How has digital media enhanced the narrative of Animalia?

'' The television series presents stand-alone episodes. The on-line environment presents games, problem solving and other features. ''
 * How does digital media enhance the narrative and enrich the experience of children's television content?

(Ewan Burnett 2008)

The narrative of Animalia is extracted from the original illustrated alphabet series by Graeme Base through digital media. Ewan Burnett, the executive producer of Animalia and the head of Burberry productions explains;

"The key was to liberate the series from the alphabet and English language so that it could be distributed and exploited internationally."

(Burnett 2008)

Digital Media (especially the high-quality CGI technology that was used to create Animalia) has taken the characters from their original context, developed a storyline and then reproduced them in two key formats (online and on-air) on both a local and international scale.

Essentially, digital media has enhanced the narrative of Base's 'Animalia' in two major ways; online and on-air (with a spin-off series of books also a part of the extension of the Animalia brand.)

 "The series is being broadcast and distributed around the world. The first DVDs will be released in USA, UK and Australia in August as will the first spin-off books by Penguin. The on-line environment was created at the end of last year and will be progressively updated throughout this year."

(Burnett 2008)

The broadcast version of Animalia was created using CGI-technology and has been distributed locally on Channel 10 and internationally on PBS. Aired in half-hour episodes once a week (broadcast in Australia at 4.30pm Friday's on Channel 10)the narrative of the digital series has been built around the characters and non-linear nature of the original illustrated book series. The television show follows the adventures of Luke and Alex, two eleven year old children stranded in the world of Animalia.

(cited from the Animalia website 2008)

Immersement into the Animalia world and the brand is extended upon in, 'Animalia online.' The online extension of the program is a wholly interactive world, where users can explore, adventure and see into different areas of the Animalia world that they may not be able to see or do while watching the television series.

Digital Media has created this '3D- Narrative' experience of the Animalia series and the Animalia brand. These different dimensions of the, 'Animalia universe' contribute to the world of the narrative in a encompassing sense.

LINKS

 * (see Transcript of Interview with Ewan Burnett)
 * (visit the Animalia website [])
 * (back Case Study 2: Animalia)