Engaging, factual, humorous. Make science accessible without dumbing down. Never dramatizing or alarmist. Topicality and practical relevance come first. Social and ethical aspects of research are considered. Entertaining, but never silly. Educational in the best sense.
What this format covers
●Current research findings and their practical significance
●Technological innovation and its societal consequences
●Social and ethical dimensions of scientific research
●Nutrition, psychology, behavioral research
●Research in action — scientists at work
What this format does NOT want
●Auteur films or essayistic features
●Purely historical history of science without contemporary relevance
●Specialist-audience formats with high prerequisite density
●Dramatizing or alarmist portrayals
●Esoteric or pseudoscientific topics
●Pure natural history films without scientific inquiry
Visual expectations
High visual execution is mandatory. CGI and 3D animation for micro and macro processes. Extensive archive material. Lab footage, field research, experiments. Infographics and data visualization. Clear, bright aesthetic. Science must be VISIBLE. No talking-head aesthetic. Reference: Quarks, but more cinematic.
Expected exposé structure
Title + subtitle (curiosity-inducing, not academic)
Logline (2–3 sentences: what research, why relevant, what surprises)
Exposé body text with clear scientific question
Protagonist(s) — researchers with concrete work
Scientific state of the art and source base
Visual execution / CGI concept
Production company, author, contact
Example productions
Unser Hirn ist, was es isst
Xenius — Die Wissens-Sendung von ARTE
Die Macht der Viren
Mikroplastik — Unsichtbar, aber überall
Schlaf — Das große Rätsel
Science formatEuropean perspective required
Editorial notes
Saturday second evening half — after the discoveries. The audience is already tuned in and will stay if the film is engaging. NOT a specialist audience — the film must work for a broad television audience. No auteur films or features. Factual-humorous approach. Topicality matters: What's being researched right now? What affects us all? Social and ethical aspects must be considered.
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