Chronicles of the Curious
Chicago, Illinois | Series
Animation, Science
We believe "science" is for each and every one of us and that STEAM-related fields must be made more accessible to all. Part of the antidote, we feel, lies in approachable storytelling that humanizes the sciences and illuminates the connections we share.
Chronicles of the Curious
Chicago, Illinois | Series
Animation, Science
1 Campaigns | Idaho, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $25,818 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
180 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
We believe "science" is for each and every one of us and that STEAM-related fields must be made more accessible to all. Part of the antidote, we feel, lies in approachable storytelling that humanizes the sciences and illuminates the connections we share.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
We’re embarking on a journey to create an ongoing storytelling series that is readily accessible online. This campaign will enable us to officially launch the project with a full, three to four-minute pilot episode that showcases our storytelling approach and animation style. The pilot will then serve as a tool to launch the larger series, therefore every dollar raised above our goal will go directly to creating more content.
When you get Munir Virani talking about vultures, his fascination and admiration for them is almost palpable. He’s convinced they get a bad rap and don’t deserve the role of the villain that pop culture has assigned them.
But how and when did Munir discover their magic, and why did he ultimately decide to devote his life to studying and conserving vultures and other birds of prey? The answer, as we found out when chatting with him over coffee a few months ago, plays out in a tale involving a devoted mentor, a truck stunt worthy of the big screen, and a quiet moment with a bird as a budding scientist in Kenya.
We’re committed to featuring storytellers from all different backgrounds who represent a diversity of STEAM-related fields (Science, Technology, Engineerinng, Art, Math) and work around the world: A Vietnamese millipede expert; an invertebrate biologist exploring unstudied deep ocean trenches; a young physicist embarking on a career in Colombia; a natural history artist in Chicago. We want people to see themselves in these roles by making the storytellers approachable and relatable, thereby making barriers to fields like these less intimidating.
Authentic
Storytellers will share their tales using their own voices, recorded in casual, unscripted conversations.
Relatable
We embrace what makes each storyteller human such as exploring feelings of doubt, encountering obstacles, and finding wonder in the little things.
Hopeful
By forefronting each storyteller’s passion and emotion, we anticipate audiences coming away feeling inspired.
From kids to adults, enthusiasts to budding professionals, to those who might not see themselves as traditional “scientists”, or to anyone assuming they’re not able to participate in this kind of work, our goal is to create stories that impact people from all backgrounds and environments.
The series is geared towards younger audiences, but these stories are for all of us because we are ALL curious.
In 2015, we produced “The Switch: A Bill Stanley Story” for the Field Museum, Chicago. In his own voice, Dr. Stanley tells the story of how a scientist at his local natural history museum encouraged and nurtured his interests, helping set a course for his future career as a mammalogist.
The heartwarming feedback we received from Bill’s colleagues and larger science community bolstered our conviction that the world is hungry for more of these kinds of stories.
© The Field Museum, 2015
The three of us share a deep passion for art, science, and a good story. Our meandering paths crossed at the Field Museum in Chicago, where we worked together on multimedia experiences that connect visitors with science. We’ve continued to find opportunities to collaborate since our Chicago days and are thrilled to come together again for Chronicles of the Curious.
We’re also partnering with Wild Lens Collective, a non-profit artist collective focused on the intersection of creative storytelling and environmental conservation. Their experience funding, producing, and distributing media content will help us increase the project’s reach and maximize its impact.
To read more about the Production Team, check out the TEAM page (tab above).
This framework reflects how production will play out on the 2021 calendar. For more process details and associated costs, please visit the WISHLIST page (tab above).
UPDATE: We've cleared our initial funding goal and are set to begin producing our pilot episode!
In fact, we now have our sights set on our new stretch goal of $25,000. These extra funds will allow us to develop a more robust marketing campaign for our pilot and craft a distribution plan to bring the Chronicles to a wider audience.
Because The Wild Lens Collective is serving as our fiscal sponsor, your entire contribution is tax deductible!
