An in-depth exclusive interview with Main Title Creative Director RONNIE KOFF discussing his Emmy nomination for Outstanding Main Title Design with the creation of the main title for AppleTV’s smash hit PALM ROYALE.
SYNOPSIS: PALM ROYALE is a true underdog story that follows the ambitious Maxine Simmons (Kristen Wiig) as she schemes to secure her seat at America’s most exclusive table: Palm Beach high society circa 1969. As Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots, PALM ROYALE asks the same question that still baffles us today: “How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to get what someone else has?” Set during the powder keg year of 1969, PALM ROYALE is a testament to every outsider fighting for their chance to belong.
Created by Abe Sylvia with episodes directed by Sylvia, Tate Taylor, Stephanie Liang, and Claire Scanlon, PALM ROYALE stars Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Julia Duffy, Leslie Bibb, Laura Dern, Mindy Cohn, and Carol Burnett, to name just a few of this star-studded cast.
Always key to the main title design of any film or television series is that it captures not only the essence and elements of the film or series but that it captures the audience’s attention. What Ronnie and his team have done with the main titles for PALM ROYALE does that and more, enticing us with imagery that is creative and telling, building on story elements covering the entire 10-episode series within the animated title itself, and making us want to see more.
Standout during my exclusive conversation with RONNIE KOFF is not only Ronnie’s passion and dedication to his craft but his attention to detail and his own creative process as he breaks down the minutiae of the main title design with everything from hexagonal diamonds to dancing fingers on piano keys to typography and timing, including but not limited to:
- creating title design for a TV show and focusing on the score and design elements
- setting tone and drawing attention to details of the show
- focusing on color palette and graphic elements with color inspired by the show’s costuming and set design
- inspiration of Saul Bass and Milton Glaser, particularly with Glaser’s ability to reduce images while maintaining their illustrative quality
- the 1960s aesthetic
- the trial and error of ideas for the main title sequence; some ideas Ronnie loved but couldn’t use
- creativity in the final main title with the chosen typography, animation, and placement of main cast names in the titles in a dynamic way
- prioritizing legibility and scale in opening and closing credits to emphasize characters’ larger-than-life personalities.
- balancing “equal time”/number of frames for cast members names in the title sequence
- and more!
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview 08/01/2024
PALM ROYALE is now streaming on AppleTV!
by debbie elias, exclusive interview 08/01/2024
