Pre-Production

Concept & Scripting

The nitric oxide (NO) explainer was built as a cinematic walkthrough of molecular biology—designed to make the science hit harder and feel more human. The goal wasn’t just to explain how NO is made; it was to show the chain reaction when that process breaks down. At its core, this was a visual story about the body’s hidden systems—enzymes, molecules, and physiological functions—all told with the polish and clarity of a broadcast-grade medical explainer.

We kicked off scripting with deep scientific analysis. The client came to the table with clinical documentation and a detailed educational structure that outlined the two main ways the body produces nitric oxide. This framework became the scaffolding for everything—driving the chapter-based animation layout and defining key on-screen callouts.

From there, we mapped out two parallel arcs: one that highlighted nitric oxide’s function across systems like circulation, cognition, blood pressure, and inflammation; and another that followed the breakdown of those systems when NO production is compromised—whether due to aging, behavior, or lifestyle.

To tie it all together, we used metaphor to support the science. The tone throughout was clinical but cinematic. Every decision—from text pacing and scene flow to camera movement and hierarchy—was anchored in that creative direction.

Rapid Prototyping

The technical demands of this project made Rapid Prototyping (RP) critical. We developed test assets and scene logic in tandem—building a working layout of every major sequence to validate spatial relationships, camera transitions, and rhythm.

For human-driven shots, we rigged a custom semitranslucent male model designed for full-body animation. This became the foundation for visualizing NO loss and recovery. We blocked early posture transitions—from upright to collapsed and back again—using narration timing as our guide for emotional pacing.

Internally, we created simplified but accurate environments for the stomach, circulatory system, and cellular layers. In the stomach, fluid motion was simulated with animated meshes and displacements, while molecules like nitrate and nitrite were visualized with cloned proxies—spheres and metaballs tagged with placeholder materials and animated for flow and collision.

The conversion pathway from nitrate to nitrite to nitric oxide was mapped with toggle-based visibility triggers. These tests helped us dial in camera paths, zoom speeds, and how long users needed to see chemical formulas like NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, and NO while tracking particle interactions.

For circulatory visuals, we rigged a full arterial mesh inside the character model. Cross-sections were created procedurally and used deformers to show healthy vs. damaged arteries—key to explaining the difference between flexible and rigid vessels in the bar graph overlays.

We also tested transitions from molecular to human scale—experimenting with lens behavior, depth of field, and rapid cuts between bloodstreams and cellular zoom-ins. Timing was adjusted to maintain the tension and clarity baked into the script.

Early Visual Styles Explored

Look development started alongside RP. The mission: build a conceptual but medically grounded world. We wanted a balance—clean and modern, but also rich and rooted in biological detail.

For the male figure, we built layered translucent shaders to simulate medical transparency without looking sterile. Light passed through the skin to reveal vascular structures. A soft backlight behind the figure added contrast against the blue background and emphasized an internal heart glow.

For tongue bacteria, we split the screen: a 3D macro of the tongue’s papilla on the left, detailed down to gloss and subsurface layers; and a right-side close-up of bacterial clusters and soft body physics. We used color for clarity and simplified surface detail to help viewers follow what mattered.

Molecular shots leaned on stylized lighting and dark backgrounds to isolate floating particles. In the nitric oxide synthase sequence, we used spherical lighting and lensing tricks to create a sense of frozen clinical focus.

Typography was central to all these tests. We tested contrast and weight for critical terms (NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, NO) and clinical labels to make sure they popped over complex visuals. These inputs fed directly into our infographic pipeline, ensuring consistency between animated environments and overlay data.

Prototyping Animation Concepts

Animation logic drove the story forward. We tested how chemical, physiological, and behavioral sequences could connect using motion design—not just for visual interest, but as a storytelling engine.

Molecular interactions used spline cloners, particles, and deformers. We first visualized nitrate-to-nitrite conversion as a cascading reduction of grouped particles—shrinking and shifting color. NO formation was animated with nitrogen and oxygen spheres bonding, rendered with refraction and particle flow, later refined with motion blur and dynamic lighting.

Blood flow animation tracked red cells along spline paths with camera lock-ins. We used field attractors to simulate blockages and turbulence. RP gave us the rhythm we needed to emphasize disruption and recovery.

We also developed the beetroot and supplement scene as a minimalistic yet high-impact moment to visually communicate the nitrate source in a digestible metaphor. The beets and pill bottle were modeled in a soft matte style and arranged against a seamless white backdrop.

