'Adolescence': How Netflix show's episodes were filmed in single takes
What's the story
Netflix's latest crime drama, Adolescence, is making waves for its unique storytelling technique.
The four-part limited series, created by Philip Barantini, is filmed entirely in one continuous take per episode.
This innovative filming technique, similar to 1917 and Birdman, adds intensity to the narrative and immerses viewers into the characters' world without distractions.
Each episode runs for over an hour and includes school fights, foot chases, and multiple location changes.
So, how did they pull it off?
Plot overview
'Adolescence' used real-time storytelling to explore psychological and social pressures
Set in the UK, Adolescence follows 13-year-old schoolboy Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is arrested on suspicion of murdering his female classmate.
As the case unfolds, Jamie's parents (Stephen Graham and Jo Hartley) grapple with the devastating consequences of the crime while trying to uncover the truth.
The series delves deep into the psychological and social pressures faced by teenagers in today's digital age.
Production process
'Adolescence' required meticulous planning and extensive rehearsals
Barantini revealed that pulling off the one-shot style took months of preparation, hours of rehearsal, and meticulous planning to make it seamless.
He explained, "Basically, that means we press record on the camera and we don't press stop until the very end of the hour."
"It's much more complicated than it sounds and took an incredible team to pull off at every stage, from the script to the production design."
Behind-the-scenes insights
Director Barantini and cinematographer Matthew Lewis on the production
Barantini and cinematographer Matthew Lewis collaborated extensively to achieve the director's signature one-shot style across the four episodes.
Lewis confirmed to Variety, "There's no stitching of takes together. It was one entire shot, whether I wanted it to be or not."
The team encountered several challenges while filming, including controlling 300 school kids working as extras in Episode 2 and tracking DI Bascombe (Ashley Walters) as he chased after a student on foot.
Preparation
'Adolescence' cast and crew's preparation for 1-shot filming
The cast and crew had three weeks to shoot each episode.
The first week was spent walking through scene by scene, with the cast going over the script "over and over again" so it becomes muscle memory.
The second week involved a technical rehearsal with the crew to see what works and what doesn't from a technical perspective.
By the third week, "we get 10 chances, two a day, to shoot in one take," Walters recalled.
Critical acclaim
'Adolescence' has garnered praise for its innovative cinematography
Adolescence has already been praised for its immersive one-shot technique, powerful performances, and thought-provoking themes.
Its innovative cinematography and deeply emotional storytelling have gripped audiences, with many calling it one of the most intense crime dramas of recent years.
The series started streaming on Netflix last week, with all four episodes now available.
For those who are interested, the streamer has released behind-the-scene footage for each episode, too.