Editing Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn

{{Title|''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''}}
{{Status|RealWorld|Featured}}
{{disambig header|the web series|the UNSC ship|UNSC Forward Unto Dawn}}
{{Film infobox
|image=[[File:FUD-Poster.jpg|300px]]
|name=''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''
|director=[[Wikipedia:Stewart Hendler|Stewart Hendler]]
|producer= 
|writer=*Todd Helbing
*Aaron Helbing
|starring=
|music=*[[Neil Davidge]]
*Nathan Lanier
|studio=
|distributor= 
|release date= *''Series'': [[2012|October 5-November 2, 2012]] <ref name="Bulletin 5252012">[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/05/25/The-Halo-Bulletin-52512.aspx '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''The Halo Bulletin 5.25.2012'']</ref>
*''Special Edition'': November 6, 2012
*''Blu-ray/DVD'': December 4, 2012 {{Ref/Reuse|thb101012}}
*''Deluxe Edition'': [[2013|May 27, 2013]] <ref name="cvg">[http://www.computerandvideogames.com/395420/halo-4-forward-unto-dawn-gets-blu-raydvd-release-in-may/ '''CVG:''' ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn gets Blu-ray/DVD release in May'']</ref>
|runtime=90 minutes
|language= 
}}
{{Quote|The Story of Halo 4 Begins at Dawn.|Official tagline}}

'''''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''''' is a live-action film and miniseries set in the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' universe]]. Although shot as a feature-length film, ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was originally released as a webseries consisting of five roughly 15-minute episodes, the first of which was released on October 5, 2012,{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 5252012}} with the rest following on a weekly basis. The series' plot is set 31 years before ''[[Halo 4]]'', occurring in the early days of the [[Human-Covenant War]] circa [[2526]],<ref name="THB 7.18.12">[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/19/The-Halo-Bulletin-71812.aspx ''The Halo Bulletin: 7.18.12'']</ref> and revolves around [[Thomas Lasky]], a young cadet at [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]], and how [[John-117]] inspired him to eventually become a leader. Lasky is also a prominent character in ''Halo 4'' as a commander on the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.<ref>[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118053273 '''Variety''': '' 'Halo' Web series to bow before next game'']</ref> The name of the series, aside from being a reference to the [[UNSC frigate]] ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Forward Unto Dawn]]'', is given new significance in the series as part a running motif based around [[Forward Unto Dawn (poem)|a poem]]. The series was known as ''Sleeper'' during pre-production.<ref name="Sparkast 14">[http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/Podcast/343Sparkast_014.mp3 ''343 Sparkast 014'']</ref> 

''Forward Unto Dawn'' is hosted on [[Halo Waypoint]] and [[Wikipedia:Machinima.com|Machinima.com]].<ref>[http://www.insidegamingdaily.com/2012/04/30/halo-4-live-action-series-to-debut-on-machinima-network/ '''Inside Gaming Daily''': ''IGDaily - Halo Live-Action Series - 4/30/12'']</ref> The ''Forward Unto Dawn Special Edition'', which contains the complete, film-length cut of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' as well as additional material, is included with the ''[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]]'' and is available via ''Halo Waypoint''.<ref name="thb5612">[http://www.halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/05/16/The-Halo-Bulletin-51612.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin 5.16.12'']</ref> The ''Special Edition'' was also released for download on [[Xbox LIVE]] on November 5, 2012, for 2,800 Microsoft points.<ref>[http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-CA/Product/Halo-4-Forward-Unto-Dawn-Special-Edition/f9954433-a8ee-4d85-800e-84cef8f9acc4 '''Xbox Live''': ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Special Edition'']</ref> The film cut was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on December 4, 2012.<ref name="thb101012">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/10/The-Halo-Bulletin-101012-.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12'']</ref> Originally released on the MachinimaPrime YouTube channel, episodes 3-5 of the series were taken offline on YouTube some time following the release of the ''Special Edition'', but are back online in certain regions as of September 2013.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbBYG77VeCE '''YouTube''' - ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn - Part 3 (Live-Action Halo Series)'']</ref>

