The BLT Episode 15: Gourd of the Rings
This week’s BLT reimagines the poster for Apocalypse Now, replacing Colonel Walter Kurtz with a crying dog. To find out how it all connects to the real world, read on.
Do you have some news that’s perfect for the BLT that we’ve missed? Tell us, and find out more about how we work by getting in contact today!
Row, row, row your pumpkin
A Missouri man has broken a lesser-known world record: The longest journey down a river by pumpkin. Duane Hansen paddled his 846-pound homegrown pumpkin for 11 hours, taking him 38 miles down the Missouri river. He named the pumpkin Big Berta, and even added a custom-made cup holder.
Dino Prints Discovered
While Duane completed his journey, rivers elsewhere in the world have been drying up, as droughts strike. In the process, hidden history is being discovered through a myriad of previously hidden objects and artefacts.
In Dinosaur Valley State Park, 113-million-year-old dinosaur tracks have once again become visible on what’s dubbed the “lone ranger trackway”. Most of the prints are from a carnivorous Acrocanthosaurus, a two-legged creature with three toes on each foot.
A Village ReVisited
Earlier this year, droughts uncovered Concello De Lobios, a ghost village on the Portuguese-Spanish border. It resurfaced as a reservoir plunged to historically low levels.
Walking on the cracked ground among spookily grey ruins tourists can see abandoned cafés, an old water fountain and rusted cars.
Harrowing message from the past
In another eerie consequence of this years’ droughts, hunger stones are being read. Inscribed hundreds of years ago, they were intended to appear when river levels got down to dangerously low levels and warm future generations that famine was around the corner
One stone on the bank of the River Elbe, was recently spotted by a German journalist Olaf Koens, in the Czech Republic town of Decin. This one, from 1616, read: “If you see me, then weep.”
China plans to make it rain
China has a plan to curb the damage of its record-breaking heatwave: cloud-seeding. This is a form of weather modification that involves spraying cloud with chemicals to prompt rain. Aircrafts, rockets or drones can be deployed to release silver iodide and other materials into the clouds.
Cloud-seeding is being used around the basin of the Yangtze River. Some controversy exists around the effectiveness and systemic consequences of the pricey technique. Nevertheless, cloud-seeding looks primed to be a major part of the climate-fighting agenda.
You aren’t imagining it: dogs cry tears of joy
A small study of 22 dogs has confirmed something many people have anecdotally experienced. Dogs can be reduced to joyous tears when they see their owner. The study was published in the journal Current Biology.
Scientists used the so-called Schirmer tear test (STT), placing strips under the dogs' eyes and reuniting them with owners after 6 hours apart.
The Return to Middle-Earth
Dogs’ tears aren’t the only thing streaming. Amazon’s epic huge-budget Lord of the Rings series is finally here, building the J.R.R. Toilein’s legacy with tales set before the iconic movies.
Blackbird has Fallen Flat-ley
Michael Flatley – shown mid-jig in the BLT - has written, directed and starred in a self-funded spy film “Blackbird”. The film, by “Dancelord Pictures” follows a retired spy dragged back into his dangerous life by a former flame. But it has fallen flat with critics, with reviews ranging from “fabuously bad” to “oddly entertaining”.
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52f27f54e4b06e715ce0bf53/b3892b9f-99af-436c-8d1d-e257aad5880b/Screenshot+2022-09-02+at+16.52.38.png)
Apocalypse Now Reimagined
All these stories didn’t exactly put us in the most positive mood, but we’ve leaned into it, and payed homage to the poster for the film Apocalypse Now.
We’ve tied the stories together, unveiling them one by one as we got to the big reveal. Did you see it coming? We hope you like our reimagining.
We love using visual thinking and visual storytelling to create connected and layered whiteboard animations like this. We’d love to talk to you about how your message could look as a whiteboard animation, contact us today!
A lot can change in 102 years and this BLT delves into some of the odder differences between those innocent days of 1921 and … now.
We all want to feel special. But this week’s news has us wondering if the lines separating humans from animals, and even machines, are increasingly blurring.
