ABC Releases Instagram Effects That Mirror Comedy Plotlines
(Press Release - 27/9/19)
The first Australian series set entirely on a phone, Content, has claimed a world first today, after releasing a series of Augmented Reality (AR) face effects based on each episode.
The effects, available on both Instagram (@abctv) and Facebook (ABC TV & iview) let audiences re-enact key plot points from the show, from eating spicy noodles on a livestream to dodgy makeup tutorials — even creating an anonymous hacker-style ransom video.
Ep 1 — Colours
Based on the show’s opening titles.
https://www.facebook.com/fbcameraeffects/tryit/757380758065999/
https://www.instagram.com/a/r/?effect_id=2389814627952380
Ep2 — Spicy Noodles
Open your mouth and spicy noodles fly in. The longer you eat — the redder your face gets.
https://www.facebook.com/fbcameraeffects/tryit/329700324468493/
https://www.instagram.com/a/r/?effect_id=894803270884045
Ep 3 — Floor Selfie
Go from drab to fantastic, just by lying on the ground! Raise your eyebrows to toggle between each look.
https://www.facebook.com/fbcameraeffects/tryit/2384587815151166/
https://www.instagram.com/a/r/?effect_id=2380765755326078
Ep 4 — Miss Frankenstein
Dress up as Miss Frankenstein this Halloween without needing to watch one makeup tutorial
https://www.facebook.com/fbcameraeffects/tryit/1308771575964238/
https://www.instagram.com/a/r/?effect_id=943130132713710
Ep 5 — Hacksquad
Ever wanted to join an anonymous hacking group? Your first ransom vid is only one tap away
https://www.facebook.com/fbcameraeffects/tryit/682204715596003/
https://www.instagram.com/a/r/?effect_id=396103354441108
Ep 6 — Bad winged eyeliner
Keep tapping for massive eyelashes and even bigger eyeliner designs. Maybe a little too big. You can judge that.
https://www.facebook.com/fbcameraeffects/tryit/437528096867635/
https://www.instagram.com/a/r/?effect_id=784041418718294
Ep 7 — Apology tears
No online apology vid is complete without fake tears. But if you’re not really feeling it, try this handy filter instead.
https://www.facebook.com/fbcameraeffects/tryit/530422017500922/
https://www.instagram.com/a/r/?effect_id=547327646004161
(You can try some of the ABC’s other augmented reality camera effects here — https://medium.com/@nathan.bazley/abc-ar-spark-ar-experiences-d7cc9f234925)
The ABC duo behind the effects are Immersive Lead Nathan Bazley and Immersive Designer Luke Gibbs.
Over the past 6 months, the two have released more than 20 AR effects on Facebook & Instagram across the ABC’s News, Science, Kids, TV and Triple J accounts — including a mask effect based on the smash hit kids series Bluey. ( Try it here — https://www.facebook.com/fbcameraeffects/tryit/464259820786325/ )
“AR Camera effects are a really effective way of engaging audiences, particularly younger audiences.” says Bazley.
“They are easily accessible and allow people to express themselves in fun new ways.”
“We’ve had more than 2.5 million people try these effects so far. Innovation is one of our obligations as a national broadcaster and we’re keen to continue doing that with each release.”
He says creators are only just starting to realise what these new interactive platforms can actually do.
“We’ve done a series of news and factual content using Spark AR (FB’s AR authoring program). Now we are having some fun with it, too. If we can help audiences retell Content using AR camera effects, why not tell an original story next? And we’d love to make some games that you control with your face soon as well.”
Content (#ContentTVShow) recently made headlines after vision from its first episode was cut and posted online without context.
The scene, which showed the main character crashing her car while livestreaming, was so realistic, it quickly racked up millions of views and had internet users debating about whether it was real or not.
“We originally made an effect to re-enact that iconic Content crash scene too, but there were so fair worries that people might stumble on it out of context, much like the viral clip, and think we were promoting phone use while driving. So the demo video is all that will ever be seen of it..” said Bazley.
Content’s final episode will be released Friday evening. It is produced by Ludo Studio, makers of the hit animation series, Bluey. You can watch all previous episodes here -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsPVOdZ3LN6c966JDLaeWqow8e0OjRvIs
