Back in November Studio Giggle was contacted by Account3 to create an animation for their Black, Asian and minority ethnic leadership course, called Dare to Lead. The animation needed to raise awareness of domestic abuse in Account3’s local community.
Account3 are a community-based support organisation in Tower Hamlets. They aim to support women’s economic independence and personal development with their 12 weeks leadership course, Dare to Lead. The women on the course must complete a series of online classes on feminist leadership values, networking, negotiations, building personal confidence, as well as other leadership topics. They are then able to turn their attentions to a social action project, which brings together and builds on their learning.
The women on the Dare to Lead programme, who chose to call themselves SiS (Sistas in Strength), chose to create an animation for their social action project. The animation was to be an allegorical tale of a woman feeling trapped and alone in the world of psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. SiS wanted to put a fresh perspective on a challenging subject, whilst reinforcing the essential point that no one needs to feel or be alone; there is always help available when you know where to find it.
The decision was made to create an animation after a group session which saw women share their own personal experiences of domestic abuse. But also as a result of the alarming increase in reports of domestic abuse associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. This was something that they also recognised within their local community.
SiS then came to Studio Giggle with an idea in mind of the kind of animation they wanted, but they had a key requirement: They only wanted women to work on the project in order to help preserve the delicate nature of the animation. So our very talented digital artist, Iina Kuula, our Account Director, Sabrina Bowman, our Producton assistant, Milena Raschia and our Marketing Assistant, Amy Hunter took on the project and worked with the SiS women to enhance their ideas and bring their words to life.
Having provided us with a basic storyboard and script, the animation was turned around in less than a week. To preserve the authenticity of the animation, we decided to send recording equipment to some of the SiS women so that they could record an emotive voice over for the animation. We then also worked with translators to create Bangla and Somali subtitles.
The animation was created to reach out, not only to Black, Asian and ethnic minority women, but to all women in solidarity, with the intention to share a message of hope, encouragement, freedom, and to raised awareness.
If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, contact the 24/7 National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 257.
If you need help relating to drug abuse and rehab that could be fueling domestic abuse, contact Rehab 4 Addiction.
SiS animation with Bangla subtitles: https://youtu.be/IWAbq1kL0kw
SiS animation with Somali Subtitles: https://youtu.be/MYXH4bYeKFE
If you would like to talk to us about commissioning an animation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing jon@studiogiggle.co.uk or calling 0117 972 0081