Up in the Air

2010 • Paramount Pictures
Main Title Sequence
Directed by Jason Reitman

For Jason Reitman’s third feature, Up in the Air, starring George Clooney, we crafted a high-altitude main title sequence that mirrors the protagonist’s detachment from the world below. Set to Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings’ soulful rendition of This Land Is Your Land, the sequence features aerial photography from across the United States, capturing the country’s abstract landscapes from 35,000 feet.

When we first saw the aerial footage—shot by Dylan Goss and Robert Mehnert—we were inspired by its natural, vintage quality, reminiscent of 1970s films like The Conversation and The French Connection. This led us to embrace a nostalgic aesthetic, incorporating split screens with white borders and typography that harkens back to the golden age of air travel.

The result is a sequence that sets the tone for the film, reflecting the main character’s emotional distance and the transient nature of his lifestyle. For a deeper dive into the making of this sequence, check out the Art of the Title feature.

Additional animation by Sean Starkweather and Theo Alexopoulos.