Director Philip Barantini has shared an emotional experience from the filming of the Netflix miniseries "Adolescence," which has resonated deeply with audiences in the UK and beyond. During an appearance on "The Rest Is Entertainment" with Marina Hyde and Richard Osman, Barantini recounted the moment he realised that the production team had successfully executed a dramatic drone shot at the conclusion of the second episode, saying, "I cried" when he saw the finished product.
The striking shot captures the camera ascending from eye level within a school setting, gliding above a street before descending back to eye level at a murder scene, all set to a melancholic song that plays in the background. Initially, this visually powerful ending was not part of the original plan for the episode. According to Barantini, the decision to implement the shot was made just during the filming week itself, a testament to the adaptability of the creative team.
While Barantini expressed his emotional response to this pivotal moment, he was quick to credit his director of photography, Matthew Lewis, who had the original idea for the drone shot. Lewis explained that the notion stemmed from a scene in the script that required the camera to move down a street at eye level. He was concerned that such a shot might resemble a person walking, which would disrupt the show's established visual narrative of the camera always following a character. To maintain continuity, he proposed the innovative concept of having the camera float away at the episode's conclusion, symbolising a shift in the story's direction.
Barantini vividly recalled the day of the shoot, noting that the critical success of the shot came down to "the very last take on the very last day." He explained that the morning take served as a 'safety' shot, lacking the landing aspect, but during the afternoon, the team aimed for the full execution. "That’s when we landed the drone and nailed it. That’s when I cried,” he reminisced.
As "Adolescence" continues to garner attention and acclaim, Barantini has also begun to delve into the series' themes and the societal issues it addresses. He noted that the show opens a dialogue on incel culture, which has been affecting young men and boys negatively. In an interview with British GQ, he remarked, “I think we've really just hit on something at the right time,” highlighting how the series, while set in North Yorkshire and deeply rooted in British context, resonates universally. He mentioned that audiences worldwide are engaging with the subject matter, stating, "I've seen the show dubbed in loads of different languages, and I've watched it, and it still works, even though I can't understand the other languages."
"Adolescence" is proving to be a significant cultural touchpoint, prompting discussions around contemporary issues and capturing the fascination of viewers across different demographics.
Source: Noah Wire Services