![Mental Roots with text [vector logo - 300dpi].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bd817_5881fef00b264b50ac27e787c7563d22~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_531,h_122,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Mental%20Roots%20with%20text%20%5Bvector%20logo%20-%20300dpi%5D.png)
Creative Commissions
Small Island Stories 2 album artwork, promotional animation and listening party poster
Album art
Event poster
Looping animation (integrated into full album film)
Only Human: Bringing Stories to Life
Animation for Part 1: Health & Connection to Genetics
Mental Roots was commissioned to animate for one of three videos, as part of a mini docu-series exploring the story of Brenda - a Ghanaian woman - and her experience of Sickle Cell disease and Western intnervention. The series addresses issues in Western treatment and support.
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Read more information about our creative production process and overall 'Only Human' project here.
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Client: Cambridge University / Only Human
Commissioned by: Ridley Scott Creative Studio
Year of production: 2023​
We find Brenda’s story and message hugely inspiring. We hope our efforts as a collective team of diverse creatives helps spark real change in how people and communities with Sickle Cell are seen, and in turn treated. It has definitely sparked inspiration for more animated content and projects, especially under the Mental Roots brand which highlights multi-ethnic experiences of wellbeing and mental health.
A bit of back story...
It was our BFI-awarded, BBC-commissioned animated short Mental Roots that was discovered by RSA Films, which led to their invitation for collaboration. Whilst that animation was created and awaiting release (2020-2021), Mental Roots also birthed a multimedia brand with the same name, which delivers further works of animation, podcasting and more to creatively represent and engage black people in addressing issues affecting their mental health, wellbeing and identity.
This project fitted thematically with the focus of our Mental Roots movement (the wellbeing, identity and lived experiences of underrepresented ethnicities and cultures). So, it made sense for us to make this project a client-based animation!
RSA Films believed the signature hand drawn, digital 2D style utilised in Mental Roots would lend itself well to conveying Brenda’s Ghanaian roots and perception of Sickle Cell within her family and community growing up.