Develop high-end motion graphics
CINEMA 4D | REDSHIFT | RED GIANT | X-PARTICLES | ILLUSTRATOR | PHOTOSHOP | PREMIERE PRO | AFTER EFFECTS
Creative director J.M. Blay unlocks the secrets of crafting a symbolic TV-style intro sequence based on the fantasy universe of Mistborn
Develop high-end motion graphics
The idea for this project stemmed from my love of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn novels and my desire to visually realise the world I was reading about. Choosing to invest time into this personal project rather than taking on any additional client work was a conscious decision, driven by my passion for fantasy literature and visual storytelling.
My creative process mirrored my usual approach working with clients, involving idea generation, script-storyboard development, style frame creation, animatics and shot finalisation. However, the freedom allowed me to push my boundaries and experiment creatively more than usual.
I was inspired by Allomancy, Feruchemy and Hemalurgy, the fundamental forms of magic in the Mistborn universe, trying to capture their visual essence. Each form of magic demanded its own symbolic representation. For Allomancy, I incorporated images of bottles and coins to evoke metals and their manipulation. Feruchemy, focused on storing attributes within metal, found its representation in bracelets to embody the idea of containment and preservation. Hemalurgy, the most sinister of the three, was depicted with imagery of nails and blood, symbolising the brutal nature of stealing others’ power.
To truly capture the essence of Mistborn, I dived into its narrative and characters. For example, I used elements such as a book that one of the characters in the series is writing to serve as a little nod to the intricacies of the story. These elements, seemingly distinct on the surface, weave together to form a tapestry that reflects the complex interplay of themes and motifs in the series.
This project resonated with me as it matched my interests. While I’ve had similar ideas for personal projects in the past, this felt like the perfect opportunity to bring my love for Mistborn and visual storytelling together.
This was a solo fan art project, created using Cinema 4D and After Effects, the main tools I alwa
