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"Text-Book Quality...impressed by Afterglows ability to get inside the science."
- Professor Tim White, Berkeley University of California.
Afterglow first became involved in producing graphics for the scientific community when documentary
director George Andrews approached us to produce graphics for the Berkeley University of California
funded documentary “Evolutionary”.
The documentary showcased the exciting work and life of Allan Wilson - a NZ born geneticist who is the only
Kiwi to have been awarded the MacArthur “Genius” Award.
The team at Afterglow felt extremely privileged and excited to be highlighting the ground breaking work of this
important Kiwi academic, for such a prestigious university.
Wilson's research on genetics and molecular chemistry, when applied to evolution, created the concept of a
"molecular clock" . This allowed scientists to precisely date the evolutionary divergence of species away from a
common ancestor - something that previously could only be guessed at by looking at fossils.
He and fellow researchers went on to trace human DNA back to a common ancestor "Eve", a woman who
they believed lived in Africa 150,000 years ago.
- Professor Tim White, Berkeley University of California.
Afterglow first became involved in producing graphics for the scientific community when documentary
director George Andrews approached us to produce graphics for the Berkeley University of California
funded documentary “Evolutionary”.
The documentary showcased the exciting work and life of Allan Wilson - a NZ born geneticist who is the only
Kiwi to have been awarded the MacArthur “Genius” Award.
The team at Afterglow felt extremely privileged and excited to be highlighting the ground breaking work of this
important Kiwi academic, for such a prestigious university.
Wilson's research on genetics and molecular chemistry, when applied to evolution, created the concept of a
"molecular clock" . This allowed scientists to precisely date the evolutionary divergence of species away from a
common ancestor - something that previously could only be guessed at by looking at fossils.
He and fellow researchers went on to trace human DNA back to a common ancestor "Eve", a woman who
they believed lived in Africa 150,000 years ago.
The brief: involved developing three animations:
- The 'polymerase chain reaction' to illustrate how mitochondrial DNA could be harvested...
- The "molecular clock"
- The evolutionary tree of life
Process:
Once a stylistic look was agreed upon and the voice over had been scripted, Afterglow began the animation
process. Draft animations were uploaded via ftp transfer to our server online for George Andrews
and Berkeley to view.
Script and animation timing was tweaked until all parties were happy and final sign-off was achieved.
This is what Tim White (Berkeley professor, paleo-anthropologist) had to say about
Afterglow’s contribution to the final product.
Once a stylistic look was agreed upon and the voice over had been scripted, Afterglow began the animation
process. Draft animations were uploaded via ftp transfer to our server online for George Andrews
and Berkeley to view.
Script and animation timing was tweaked until all parties were happy and final sign-off was achieved.
This is what Tim White (Berkeley professor, paleo-anthropologist) had to say about
Afterglow’s contribution to the final product.
"The graphic artists have managed to make complex concepts simple,
and carry the audience along
with visual explanations that are both elegant and accessible,
and meet the high standards that Allan and Berkeley stand for."
and carry the audience along
with visual explanations that are both elegant and accessible,
and meet the high standards that Allan and Berkeley stand for."
Allan Wilson (Berkeley Univ)
