Director Jamie Caliri of Los Angeles-based DUCK designs and directs the opening title sequence to Oscar award winning screenwriter Diablo Cody’s debut Showtime series United States of Tara executive produced by Steven Spielberg.
Crafting a unique and memorable opening that unfolds and expands like a dazzling 3D pop-up book, Caliri seamlessly guides us through the many personas of Toni Collette’s character Tara, a single mother with multiple personality disorder.
Caliri comments on the team effort, “They wanted a pop-up book look. We decided to try to make as many real pop-up pages as possible and only cheat when we needed. I think it ended up being a fun mix of pop-up and animation. Alex Juhausz really nailed a great Americana/comic book feel with his illustrations and Anthony Scott brought his usual sensitivity to the animation. The team really pulled together on this one and I think it shows. We had fun.”
“We’ve always been a company that disregards preconceived assumptions and attempts new concepts that might seem unthinkable to others. We’re continually upping the bar of creativity, and this title sequence is a perfect example of the blending of DUCK’s originality and appropriateness,” said Executive Producer Mark Medernach. “I am honored to have been able to work on such a fun and interesting effort and the end result is a pop-up masterpiece.”
About DUCK:
Los Angeles-based DUCK, formerly Duck Soup Studios, is a continually evolving creative studio producing commercials, music videos, short films and web content. DUCK offers a wide range of services, including live action and integration, character design, film title design, 2D and 3D animation, digital compositing, digital/traditional ink & paint. In recent years, the studio has expanded, adding an original content division that works with writers and animators on unique ideas for film and TV.
The Creds:
Show: United States of Tara
Blind Decker Productions: Steven Mesner
Title Sequence: DUCK/LA
Director: Jamie Caliri
Animation: Anthony Scott
Illustration: Alex Juhasz
Art Department Lead: Morgan Hay
Art Department Assistant: Yoriko Murakami
EP: Mark Medernach
Line Producer: Daniel Ridgers
PA(s): Amanda Belden Scharnberg, Ashley Calhoun, Richie McCord
