Sirens
2024
MakeMake
Sirens is a Netflix limited thriller that reimagines Greek mythology through the lens of modern power dynamics and toxic, codependent class structures. The story follows Devon (Meghann Fahy) as she infiltrates a lavish island estate to rescue her sister, Simone (Milly Alcock), from the magnetic yet manipulative orbit of billionaire Michaela “Kiki” Kell, played by Julianne Moore. It’s a tense, atmospheric series where the beauty of the setting masks a much darker reality.
The team at Makemake (formerly Elastic) brought me on to lend my personal perspective to the opening title sequence. I developed two distinct visual routes: one was a gritty, historical interpretation of the “Siren” myth, and the other was a “snooty” oil painting approach. The latter was designed to feel like high-society portraits dripping with hidden “Easter eggs” and foreshadowing, mirroring the show's themes of wealth and deception.
In the end, the streamer pivoted toward a condensed 3D opening, leaving my directions on the cutting room floor. However, I remain incredibly proud of the world-building I achieved in these frames. They represent a deep dive into the psychological and mythical heart of the series, proving that sometimes the “path not taken” results in the most compelling and detailed creative work.
Salt & Sinew
I wanted this route to feel like a curated assembly of secrets, so I pulled from a mix of textures to blend nautical themes with classical Greek elements. I used this collage approach to layer in character cues for the cast; for Kevin Bacon’s character, I focused on his isolation and his telescope; capturing that “eye in the sky” energy as he watches the island’s scandals unfold from his perch as he smokes a joint. By mixing cold marble statue textures with bold, colorful graphic hits, I created a visual tension that reflects the “snooty” yet dangerous world these characters inhabit.
Odyssey in Oil
For this direction, I wanted to create a series of “still-life” vignettes that capture the show’s friction between high-society elegance and low-class reality. I leaned into the aesthetic of a wealthy world left in disarray: a pack of cigarettes resting on a vein-cut Italian marble counter, a fridge stocked with cheap leftover pizza and beer, and a tailored blazer draped over an Adirondack chair, entangled with discarded undergarments. These frames were designed to feel like a crime scene in a palace—beautiful, but deeply revealing.
To heighten the sense of tension, I integrated themes of drama and isolation. I wanted to capture the feeling that someone is always watching, whether through a lonely airplane cruising at 30,000 feet or the unblinking eye of a solitary security camera. These images serve as a visual metaphor for the characters’ lives: they are surrounded by luxury, yet they are perpetually isolated and under surveillance.