BBC Commissions Illumina Digital to Produce Interactive Broadband Drama

The BBC has commissioned Illumina Digital to produce a new, £2 million interactive broadband "documentary drama" for BBC Jam, its online learning service for five to 16 year-olds. Entitled "Axon" and targeted at 11-14 year-olds, the new six-part show, which will debut in January, is described by Illumina as a "scientific mystery series which combines linear drama with interactive documentary, scientific games and activities and streamed video drawn from the BBC archives." According to Illumina, the show combines scientific investigations with a drama centered on the formation of "'Axon,' a sci-fi type hit squad…which is called out to solve a series of special missions." The missions consist of solving such mysteries as a body found in a bog and a band whose audiences fall mysteriously ill: the solution to each mystery is designed to help viewers learn new scientific principles. As viewers progress through the missions, they unlock a larger drama, Illumina says. According to the company, "Axon's" drama, documentary and game elements are brought together in an interactive framework devised by producer, Philippa Watson. The show, which will initially be available in English and Welsh, with Irish and Scots Gaelic to follow later in 2007, was filmed on location in Wales. "This is a highly character-driven production which successfully weaves an unfolding drama into each science episode," Illumina Digital managing director, Andrew Chitty, said in a prepared statement. "'Axon' has been a technically challenging project, but what results is a production which showcases the way in which TV and broadband can best serve and capture the informal learning marketplace." Illumina was previously commissioned by the BBC to produce an interactive broadband TV drama series called "Wannabes" (see [itvt] Issue 6.62 Part 3).

Originally Published: October 17, 2006 Part 3 in [itvt] Issue 7.00

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