From Peru to China to Australia, here are the offbeat news stories that made it into our latest BLT.
As Bob Dylan said, ‘these times, they are a-changing’. This week, we’ve taken a look at the impacts of changes in the publishing climate and the planetary climate.
As Bob Dylan said, ‘these times, they are a-changing’. This week, we’ve taken a look at the impacts of changes in the publishing climate and the planetary climate.
From treasure to tragedy, art to the amoral, we’ve crammed a lot into this week’s BLT. It’s a sandwich Scooby Doo and Shaggy would be proud of.
We are back with more fresh cuts and unlikely combinations that take us from pest control all the way to the potential resurrection of the dodo!
A puzzling week indeed. If our BLT left you bewildered or whet your appetite for more detail about the week's stories, this blog is for you.
Your visual news sandwich is back. This week it includes the Public Order Bill, an increase in Satanism members and energy bills.
Get your wet suit on and join us as we take a dive through through the stories and easter eggs in this weeks BLT!
2023: Back to porridge, back to the commute, back to the gym (if you're so inclined), and back to the BLT.
This week’s BLT reimagines the poster for Apocalypse Now, replacing Colonel Walter Kurtz with a crying dog. To find out how it all connects to the real world, read on.
The news this week has given us plenty to get our teeth into. From cat cameos to magnetic slime, all with unexpected links and crossovers.
Beginning with a moral dilemma, this week’s BLT touches on some ham-related scandals, the future of tattoos, and some of the lesser-known, more bizarre implications of our warming world.
Surprise surprise, animals featured heavily in this week’s BLT: from those caught up to no good to those that help maintain law and order.
Things got heated this week in more than one sense. Let’s unpack some of this week’s news stories and curiosities, plated up and delivered hot off the press in this week’s BLT.
There are a few things certain in this life. The classics include death and taxes, but if this week is anything to go by we can discoveries and consequences.
The BLT often includes animal content, and this episode is no exception, as we weave through the news stories that piqued our interest this week
This week’s episode takes us from old English woods to orbiting satellites as we tune in to the natural world’s response to climate change and create ways to reduce pollution and live more sustainably.
Of course, this week's BLT had to be themed around Glastonbury festival as it kicks off for the first time in 3 years.
Read on for more details about the festival and the other hot topics that made it into the BLT.
It’s been an exciting week for discoveries! Some have brought hope and sadly, some have reminded us of the impact we are having on this marvellous planet we call home. There have been a few losses this week, however.
Our national treasure, Sir David Attenborough has been knighted for the second time! We take a look at some positive climate updates in his honour.
It’s not every week that there is a Platinum Jubilee! We’ve chosen to focus this week’s BLT on Her Majesty, looking into some of the curiosities of the crown.
This week we tackle the virtual and the real, taking you below the sea and back to dry land.
Your weekly sandwich of visual news. This week it features other universes, Elon Music, mutant bacteria, pink pigeons and much much more.
The BLT combines our passion for visual thinking, the week’s news and our creative team to create a delicious visual treat for your feed every week!
When it comes to your brand, video offers a whole range of ways to feature your brand both subtly and more directly.
Whiteboard videos can be a powerful way of telling your story, but their effectiveness very much depends on their quality. When picking the right whiteboard video production company, there are some essential steps and considerations.
In today’s digital era, explainer videos have become indispensable tools for businesses, educators, and creatives to convey complex ideas in a clear and engaging manner. These videos, whether animated or utilizing techniques like whiteboard animation, captivate audiences and simplify intricate concepts.
As visual aids go, whiteboards are like old friends. Whiteboard videos have developed from them, making ideas and messages understandable, clear, engaging and memorable.
In today's digital era, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to engage their audience and effectively communicate their messages. One such powerful tool that has gained popularity is whiteboard animation videos.
We’ll explore the captivating world of animation and how it unleashes the power of storytelling. Join us as we delve into the mesmerising world of animation and uncover the magic that lies within its animated tales.
In a world inundated with news and information, it's becoming increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. That's where BBC Explainers come in. With a commitment to demystifying complex topics, the BBC uses We Are Cognitive explainer videos to provide a deeper understanding of the world we live in.
