Taboo is a dark, complex, brooding series from Tom Hardy, Ridley Scott, and Steven Knight. Co-produced by FX Productions & BBC, this early 1800s anglophile drama is layered with thematic narratives following the post-War of 1812 rivalry between the burgeoning United States of America and Great Britain, the vast political power and influence of the East India Trading Company. Heritage, nature, mysticism, the 'civilized world,' society, power, corruption all come together as our lead character James Delaney (Tom Hardy) takes on both the British Crown and the East India Company.
Our promotional campaign & packaging pulled heavily from these themes, and the dark, gritty authenticity of the show. Rather than try to tell the narrative, our goal was to set the tone of the show in an artful way. We shot several different vignettes and assembled them in to various Idents, each intended to convey various themes and tones from the show.
This particular ID focused on the women of the show, society, and the primal themes of sensuality and lust. In the sound design, I wanted to add the "whispers of a brothel" where some of the darkest secrets may be told.
We conceptualized, designed, directed, edited, and composited the campaign in-house with my team in FX Design. For the shoot, we partnered up with our amazing production partners The Joelsons; and Echolab did a fantastic job (as usual) sound designing the ID campaign!
FX NETWORKS
President of Marketing & Promotions – Stephanie Gibbons
EVP, Content & Editorial – John Varvi
SVP, Motion & Digital Design / Creative Director – Steve Viola
VP, Motion Design – Amie Nguyen
VP, Production, Motion Design – Dara Barton
Art Director – Synderela Peng
Sr. Designers – Michael Parks, Jane Ro, Alex Yoon
Edited By – Michael Parks
Production Company:
THE JOELSONS
Directed By – Steve Viola & Michael Parks
Director of Photography – Kevin Joelson
Producer – Rebecca Joelson
Jib Operator – Dave Stewart
1st Assistant Camera – Marq Castagna
2nd Assistant Camera – Armon Vahidi
Phantom Operator – Charles Bergquist
DIT – Kyle Hookstra
Production Designer – Julia Reeser
Stylist Assistant – BB Bastidas
Art Department Assistant – Franck Deron
Make Up – Carol Soueidan
Seamstress – Stephanie Castro
Gaffer / Electric – Ryan French
Key Grip – Joe McKenna / Bruce Wolfe
Talent – Brianna Barnes, Josh Crotty, Josh Goldstein, Jean Pierre
Sound Design:
ECHOLAB