Google doodles whimsical histories

A cute play on the product title, Being Human Is shows how the Android operating system has helped each person profiled.

From connecting folks across oceans to allowing Deaf hockey players to communicate easier, these short films demonstrate the power of technology to help open doors and break down barriers. Co-Director Tuesday McGowan, out of Where the Buffalo Roam, helped direct the design and animation of the spots. The beautiful, chalky animation feels natural, celebrating the heroes as they see themselves. 

In order to create a fully-formed documentary around each person, WTBR partnered with radio producers to strike the perfect tone. “These films needed to be rich, evocative, and resonate from the heart, so authenticity played a big role in developing the visual style of each film,” says McGowan. “We had to stay mindful that we were dealing with real people and respect the sanctity of who they are. We were fearless in our approach, embracing abstraction, symbolism, metaphor, and non-linear storytelling to create fantastical animations that bridge nonfiction and magic realism.” 

“I like to call them documentary fables, as each film has a magical storybook feel yet is rooted in real people and their own words and experiences.” says co-director Nico Carbonaro. “For Being Human Is, we weren’t just telling these remarkable stories, we were doing it in a way that could never be done in live-action.”

The set of five of films in the series are: On Silent Ice, Na Cor, Ramblin' Man, The Magic Makers, and Chez Elyse.