THE BUDGET EQUITY PROJECT REPORT
As part of the Budget Equity Project, the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy set out to examine whether local governments were using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to advance equity, and to make that data meaningful to community leaders and policymakers alike. The Institute wanted to produce a video as part of the launch of their research report and website to help bring their findings to life. Partnering with Really Useful Media was a natural extension of our ongoing collaboration documenting the Institute’s Henry Cohen Lecture Series and our track record of translating complex issues into compelling and accessible stories.
CAPTURING NATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON EQUITY
To reflect the impact of ARPA funding and the varied approaches to equity across the country, we filmed interviews in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, DC. Subjects included nationally recognized experts and public officials, including Jacky Guerrero, Pamela Ross, Gene Sperling, and the Institute’s own Darrick Hamilton and Sarah Treuhaft. Each production included live Zoom access so the Institute team could ensure the conversation stayed grounded in the project’s research goals.
CRAFTING NARRATIVE FROM COMPLEX IDEAS
We consulted on storytelling from concept through final cut, blending filmed interviews with motion graphics, curated stock footage, and assets from the Institute’s partners to create a visually unified narrative. Close collaboration with the Institute team allowed us to deliver a video that deepens public understanding of equitable budgeting and affirms why it matters. Alongside the main video, we also produced a series of short social trailers to support their broader content strategy and extend the project's impact and reach across platforms.
CREW CREDITS
Los Angeles production team: Chandler Griffin and Jake Viator
Chicago production team: Joshua Simon and Peter Lyngso
New York production team: Dan Winckler and Khalid Straker
Washington, DC production team: Sam Song and Studio IMC
Executive Producer: Emily Kornblut
Editor: Lourdes Kalusha-Aguirre
Motion graphics: Sam Scipio, for the Institute
Post-production audio: Chris Burke
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