Andor Season 2: Outernet Anamorphic Screen Launch
- Dom Ho
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
"Bringing Star Wars storytelling to life in 3D – immersive, cinematic, unforgettable."
Following the success of our award-winning anamorphic screen animation for Skeleton Crew at Piccadilly Circus, Blacklist was entrusted once again to deliver a show-stopping moment; this time for the launch of Andor Season 2.
Working with Disney+, Lucasfilm and Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) we developed a bespoke 3D animation, graphics and trailer cutdown specifically designed for the anamorphic corner screen at Outernet, Tottenham Court Road. Creating a cinematically accurate recreation of the TIE Avenger breaking out of the hangar featured in Andor Season 2.
The Mission
This project demanded more than visual flair; it had to be canon-correct.
Build on the momentum and trust from Skeleton Crew with a new iconic moment
Create a high-fidelity 3D animation sequence that was indistinguishable from the TV series
Win the trust of both ILM and Disney+, delivering a TV-perfect animated render that could stand beside the source material
Work within a tight timeline, and overcome complex technical challenges
Adapt the storytelling for the anamorphic screen format at Outernet for maximum impact
Strategic Approach
Building on what we learned at Piccadilly, we applied every insight and more:
Show-accurate 3D storytelling: We collaborated closely with Lucasfilm, ILM reference materials and VFX artists to ensure models, motion, lighting, and tone felt indistinguishable from the Andor source material.
Pipeline built for precision: Every second of animation was treated with the same care as broadcast TV and held up to the same scrutiny.
Anamorphic-first design: We engineered each scene to utilise the 3D illusion of the Outernet screen, ensuring the TIE Avenger’s breakout felt tactile and explosive in the physical space.
The Build: From Casting to Colour Grading
Creative & Technical Development
We began with storyboarding and concept development that combined Star Wars lore with physical screen architecture. From there:
Refined high-accuracy 3D models of the TIE Avenger and hangar, under ILM & Lucasfilm's guidance
Carefully matched animation style, textures, and lighting to ensure franchise consistency
Delivered a custom trailer cutdown timed to work not only in silence, but seamlessly with the 3D breakout, expanding on the animated storytelling.
EARNING TRUST
Gaining the trust of ILM and Disney+ was critical. The animation had to be authentic, matching the technical and narrative bar set by the series itself. Every frame went through close review, and approval was earned by nailing every detail.
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
This was one of our most technically demanding projects to date.
Rendering demands were extreme, with high-poly models and cinema-grade effects pushing our pipeline to the limit
We encountered unexpected glitches, as is the nature of 3D animation, from shading errors to memory crashes, requiring fast iteration, deep pipeline fixes, and nail-bitingly close final renders.
With the Trailer cutdown going on-screen, we faced the challenge of translating the story from packed full of audio design to a silent movie, whilst simultaneously shifting the focus to highlight the TIE Avenger breakout scene to pair seamlessly with our animation.
Working closely with the team at Disney, we crafted a beautiful cutdown at breakneck pace, fulfilling the brief and our breakout story.
The final output met broadcast and client quality expectations. Satisfying the most exacting Star Wars standards.
THE OUTCOME
Unveiled in the heart of London, the Andor launch activation became a viral moment and a street-level cinematic experience. Fans and commuters alike stopped to watch the TIE Avenger roar to life in anamorphic 3D.
From Skeleton Crew at Piccadilly to Andor at Outernet, we’ve proven what’s possible when IP storytelling meets world-class 3D innovation.
Want to SPARK A REBELLION?
Let’s talk. At Blacklist, we specialise in bringing powerful stories to life, transforming unlikely heroes, like Cassian Andor, into legends that inspire courage, resilience, and change.
