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Enter the world of 'Story of Migration and Inequality', a unique project led by graphic novelist Karrie Fransman.

This animated book challenges stereotypes surrounding migration, unravelling the narratives of five individuals from diverse backgrounds. Join us as we unveil the creative process behind this impactful project, highlighting the dedication and collaborative efforts that brought these stories to life.

Karrie initiated the 'Story of Migration' during the COVID-19 outbreak, based on scripts written with MIDEQ’s partners in 11 countries in the Global South.

This project challenges many ideas dominating media representations of migration and underscores the importance of understanding global migration from the perspectives of those living and working in the Global South.

Using her iPhone to capture content and animate the pages, Karrie brought this story to life. Although limited access to equipment affected the lighting and video quality, the project found success among the audience and project partners. The first video focused on the facts and data of migration.

PositiveNegatives (PosNeg) later recommissioned Karrie for a video concentrating more on the narrative of 5 migrants from Haiti, Côte d'Ivoire, Malaysia, and Ethiopia, using the book concept from the original.

The project's development spanned a year, involving script development and research with Benjamin Dixie (Founder of PosNeg) and Professor Heaven Crawley (Director of Equitable Development and Migration at MIDEQ), along with 11 other academics worldwide.

The newly crafted book used in the video comprised 115 pages of illustrations meticulously crafted by Karrie Fransman using Photoshop. The intricate die-cutting process took four days with Deadly Knitshade in their studio, and a specialist bookbinder was enlisted to assemble the bespoke book.

Ready for filming, Jarbrain joined the project to assist with lighting and filming. Collaborating closely with Karrie, Jarbrain researched the best approach for lighting and filming, conducting video tests to anticipate potential issues. The setup occurred in Karrie's living room, using Sharon Yohannes' hands as the model to turn the pages during filming.

Several attempts were made to capture the actor turning the pages, allowing for deliberate pauses before moving on to facilitate smooth editing. Jarbrain, responsible for video editing and post-production tasks, began work on refining the video.

Collaborating with sound engineer Richard Hughes, the soundtrack and audio recordings, including voiceovers by Dr. Gameli Tordzro, who was also part of the original video, were seamlessly integrated into the main video edit. Subtitles were added for accessibility.

The improved lighting and enhanced camera equipment significantly elevated the overall quality and engagement of the project compared to the original 'Story of Migration' video during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are proud to have played a part in this project's journey and are pleased with the final outcome. Special thanks to Karrie Fransman for recommending us to contribute to this impactful project, bringing it to digital screens.