Illustration · Motion

The State Theatre

An opening title for the last movie palace in Modesto — illustrated and animated end to end.

The State Theatre has held the same corner of Modesto since Christmas Day, 1934 — an S. Charles Lee movie palace with gold-leaf gazelles running its walls, and the last of the city’s historic theatres still open. Ninety-two years in, it had never had an opening title of its own. So I made one: an ode to that history, illustrated and animated, brought to life for the big screen.

Client: The State Theatre of Modesto
Services: Art Direction, Illustration, Animation
Year: 2026

Kernels of popcorn in neon outline scattered across a midnight field — Scene one: the popcorn pops, and one kernel gets away.

Neon shark jaws breaking the surface with a single kernel between the teeth — It falls through a multiverse of classic movies.

A puppeteer’s hand and crossed strings hung with popcorn, a rose at either side — It falls through a multiverse of classic movies.

Two lightsabers crossed in neon outline, sparks flying where they meet

A bat signal burning through clouds drawn as clusters of popcorn

Two top hats tipped toward each other with popcorn bursting from both, a small van below

A pair of ruby slippers in red neon outline with curling wisps of air

An open hand catching popcorn as lightning cracks around it — And it lands.

A hot rod coupe in neon outline trailing exhaust, a leaping gazelle on its flank — Modesto’s own deuce coupe, with the theatre’s gazelle along for the ride.

The State Theatre blade sign lockup reading STATE THEATRE, EST. 1934, in two colorways — The marquee lockup, in both colorways.

The Jewel set in gold script lettering inside a thin ruled border — And the house’s small room.

End card reading Enjoy the Show! You’re welcome! Created by Mythios Design Co.