How Gravity used 800,000 LEDs to simulate space

Alfonso Cuarón is known, among other things, for his unique approach to cinematography. The tracking shots in the 2006 film Children of Men were one of the primary reasons film geeks got so excited about Gravity so far in advance of its release. A sort of space-box was created — it was lined on the interior by 196 panels, each with almost 5000 LEDs — that was meant to simulate the diffuse lighting of stars and reflected sunlight. This isn’t entirely realistic (the distant stars provide far too much illumination relative to the sun) but the 800,000 or so LEDs help the narrative and look “right” to the audience.