UI animations were rigged with morphing bar graphs and sync’d sliders that matched narration cues. These showed state transitions like “stiff” to “flexible” or “plaque” to “no plaque.” Circular graphs used radial scan logic and were layered over anatomical shots to echo real diagnostic tools.

These motion studies gave us clarity on scene pacing, focus control, and overall beat structure—ensuring every moment supported the broader story of nitric oxide depletion and recovery.

Full Production

Look Development

Once the story structure and visual flow were locked during Rapid Prototyping, we moved into Full Production with a focused look development phase centered on three core environments: the tongue and mouth interior, the vascular system, and the molecular-level interactions. Each space needed its own visual language—distinct materials, lighting logic, and style rules. The challenge was to balance scientific credibility with visual storytelling power, making the material both technically sound and emotionally compelling.

For the oral bacteria sequences, we used heavy displacement layering to recreate the irregular, soft-wet texture of the tongue and surrounding mucosa. Displacement maps created micro-topography, while subsurface scattering gave that surface a semi-translucent, lifelike quality. Bacterial colonies were distributed using rigid body dynamics, letting them fall into crevices and naturally hug the geometry's microstructure.

In the bloodstream and vessel interiors, the look leaned into a hybrid of realism and stylization. Vessel walls were textured with noise-based bump and roughness maps to give them a tactile feel, then layered with specular reflections to mimic biological sheen. As we transitioned into molecular or pathological sequences, the stylization intensified: linings became more translucent, with added glow to call attention to chemical interactions.

Nitric oxide molecules evolved into glowing, clustered forms with subtle animation and atmospheric bleed. The enzyme and molecule-level shots weren’t literal—they were metaphor-driven environments built from abstracted 3D lighting and materials that helped visualize invisible dynamics in a way that felt grounded but imaginative.

In the section highlighting nitric oxide deficiency across the U.S., we introduced a fully animated 3D map with UI nodes connected by fine lines and translucent arcs—suggesting population networks and systemic breakdown. The glassy rendering of these icons and lines—set against a darkened blueprint background—conveyed a sense of system interdependence and hinted at broader public health implications. This metaphorical scene linked molecular disruption to societal scale effects and closed the conceptual loop from cell-level visuals to large-scale impact.

Design & Animation

The red blood cell animations formed a foundational layer of realism. We cloned red cells onto spline paths to shape flow direction, then added speed control and rigid body interaction to show realistic cell behavior—minor bumps, variable spacing, and moments of congestion. Key cell movements were cached in Alembic format to lock accuracy for compositing.

For oral health scenes, we animated bacterial destruction using Fracture tools and a mix of effectors and dynamics. Nitric oxide triggered crumbling effects in sync with narration—clear visual cause and effect. Acid animation used RealFlow to simulate fluid reacting with the stomach surface, while the lozenge broke apart via Turbulence and Attractor fields for a realistic, controlled disintegration.

Molecular enzyme visuals were fully abstract. These volumetric animations blended symmetry, glow, and particle-like motion—focusing more on storytelling than scientific labeling. We used soft expansion, subtle oscillation, and organic forms to evoke ongoing biochemical processes.

Character animation was handled through pose-to-pose blocking. We showed idle, slouched, collapsed, and running states—tying each to lifestyle behaviors and health implications. 

Infographic elements—like the opening shot—were created in 3D. We gave them a stylized, plastic texture and slight depth to stand out from anatomical and molecular scenes. 

The heart animation, short but important, was manually rigged and animated to pump with realistic deformation and slight timing offsets for a biologically grounded feel. For the full artery cross-section, we baked in heavy plaque buildup and red blood cell flow into Alembics to maintain performance at render time. These two high-load scenes—“Artery Cross Section” and “Venn Diagram”—were rendered off-site due to their geometry and simulation weight.

We also developed a distinctive series of stylized 3D infographics that served as visual anchors for the opening of the video. These included a lineup of red jets used as a bold metaphor for cardiovascular fatalities, fully modeled and staged in a high-key, clinical white environment. Lighting was soft and diffuse, emphasizing the glossy red finish and creating a sterile, data-centric tone.

Another shot visualized 610,000 deaths per year using a densely packed grid of monochromatic human figures, with a subset sharply highlighted in red to emphasize the data contrast. This shot required procedural array generation and instancing workflows to maintain viewport responsiveness and avoid render lag.

A key moment featured four stylized human figures aligned side by side, with one isolated in red. This minimalist visual used precision spacing and synchronized fade-ins to reinforce the “1 in 4” statistical messaging. Alongside these, we animated a bold, typographic sequence for "#1 Killer in Both Men and Women Worldwide,” pushing the depth and dimensionality of the number and wordforms using beveled 3D text objects.

