Mythios Design
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Illustration · Motion

The State Theatre

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

The State Theatre of Modesto·Art Direction, Illustration, Animation·2026

The State Theatre has held the same corner of Modesto since Christmas Day, 1934. It is 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.

Kernels of popcorn in neon outline scattered across a midnight field
Neon shark jaws breaking the surface with a single kernel between the teeth
A puppeteer’s hand and crossed strings hung with popcorn, a rose at either side
Two lightsabers standing side by side in neon outline, sparks and swing arcs to their right
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
A hot rod coupe in neon outline trailing exhaust, a leaping gazelle on its flank
The State Theatre blade sign lockup reading STATE THEATRE, EST. 1934, shown plain and on a dark keyline
The Jewel in white script with a gold outline, inside a thin ruled border with tricolor speed lines
End card reading Enjoy the Show! You’re welcome! Created by Mythios Design Co.