Challenge
For the Space channel identity, we set out to make a short on‑air ID that captured the network’s unique mix of shows without leaning on sci‑fi imagery. Although the channel’s name evokes outer space, Bell Media’s Space (now CTV Sci‑Fi Channel) deliberately expanded its remit in 2013 to embrace broader speculative fiction and “real‑life objects with a ‘phenomenal’ twist” . In addition to science fiction, its schedule features fantasy, horror and paranormal series . The creative brief asked us to reflect that mix – to convey that the “space” in Space can be the space around you, and that the channel explores the uncanny in everyday life.
Solution
Our solution was to build a 180‑degree curved environment that feels familiar at first glance yet hints at something extraordinary. We filmed a everyday‑looking café set and subtly manipulated elements using practical effects and compositing to reveal hidden anomalies and otherworldly motifs. By treating the half‑circle as a transition from mundane to mysterious, the ident suggests that, on Space, you’re never far from the unexpected. This approach underscored the channel’s positioning as a home for shows that explore the unusual and the unknown rather than just mainstream sci‑fi.
