Adolescence, the bold and emotionally charged four-part British mini-series that debuted on Netflix this March, was created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham. Adolescence has captivated global audiences not only with its intense subject matter—exploring the emotional fallout of school violence—but also with its daring approach to storytelling. Every episode was filmed in a single continuous take, a technical and artistic feat demanding extraordinary precision across all departments.
Behind the scenes, the complex challenge of lighting a production filmed entirely in one take fell to Gaffer Max Hodgkinson and Director of Photography Matt Lewis, supported by Lighting Desk Operators Grum Leesmith, Olly Suckling, and Martin Winton. Helping them meet this challenge was the ChamSys MagicQ MQ250M Stadium console and GeNetix network distribution nodes. The ChamSys system enabled them to respond instantly to shifting scenes, angles, and moods—often while the camera moved in full 360-degree rotations.
An example of the ChamSys system’s flexibility could be found during a standout moment in episode three, during a tense conversation between 13-year-old Jamie, charged with murder, and his forensic psychologist. The scene required moody, shifting lighting to the teen’s emotional swings—without casting any shadows as the camera revolved around the room. “We programmed a variety of cues to simulate changes in natural lighting, like passing clouds,” explained Grum Leesmith. “This masked our lighting transitions and kept shadows off the actors and walls—crucial for maintaining the illusion of real-time storytelling.”
Another vital component was MagicQ’s remote control capabilities, which allowed the Desk Ops to move freely around the set during programming and rehearsals. Full console functionality on a tablet meant that even in a fast-moving environment, the team could maintain control without ever being tethered to a desk. “Our job is to bring the creative vision of the DoP and Gaffer to life,” said Martin Winton. “With ChamSys, we have both granular control over complex rigs and the flexibility to adapt on the fly—something absolutely essential in a shoot like this.”
Other ChamSys features that played key roles in the project included graphical set visualization via output grids, Group Grids to apply delayed timings across fixture arrays, MagicQ automation functions that allowed cast and crew to trigger practical lighting cues, multi-console control with synchronized backup consoles, and remote system access using consoles in session via an internet link to multiple locations.
Reflecting on the landmark program, Tyler Lloyd, ChamSys BDM noted. “Adolescence has sparked debates in Parliament, disrupted regular radio and TV programming, and most importantly, opened parents’ eyes to the dangers young people face online—even in seemingly ‘safe’ spaces like home or school. To contribute to a production with such global and cultural impact is humbling. It also demonstrates how professional, robust, and adaptable ChamSys systems are for modern television and film production.”
Further information about ChamSys: www.chamsysusa.com
