For the opening title sequence of Marvel Studios' What If...?, the concept was built around prism-like, fractured worlds—glass-like shards floating through space, each one hinting at a different reality. As the lead artist, the role involved shaping this visual language from the ground up, helping craft a look that felt both cinematic and otherworldly. Overseeing the 3D creative development, the focus was on making sure every detail echoed the show's central idea: that in the Marvel universe, anything is possible.
Bringing the glass section to life involved integrating over 60 unique video snippets into each shard, with each clip representing a different facet of the Marvel multiverse. This required careful editing and layering to maintain clarity while reinforcing the idea of infinite dimensions. The challenge was managing a vast number of assets while ensuring they presented beautifully at every moment. As viewers enter a single shard, they discover an even more expansive universe within.
Created using Cinema 4D and Redshift, the sequence was brought to life through a single, fluid camera motion. In collaboration with Peter Eszenyi, John Lepore, and the team at Perception, the project became a compelling visual journey—guiding viewers through a space that continually transforms, revealing deeper layers of the multiverse with each passing moment.
Credits:
Main Titles by PERCEPTION Co-Founders DANNY GONZALEZ JEREMY LASKY | Head of Operations KRIS BARONE | Senior Producer ERIC DALY | Associate Producer PEYTON GOLDFARB | Chief Creative JOHN LEPORE | Art Supervisor PETER ESZENYI | VFX Supervisor DOUG APPLETON | Lead Artist RYAN UHRICH | Artists KAREEM ALI RUSS GAUTIER KEVIN KOBASIC ALEX MANRIQUE ARTEM OTVODENKOV
