Severance Season 2’s Disorienting Opening Scene Took Months to Create

Do not quit returned, but second season does in just one episodeis already formulating theories about fans what indeed continues Apple TV+’s sci-fi thriller enters its next chapter. We’ll have to be patient as the puzzle pieces dwindle in the weekly issue, but the opening scene of the season premiere sets up the breathless, confusing path the characters, especially Adam Scott’s Mark S., will travel as they try to uncover the story. The secrets behind Lumon Industries.

In a new video from Vanity Fair, executive producer Ben Stiller, who also directed the season premiere of Hello Mrs. Kobel, and star Scott go behind the scenes of the crazy sequence. It took four to five months to complete and required more special effects and logistical maneuvering Do not quit usually requires

As the pair explain, Mark starts running as soon as he gets off the lift – returning to his ‘innie’ mind-space for the first time since he realizes that his co-worker Mrs Casey at Lumon is actually his wife Gemma, whom he considers an ‘outsider’. killed in a car accident because his first impulse is to find Mrs. Casey and share this incredible discovery with her.

But the road to the health room proves to be more of a journey than the viewer ever realized. Lumon’s cut floor feels like a mile-long maze of white corridors and rectangular loops.

Even though Mark is so confident he knows he can sprint out there, capturing his crazy shot was more technically challenging than just following Scott with the Steadicam. This included a large piece of camera equipment called a “bolt arm”, as well as a patchwork of hallway shots when set up to support the sequence, and a treadmill for Scott in certain locations.

“We don’t like to use a lot of visual effects on the show in terms of creating backgrounds and environments,” says Stiller. “But we needed it for this shot because the bolt arm took up all the space.”

In the video, Stiller explains why he didn’t use a Steadicam (it would have been “too difficult” for a cameraman to use while keeping up with Mark’s increased pace), as well as Scott knowing when to film. Part of a high-intensity scene when asked which flavor of Gatorade he chose.

“We always felt like we wanted to kick off the season in a really exciting and fun way and show where we’re going for season two,” says Stiller. “(The shoot) felt like, ‘OK, we’re going to let the audience know that this is something new that’s happening.’

Oh, and the guy standing behind Mark once you get to the past health room? Scott and Stiller mention her in the video, but don’t reveal anything more about her identity. Add this to the ever-growing list of theories! New episodes Do not quit Fridays are coming to Apple TV+.

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