Creative Brief

As part of National Geographic’s high-profile Shark Week line-up, When Sharks Attack 360° takes a forensic look at real shark attack cases, combining science, survivor accounts, and dramatic reconstructions. Little Shadow was brought in to deliver a suite of fast-turnaround VFX shots and to design the series’ visual identity through its title sequence.

The challenge? Seamlessly embedding dynamic VFX into fast-cut footage across beach scenes, open water, and moving boats on a tight deadline.

Our Approach

We created over 20 VFX shots, primarily focused on adding blood elements across water surfaces, skin, sand, and deck environments. With much of the footage featuring erratic movement, no clean plates, and minimal tracking points, our team relied on advanced rotoscoping, frame-by-frame warping, and creative problem-solving to lock effects into unstable footage.

The blood FX were tailored per scene, subsurface dispersion for water, sticky streaks for decks, and sprayed trails for dramatic moments composited in Nuke and After Effects, with simulation prep in Houdini where needed.

Alongside the VFX, we designed a new series title sequence for When Sharks Attack 360°. The sequence uses sonar-style typography, layered textures, and camera roll transitions to evoke surveillance, disorientation, and oceanic scale, framing the show with both drama and clarity.

The Results

Delivered on schedule, the VFX and titles contributed to a bold, cohesive visual identity for When Sharks Attack 360°, airing globally on National Geographic and streaming via Disney+. The show’s heightened realism and graphic cohesion helped it stand out within Shark Week’s packed schedule.