The series also incorporated interactive features with the [[Halo Channel]] application for [[Xbox One]]. Viewers could complete challenges related to the series to unlock features that can be used in ''Halo'' games. Each episode has several challenges and "Second Story" videos that expand on events that were not shown in the series. Additionally, viewers could access the Halo Channel's "Halo Encyclopedia" to gain information on characters, locations, weapons, and vehicles that are featured in ''Forward Unto Dawn''.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-gb/halo-channel '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo Channel'']</ref>

==Synopsis==
{{Spoiler/begin}}
===Plot summary===
{{Main|l1=Webseries transcripts|1=Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn/Transcripts}}
[[File:FUD - Hastati Squad.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Hastati Squad]] during a training exercise.]]
The series begins with [[Thomas Lasky]], [[executive officer]] of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, picking up [[Cortana]]'s [[Emergency locator beacon|distress signal]] from the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, which has been adrift in space for four years. Learning that [[John-117|SPARTAN-117]] is aboard the ship, Lasky has a flashback to the events that led to him meeting the Spartan for the first time and how he inspired him to become a leader. The "present-day" segments, which feature clips of Cortana's inner monologues during her solitude aboard the ''Dawn'', serve as a framing device for the main narrative, which focuses on Thomas Lasky as a young freshman cadet in [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] on [[Circinius IV]] amidst the [[Insurrection]] circa [[2526]]. Organized into [[Hastati Squad]], a freshman unit in the class of 2529, Lasky expresses sympathy for the [[Insurrectionist]]s and shows a constant disregard for the orders of his superiors, resulting in Hastati receiving low combat scores and Lasky himself being shunned by the rest of the squad. Worse, his health declines rapidly during the school's mandatory acclimation to [[cryonics|cryosleep]], suffering blisters and a persistent cough.
[[File:CAMS - Lasky space elevator.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Lasky sitting near Corbulo Academy's space elevator.]]
In his spare time, Lasky replays video messages by his now-deceased brother [[Cadmon Lasky|Cadmon]], with whom he used to have regular video correspondence. Most of Lasky's classmates, particularly [[Walter Vickers]], are unrelenting in their provocation of Thomas, affirming their distaste for the freshman who fails to live up to the example set by his brother and his [[Lasky (colonel)|mother]], a [[UNSC Defense Force|UNSCDF]] [[colonel]] and former superior of CAMS professor, [[K. L. Mehaffey|Colonel Mehaffey]]. One of the few cadets sympathetic to him is [[Chyler Silva]], who attempts to encourage Thomas to be a better leader, and [[Michael Sullivan]], who cares little about his performance and focuses on hacking classified UNSC mission recordings, eventually uncovering footage recorded by a [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan]]'s helmet camera. Another Hastati Squad member, [[Junjie Chen]], struggles to live up to the expectations of his father and is concerned about Lasky's poor performance decreasing his combat scores. Frustrated by the verbal and minor physical harassment he receives from Vickers, Lasky eventually assaults his squadmate in the school's [[mess hall]]. Lasky mildly injures Vickers and only stops when Colonel Mehaffey intervenes. Despite Lasky's consistent misbehavior, the Colonel makes an effort to have him embrace the warrior culture of the UNSC and inspire him to become a better leader.

Mehaffey's efforts dawn on Lasky and he volunteers to lead Hastati moments prior to the start of their final combat exercise, a contest of [[Capture the Flag]]. While waiting for [[Zuma Squad]] to approach their flag's location, Lasky organizes Hastati into cover in a tight formation adjacent their flag, a seemingly ill-tactical maneuver. Lasky orders his men to remove their [[CH252 helmet|helmets]] as they contain [[Identification friend or foe|IFF transponders]] detectable by the enemy's [[motion tracker|motion sensors]]. With Zuma converging on Hastati's flag, Lasky positions his squad in a formation reminiscent of the [[Wikipedia:Pincer movement|pincer movement]], a tactic utilized to great effect by [[Wikipedia:Hannibal|Hannibal]] at [[Wikipedia:Battle of Cannae|Cannae]] in 216 BCE, taught to the freshman cadets only a day before the exercise by Col. Mehaffey. Funneled into a trap, the enemy cadets are eliminated or captured by two sections of Hastati cadets, with Hastati suffering no casualties of their own in the process. An emboldened Lasky, charging towards Zuma's flag, finally succumbs to his ailing health and collapses meters away from completing the objective.

