David Badounts is a Creative Director for major brands.
Set against the post-war glitz and grit of 1947 Los Angeles, Mob City dives deep into the true story of the long-running clash between the LAPD and the violent rise of organized crime. For the title sequence, we leaned into the seductive chaos of the era: flashbulbs, fedoras, and fresh blood in back alleys.
Drawing heavy inspiration from the stark, tabloid-ready photography of Weegee, we designed a visual language that blends noir sensibilities with documentary realism. A custom live-action shoot with Jon Bernthal and the cast allowed us to ground the sequence in authenticity, creating stylized vignettes that feel ripped from a crime scene archive. Iconic 1940s imagery such as cigarette smoke, sirens, handcuffs, and Hollywood lights was layered over textured monochrome footage to reflect a city split between law and lawlessness.
The result is a moody, pulpy overture that sets the tone for a story soaked in glamour, corruption, and cold-blooded ambition.
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Role: Designer + Art Director + Creative Director
Client: TNT