cinematic — Projects

March of the Machine cinematic trailer for Magic the Gathering brings an iconic hero back from the dead. Elspeth was previously featured in a trailer (Theros Beyond Death) 3 years ago that shows her horrific death. She comes back to life in this new set but as a kick ass angel! It only made sense to bring back the same studio who made the Theros trailer, Axis Studios based out of the UK, to bring things full circle.

Animation and CG technology had changed significantly since the Theros trailer was made. What was once the most advanced looking 3D models three years ago now looked old fashion. This meant we couldn’t simply reuse the Elspeth 3D model but had to rebuild her from the ground up in a new production pipeline. Her previous rounded features were subtly angled and narrowed. Hair physics are much more advanced than before.

An epic cinematic trailer also needs an epic soundtrack. Reunited with my favorite composer, Vincent Oppido, we composed a music score that would carry the “duel of fates” theme from Dawn of the Phyrexian Invasion and bring back vignettes from Elspeth’s trailer history. We start the trailer with a score that spells out doom and gloom. Sounds of heavy brass and percussion blaring from the start to bring out that emotion and accompany the invasion of the Phyrexian army on screen. The strings work as a bridge between the sympathy you feel as you see a dismembered Karn and transitioning to the relief and joy of the heroic entrance of Elspeth. From this moment on, there’s nothing delicate about what’s about to happen. Two titans are about to collide and it was extremely important to just let the brass instruments go — from bass to hero trumpets. The addition of the bell hits at the end played two narrative roles. First, was to signify this heavy weight fight between these two iconic characters. Secondly, it acts as a call to the entire multiverse that this seismic event is about to occur, a call for revolution of sorts.

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Hands down, Phyrexia: All Will Be One is my favorite cinematic trailer I’ve ever worked on with Magic the Gathering. This was a collaboration with the very talented French studio, Unit Animation.

Elesh Norn, the featured villain in this set, is a storyteller’s dream. Visually, she is stunning. Though her armor is impractical, the extreme proportions of her design adds to her ominous screen presence. We wanted her character design to show dominance and power yet still maintain a level of beauty that doesn’t cross the line of “sexiness”. The result was a model that we described as “beautifully grotesque”.

Sound was an important element to amp up the introduction to Elesh Norn and her Phyrexian hoard. Unit understood the assignment from the start and already had this music track in mind from day 1. From there, we took a page out of the Dark Knight Rises and started to experiment with chants. I had our in-house linguists record themselves speaking the Phyrexian language. From there, I laid out a mock up of a chant along with the music. Unit’s music composer recorded their employees chanting in Phyrexian and that made the final cut. When Elesh Norn is seen standing up, you can hear the Phyrexian chant for “All will be one”. Easter egg!

Pain is the sign of your imperfection. The flaw at the center of all that you are.
But your suffering is at an end.
We offer you freedom from flesh.
Your realms are diseased and we are the only cure.
You can either kneel before this throne or become a part of it.
All will be one.

Elspeth | A Hero Reborn

Elesh Norn | Mother Dearest