Lasky wakes up and is informed by [[Hughes|Dr. Hughes]] that his condition is an allergic reaction to the cryo drug [[cytoprethaline]], which is vital for cryo-sleep to prevent damage to cells. Resting in his room, Lasky wakes up to see Chyler sitting beside him and watching his recordings. She urges him to stop wallowing in his brother's death and expresses concern for his condition; she also reveals that Hastati Squad was victorious in the capture the flag exercise, congratulating Lasky for his tactical maneuver. Lasky and Silva then join the rest of Hastati Squad to watch the classified recordings Sullivan has pieced together. To the great bemusement of the cadets, the footage shows [[SPARTAN-II Program|large soldiers]] in [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|unfamiliar armor]], fighting [[Covenant|unknown hostiles]] alongside Insurrectionists. The cadets are shocked by the soldiers appearance, although Silva is more surprised that the UNSC would be fighting alongside the Insurrectionists. Shortly afterward, Lasky learns that because of the severity of his cytoprethaline allergy, he is offered the choice for a medical discharge. The following night, Lasky reveals this to Silva, who professes that she will miss him if he leaves. The two kiss but are interrupted as an evacuation alarm goes off.

Lasky and Silva join the rest of Hastati Squad in a queue for the academy's [[space elevator]], while [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] drop in to the academy grounds. The stress of waiting proves too much for [[Dimah Tchakova]], who against the orders of their squad leader [[April Orenski]] rushes in front of the queue and invokes her mother's position to allow a Marine to let her in the next elevator car. As the car ascends, the rest of the cadets watch in horror as three [[Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette|alien ships]] appear in the clouds and one of them opens fire on the space tether. The tether's lower structure collapses on the building and the members of Hastati Squad barely escape the destruction.

The cadets make their way through the embattled academy campus and Lasky witnesses Col. Mehaffey being killed by [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]] fire. Hastati Squad regroups in Lasky's dorm room, but they are forced to move out as a [[Sangheili Zealot]] approaches, methodically slaughtering other cadets in their rooms. As the Elite enters another room, the cadets make a break for it with Chen taking point; however, Chen is killed by a [[active camouflage|camouflaged]] Zealot. The other cadets manage to escape to the armory and seal the [[door]], with Lasky raising a distress beacon. The Elite eventually breaks through the armory's door and the cadets hide, Vickers being separated from the others. As the Elite closes in on the cadets' hiding spot, Vickers attempts to distract it to allow the others to escape but is promptly killed. The other cadets are only saved by the timely arrival of [[John-117]], who kills the Zealot by stabbing it in the back.

[[File:FUD - Chief n cadets.jpg|thumb|250px|The surviving cadets meet John-117.]]
The Spartan reveals that Lasky, Silva, Orenski and Sullivan are the only survivors on the entire planet and that they are to be evacuated; they will join with the rest of the [[Blue Team|Spartan team]] at the rendezvous point. Making their way outside, they are caught in a firefight with [[Kig-Yar|Jackal]] snipers and Sullivan is wounded. After the Spartan neutralizes the Covenant sharpshooters, the group use the now-deceased [[Black|General Black]]'s [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|Warthog]] to drive out of the academy toward the evac point.

