Disaster dreams

Over the pandemic, a group of Gen Z teenagers in the Developing Artists program documented their dreams. Actors such as Pedro Pascal, Edie Falco, Joe Morton, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and many more gave voice to these dreams, while animators and illustrators like Carmela Caldart made the dreams come to life. My role was to conceptualize, design, shoot, and animate the main titles. My design would help unite all of these eclectic styles into a single film. I immediately gravitated toward practical effects, as I didn’t want to break the viewers immersion in the animator’s world.

I brought the camera to the bedside lamp, using glass and cutout text to drop the titles into frame. To transition out of the title, the dreamer’s hand, clad completely in protective gloves and a cleanroom jumper, would shut off their bedside lamp. On a moonless night, I captured the stars, which would provide the backdrop for our credits. Practical effects are a welcome challenge, and they had a way of grounding the film in the real world.

Client: Developing Artists

Direction: Keep or Destroy

Title Design: Ned Porter

Handwritten Font: Amy Pedulla