A collaboration with Sarofsky
Design / Look Development
To tackle the challenge of keeping viewers engaged during a two-minute sequence of name credits, we explored a wide range of visual approaches centered around the expressive qualities of light.
This included everything from colorful light streaks and radiant rays to bokeh effects, aurora-like movements, light leaks, lens flares, and — most notably — the iconic light trails inspired by the original 1978 film.
Our goal was to steer clear of a rigid or overly polished CGI aesthetic. Instead, we embraced texture, organic motion, and subtle imperfections to create a more tactile, cinematic feel that honored the spirit of the original while feeling fresh and immersive.
Aiming for a gritty, grounded aesthetic, we deliberately avoided the slick, over-polished feel of conventional CG. Instead, the volumetric light effects were informed by a series of hands-on experiments with analog and practical lighting techniques, using materials like glass, smoke, and physical filters to capture organic textures and natural imperfections. This approach helped connect the sequence to the optical quality of the original ’70s films and brought a sense of realism to the visual language.
To provide essential backstory and orient the audience before the action begins, the director conceived a title sequence inspired by the iconic openings of the Star Wars saga.
These titles unfold over a stark, icy landscape — serving as the audience’s first visual impression of the film. Beyond delivering narrative context, the sequence is carefully designed to establish the film’s tone: quiet, still, and hauntingly cold.
Credits
Director: @JamesGunn
Film Studio: @DCofficial
Creative Studio: @sarofsky_design
Executive Creative Lead: @erinsarofsky
Creative Lead: @duartelvas
Executive Producer: @stevenproduces
Head of Production: @joelsigner
Producer: @dylanptak
Look Dev/Design: @Adrianleung__
Lead Animator: @rafmsousa
Animators: @daviddmotion, @daviscameronchu, @dmitrymotion