The Warthog is ambushed by Jackals on the journey and becomes irreparably damaged, and the squad is forced proceed on foot. Silva realizes that she has taken a [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|needler]] round to the stomach; the squad flees into the jungle as the Chief engages and kills a single Hunter. With all [[biofoam]] having been used to treat Sullivan's leg, however, Silva dies shortly afterwards. Having ran out of ammunition during the previous fight, the Spartan plans to distract the second Hunter while the cadets run to safety. Distraught at Silva's death, Lasky volunteers to take the Chief's place. As the Hunter is focusing on Lasky, the Chief successfully uses a [[M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose grenade|grenade]] to neutralize the walking tank. The battered team makes it to the rendezvous point at dawn, where they are picked up by a Pelican carrying [[Kelly-087]] and [[Frederic-104]]. The Chief commends Lasky for valor under fire, and gives him an armor fragment from the Hunter as a memento.

Back in the present, Commander Lasky prepares to enter cryo while holding his dog tags; Silva's dog tags and the Hunter armor fragment are attached to the tags' chain, Lasky having kept them for over three decades. The ''Infinity'' and its escorts jump into slipspace, with [[Requiem]] as their destination. As the ''Dawn''{{'}}s wreckage is inexorably pulled toward the mysterious shield world, Cortana prepares to reawaken the Master Chief at last.
{{Clear}}
{{Spoiler/end}}

==Production==
[[File:FUD - CAMS comparison.jpg|thumb|250px|A comparison of an unfinished shot of Corbulo Academy from the official trailer (above), and the finalized version, with digitally added elements such as [[wind turbine]]s, satellite dishes and a [[space elevator]] (below).]]
{{Quote|We wanted to do something unique from a narrative standpoint that's big in scale.|Matt McCloskey - ''Director, Franchise Business Development''}}

According to director [[Wikipedia:Stewart Hendler|Stewart Hendler]], time was considered the primary challenge when embarking on a production of this scalen a relatively short notice. Primarily written by screenwriters Aaron Helbing and Todd Helbing, work on the script is noted to have begun around [[2011|December 2011]]. Production officially started in late April 2012.{{Ref/Reuse|sleeper}}

===Filming and effects===
Filming, which lasted for a total of five weeks, started on April 28, 2012 at [[Wikipedia:Simon Fraser University|Simon Fraser University]] in [[Wikipedia:Vancouver|Vancouver]], [[Wikipedia:British Columbia|British Columbia]], [[Wikipedia:Canada|Canada]], a popular filming location for many notable science fiction series like [[Wikipedia:Stargate SG-1|''Stargate SG-1'']] and [[Wikipedia:Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|''Battlestar Galactica'']]. Since much of the series is set at Corbulo Academy, an actual, existing location was used to give the school a concrete identity. Although many other locations around the world were initially considered to represent the academy, the SFU was chosen because of its rugged, decidedly futuristic architecture.<ref name="sleeper">'''[[Awakening a Sleeper]]'''</ref> For the filming, the campus was decorated with additional embellishments, including various UNSC [[propaganda]] murals and a statue of the academy's namesake, the Roman general [[Wikipedia:Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo|Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo]].<ref name="Kotaku 512012">[http://kotaku.com/5906858/first-look-at-the-set-of-the-halo-4-live-action-series '''Kotaku.com:''' ''First Look at the "Set" of the Halo 4 Live Action Series'']</ref> Most outdoors scenes within the academy, as well as the establishing shots of the campus and select indoor scenes like the mess hall, were filmed on-location at SFU.{{Ref/Reuse|sleeper}}

[[File:FUD Production - Dam.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A production still of a filming session near a dam.]]
After the first week of filming at the SFU campus, the second week was spent shooting the forest scenes, namely the cadets' training exercises and the final battle sequence, including the Warthog chase. The forest location was woodland in a drainage basin north of Vancouver. Despite some logistical problems, the site attracted the attention of the crew because of its unique, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Most of the interior scenes at the academy were filmed on set during the last three weeks of filming. While the SFU campus is recognizable as a real-world location, the sets were designed with an emphasis on giving the series a unique signature aesthetic. The largest of the three major sets was a single 25-meter long hallway, which was used to represent many different hallways in the series, primarily the main corridor at the Corbulo Academy dorms. As part of the hallway set, a single dorm room was also created and was similarly used to depict several different rooms. The third major set was the cadets' locker room and cryo training facility.{{Ref/Reuse|sleeper}}

