Focus Features
Michael Cuesta
Scott Stuber
Naomi Despres
Jeremy Renner

main title sequence for Focus Features

Shine designed, edited and animated the title sequence for Focus Features’ “Kill the Messenger.” The almost three minute sequence sets up the time in where the War on Drugs was the focus of the government and the media. During that time Gary Webb uncovered how the CIA was turning a blind eye to cocaine in the United States, and instead used the money to fund the Nicaraguan rebels. The redacted titles in the sequence represent the redacted documents in the scandal.

Kill the Messenger is a crime thriller film directed by Michael Cuesta. It’s based on the book of the same name by Nick Schou and the book Dark Alliance by Gary Webb. The film stars Jeremy Renner, Michael Sheen, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, and Oliver Platt.

Based on the true story of journalist Gary Webb, the film takes place in the mid-1990s. Webb uncovered the CIA’s alleged role in importing crack cocaine into the U.S. to secretly fund the Nicaraguan contra rebels.

Despite enormous pressure to stay away, Webb chose to pursue the story and went public with his evidence, publishing the series called “Dark Alliance”. He then experienced a vicious smear campaign fueled by the CIA, during which he found himself defending his integrity, his family and his life.