HBO
The White Lotus
Main Title Sequence
PARADISE LOST
We conceived and created the opening title sequence for Mike White’s HBO series The White Lotus. The social satire takes a hard, tropical stare into lives of the overprivileged the chasm between those being served and those doing the serving.
To capture the peculiar spirit of the show, we conceived of a series of idyllic wallpaper patterns inspired by the resort suites within the show (Palm, Hibiscus, Pineapple and Tradewinds). These patterned chapters become little worlds where monkeys frolic and leopards snooze on giant leaves.
But as the gaze moves closer, all is not well in paradise; A chameleon transforms, testicular fruit rots on the vine, a snake lays in wait, insatiable caterpillars decimate their own scenery, a fish finds its end in a tangle of venomous tentacles, and traditional outrigger rowers battle an unsurmountable wave. The scenes hold hidden clues to themes and storylines within the show.
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The scenes are treated with physical wallpaper effects: real-world light reflections, mis-registered paper seams, hand held camera movements, mold growth and ink-bleed animations.
For us, this work represents a refreshing return to timelessness and simplicity in title design, where psychological depth and simple beauty eclipses modern digital firepower.
Biology Notebook: Hawaiian Honeycreepers are a group of small, passerine birds endemic to Hawaiʻi. They are closely related to the Rosefinches in the genus Carpodacus, but many species have evolved features unlike those present in any other finch. They are highly endangered.
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Client: HBO
Series Created By, Directed By, Written By: Mike White
Series Executive Producers: Mike White, David Bernad, Nick Hall
Series Co-Executive Producer: Mark Kamine
Series Co-Producer: Tim Stormer
Main Title Sequence Directed By: Katrina Crawford & Mark Bashore
Main Title Concept and Art Direction: Katrina Crawford & Mark Bashore
Illustrator: Lezio Lopes
Visual Effects and Animation: Simon Mowbray, Where The Buffalo Roam
Editors: Mark Bashore & Katrina Crawford
Music: Cristobal Tapia de Veer
Executive Producer for Plains Of Yonder: Jennifer Senkler