In post-production, computer-generated imagery was added to depict the Covenant aliens and enhance some of the environments. Many of the 3D and art assets came directly from 343 Industries, with most of the Covenant species designs being based on those in ''Halo 4''. A number of visual effects were added to the SFU campus in post-production, most prominently the [[space elevator]] towering over the buildings. For the scene of the space tether being destroyed, the effects team made some research into the physics of how such a structure would collapse and created a computer-aided dynamic system to model the effect.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Oq-84U2h0 '''YouTube''': ''Halo After Dawn - Episode 11'']</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Cast and characters===
[[File:FUD Cadet Dormitory.jpg|thumb|250px|A production still featuring most of the main characters.]]
While the role of the main protagonist is filled by [[Thomas Lasky]], who is also a major character in ''Halo 4'', [[John-117|Master Chief John-117]] also plays a pivotal role in the series. Lasky is played by Australian actor [[Wikipedia:Tom Green (Australian actor)|Tom Green]].<ref name="credits">[http://www.microsoft.com/games/mgsgamecatalog/halo4_fud_credits.aspx '''Microsoft Game Studios''': ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Series Credits'']</ref> The Master Chief is portrayed by Canadian actor [[Wikipedia:Daniel Cudmore|Daniel Cudmore]], best known for his role as the mutant [[Wikipedia:Colossus in other media#X2|Colossus]] in the [[Wikipedia:X-Men (film series)|''X-Men'' film series]]. Cudmore also performed the Master Chief's stunts, as he doubles as a stunt performer. He considered the role a challenge; as the cumbersome suit would significantly mute natural movement, Cudmore found that his physical acting came across more clearly by exaggerating his movements.{{Ref/Reuse|sleeper}} As ''Forward Unto Dawn'' is set thirty-one years before ''Halo 4'', the production team originally experimented with de-aging [[Steve Downes]]' voice so he could voice the fifteen-year-old John-117; Cudmore would act only as the Spartan's physical embodiment. However, the team realized that Downes' altered voice sounded too high-pitched. Thus, a separate actor, {{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3773430/ Alex Puccinelli]}},{{Ref/Reuse|credits}} was given the role of voicing John, whose voice would evolve over three decades to possess the gruffer quality of Downes' performance.{{Ref/Reuse|THB 7.18.12}}

