How Netflix Filmed Adolescence Episodes in One-Shot Takes

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People are intrigued by how the creators of Netflix’s show “Adolescence” shot the entire series as one continuous take. This crime drama revolves around a 13-year-old named Jamie who stands accused of murdering his classmate. Remarkably, each of its four episodes were filmed without any edits or breaks in between. Lately, the show’s cinematographer, Matthew Lewis, shared insights into how they achieved this seemingly impossible feat in an interview.

So, here are all the details.

Were the Adolescence episodes filmed in one take?

Yes, Adolescence episodes were filmed in one take.

Lately, Matthew Lewis chatted with Variety about his work on the series, revealing that he and director Philip Barantini filmed the entire production in a continuous take. He expressed, “There’s no joining of separate takes; it was a single, unbroken shot, whether I liked it or not.

Initially, they focused on perfecting the script so that it flowed smoothly throughout the entire procedure, requiring no alterations. Crucial to this was Writer Jack Thorne’s adaptability; he was ready to modify the script and add more scenes as necessary.

Speaking as a fan, I can’t help but admire Thorne’s dedication during rehearsals. He’d be constantly revising lines and brainstorming ideas, making it an exciting challenge for him when he realized we weren’t just any group, but were committed to delivering his script flawlessly.

Additionally, he pointed out that the production demanded careful strategizing since creating a shot list wasn’t practical for this particular process. Consequently, they delineated a specific filming zone, synchronizing camera angles precisely. They also practiced the series as if it were a harmonious interplay between actors and crew, making sure each shot seamlessly fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

Although they meticulously planned every detail, they encountered a considerable hurdle, but ultimately managed to overcome it. The main issue was transforming a real house into a convincing fake police station. Therefore, they had to search for a studio located near suburban dwellings, and fortunately, they discovered a suitable location in South Kirkby, Yorkshire.

In the course of our conversation, Lewis touched upon the specifics of each episode’s processes and also tackled whispers about incorporating VFX and undetected edits. He made it clear that they utilized VFX for just one episode due to practicality constraints, but chose not to blend takes and instead captured everything in a single take.

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2025-03-20 09:43