Day breaks over an unfamiliar landscape. That’s not the sun and this is not the natural splendour of the American West. It’s the ribcage of a horse — not bred but built as an amusement park plaything. Robotic tools dance with precision, stringing piano wire and sinew alike, connecting key with hammer, muscle with bone. The horse begins to gallop, Muybridgian in its movement, picking up speed as the machines continue their work. A pale rider takes to the saddle, half-formed and half-cocked, a six-shooter in her grasp. Eyes focus, the piano plays, and two lovers embrace, exposed and unfinished. The piano continues to play, this time without its player — it’s back to the drawing board for this one.

Based on Michael Crichton’s 1973 science fiction thriller of the same name (ultimately the blueprint for Jurassic Park, the writer/filmmaker’s better known “amusement park run amok”), HBO’s high-concept reimagining of Westworldcomes courtesy of producers Jonathan Nolan, Lisa Joy, and J.J. Abrams. The trio’s vision is expansive, encompassing both the ersatz Wild West populated by cybernetic cowbots — or “hosts” — and the glossy sci-fi near-future inhabited by the park’s custodians and creators. In the mix are the Westworld’s guests — or “newcomers” as they’re called — who are allowed to live out their wildest and most depraved fantasies in the highly interactive park. Spared no expense.

Elastic’s main titles announce this ambitious vision, evoking the work of Leonardo Da Vinci, Mamoru Oshii, and Chris Cunningham, all while hinting at the broader ethical and existential themes contained within the borders of the story and this twisted tourist attraction. Enjoy your stay in Westworld. Nothing can possibly go wrong…

SCANable performed 3D scans of sets, actors, props and other items for this beautiful main title sequence created by Elastic.