When the main roles were being cast, it was considered important that the cadets would appear believable as young and inexperienced teenagers forced into a life-and-death situation.{{Ref/Reuse|sleeper}} At the time of casting, there was a fair amount of secrecy surrounding the production, then known only as ''"Sleeper"'', and the actors were not initially informed that the series would be set in the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' universe]].{{Ref/Reuse|cryo}}<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZHvDfNZe6o '''YouTube''': '' Halo After Dawn: Episode 3 - The Haircut'']</ref> In preparation for their roles, the actors for the main characters were given a collection material to study, including the existing [[Halo novels|''Halo'' novels]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bOajLVJ3CE '''YouTube''': ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn - Anna Popplewell (Exclusive Interview)'']</ref> Although basic background profiles had been created for the characters in advance, the actors were given a degree of freedom to build on the cadets' backstories themselves.<ref name="cryo">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jHclMt97Qw '''YouTube''': ''Halo After Dawn: Episode 4 - Cryo'']</ref> Over the course of the week before the filming began, the actors for the cadets of Hastati Squad underwent an intense basic training regimen, fashioned after military training, under the supervision of the series' stunt coordinator James Bamford as well as an additional military consultant. Taking place in a warehouse in Vancouver, the program consisted of basic physical exercises, various military drills, and even live-fire weapons training with assault rifles so the actors would be able to perform their parts in a more convincing manner and be acclimatized to moving as a unit. Stewart Hendler wanted Bamford to go as far as possible with the training, to the point of the actors vomiting and "calling their agents", although all of them endured through the process.{{Ref/Reuse|sleeper}}
{{#widget:Vimeo|id=62203990|width=300|thumb|caption=HALO 4: FUD - Title Sequence - Making Of}}
The following is a list of cast members in ''Forward Unto Dawn'':<ref name="cast">[http://www.microsoft.com/games/mgsgamecatalog/halo4_fud_credits.aspx '''Microsoft''': ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Series Credits'']</ref>
*[[Wikipedia:Tom Green (Australian actor)|Tom Green]] as ''[[Thomas Lasky]]''
*[[Wikipedia:Anna Popplewell|Anna Popplewell]] as ''[[Chyler Silva]]''
*[[Wikipedia:Enisha Brewster|Enisha Brewster]] as ''[[April Orenski]]''
*[[Wikipedia:Ayelet Zurer|Ayelet Zurer]] as ''[[K. L. Mehaffey|Col. Mehaffey]]''
*{{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1642004/ Masam Holden]}} as ''[[Michael Sullivan]]''
*[[Wikipedia:Mike Dopud|Mike Dopud]] as ''[[Black|Gen. Black]]''
*{{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4256622/ Iain Belcher]}} as ''[[Walter Vickers]]''
*[[Wikipedia:Osric Chau|Osric Chau]] as ''[[Junjie Chen]]''
*{{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3304127/ Kat de Lieva]}} as ''[[Dimah Tchakova]]''
*[[Wikipedia:Daniel Cudmore|Daniel Cudmore]] as ''[[John-117|Master Chief]]''
*{{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3773430/ Alex Puccinelli]}} as the voice of ''Master Chief''
*[[Jen Taylor]] as ''[[Cortana]]''
*{{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3922289/ Jenna Berman]}} as ''[[Kelly-087]]''
*{{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5292130/ Tony Giroux]}} as ''[[Frederic-104]]''
*{{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1756208/ Chris Stevens]}} as ''[[Hughes|Dr. Hughes]]''
*[[Wikipedia:Max Carver|Max Carver]] as ''[[Cadmon Lasky]]''
*[[Wikipedia:Ty Olsson|Ty Olsson]] as ''[[Thomas Lasky|Adult Lasky]]''
*{{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1394523/ Darren O'Hare]}} as the voice of ''Adult Lasky''
*{{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3240806/ Robin August]}} as ''[[Orlin]]''
*{{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3435355/ Man Hung Chan]}} as ''Junjie's Father''
*[[Wikipedia:Jill Teed|Jill Teed]] as ''[[Lasky (colonel)|Col. Lasky]]''

===Costumes and props===
[[File:FUD - Concept CadetUniform.jpg|thumb|250px|Concept art of the CAMS cadet uniforms.]]
The uniforms worn by the cadets at Corbulo Academy were largely based on existing UNSC uniform designs while taking subtle design cues from real-world military academy uniforms, particularly the minimalistic and slim silhouette of those used at US Military Academy [[Wikipedia:United States Military Academy|West Point]]. Although other colors such as blue were initially considered, white was chosen as the primary color to convey an impression of formality and a "clean slate", corresponding with the series being a prequel centering around young cadets. In reference to a recognizable military motif, a subtle chevron pattern was incorporated to the front piece of the uniforms. The darker colored sections in the uniform's trousers are based on a similar dual coloration theme in the [[UNSC Marine Corps Battle Dress Uniform|UNSC Marine BDUs]] in ''Halo 4''; the battledress worn by the Marines in ''Forward Unto Dawn'' closely resembles the designs in ''Halo 4''.<ref name="looks">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a49CzHmhzfM '''YouTube''': ''HALO 4: LOOKS THAT KILL'']</ref>

UNSC officer uniforms seen in the series are largely derived from the designs seen in ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', but are given an olive drab coloration as opposed to the blue-gray or white typical of [[UNSC Navy]] uniforms. Although it has been previously establ