These segments bridged data storytelling with high-concept visual impact, grounding the viewer in the scope of the problem before introducing the molecular science. Visually clean, compositionally graphic, and technically optimized, they framed the opening message with clarity and urgency.

Style Choices and Reasoning

This project needed a single cohesive look to hold together a range of biomedical ideas and spatial scales. We had to move from lifestyle shots to enzyme-level animation without breaking visual continuity. The solution: stylized realism that blended soft abstraction with scientific structure.

Photorealism would’ve pushed the tone into cold, clinical territory. Instead, we stylized just enough to stay human and approachable. Semi-translucent textures, simplified anatomy, and a light digital glow kept the animation smart and inviting. The goal wasn’t textbook detail—it was clarity, trust, and accessibility.

Color carried narrative weight. We assigned light blues and purples to nitric oxide to signal vitality and renewal. Harmful agents—like bacteria or arterial plaque—showed up in greens and grays. As nitric oxide entered a scene, we shifted color temperature, brightened the flow visuals, and re-lit problem areas to signal repair. These changes were subtle but intentional—tying mood to message.

Lighting followed suit. Holographic shots used rim light and volumetric backgrounds to suggest scale and diffusion. More grounded biological scenes had directional lighting with soft falloff, keeping anatomical structures readable without overwhelming detail. Every style decision served the story: nitric oxide as the invisible workhorse of systemic health.

Post-Production & Delivery

Final Compositing & Color Grading

Post-production was handled entirely in After Effects, with a laser focus on building a unified, high-tech visual world. Every frame went through custom color grading using layered adjustments—curves, levels, and selective color controls. The look stayed locked into a cool blue base palette, grounded by neutrals and white accents. Lens flares were used deliberately to add futuristic energy and polish.

We didn’t just color-correct across the board—we dug into local corrections for critical scenes. Tongue bacteria, artery interiors, and blood flow sequences required extra attention to preserve detail and material depth while keeping the visuals clear under overlay data and animations.

Lens flares weren’t decorative—they were a visual language. Layered with additive blending, feathered blur, and directional glow, they brought extra life to scenes like red blood cell pulses, molecule disintegration, and glowing NO pathways. In the circulatory system, we added subtle volumetric lights to create a transparent, flowing look that supported the "living system" theme.

Infographics, UI Overlays, Data Visualization

UI overlays were a major storytelling tool. Every data visualization element was purpose-built in After Effects using animated shape layers and typography to create a clean, modern look.

We used the human figure as a visual anchor for the entire interface. To the left, we installed vertical bar indicators comparing metrics—like “Decreased” vs. “Good” for circulation or “Stiff” vs. “Flexible” for arteries. These weren’t just visuals—they tied directly to clinical outcomes, styled for clarity and brand cohesion. Green meant optimal, red meant impaired, and blues carried the neutral scientific data.

On the right side, we built rotating diagnostic UI panels that echoed real clinical monitors. These included ECG displays, dynamic blood pressure gauges, and artery cross-sections showing real-time plaque accumulation. Every UI layer was precisely timed to sync with the animation’s motion, reinforcing the human body as a responsive, data-driven system.

Transitions kept everything digestible—animated bar fills, numeric shifts that tracked progress, scan crosshairs, and focus rectangles all guided the viewer’s attention without overwhelming. Even micro-interactions like flickering or pulsing effects were mapped to emphasize clinical realism and keep things moving.

For key thematic beats, we built modular title cards—like “2 Ways the Body Makes Nitric Oxide”—using clean numerical and typographic hierarchy. Transitions used dissolves and smooth zooms, styled with soft light and gloss overlays to match the overall language of the piece.

Every UI element was embedded directly into the animation timeline—tracked, timed, and color-matched to flow seamlessly with the 3D scenes.

Hero titles—like “Everything Works Better” and “Better Cardiovascular Health”—were built with Element 3D. That gave us depth-accurate shadows, refractive effects, and a hybrid glass-metal look that supported the futuristic tone and, most importantly, easy to edit without re-rendering the 3D animation. These titles were paired with lens flares and lighting passes to create dynamic motion and a sense of holographic projection. Beveled edges and gradient directionality tied the typography into the scene without breaking visual rhythm.

Final passes included polishing every UI and text overlay. We adjusted type weights for legibility, tightened label timing to hit the VO perfectly, and fine-tuned alignment so moving anatomical elements wouldn’t interfere with key data.

