When a film or series is in its initial inception, I work with the creators to build out their vision with concepts and visual world-building.
Typically, this process results in the creation of a pitch book or pitch bible—a unique document that encapsulates the essential elements of a story or show premise—plot, characters, environments, and casting. I combine original visual elements with additional references to immerse the reader in the look and feel of the yet-to-be world.
Here is a menagerie of scripted and unscripted efforts—some you may have heard of, some are in development, and some have yet to be sold to a studio.
Please feel free to reach out if you would like to see beyond these title treatments.
I had the pleasure of developing the look and feel of The End is Nye in the original pitch deck. It’s not often that a logo makes it all the way from the pitch to the finished product, but this one seemed to thrive.
After the pitch was sold, I was asked to return to art direct the title sequence, creating a storyboard sequence with style frames inspired by Maurice Binder’s brilliant James Bond opening credits.
I’m looking forward to sharing that work when it is released.
Art Direction & Design: AJ Hanneld
Concept Artist: Mickie Camua
Executive Producer: Brannon Braga
A pitch document, also known as a show bible or pitch bible, is a compilation of premise, story, characters, environments and images in a form that can be presented during a pitch, as well as left behind with the prospect (such as Netflix or HBO).
This pitch bible for the show, UNIVERSE CITY was created over ten weeks on-site at The Jim Henson Studio Lot in Hollywood under the guidance of Vince Raisa and Brian Henson. I contracted fifteen exceptional concept artists to help bring our vision of Universe City to life and then created a presentation and book version of the pitch.
Concept artists shown here:
Jonathan Berube and Mickie Camua
Software: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
Timeline: Ongoing, most projects were turned around within one week
SHEP Films created a feature-length film based on their successful short, Prospect. It's the story of a teenager and her father who are prospecting for organic gems on a hostile planet. Gabriel Herrin and I were asked to help imagine the world and develop props and designs to be used in the film.
Process:
Research & Development
A pitch document, also known as a show bible or pitch bible, is a compilation of premise, story, characters, environments and images in a form that can be presented during a pitch, as well as left behind with the prospect (such as Netflix or HBO).
This pitch book was created with producer/director Sara Mast, Jessica Grimshaw, and NBCUniversal and is based on the hit Wondery Podcast of the same name. Dr. Death is the harrowing story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon who maimed, paralyzed, or killed 31 out of 38 patients. The project began the development of style frames that could be used in the live-action filming of re-enactments for the documentary. We then expanded into the creation of a complete pitch bible to gain financial support for the film’s production.