# A Trip to Infinity

> An animated sequence for A Trip to Infinity, a Netflix documentary in which scientists and philosophers explore whether infinity exists.

Canonical page: [A Trip to Infinity](<https://gergely-wootsch.com/projects/a-trip-to-infinity>)

Project ID: aka\_inf

Year: 2022

Role: Animation Sequence Director

I designed and directed the sequence, shared the FX and 3D work with Deniz Cinar, and worked on lighting, rendering and compositing.

Work: A Trip to Infinity (2022)

Production: [Studio AKA](<https://studioaka.co.uk/>)

Client: Room 608

Platform: Netflix

*A Trip to Infinity* is a 79-minute Netflix documentary in which physicists, cosmologists, mathematicians, and philosophers ask whether infinity exists. Directors [Jonathan Halperin](<https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1953967/>) and [Drew Takahashi](<https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2778754>) illustrate the interviews with animated vignettes from artists and studios around the world. The production company [Room 608](<http://room608.com/>) approached [Studio AKA](<https://studioaka.co.uk/>) to create one of them, "End of the Universe."

## The Sequence

[A Trip to Infinity: The End of the Universe](</media/video/aka_inf_main.mp4>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

Our nearly six-minute segment, "End of the Universe," explores an infinite timeline through slow, music-led cosmic imagery.

Its final image reflects on the end of life in the universe.

[Snow-covered mountain peaks under heavy clouds and a violet glow.](</media/image/aka_inf_07_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

[Streaks of falling particles above observatory domes on a dark rocky summit.](</media/image/aka_inf_01_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

[Dark storm clouds pierced by pale shafts of light.](</media/image/aka_inf_04_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

[A streak of light crosses misty mountain peaks.](</media/image/aka_inf_10_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

[A pale cratered planet encircled by a ring of dust.](</media/image/aka_inf_06_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

[A lone figure stands in thick fog on a pale, glowing plain.](</media/image/aka_inf_11_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

[An observatory tower shatters into fragments above a rocky, cloud-wrapped summit.](</media/image/aka_inf_12_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

[A small planet breaking apart inside a swirling disc of dust and debris.](</media/image/aka_inf_08_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

[The curved edge of a swirling blue-white planet under a bright distant star.](</media/image/aka_inf_09_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

[A glowing white sun beside a tiny planet trailing a dark wake.](</media/image/aka_inf_05_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

[An astronaut silhouetted against branching pink, violet and blue filaments of light.](</media/derivatives/aka_inf/astronaut-filaments/1400x738.566c0519b607.jpg>) (Studio AKA; FX by Deniz Cinar)

[A seated figure breaks apart into drifting particles on a misty plain.](</media/image/aka_inf_13_xxl.webp>) (Studio AKA for Netflix)

## Making Of

I designed and directed the sequence, sharing the FX and 3D work with [Deniz Cinar](<https://vimeo.com/denizcinarvfx>). [Will Eagar](<https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4896534/>) also worked on compositing.

[A Trip to Infinity: making of](</media/derivatives/aka_inf/making-of/1920x1080.27aead5efd03.mp4>) — From layouts and FX tests to the finished sequence. (Studio AKA; FX by Deniz Cinar)

Deniz and I worked together on the FX and 3D scenes in Houdini. I brought elements into Maya as Arnold stand-ins for lighting and rendering, and also composited shots in After Effects.

## Links

The full documentary is on Netflix, and more on the sequence is on Studio AKA's website.

- [Watch on Netflix](<https://www.netflix.com/title/81273453>)
- [Project on studioaka.co.uk](<https://studioaka.co.uk/a-trip-to-infinity/>)

## Credits

- Production Company: Studio AKA
- Client: Netflix
- Documentary Directors: Jonathan Halperin, Drew Takahashi
- Documentary Production: Make Make, Room 608
- Animation Sequence Director: [Gergely Wootsch](<https://gergely-wootsch.com>)
- Animation Sequence Producer: Sharon Titmarsh
- Production Assistant: Lara Salam
- Editor: [Nic Gill](<https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nic-gill-5a81929>)
- FX Animation: [Deniz Cinar](<https://vimeo.com/denizcinarvfx>)
- Compositing: [Will Eagar](<https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4896534/>)

## Screenings and awards

- [44th News & Documentary Emmy Awards](<https://theemmys.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/44th-Annual-Documentaries-9-28-23.pdf>) — 2023 — Winner — Outstanding Graphic Design and Art Direction: Documentary — New York, USA — September 28