Not everything is better remote, as we’re sure anyone who has tried to deliver remote training sessions will agree. We’re happy to announce that there is a better way to deliver remote training: whiteboard explainer videos.
Explainer videos are visually dynamic and captivating videos. They excel not only in distilling complex messages into easily understandable narratives but also in etching a lasting imprint on the minds of viewers. This makes explainer videos a must for any marketing strategy!
Creating a successful explainer video takes detailed planning. Done well, they supercharge stories and messages, giving them a lasting impact and high engagement rates.
One emerging and innovative tool that has gained significant popularity is whiteboard animation. By combining simplicity, creativity, and visual storytelling, whiteboard animation offers numerous benefits that can help companies improve their communication strategies.
By combining simplicity, creativity, and visual storytelling, whiteboard animation offers numerous benefits that can help companies improve their communication strategies. In this blog post, we will explore some of the key advantages that whiteboard animation brings to the table.
Before you type in ‘free whiteboard animation software’ straight into google, there are some very good reasons why working with a professional studio team creates a much stronger explainer animation.
Marketing explainer videos capture the attention of viewers and drive audience engagement. They make your message meaningful and memorable!
At We Are Cognitive, we’ve pioneered whiteboard animation videos and established them as the communication tool they are today.
Explainer videos are a dynamic tool that has been revolutionising the way we communicate. Whether it's through animated explainer videos or captivating whiteboard animations, these visual storytelling marvels are transforming the communication landscape in seven key ways.
Vertical video is making its mark, but is it right for you? Is a landscape video still the best way to share your message?
What psychological principles make explainer videos so effective in engaging audiences? Let's delve into the psychology behind effective explainer animations and understand how they captivate, persuade, and leave a lasting impact on viewers.
Whether you're an educator striving to make lessons memorable or a business professional aiming to simplify intricate concepts, harnessing the power of explainer videos can be a game-changer.
Explainer videos and engaging whiteboard animations, have emerged as powerful tools to convey complex messages with simplicity and creativity. Here, we explore nine innovative ways to integrate explainer animations into your marketing strategy, enhancing your brand's visibility, engagement, and conversion rates.
In the modern workplace, where attention spans are short, and information overload is common, utilizing innovative internal communication strategies is crucial. This article explores creative internal comms ideas, focusing on the power of animated explainer videos and whiteboard animations.
One effective way to captivate your audience and convey complex ideas in a simple, engaging manner is through explainer videos. In this blog post, we'll explore five great explainer video tips to help you create compelling animated explainer videos that leave a lasting impression.
Whiteboard animation explainer videos have emerged as storytelling wizards in the realm of business communication. Join us on a journey as we unravel the enchanting tapestry of storytelling and unpack how it can help all organisations share their messages with the world.
Meet the Explainer Video. With the power to distill complex ideas into digestible bites, it has become the darling of marketers and educators alike.
Once upon a time, in a world brimming with words and numbers, there emerged a powerful form of communication that transcended the boundaries of language - visual storytelling. Our story begins in the heart of a bustling city, where images and visuals narrate tales more compelling than words ever could.
The whiteboard video recipe is a complex one, when done right it can turn our messages and stories into highly engaging, entertaining and memorable animations. We’ve put together a list of ten whiteboard video mistakes and creation tips to keep in mind as you create your whiteboard video.
As technology advances and creative techniques evolve, several exciting trends have emerged in the realm of whiteboard animation. In this article, we will explore five whiteboard animation trends that you need to know to stay ahead in the ever-changing landscape of visual storytelling.
With the cost-of-living crisis raging, only Rudolph has the solution to stop Christmas ‘22 from being cancelled - but how can he explain it to Santa?
Animated explainer video services have emerged as a powerful solution to capture attention, simplify complex ideas, and leave a lasting impact on viewers. In this article, we’ll explore the significant benefits of leveraging animated explainer video services, highlighting how they can unlock the full potential of your marketing strategy.
Give us the week’s offbeat news stories, and we’ll sum them up in an image, bringing them into the same universe.