Being Human Is
Made with Android
An animated documentary series that helped change the way people see Android’s accessibility technology.
AT-A-GLANCE
WHAT WE DID
Development
Story Hunting
Showrunning
Production
Post Production
5 Episode Series
Animated Documentary
Brazil, Nigeria, Canada, UK, US
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Android phones have a slew of incredible accessibility features–from real-time transcription for people with hearing loss to magnifiers for people with low vision–but very few people knew these tools existed, despite traditional advertising and marketing campaigns designed to inform.
We were tapped to help drive adoption, and bring these features to people who could benefit from them the most. Our strategy was to inspire potential users with stories of real world impact through a five episode animated global docuseries.
THE STORIES
We scoured the world to find people who were able to live more independent lives with a little help from Android’s accessibility features and ended up with the stories of a British chef, a Canadian hockey player, an American blues musician, A Brazilian painting teacher, and a group of Nigerian teenagers creating sci-fi films on their smartphones.
When the pandemic hit, we all went remote and had to figure out how to craft a global documentary series without the ability to travel. We sent portable audio recorders around the world, conducted interviews via Google Meet, and enlisted some of our favorite editorial and children’s book illustrators to come up with concept art for each story.
ANIMATION
Some of the best animation studios around (Oddfellows, Giant Ant, Meister, WTBR) worked hand in hand with our core creative team to lend an incredible sense of heart and soul to the series.
ANIMATION
The limitations of being house-bound turned into incredible creative inspiration, as the expressive visual language of animation allowed us to show off the subjective experience of our participants – in a way filmed documentary alone can rarely accomplish.
In the end, we delivered five four-minute animated shorts, cutdown tv spots, and a full campaign of social assets. The finished series lives on a dedicated site.
RESULTS
The series tested off the charts, and the Android Accessibility team found that by heroing stories of human triump, engagement and adoption far surpassed that of traditional marketing mediums.
Watch all five films in the series below.
Episode 1 - On Silent Ice
This Anthony founded the Deaf Hockey Association to amplify the talent of deaf and hard of hearing players across Canada — and uses Live Transcribe to understand the world.
Directed by Nico Carbonaro & Tuesday McGowan
Illustration and Animation by Oddfellows
Episode 2 - Na Cor (In Color)
Marilulce paints colorful scenes inspired by her neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. Now, she’s teaching students to do the same, using Android to share their creations.
Directed by Nico Carbonaro & Tuesday McGowan
Illustration by Tracy J Lee, Animation by Giant Ant
Episode 3 - Ramblin’ Man
Joshua is a traveling blind blues singer-songwriter who tours across the U.S. with his guitar and dog. Writing lyrics on the road, dictated to his Android with Talkback.
Directed by Nico Carbonaro & Tuesday McGowan
Illustration by Keith Negley, Animation by Meister
Episode 5 - Chez Elyse
Elyse rediscovered her passion for cooking after adjusting to life with low vision. Now, with the help of her Android phone, she is able to see everything she needs.
Directed by Nico Carbonaro & Tuesday McGowan
Illustration by Emilianto Ponzi, Animation by Oddfellows
Episode 4 - The Magic Makers
Raymond is fulfilling his dream of becoming a filmmaker, producing spectacular sci-fi films that create portals in to new worlds — all shot on his Android.
Directed by Nico Carbonaro & Tuesday McGowan
Illustration by Leonard Dupond, Animation by WTBR
CREDITS
Showrunners & Directors
Tuesday McGowan & Nico Carbonaro
Executive Producer
Tim Pries, WTBR
Producer
Taraneh Golozar
Lead Story Producer
Von Diaz
Animation
WTBR, Giant Ant, Oddfellows, Meister
Audio Director
JR Narrows, Spacelute
Composers
JR Narrows, Troy Herion, Mario Schambon, Rodrigo Coehlo
Editor
James Boger, Mahoko Kuramasu, Bruno Torè
Illustrators
Leonard Dupond, Emiliano Ponzi, Tracy J Lee, Keith Negley, Oddfellows