For a detailed budget breakdown, please see the WISHLIST page (tab above).
We hope you’re inspired to join us on this journey.
With gratitude,
Pat, Taylor & Greg
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Audio Production
Costs $1,000
Recording an interview with Munir and editing the story to lay the foundation for animation
Pre-Production
Costs $3,000
Iterative character designs, creating storyboards, producing animatic
Animation
Costs $11,000
Bringing the story to life! This is where we roll up our sleeves.
Post-Production
Costs $2,500
Bring it all together through color, detailed line work, and texture
Music + Sound Design
Costs $1,500
Salary for our composer to create an original score and sound effects
Campaign Costs
Costs $1,000
Including Seed & Spark fees, credit card fees, and administrative costs
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
One of Taylor’s greatest joys is to help creative projects come to life. As a producer-project manager she takes the logistical work off the hands of her partners while keeping larger project vision and goals on track. Determined to see Chronicles of the Curious, a true passion project, come to fruition, Taylor has eagerly jumped on board with Greg and Pat. Taylor has a background in arts administration and honed her specialty for developing digital media experiences while working for the Field Museum. She now works with Greg at Workshop 108.
Greg has found art to be the best way to immerse himself in his interests—nature, history, and science among them—and connect with people and communities he cares about. He loves his role on the Chronicles team, helping guide creative approaches for storytelling and building community around science and art. Greg got his true education in his years creating multimedia work within the Field Museum. He now operates Workshop 108, where he and Taylor collaborate with museums and nonprofit organizations on multimedia projects and outreach efforts.
Pat lives to tell stories through art, whether it be animation, illustration or music. The Chronicles of the Curious project allows him to collaborate with a driven, talented team and bring inspiring stories to life through animation. He is the owner of SpringShoe Animation & Illustration, LLC where he creates unique award-winning work for museums and businesses.
Matthew believes that environmental storytelling is an essential tool that can be used to expose the interconnected nature of our planet's current overlapping crises. In Chronicles of the Curious, he sees an opportunity to highlight inspiring stories from leaders in STEAM-focused fields, while sparking curiosity in viewers about the complex issues that scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and artists are working to address all around the globe. Matthew is a co-founder of the Wild Lens Collective, co-director of the award-winning feature documentary Sea of Shadows, and the creator of the Common Land podcast.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
We’re embarking on a journey to create an ongoing storytelling series that is readily accessible online. This campaign will enable us to officially launch the project with a full, three to four-minute pilot episode that showcases our storytelling approach and animation style. The pilot will then serve as a tool to launch the larger series, therefore every dollar raised above our goal will go directly to creating more content.
When you get Munir Virani talking about vultures, his fascination and admiration for them is almost palpable. He’s convinced they get a bad rap and don’t deserve the role of the villain that pop culture has assigned them.
But how and when did Munir discover their magic, and why did he ultimately decide to devote his life to studying and conserving vultures and other birds of prey? The answer, as we found out when chatting with him over coffee a few months ago, plays out in a tale involving a devoted mentor, a truck stunt worthy of the big screen, and a quiet moment with a bird as a budding scientist in Kenya.
We’re committed to featuring storytellers from all different backgrounds who represent a diversity of STEAM-related fields (Science, Technology, Engineerinng, Art, Math) and work around the world: A Vietnamese millipede expert; an invertebrate biologist exploring unstudied deep ocean trenches; a young physicist embarking on a career in Colombia; a natural history artist in Chicago. We want people to see themselves in these roles by making the storytellers approachable and relatable, thereby making barriers to fields like these less intimidating.
Authentic
Storytellers will share their tales using their own voices, recorded in casual, unscripted conversations.
Relatable
We embrace what makes each storyteller human such as exploring feelings of doubt, encountering obstacles, and finding wonder in the little things.
Hopeful
By forefronting each storyteller’s passion and emotion, we anticipate audiences coming away feeling inspired.
