Oct 12, 2017

Many animation studios have established pro bono “Imaginary Friends Societies” for children suffering from cancer.

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), a non-profit organization for families facing a diagnosis of brain tumors in children, has partnered with various animation/VFX/commercial studios, including Titmouse, Psyop, Gentleman Scholar, MPC, Lobo, and Hornet to produced a series of animated videos aimed at making cancer less scary.

The project, “Imaginary Friends Society,” was conceived by the RPA advertising agency and consists of 20 different short films. Each short film uses animation to illustrate different aspects of cancer diagnosis and treatment in a way that is engaging and relatable to children. Studios that contributed to the campaign provided their services free of charge.

According to the PBTF, the idea was born out of the lack of children's materials that address the medical and emotional aspects of cancer:

Children affected by cancer are exposed to a number of unfair and unfamiliar invasive procedures. These concepts are not only threatening to the children, but are completely foreign to them. The idea for the Imaginary Friends Society came from a cancer survivor who used imaginary friends as a coping mechanism during treatment. [Our goal is to help the more than 4,600 children diagnosed with primary brain or central nervous system tumors each year,” said Robin Boettcher, PBTF president and CEO, ”that's 13 new cases per day. These films help equip, educate, and empower families throughout their journey by explaining the difficult aspects of cancer treatment and giving the children confidence and courage.”

PBTF is also developing motion-capture medical assistive technology with select imaginary friends and hospital-based augmented reality experiences designed to ease fears of impending procedures.

The short animations use a variety of styles and techniques. Below are four shorts, as well as links and studio credits for the entire series:

“Finding Out You Have Cancer” (Animation: Giant Ant)

“What is an MRI-” (Animation: Roof Studio). (Animation: Roof Studio)

“Blood Transfusion” (Animation: Lobo)

“Back to School” (Animation: Strange Beast)

Links to all projects and studio credits Welcome to I.F.S. ” Animation Gentlemen Scholars Music Jeremy Turner Sound Design Jeremy Turner

“What's an MRI?” Animation Roof Studio Music: Butter Sound Design Butter

“Feeling Sad” Animation Hornet Music by Ambrose Yu Sound Design Ambrose Yu

“Returning to School” Animation Strange Beasts Music by Handymartian Sound Design Handymartian

“Blood Transfusion” Animation Robo Music Anvil FX Music & Sound Design Sound Design Anvil FX Music & Sound Design

“Finding Out You Have Cancer” Animation Giant Ant Music Ant Hood Sound Design Ant Hood

“Losing Your Hair” Animation The Mill Music by Fidget New York Sound Design Fidget New York

“Why Am I Tired All the Time-” Animation Airplan Music by Squeak E Clean Squeak E Clean Sound Design Squeak E Clean

“Feeling Angry” Animation Not to Scale Sound Design Lime Studio

“Radiation” Animation Trunk Music by Daniel Pemberton Sound Design Phonic

“Who Will Be Taking Care of Me-” Animation Flux Animation Music & Sound Design Digicake

“How to Handle Shots” Animation MPC Music Storefront Sound Design Storefront

“Surgery” Animation MPC Music Mophonics Sound Design Lime Studios

“Chemotherapy” Animation Starbeast Music Mike Newport Sound Design Radiate Sound

“Help for Brothers and Sisters” Animation Sci Top Music Teenage Diplomat Sound Design Lime Studios

“What Is Cancer-” Animation Studio Pigeon Music: Black Iris Sound Design Lime Studio

“Long Hospital Stays” Animation Shijukara Music by Travis + Maude Sound Design Lime Studios

“Being By Yourself” Animation Renegade Animations Music by We Are Walker Sound Design Lime Studio

“Being Scared” Animation Landry Music: Butter Sound Design Lime Studios

“Staying Friends with Your Friends” Animation Wolf & Crow Expected Music & Sound Design Shindig

Title Sequence (all films): Elastic Title Sequence Music (all films): Jeremy Turner