Spacejunk Conjures Magic for Wizards of the Coast

The epic animated game trailer “Avacyn Restored” is the latest in a series of darkly beautiful collaborations between game company Wizards of the Coast and award-winning design and production studio Spacejunk. 

 

Written by Wizards of the Coast’s Brady Dommermuth, Kurt Isensee and Mark Painter, “Avacyn Restored” and its earlier counterpart “Dark Ascension” immerse viewers into the realm of Magic: The Gathering – the ghoulish world of Innistrad and its evil inhabitants. Each trailer was designed and animated using original paintings created for the game experiences. Spacejunk’s creative teams then designed animatics to determine and refine the approach to movement, story transition and the overall viewing experience. For “Avacyn Restored” and “Dark Ascension,” Spacejunk utilized a 2.5D production process with key moments employing 3D camera projection, a technique that would provide depth and movement to bring the paintings to life while maintaining the integrity of the original art. For the soundtracks supporting each narrative, Spacejunk collaborated with noted composer Sean Beeson, whose scores have been featured extensively across all game platforms, with select placement in features and television. Spacejunk cast the voice over talent and crafted all sound design, for truly dynamic productions with cinematic style and scope. To view: http://bit.ly/MagicSpacejunk

 

“Wizards’ creative teams infuse each beautifully rendered detail with such passion and care -- it is truly inspiring,” says Spacejunk Creative Director Jeff Boddy. “Our goal, with each production, is to translate the dramatic intensity and harness the magic as each new facet is unveiled.”

 

“By the very nature of what we do, we are rarely privy to viewer feedback,” adds Spacejunk Creative Director Mike Beaumont. “Reading the incredibly positive online fan responses to these trailers has been amazing.”

 

Spacejunk is a creative studio built on an ethos that blends innovation, style, camaraderie, production acumen and trust. The culture and creativity at Spacejunk springs from a staff-based model with experienced producers, creative directors, animators, designers and editors comprising the Spacejunk team. Since its inception, the company has earned loyal clients including Victoria’s Secret, Aeropostale, Totes/Isotoner, Bath & Body Works, FOX, Nationwide, HP, LensCrafters, Wizards of the Coast, Herbal Essences and TEDx Columbus. The company’s methodology is equal parts infinite imagination, engineered strategy, and otherworldly execution. Spacejunk: Made in Space, Delivered to Earth. www.spacejunkmedia.com

 

Wizards of the Coast, Magic: The Gathering, Magic, and their respective logos, Dark Ascension and Avacyn Restored are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. Used with permission.

 

Credits:

 

CLIENT: Wizards of the Coast

Game Trailer Titles: “Avacyn” and “Dark Ascension”

Story & Script: Brady Dommermuth, Kurt Isensee and Mark Painter

 

Animation/VFX Production Company: Spacejunk

 

“Dark Ascension” Team

Creative Director: Jeff Boddy

Producers: Andrew Schneider

Senior Motion Designer: Nick Couts, Chris Schoenman

Motion Designers: Rich Seemueller, Marco Cardenas, Dan Wineland

Production Artist: David Allison

Editor: Mike Nelson

Sound Design: Mike Beaumont, Kurt Keaner

Voiceover: Mike Vaughn

 

“Avacyn Restored” Team

Creative Directors: Jeff Boddy, Mike Beaumont

Producer: David Ball

Senior Motion Designer: Nick Couts

Motion Designers: Rich Seemueller, Christian Perez, TJ Sochor, Isaac Woodby, Robin Roepstorff

Production Artists: Nick Huskey, David Allison, Cody Phillips

Editor: Mike Nelson

Sound Design: Mike Beaumont, Kurt Keaner

Voiceover: Keri Tombazian, Maya Sayre

 

 

Original Music: Sean Beeson