Impactful Storytelling through film

Bridging the Knowledge Translation Gap to Make an Impact

Portrait Films for Healthcare, Short Science Overview Films, Interactive Documentaries

Allegorical Alchemy specializes in collaborating with clinicians, health researchers, scientists and health and social care focussed charities, to translate scientifically-robust knowledge for dissemination to their target audience in beautifully crafted films.

 Health research is fundamentally important for moving forward our understanding of medicine and how we can make improvements in healthcare and patient lives.  This research is critical, but not the only factor in making real-world change.  Once knowledge has been synthesized through research, it needs to be effectively communicated to changemakers or the people who benefit from that knowledge.  In the world of research, robust methodologies, clean data, and objectivity are of paramount importance, but that alone is not normally enough to engage people and bring about change.

 As humans, we are wired for story. 

We want to feel emotion, to feel connected, and to understand the why it’s important. Storytelling may feel counterintuitive to many researchers, as at a first glance it appears to be opposite of the objectivity that is strived for in research.  However, there is evidence that information told through story is more likely to be engaged with, remembered and acted upon compared to cold, hard facts.  The secret is to make sure that that story is rooted in fact.

Allegorical Alchemy uses a magic blend of the art of storytelling and the science of knowledge translation to transform your research findings into impactful and memorable short films that emotionally engage the audience and act as a catalyst for change.

Unique Approach Rooted in Robust Science and Artistry

"Unique". That is the word that customers and champions use over and over again to describe Allegorical Alchemy. So what makes Allegorical Alchemy unique?

It is run by Dr. Clare Gibson, who has a Bachelors in Science, a PhD in Health, and a Master's in Film. Before obtaining her Master's, Clare spent more than a decade working as a research project manager on patient-centered health research projects with a strong focus on knowledge translation. Clare is also highly creative. She has been engaged in a photo-a-day project for nearly 12 years and has developed a "natural eye" for beauty.

Clare used her unique training and expertise to develop a novel filmmaking process that is collaborative and ethical, and combines the robustness of knowledge translation methodologies with the artistry of filmmaking to create visually beautiful, emotive and engaging (patient) portrait films designed to catalyze change.

august 2020

“I really love working with Dr. Gibson of Allegorical Alchemy. She understands health research much more than any filmmaker that I've ever met. She pays close attention to the key messages and always brings a patient perspective. I plan to work with her on all of my knowledge translation initiatives.”

Professor Ross Tsuyuki (Professor & Chair of Pharmacology, Professor of Medicine, & Director of EPICORE, University of Alberta)

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