HeaL8, a charity working in public health in the Toxteth area of Liverpool, approached Onteca about the possibility of the creation of an educational animation. They wanted an innovative animated film that warned about the dangers of excessive marijuana use, especially the risk of cannabis psychosis.

As Onteca’s lead video games illustrator, Pauline Wong, had experience in animation, we agreed the project. It was an interesting experiment in constructing an entertaining narrative with the purpose of involving and influencing young people. Abi Atkinson directed the piece, as well as editing it and contributing towards the script. Initially, the script was written by Michelle Richards based on the life story of Cathy Cuthbertson. This script was used to create the short film, Blowing Our Minds.

Later, a re-edit of the film introduced a new voice-over, written and voiced by Cathy Cuthbertson, the woman whose personal experience had inspired the film

Blowing Our Minds is now used by HeaL8 as part of its work in Schools throughout Merseyside.