Lee Codes

Halo fan film

Dawn Under Heaven

A Halo fan film started with friends in 2010 that grew to include custom props, costumes, production, and visual effects before premiering in January 2019.

Archived Premiered Jan 2019 Updated Jul 3, 2026
Close-up of a weathered Halo-inspired helmet prop from Dawn Under Heaven
Close-up of a weathered Halo-inspired helmet prop from Dawn Under Heaven

Project Notes

Dawn Under Heaven was a Halo fan film that I started with friends in the summer of 2010 and premiered in January 2019. Over nearly nine years, the project grew to include custom armor, costumes, weapons, an ODST drop pod, multiple production days, editing, and visual effects.

Front quarter view of a gray 3D-printed Halo-inspired trooper helmet shell
Side profile of the weathered Dawn Under Heaven assault rifle prop on a clean white background
Front view of the weathered Dawn Under Heaven Reach-style helmet prop with a blue visor
Portrait front view of the 3D-printed trooper helmet shell
Front quarter view of the weathered Dawn Under Heaven assault rifle prop
Close side view of the Dawn Under Heaven Reach-style helmet prop showing visor and cheek details
Back side close-up of the 3D-printed trooper helmet shell with red filler marks
Close side view of the Dawn Under Heaven assault rifle prop with the top sight visible
Back view close-up of the Dawn Under Heaven Reach-style helmet prop shell
Close-up of the helmet brim and panel lines during surface finishing
Rear close-up of the Dawn Under Heaven assault rifle prop sight and worn body
Back view of the 3D-printed trooper helmet shell
Close-up of the Dawn Under Heaven assault rifle prop sight on a clean background

Logs

Project reflection Looking Back at Dawn Under Heaven

A look back at a long fan film project, the craft improvements that happened along the way, and how hard it can be to see progress while you are still buried in the work.