AFFILIATIONS
University of Toronto Department of Immunology
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PROJECT COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Content Advisor:
Dr. Derek Clouthier, PhD
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Supervisors:
Nick Woolridge, BFA, BScBMC, MSc; CMI
Marc Dryer, Hons BA, MSc, MScBMC
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AUDIENCE
Cancer patients eligible for ACT therapy
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FORMAT
3D Animation
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EXPECTED COMPLETION DATE
July, 2017
ABOUT
In recent years, cancer immunotherapy has joined the ranks of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery as a pillar of cancer treatment, co-opting the body’s own immune system to identify and destroy tumor cells. Immunotherapy modalities currently include monoclonal antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, however, clinical trials have demonstrated the ground-breaking potential of a new immunotherapeutic procedure: adoptive cell transfer therapy. This treatment may be applicable to a wide spectrum of patients as research progresses, but as cancer treatment options grow, so does the complexity of the information offered to patients.
Fulfilling patient information needs and providing full informed consent is a critical component of patient-centered health care, and currently no visual media exists that adequately conveys treatment information on ACT therapy to current or potential patients. By developing an 3D animation that applies research on learning theories and multimedia learning I hope to close this information gap for patients of all demographics. This visual will include 3D animations to visualize the dynamic processes and static graphics where animations become cognitively overloading. Finally, this tool will be created with emphasis on aesthetics and visual impact to maximize engagement with the viewer. This animation will ultimately enhance healthcare to cancer patients by satisfying their information needs, empowering participation in treatment discussions and making them aware of a treatment that could dramatically improve their health outcomes
A 3D Animation on Adoptive Cell Transfer Therapy as a Cancer Patient Education Tool
PRE-PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION
This project in currently in the production phase. I am currently modelling and texturing the assets required, and am rendering out scenes as they are completed. To the right are are a sample of stills and test renders from scenes that have been produced or are under development. I will continue to update this page as more scenes are developed!
The pre-production phase included research on visual strategies and multimedia design as it pertained to patient education, to ensure that the media would sufficiently meet the information needs of the audience, without being too simple or cognitively overloading. A treatment was then written for the animation, followed by many iterations of a script. Finally, a storyboard was produced, and from that a rough animatic paired with a scratch narration to test the timing and flow of the story. Below is the condensed storyboard (please keep in mind that these images were created to convey the narrative, not visual design of the animation, and as such are very rough interpretations of the final product).
