David Badounts is a Creative Director for major brands.
For Starz’s Black Sails, executive produced by Michael Bay, we crafted a title sequence rooted in the dark mythology of piracy and naval power. During pre-production, we conducted extensive research and shot live-action table setups featuring period-correct nautical instruments, aged cartography, and other tactile elements from the pirate world. Authentic British naval maps were carefully burned, filmed practically, and used as a storytelling foundation.
These practical assets were then animated and composited into layered transitions that carried the viewer through a cinematic interpretation of the show’s brutal, chaotic universe. The result was a sequence that felt both mythic and grounded, evoking the raw danger of the seas while honoring the historical weight behind the series.
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Role: Designer + Art Director + Live Action Director
Client: ABC