IMPOSSIBLE MISSIONS - PITCH FRAMES

Case Study: Graphics Package Pitch for Impossible Missions

The Project
I teamed up with my friends at Carousel to pitch a killer graphics package for Impossible Missions, a Discovery Channel docuseries all about high-stakes, tactical operations pulled off by US Special Forces. Each episode was built around six acts: Why, Planning, History, Raid, Aftermath, and Result. Our job? To come up with a visual style that cranked up the intensity, looked cinematic, and explained complex missions without losing the audience in the weeds.

What We Needed to Nail
The series had to feel like you were right there in the action—tense, dramatic, and sharp as hell. Think immersive re-enactments, slick maps, and HUD-style overlays that looked straight out of a briefing room. The visuals had to carry the "edge-of-your-seat" vibe while staying grounded and avoiding the dreaded "uncanny valley."

What I Worked On

Mood Boards

  • Maps & Tech: Explored layouts for operational maps—some clean and tactical, others gritty and realistic (satellite views, mission diagnostics).
  • Operations Guide: Conceptualized mission briefings with a “you’re in the room” feel—period-accurate but modern enough to hit that cinematic sweet spot.
  • Patches & Iconography: Designed unit logos and military-inspired symbols to give the series its own branded identity.
  • Re-Enactment Stylizations: Pulled references for dynamic action shots with moody lighting, first-person/over-the-shoulder angles, and subtle HUD effects.

Style Frames

  • Environment Shots: Set the mood with detailed environments full of atmosphere and drama—deserts, jungles, and the like.
  • Helicopter Crash: Created action-packed visuals with dramatic slow-motion sequences and intense camera angles.
  • Mission Details: Designed HUD-style overlays that explained key tactics and tech without bogging things down.
  • Character Re-Enactments: Focused on making the characters feel real but stylized—emotive without tipping into anything cartoony.

 

 

Re-Enactments:

First-person and over-the-shoulder shots put the viewer right in the action.
Played with lighting, slow-motion, and dynamic camera moves to build tension and make everything pop.
Added subtle HUD elements to highlight tactics and tech details.

Mission Briefs:

Styled like high-stakes military briefings—think moody lighting, maps, and text popping up as the "commander" lays out the plan.
Camera moves added energy, like you were walking through the scene.

Maps and Operational Views:

Diagnostic maps showed the mission’s flow in a clean, stylized way.
Switched to satellite views during operational moments for a more realistic vibe.

What Inspired Us:

We drew from past Carousel work like Revealed: Hunt for Bin Laden but wanted to push it further. The pitch focused on adding more detail to environments, making animations smoother and cameras more dynamic. The goal was to create something immersive, intense, and just plain cool.

The Takeaway
This pitch was all about blending style and clarity. We crafted visuals that hit hard and looked great, but also made complex military missions easy to follow. It was a balance of edge-of-your-seat action and smart, informative storytelling—a package that could keep viewers hooked while they learned something new.

Honestly, it was a blast bringing this pitch together. The challenge of merging tech, art, and storytelling into a cohesive package was right up my alley.

Client: Discovery Channel
Studio: Carousel & Fulwell 73 Productions
Role: Styleframe Designer, Art Direction
Skills: Cinema 4D,  Photoshop, Illustrator
Additional Credits: Kitbash 3D Assets

 

 

 

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© Jerry Nelson 2021 | Attack Motion Design is a company registered and licensed in Chicago, IL USA.

© Jerry Nelson 2013 | Attack Motion Design is a company registered and licensed in Chicago, IL USA.