Big Deal (1985)

Concept and creative process

Titles for a comedy drama series about a habitual small-time gambler, Robby Box, and the effect that his poker addiction was having on his nearest and dearest. ‘Big Deal’ ran on BBC1 for three seasons between 1984 and 1986. Roger Ferrin’s title sequence design capitalised on the graphic qualities of packs of playing cards to create the partly animated logo and the credits for the two leading actors. The remainder of the live action sequence was composed of specially shot close-up card shuffling and dealing action and ended with a stark warning that Robby Box’s life, like the discarded cards, was going to go down the drain.