The Problem

The Epi-Scot study is a one-of-a-kind project that hopes to reach every child in Scotland. EPI-SCOT stands for Epilepsy, Precision Investigation, Stratified Care and Outcomes of Therapy.

It’s hard to believe, but treatments for epilepsy are mostly tested on adults, not children. Doctors are largely in the dark about what medications work best, or what dosage works for what age. It’s also hard to differentiate between the effects of seizures on children, and the side effects of treatment.

The Epi-Scot project aims to fill in the gaps in our knowledge by recruiting every child with epilepsy in Scotland and monitoring their symptoms and treatment.

Lead researcher, Dr Joe Symonds, decided that the best way to reach children and their parents was with an animation, accessible to children and young people of all ages. He also wanted it co-produced with people who had been diagnosed with epilepsy when they were children – because they’re the experts.

What We Did

Conveying the importance of the study to children was a tall order – especially when epilepsy itself is a notoriously complicated condition!

We decided to write the script from the point of view of a 12 year old who has already joined the trial, telling other children about it, peer to peer. Writing the first draft of the script, we stripped back as much technical language as possible to make the content clear and engaging. We really stressed the angle that there’s something grown-ups don’t know, that children can help them find out.

Armed with the first draft of the script, we held workshops with the co-producers to refine the language and visual imagery – the puzzle pieces grew from these workshops, becoming a central part of the animation. We also presented character designs and storyboards (see gallery above!)

We also involved a wider group of children and young people from across Scotland as user-testers. They reviewed the storyboard and the script, and made additional suggestions to the script and the visuals – making it punchier, brighter, and more relevant to kids.

Bringing the whole project together was the excellent voiceover. We knew we wanted a young person with epilepsy to voice Hamish, our main character. We were incredibly lucky to find Tommy, an 11 year-old with epilepsy from Glasgow. He was energetic and authentic in the recording booth – we can’t imagine Hamish any other way.

The video was animated by Sooz Reilly.

You can learn more about the Epi-Scot study on their website: https://www.episcot.org/