The Shadow of the Shark
MMXXV
MMXXV
After several years away from the film industry, where I contributed to the design, opening credits, and promotional efforts for Juan Antonio Bayona's debut, El Orfanato, I’m thrilled to share my art direction for the film "The Shadow of the Shark" (La Sombra del Tiburón). Directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego, a recent Best Director winner at FANTASPORTO.
The film, featuring a hauntingly evocative soundtrack by Remate — , enhancing its narrative depth, much like his previous work on "American Star" with López-Gallego and Ian McShane. It continues to draw audiences at film festivals globally. The soundtrack masterfully enhances the film's atmosphere, adding a layer of depth that complements its rich narrative.
Rather than falling back on familiar digital workflows, I sought something more tactile. This film—with its haunting soundtrack by Remate and its challenging psychological narrative—deserved visual treatment that echoed its layered storytelling.
After several years away from the film industry, where I contributed to the design, opening credits, and promotional efforts for Juan Antonio Bayona's debut, El Orfanato, I’m thrilled to share my art direction for the film "The Shadow of the Shark" (La Sombra del Tiburón). Directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego, a recent Best Director winner at FANTASPORTO.
The film, featuring a hauntingly evocative soundtrack by Remate — , enhancing its narrative depth, much like his previous work on "American Star" with López-Gallego and Ian McShane. It continues to draw audiences at film festivals globally. The soundtrack masterfully enhances the film's atmosphere, adding a layer of depth that complements its rich cinematography.
Rather than falling back on familiar digital workflows, I sought something more tactile. This film—with its haunting soundtrack by Remate and its challenging psychological narrative—deserved visual treatment that echoed its layered storytelling.
— A new portrait of Alma, portrayed by Alba Galocha, was created by merging multiple photographs into a single, dreamy composition.
For the protagonist Alma, portrayed by Alba Galocha, I created a portrait by weaving multiple photographs into a single composition. This wasn't just a visual trick—it was a deliberate echo of the character's journey. By merging different images, I could subtly suggest her psychological state: growth, fragmentation, transformation.
The process led me to Taller 57 in Barcelona, where we produced a special edition silkscreen poster. Feeling ink press into paper was a welcome counterbalance to the usual digital workflows—a reconnection to the physical craft that originally drew me to this field.
The resulting artwork speaks in whispers rather than shouts. The layered portrait gives viewers subtle clues about Alma's experience without spelling everything out. The poster exists as both promotion and artifact—something that carries the film's essence while standing as its own creative statement.
For the protagonist Alma, portrayed by Alba Galocha, I created a portrait by weaving multiple photographs into a single composition. This wasn't just a visual trick—it was a deliberate echo of the character's journey. By merging different images, I could subtly suggest her psychological state: growth, fragmentation, transformation.
The process led me to Taller 57 in Barcelona, where we produced a special edition 5 inks silkscreen poster. Feeling ink press into paper was a welcome counterbalance to the usual digital workflows—a reconnection to the physical craft that originally drew me to this field.
The resulting artwork speaks in whispers rather than shouts. The layered portrait gives viewers subtle clues about Alma's experience without spelling everything out. The poster exists as both promotion and artifact—something that carries the film's essence while standing as its own creative statement.
Taller 57's — Limited edition of 50, 5-ink silkscreen, signed by the artist.
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© Orlando F. Ruiz is a Creative Director, living in beautiful and ☀︎ Barcelona 2025 All Rights Reserved.
The Shadow of the Shark
MMXXV
After several years away from the film industry, where I contributed to the design, opening credits, and promotional efforts for Juan Antonio Bayona's debut, El Orfanato, I’m thrilled to share my art direction for the film "The Shadow of the Shark" (La Sombra del Tiburón). Directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego, a recent Best Director winner at FANTASPORTO.
— A new portrait of Alma, portrayed by Alba Galocha, was created by merging multiple photographs into a single, dreamy composition.
For the protagonist Alma, portrayed by Alba Galocha, I created a portrait by weaving multiple photographs into a single composition. This wasn't just a visual trick—it was a deliberate echo of the character's journey. By merging different images, I could subtly suggest her psychological state: growth, fragmentation, transformation.
The process led me to Taller 57 in Barcelona, where we produced a special edition silkscreen poster. Feeling ink press into paper was a welcome counterbalance to the usual digital workflows—a reconnection to the physical craft that originally drew me to this field.
The resulting artwork speaks in whispers rather than shouts. The layered portrait gives viewers subtle clues about Alma's experience without spelling everything out. The poster exists as both promotion and artifact—something that carries the film's essence while standing as its own creative statement.