Innovation in production method, creative interpretation and delivery system characterised Bearcage’s approach to the mobile content program for the National Portrait Gallery and set a benchmark for visitor enhancement experiences in such institutions.
With the establishment of the Museum of Australian Democracy, bringing fresh life and purpose to one of Canberra’s best loved buildings, Old Parliament House, our newest national institution identified the need for a similar visitor resource. Bearcage was privileged to again be entrusted with the task of producing mobile content.
Building on our NPG experience we produced thirty short video stories for delivery on hand-held iTouch devices. This mobile content enriches visitor experience by telling stories about, or featuring people of significance to, the building, its contents and the workings of Australian democracy. Interview subjects included a prime minister, a deputy prime minister, a Hansard reporter and a parliamentary hairdresser. Other stories explain the sometimes obscure parliamentary language, the reason why a senator once donned a chicken suit and much more.
Because the building has a quite informal layout the mobile content program includes a purpose-designed floor plan that animates to orientate visitors and alert them to the location of the next video item.