From kids to adults, enthusiasts to budding professionals, to those who might not see themselves as traditional “scientists”, or to anyone assuming they’re not able to participate in this kind of work, our goal is to create stories that impact people from all backgrounds and environments.
The series is geared towards younger audiences, but these stories are for all of us because we are ALL curious.
In 2015, we produced “The Switch: A Bill Stanley Story” for the Field Museum, Chicago. In his own voice, Dr. Stanley tells the story of how a scientist at his local natural history museum encouraged and nurtured his interests, helping set a course for his future career as a mammalogist.
The heartwarming feedback we received from Bill’s colleagues and larger science community bolstered our conviction that the world is hungry for more of these kinds of stories.
© The Field Museum, 2015
The three of us share a deep passion for art, science, and a good story. Our meandering paths crossed at the Field Museum in Chicago, where we worked together on multimedia experiences that connect visitors with science. We’ve continued to find opportunities to collaborate since our Chicago days and are thrilled to come together again for Chronicles of the Curious.
We’re also partnering with Wild Lens Collective, a non-profit artist collective focused on the intersection of creative storytelling and environmental conservation. Their experience funding, producing, and distributing media content will help us increase the project’s reach and maximize its impact.
To read more about the Production Team, check out the TEAM page (tab above).
This framework reflects how production will play out on the 2021 calendar. For more process details and associated costs, please visit the WISHLIST page (tab above).
UPDATE: We've cleared our initial funding goal and are set to begin producing our pilot episode!
In fact, we now have our sights set on our new stretch goal of $25,000. These extra funds will allow us to develop a more robust marketing campaign for our pilot and craft a distribution plan to bring the Chronicles to a wider audience.
Because The Wild Lens Collective is serving as our fiscal sponsor, your entire contribution is tax deductible!
For a detailed budget breakdown, please see the WISHLIST page (tab above).
We hope you’re inspired to join us on this journey.
With gratitude,
Pat, Taylor & Greg
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Audio Production
Costs $1,000
Recording an interview with Munir and editing the story to lay the foundation for animation
Pre-Production
Costs $3,000
Iterative character designs, creating storyboards, producing animatic
Animation
Costs $11,000
Bringing the story to life! This is where we roll up our sleeves.
Post-Production
Costs $2,500
Bring it all together through color, detailed line work, and texture
Music + Sound Design
Costs $1,500
Salary for our composer to create an original score and sound effects
Campaign Costs
Costs $1,000
Including Seed & Spark fees, credit card fees, and administrative costs
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
One of Taylor’s greatest joys is to help creative projects come to life. As a producer-project manager she takes the logistical work off the hands of her partners while keeping larger project vision and goals on track. Determined to see Chronicles of the Curious, a true passion project, come to fruition, Taylor has eagerly jumped on board with Greg and Pat. Taylor has a background in arts administration and honed her specialty for developing digital media experiences while working for the Field Museum. She now works with Greg at Workshop 108.
Greg has found art to be the best way to immerse himself in his interests—nature, history, and science among them—and connect with people and communities he cares about. He loves his role on the Chronicles team, helping guide creative approaches for storytelling and building community around science and art. Greg got his true education in his years creating multimedia work within the Field Museum. He now operates Workshop 108, where he and Taylor collaborate with museums and nonprofit organizations on multimedia projects and outreach efforts.
Pat lives to tell stories through art, whether it be animation, illustration or music. The Chronicles of the Curious project allows him to collaborate with a driven, talented team and bring inspiring stories to life through animation. He is the owner of SpringShoe Animation & Illustration, LLC where he creates unique award-winning work for museums and businesses.
Matthew believes that environmental storytelling is an essential tool that can be used to expose the interconnected nature of our planet's current overlapping crises. In Chronicles of the Curious, he sees an opportunity to highlight inspiring stories from leaders in STEAM-focused fields, while sparking curiosity in viewers about the complex issues that scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and artists are working to address all around the globe. Matthew is a co-founder of the Wild Lens Collective, co-director of the award-winning feature documentary Sea of Shadows, and the creator of the Common Land podcast.