Delivery

Final deliverables included a 6-minute HD video (1080p H.264) and a separate 1-minute teaser, both optimized for web and presentation use. We also supplied high-res stills from key scenes for use in print and marketing, subtitle files (.srt) for accessibility, and layered image sequences of UI elements and title graphics for reuse in future content.

Transcript:

In a young healthy person, they have good blood flow, good circulation. There’s no plaque built up. The arteries are flexible and pliable, not rigid or stiff. The heart functions normally. 

But As people age, Nitric Oxide production decreases and the consequences are severe.

Arteries become stiffer, more narrow, constricted and plaque builds up. Circulation and Blood flow decreases limiting oxygen and nutrient delivery to every cell in the body. Blood pressure and fatigue increase. Sexual function decreases. Normal Stem cell functions are lost. Inflammation increases. Cognition and memory decreases, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's. 

Basically, every function in the body works less efficiently.

But technology exists to reverse these effects, restore and repair normal Nitric Oxide production and provide the best outcome as you age. 

By choosing to restore Nitric Oxide production - arteries become healthier. Plaque in the lining of blood vessel is removed. Your circulation improves. Heart function improves. Blood pressure normalizes. Sexual function improves. Normal stem cell functions are restored. Cognitive abilities improve. Everything works better. 

In order to restore and fix the underlying problem of nitric oxide deficiency you must first understand how the body makes nitric oxide.

There's two ways the body makes nitric oxide. 

One is through the utilization of L-Arginine through the enzyme nitric oxide synthase [NOS]. 

The older we get, and based on lifestyle conditions, the enzyme becomes dysfunctional. 

So, over time, we make less nitric oxide through the Nitric Oxide synthase enzyme. 

In this case, giving more L-Arginine does not create more Nitric Oxide. 

The other pathway is dependent upon diet and the conversion of Nitrate to Nitrite to Nitric Oxide. 

In the mouth, Nitrate is converted to Nitrite by natural, good bacteria in the mouth. When saliva is swallowed, the acid in your stomach converts Nitrite to Nitric Oxide. 

However, when people use medications like antacids, the Nitrite to Nitric Oxide conversion is completely shut down. 

And when people use mouthwash and antiseptics, and antibiotics the bacteria is killed shutting down the Nitrate to Nitrite conversion. 

Proton pump inhibitors shut down this conversion too, but they also decrease Nitric Oxide production from the Nitric Oxide Synthase enzyme through L-Arginine by the production of an inhibitor called ADMA. 

In other words, in addition to the natural decreases that your body would see as you age, most of the people in America have this pathway of Nitric Oxide production completely shut down.

So, the challenge has always been how do you fix the Nitric Oxide problem? 

If your body can’t make Nitric Oxide, you need product technology to do it for you. And you need to restore and repair the ability to make Nitric Oxide naturally in the body. 

There is technology fix the dysfunctional Nitric Oxide Synthase enzyme. 

In fact, it re-couples the enzyme and makes the body's ability to generate nitric oxide in the lining of the blood vessel, better, from L-Arginine. 

You need product technology to restore steady state concentrations of Nitrite and the ability to produce Nitric Oxide from Nitrite that’s independent from stomach acid production. 

In short, you can overcome the loss of production with age and the use of antiseptics, mouthwash, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors and other lifestyle choices that shut down Nitric Oxide production. 

Simple Nitrate products such as beet root and green food supplements, typically, don't work. Most people lack the bacteria and functional pathway to create Nitric Oxide from Nitrate. 

L-Arginine products don't work. Because without fixing the how the enzyme couples, more L-Arginine won’t create more Nitric Oxide, it will create more oxidative stress with even further consequences reducing Nitric Oxide production causing further damage to the body. 

It is important to understand how the body makes nitric oxide and how lifestyle, daily practices and drug therapy can interrupt Nitric oxide production and put your body at risk for the many diseases characterized by loss of Nitric Oxide.  

After all, how can you correct something if you don’t know the cause? 

By eliminating practices that disrupt nitric oxide production and/or using products that have been shown in clinical trials to restore nitric oxide production you can help ensure your body has what it needs to generate this critical molecule.

Nitric Oxide biochemistry is complex even for experts in the field. With nearly 2 decades of research, hundreds publications, I know nitric oxide.  We, the scientific community, know how the body makes it. We know what goes wrong in people that can’t make Nitric Oxide and most importantly we now know how to fix the underlying problems and restore Nitric Oxide production.

Once you fix these nitric oxide production pathways, it leads to better cardiovascular health, and once you restore the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells in the body, everything works better. Literally everything.