• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Fans in total shock after Severance director reveals iconic one-shot scene in latest episode used no CGI

Home> Streaming> Apple

Published 17:10 4 Mar 2025 GMT

Fans in total shock after Severance director reveals iconic one-shot scene in latest episode used no CGI

'Absolute cinema'-tography

Ben Williams

Ben Williams

Featured Image Credit: appletv/Instagram
TV
Streaming
Apple
Camera

Advert

Advert

Advert

Severance has been drenched in critical and audience acclaim since the psychological thriller series premiered back in February 2022, but its latest season 2 episode is now regarded as one of the greatest of all time.

Episode 7 of Severance season 2, “Chikhai Bardo”, has not only been praised for its story developments of the Apple TV+ show, but for one particularly ground-breaking shot, and plenty of fans agree after streaming it themselves.


Severance key art of Adam Scott as Mark Scout (Apple TV+ Press)
Severance key art of Adam Scott as Mark Scout (Apple TV+ Press)

Advert


During the scene in question, the camera twists and turns before moving from the MDR room through a length of cable, into a basement control room, and panning across and upwards to the man tapping his foot.

With such an intricate piece of camera work moving through such an intricate passage from one room to another, it would be easy for anyone to assume CGI was at least partly involved. That’s the case until they realize this was the work of Severance cinematographer, Jessica Lee Gagné, of whom episode 7 marked their directorial debut.

Talking to Esquire, Gagné revealed how the shot was possible by utilizing a custom-made cable specifically designed for one-shot movement. She said “We actually shot through cables. It was the most laborious thing I have ever done as a DP. It was the biggest side project of this show and so many people participated on it.”

Advert

“You should see the rig for it: The camera goes through the internal part of the desk. There’s a pulley moving it.”, she added.



Advert


After Chikhai Bardo entered the list of top 50 TV episodes of all time on serialzd, plenty of social media users responded to the above Reddit thread to share their love for episode 7 of Severance season 2.

Users like TimeToTank noted how Severance is an example of the medium being able and well. They said: “David chase said legacy television is dead but watching this show I hard disagree.

I get Netflix is working on ‘second screen viewing’ but good tv will still make you put your phone down.”

Advert

Hikaru53 followed up on the initial praise of the episode saying: “And this episode, is the debut of the director, applause to Jessica Lee Gagné!”

Severance had already set itself a high bar with previous episodes, but users like donttrustthellamas emphasized how Chikhai Bardo shows that the series has outdone itself. They said: “It was incredible! We learnt so much from it yet it wasn't rushed or overfilled. It was shot so beautifully and the acting was gut wrenching.”

Gagne has previously collaborated with Severance’s executive producer and director, Ben Stiller, as a cinematographer, on Escape at Dannemora” — making it no surprise he was quick to praise her when talking to IndieWire.

He said: “[Jessica] is not thinking about it as a job”.

Advert

“She’s thinking about it as her art and an expression of who she is and what she does. And that’s one and the same. She’s a tough audience and she needs to be sold on things. She’s picky about what she thinks is good. And once she does engage with something, she puts everything into it. That’s what I really love about working with her. She’s just so committed.”, he further stated.

Following the airing of Chikhai Bardo, there are still two episodes of Severance left for season 2. As far as its reception goes, episode 7 looks like it will be incredibly hard to top.

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
a day ago
10 days ago
13 days ago
  • 9 hours ago

    Beloved Netflix true crime series gets season 4 renewal ahead of season 3

    Another dark chapter of American history is getting a dramatization

    Streaming
  • a day ago

    Major Netflix series axed despite having better Rotten Tomatoes scores than Squid Game

    Another one bites the dust

    Streaming
  • 10 days ago

    Netflix users have just one day left to watch iconic sci-fi movie with 92% on Rotten Tomatoes

    Along with many other movies & shows

    Streaming
  • 13 days ago

    Little-known Netflix codes help viewers find shows they 'didn't know existed'

    No more struggling to find something to watch

    Streaming
  • Apple TV+'s record-breaking Severance called out over 'worst' episode of all time
  • Severance creator Dan Erickson reveals creepy real meaning behind 'eggs' in the show
  • Apple TV's latest sci-fi show debuts with almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes score as it's set to be the new Severance
  • Netflix users devastated as streamer makes 'insane' decision to remove iconic Black Mirror episode for good