Megan Doyle

Story Telling & Commission

-Fantastic Voyage17.03.14

Reproduction Cycle Of Moss

For GCSE / A Level Students

I want to make them realise how fascinating science can be and show how something rather mundane can be really magical and exciting. I want to make an animation that can be used as an engaging and fun revision tool.

Visual Concept
The idea is to have a very mystical, flowing animation that has an almost always moving camera (even if only slightly) to show the journey and represent the non-stop cycle. It will start with two spores forming the protonema and then gametophytes through the cycle. I am still unsure as to whether I want a narration or if I am going to incorporate information by text. I would like the music to be captivating for the audience.

Three Act Structure

Act 1: Two focus spores start to grow into a protonema. Each protonema starts to grow a male / female gametophyte. Each gametophyte are at their full growth and the male releases sperm from the antheridia into the female egg in the archegonium. Act 2: Fertilisation begins and a zygote is formed. The egg grows by cell division / mitosis and a sporophyte is created in the form of a stem and capsule. New spores are produced in capsule by meiosis. Water encounters the capsule and the tip detaches. Teeth expand outwards to expose the new spores. More moisture enters the capsule.
Act 3: Wind blows the stem and the spores start to release. Lots of spores start to float away and the camera follows them. Spores land on suitable ground and the cycle repeats.

Concept Arts

Act 1 Spores to Protonema

Act 2 - Sporophyte Forming

Act 3- New Spores Release