water has been found there.
Sir Trevor McDonald said: “I have reported on some extraordinary feats of human endeavor over my long career as a journalist and newsreader; and yet something as apparently simple as ensuring everyone everywhere has access to clean water, still evades us. I was astounded when I learned that a staggering 785 million people worldwide do not have clean water close to home. It’s something we all take for granted in this country – and is even more important in the middle of a pandemic. So, I am honored to add my voice to this charming animation and support WaterAid in its mission to make clean water, sanitation and good hygiene a part of normal life, wherever you are.”
Director Raj said, “This is a heartfelt tale based on real-life humans and their very real struggles. We approached it with honesty and humility and chose to tell it through the visual language of traditional 2D animation to achieve an emotional vibrancy that is unique to the medium”.
To ensure the authenticity in the portrayal of Madagascar, WaterAid worked closely with one of its Voices from the Field communications specialists, Ernest Randriarimalala who served on the ad development team and advised on all aspects of the film, from Madagascar’s landscape to details of the characters’ appearances. The animation also provided the opportunity to create innovative storytelling at a time when travel has been restricted due to the pandemic.
One in 10 people globally have no clean water close to home; in Madagascar, almost half the population lacks access to this basic human right. Having clean water close to home can help reduce the spread of disease and enable people to go to school or earn a living. It also helps communities better endure natural disasters.
The film will be aired on TV through an exclusive partnership with U.K.’s Channel 4. “The Girl Who Built A Rocket” is the first time the international charity has used animation for TV.
CreditsClient WaterAid Agency Don’t Panic, London Joe Wade, founder; Rick Dodds, creative partner; Madeline Charles, creative; Ellie Moore, strategy & engagement partner; Jennifer Clare Houlihan, sr. project manager & producer; Luke Freeman, graphic designer. VFX/Animation Neeraja Raj, director & 2D animatic, storyboarder; Mike Bell, exec producer; Joe Bierton, producer; Nicole Lopez Naguil, Elspeth Vince, production managers; Delfina Maria, Beatriz Honorio, production assistants; Dylan White, project lead & compositor; Alex Potts, Giacomo Autili, Jesper Andkjaer, Christina Nerland, Lucy Hirst, Joel Stenback, 2D animators; Bethany Levy, compositor; Hugo Beaurepere, designer & matte painting; Melanie Climent, Nikolas Franz, designers; Morgan Ritchie, storyboarder; Dave Slade, editor. Sound String & Tins, London Culum Simpson, sound design. Foley The Foley Barn Music “Life on Mars,” David Bowie; Will Cohen, arranger; Auburn Jam, music orchestrator and producer; Rachel Hough/Brigitte Leicht, audio producer; Dominic Bastyra at Wake The Town, music supervisor. Thanks to Westbury, RZO, BMG & SonyATV and the Bowie estate.
Director Gia Coppola Teams With Mejuri For “A New York Minute”; 1st Episode Takes Us To The Grocery Store
Mejuri, known for turning fine jewelry into an everyday luxury, has partnered with director Gia Coppola (The Last Show Girl, Palo Alto) and The Directors Bureau in Los Angeles, for the first time reimagining the brand’s story as episodic content. In a series of microfilms, co-created by Coppola and premiering following New York Fashion Week, Mejuri eschewed a typical celebrity campaign and cast us as voyeurs to a group of aspiring young women--real people, not actors--at the crossroads of their adult lives against the backdrop of New York City.
Titled “A New York Minute,” the series features five real-life friends, who include one perfectly imperfect heroine named Emma. The women celebrate ordinary moments and interactions which reveal, sometimes retrospectively, the extraordinary within the mundane. Adjacent to the brand’s own community, the 30-something year old cast includes Laura Love (Emma), Rebecca Ressler, Natalie Vall-Freed and Rozzi Crane. Mejuri’s jewelry makes an appearance as the best supporting actor.
“When I met with Gia and The Directors Bureau team, there was instant creative and personal chemistry and a natural alignment on the desire to push and blur the lines between marketing, storytelling, and the construct of what a ‘campaign’ could be,” said Jacob Jordan, chief brand officer, Mejuri. “Gia was able to push that idea into something that truly feels new and artful, with a realism and relatability that almost feels jarring. Gia was such a perfect collaborator and partner, someone I had complete trust in to be a catalyst for Mejuri’s values of celebrating women as their truest selves. I can’t wait for us to continue to tell the next chapters of this story.”
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