Sydney 3D motion design studio MISTER sets an ominous and foreboding tone for the new Australian crime drama Last King of the Cross (based on the autobiography of nightclub owner John Ibrahim) on Paramount+.

MISTER art director Mike Williamson: “After designer Sergey Skip nailed a bold, no-nonsense logo design, we experimented with numerous iterations of the titles ranging from five-second episodic themed treatments to a full minute-and-a-half film. We settled on a collection of symbolic scenes strung together by a loose narrative.

“When discussion took place between Helium and MISTER as to how to convey the premise of the series in the titles, it was important to the team at Helium that the titles avoid the assumption that drugs, sex, and violence would be the only themes featured. Rather, the exploration of family legacy, the ascendance to power, and the consequences of sacrifice.
 

“From the glittering crossroads of Kings Cross, we transition to a poppy spilling its seeds into a pool of blood – an allegory of violence and the genetic linkage between two ‘blood-brothers’ ruling together.”

 
“The titles open with a tree engulfed in flames; a symbolic head nod to the Lebanese flag and the civil war from which John and his brother Sam Ibrahim have fled. From the glittering crossroads of Kings Cross, we transition to a poppy spilling its seeds into a pool of blood – an allegory of violence and the genetic linkage between two ‘blood-brothers’ ruling together.

“Whilst the poppy pays tribute to the underbelly world of narcotics, it also serves as a reference to the common Australian term ‘tall poppy syndrome’ characterized by the tendency to discredit those who have achieved wealth, success, and prominence in life.

“Finally, to establish a clear linkage between scenes, a red duotone imbues the titles – the color of danger and a symbol of blood, sex, love, and violence.”
 
 

 
Client: Helium Pictures

Production: MISTER
Director: MISTER
Producer: Renee Hartl
Art director: Mike Williamson, Felix Soletic
Houdini artist: Chris Harkin, Pete Herbert, Ferry Taswin, Rory McLean
3D modeler: Furkan Günal
Storyboards: Dave Carleson
Typography: Sergey Skip