Helping OPP Staff Handle Difficult Conversations Through Eight Animated Training Modules

Presenter beside motion graphics text reading Showing Empathy in an OPP Victoria animated training module.

Animated microlearning

Practical guidance for emotionally demanding conversations

The Office of Public Prosecutions Victoria works with victims and witnesses during some of the most difficult and emotionally demanding moments of their lives.

These conversations often involve complex legal information as well as grief, anger, confusion, trauma or fear. Staff need to communicate clearly while remaining patient, respectful and sensitive to what each person may be experiencing.

Dream Engine was engaged to produce eight presenter-led animated microlearning modules for OPP staff involved in victim and witness conferences.

One of eight animated modules created to help OPP staff handle sensitive conversations.

The challenge

Communication can break down when emotions run high

Victims and witnesses may be trying to understand an unfamiliar legal process while also dealing with the effects of trauma.

A person may become angry, withdraw from the conversation, struggle to process difficult news or feel that they have not been heard. Language barriers, disability and the possibility of triggering a traumatic response can add further complexity.

The OPP needed training that went beyond general principles. Staff required practical guidance on what to look for, what they could say, how they could respond and how to manage their own reactions during a challenging conference.

The learning series

Eight focused modules for difficult situations

Breaking the material into focused modules made each subject easier to understand and revisit when needed.

01Managing grief
02Managing anger
03Managing silence and disengagement
04Delivering bad news
05Managing triggers and re-traumatisation
06Conferencing someone with special needs
07Conferencing when language is a barrier
08Managing the conference

Hand-drawn conference scene showing people struggling to retain information in an OPP Victoria training module. — A conference scene from the animated modules, illustrating how stress can affect a person’s ability to retain information.

Presenter beside motion graphics text reading Showing Empathy in an OPP Victoria animated training module. — The green-screen presenter was integrated with animation and motion-graphics text to emphasise key learning points.

The action

Turning specialist guidance into practical training

We worked with the OPP’s briefing material and subject-matter knowledge to develop a consistent structure for the series.

Each module introduced a situation, explained why it could arise, showed staff how to recognise the signs and provided practical ways to respond. The content also encouraged staff to remain conscious of their own communication style, emotional state and body language.

For example, the language-barrier module covered when to use an interpreter, how to recognise confusion or distress, the importance of using simple language and visual explanations, and the need to check that the person had understood the discussion.

The production approach

A presenter integrated with hand-drawn animation

For this training video production, we combined a real presenter with simple hand-drawn animation.

The presenter was filmed against a green screen, allowing us to integrate him directly into the animated environment. This created a personal connection while giving us the flexibility to illustrate situations, emotions and responses that would have been difficult or inappropriate to recreate through conventional dramatisation.

Simple hand-drawn characters helped make the emotional situations feel more universal and approachable. Rather than depicting a particular type of victim or witness, the illustrations allowed viewers to focus on the behaviour, emotion and communication principles being discussed.

Motion-graphics text was used throughout the modules to emphasise key learning points, reinforce practical responses and help viewers retain the most important information.

Presenter being filmed against a green screen with camera, monitor and lighting equipment for the OPP animated training modules. — Behind the scenes: filming the presenter against green screen before integrating him with hand-drawn animation and motion graphics.

The result

A consistent resource for sensitive conversations

The completed series gave the OPP eight focused resources covering some of the most challenging situations staff may encounter when communicating with victims and witnesses.

Rather than presenting one long training program, the microlearning format allowed each issue to be addressed clearly and practically. The combination of a presenter, animation and onscreen learning points also established a consistent visual style across the complete series.

The finished modules were well received by the client and generated positive feedback from viewers.

Eight focused modulesEach sensitive communication topic is clear and easy to revisit

Practical guidanceRecognisable situations and techniques staff can apply in real conversations

Consistent learningAn approachable visual style across the complete series

Client perspective

What the OPP says about working with Dream Engine

Thank you for the fantastic work you have done on our eight modules. We are delighted with the quality and how they have turned out. We are getting really good feedback.

Julie MorrisonVictims Engagement CoordinatorVictims and Witness Assistance ServiceOffice of Public Prosecutions Victoria

Keep exploring

Need to explain a complex or sensitive subject?

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Ryan Spanger is the founder and managing director of Dream Engine, a Melbourne video production company established in 2002. Over the past two decades, he’s produced hundreds of videos for businesses, government departments, universities and healthcare organisations across Australia. Ryan specialises in helping organisations explain complex ideas through clear, engaging video content, with particular experience in corporate communications, training and education.