The concept for For the main title sequence for Netflix Original Series, Narcos, was shaped through discussions with show creators and extensive research into the histories of Narcos trafficking. With the beautiful title track - Rodrigo Amarante’s “Tuyo” - as a starting point, the desire was to bring an authenticity to the visuals that complemented the themes and mood of the show.

Using a vibrant palette and seamlessly blending the worlds of created and curated imagery, a voyeuristic and sensual aesthetic was developed, that merged the visual languages of reportage and the lavish excess of the time.

Directing a team of designers, animators and VFX artists, shot plates were united with design and animation, then layered with archival photography, typography, and visual effects. Sources varied wildly in origin and quality. Difficult to obtain shots were either sourced or painstakingly re-created. It included high speed footage and 5K plates shot on location in Bogota, Colombia and LA, and film and video archival imagery - including photography that was sourced in person from the vaults of Escobar's personal photographer "El Chino”.

Client: Gaumont International / Netflix
Creative Director: Tom O’Neill
Lead Animator/Compositor: David Badounts
CG/Design Lead: Joshua Smith
Editor: Nik Kleverov
Producer: Paul Makowski
Live Action Producer: Chad Stanley