Butterfly in the Sky - Title Sequence
A new feature-length documentary chronicling the legacy of one of the most important and influential children's television shows of all time, Reading Rainbow.
Spanning nearly 40 years from 1981 to the present, the film tells the story of a handful of broadcasters, educators, filmmakers, and one incredible host - LeVar Burton - who believed television could inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Using color as a conceptual framework, each scene is illustrated with a dominant hue as we progress through the title sequence. Reading Rainbow always connected a book with a real life adventure or lesson. Magical, surreal, and youthful compositions in the titles represent episodes from the show and behind-the-scenes stories told throughout the documentary.
We wanted to show animals, humans, and monsters alike, sharing in a love of reading and embarking on journeys only books can inspire. Ultimately we land on the main title screen where the full color spectrum is united through an explosion of color on the back of butterfly wings.
Books are a portal to another world and all are encouraged to take part in the adventure.
Now Available:
I served as the project lead from pitch to completion; directing, animating and collaborating with a wonderful team on this opening sequence.
Butterfly in the Sky - Main Title Sequence
Director & Animator: Ali Clark
Illustration: Adamastor
Title Typography Design: Katie Erickson
Sound Design & Audio Post Production: Lawrence Everson
Original Reading Rainbow Theme Song: Steve Horelick
Reading Rainbow Theme Covered by: The Octopus Project (feat. Wayne Coyne & Steven Drozd of The Flaming Lips)
Theme Mastered: Max Lorenzen
Theme Mixed: Danny Reisch
Official Soundtrack released on Earth Libraries
Butterfly in the Sky is a feature documentary directed by Bradford Thomason, Brett Whitcomb; produced by Bryan Storkel, Bradford Thomason, Brett Whitcomb.
Window Pictures, XTR, Sidestilt Films