8.22 Self-teaching questions: Exercise 1

Please look at the following two story pitches (one of them you already saw in Section 8.4.2 The story pitch [ www.wfsj.org/course/en/L8/L8P04.html ]). Answer the questions below. Afterward, have a look at Assignment 1 [ www.wfsj.org/course/en/L8/AssignL8.html ].

Pitch 1: From battlefields to our homes
A revolutionary substance, developed originally for neutralisation of poisonous gases, will now clean polluted air in our homes. Czech researchers were the first in the world to find a substance that can decontaminate military gases without causing harm to hi-tech electronics. Now, the substance will be used in the civilian sphere, for example as a component of paints on the interior and exterior walls of our houses. Our environment is filled with invisible harmful particles released by glue, rubber, carpets, lacquer and various emollients that can have a negative effect on us.

Thanks to a new technology called anatas modification of titanium dioxide (TiO2), researchers at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, in cooperation with the company Rokospol, have created a substance that triggers photocatalysis (a reaction that uses light to split organic substances), to significantly reduce the amount of harmful elements in the air (within 10 hours by approximately 10 per cent) and transform them into harmless water and carbon dioxide. Its use in future in multifunctional paints will not only enhance the durability of surfaces and beautify our walls – but also protect the air we breathe.

Pitch 2: Return of “strange” therapy
Viruses that eat bacteria can heal incurable diseases. Health experts around the world warn that bacteria are getting resistant to antibiotics. For example, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a threat in many hospitals, causing incurable inflammatory diseases in weakened patients. Pharmaceutical companies are having trouble developing new antibiotics because the research and development is time-consuming and costly.

In Poland, an unusual treatment is being used – bacteriophages, or viruses that kill bacteria. Phages are the most numerous and widespread representatives of the living world on our planet. There are deadly phages literally for each type of bacteria, yet the phages are not dangerous to plants, animals or people. As early as 1896, Ernest Hankin observed that the water from the Indian river of Ganges prevented the spread of cholera. Later, Félix D'Hérelle explained that the reason was that the water contained a virus, which he called a “bacteriophage” or bacteria-eater. In the beginning of the 20th century the use of bacteriophages was extensive in the Soviet Union and also in the United States, and it seemed that the treatment had great prospects. However, when antibiotics were discovered, the phages fell into oblivion. Now they are set for a revival.

QUESTION 1:
What are the hooks of Pitch 1 and Pitch 2?

QUESTION 2:
What information is excessive in the two pitches?

QUESTION 3:
Can you think of additional sentences in these pitches that show that you have not only talked to one expert and that you can judge the scope of this topic?

QUESTION 4:
Make a list of the possible visuals you will need to collect in order to explain these stories to a viewer. Include all people, animals, activities, locations, archive footage, photographs, graphics and describe in detail what you hope and expect the viewer to see.

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