Severance: Mastering the Art of Cinematography and Visual Storytelling Secrets

How Was Severance Filmed? Unpacking the Technical Details

Where was Severance filmed and why did they choose those locations? 

Principal photography for the Lumon Industries interior took place at the iconic Bell Labs Holmdel Complex in New Jersey. This mid-century modern masterpiece, with its vast atriums and seemingly endless corridors, perfectly embodies the sterile and dehumanizing corporate environment central to the show. The exterior shots and Overlook world scenes were filmed in various locations in the Hudson Valley region of New York, offering a stark contrast with their natural beauty and idyllic settings. This deliberate location choice emphasizes the duality and the manufactured nature of the “Outie” world versus the artificiality of Lumon.

What camera equipment was used to shoot Severance? 

While specific camera models aren’t always publicly disclosed, “Severance” was shot digitally using high-end cinema cameras to achieve its crisp, clean, and detailed look. Given the prevalence of ARRI and RED cameras in high-end television, it’s likely that equipment from these manufacturers was utilized. The emphasis was clearly on capturing a sharp, modern image with excellent dynamic range to handle the contrasting lighting environments. For filmmakers seeking to achieve a similar crisp and professional look, investing in quality camera equipment is essential. In post-production, tools like Pixflow’s Color Grading presets can further refine and enhance the raw footage to achieve a truly cinematic aesthetic.

Who was the cinematographer behind Severance’s distinctive look? 

The visionary behind Severance’s cinematography is Jessica Lee Gagné. Her previous work on series like “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Alias Grace” demonstrates a keen eye for visual storytelling and creating atmosphere. Gagné collaborated closely with director Ben Stiller to develop the unique visual language of “Severance,” drawing inspiration from a range of cinematic sources to craft its unsettling and unforgettable style.

Signature Cinematography Techniques in Severance

• The Iconic Elevator Scene
  

  • How did they film the elevator scene in Severance? The disorienting elevator scene transitions are achieved through a combination of clever editing, seamless visual effects, and practical set design. By using precisely matched sets and in-camera transitions, combined with subtle visual warping and sound design, the filmmakers create a convincing sense of instantaneous and unsettling shifts between the Lumon world and the Outie world.
  • What makes the Severance elevator shot so memorable? The Severance elevator shot is memorable because it visually embodies the core concept of the show – the jarring and inexplicable division of consciousness. It’s a masterclass in creating a visceral, psychological experience for the viewer, mirroring the character’s own disorientation. To create similarly impactful transitions in your own video projects, consider exploring Pixflow’s Transitions Packs which offer a range of dynamic and seamless visual shifts.

• Mastering Camera Movement
  

  • What is a dolly shot and how was it used in Severance? A dolly shot involves placing the camera on a wheeled platform to create smooth, linear movements, either moving towards or away from a subject, or tracking alongside them. In “Severance,” dolly shots are frequently used within the Lumon office, often moving along the long, symmetrical corridors. This technique emphasizes the sterile, repetitive, and almost hypnotic nature of the innies’ work environment, highlighting their confined existence.
  • How did they achieve the dolly zoom effect in Severance? The dolly zoom effect (also known as the Vertigo effect or zolly shot) is a disorienting technique achieved by simultaneously dollying the camera towards a subject while zooming the lens out, or vice versa. This maintains the subject’s size in the frame while dramatically altering the background perspective, creating a feeling of vertigo and unease. “Severance” masterfully employs the dolly zoom effect to amplify moments of psychological tension and disorientation, particularly when characters are grappling with the fragmented nature of their memories and identities.
  • What is panning shot and how was it implemented in Severance? A panning shot involves rotating the camera horizontally on its vertical axis, creating a sweeping view of a scene. In “Severance,” panning shots are used in various ways, from slowly revealing the vastness and emptiness of the Lumon office spaces to following characters as they navigate the labyrinthine corridors. Panning can also be used to create a sense of surveillance or detached observation, fitting the show’s themes of corporate control and scrutiny.

Visual Storytelling Through Composition

How does framing contribute to Severance’s cinematography? 

Framing in “Severance” is meticulously deliberate. Characters are often framed within rigid, geometric compositions, emphasizing the oppressive and controlled nature of their environment. The use of negative space and symmetrical framing within the Lumon office creates a sense of isolation and insignificance. Conversely, framing in the “Overlook” world is often more open and expansive, though still sometimes subtly off-kilter, hinting at an underlying artificiality even in this seemingly idyllic setting.

What role did color grading play in Severance’s visual narrative? 

Color grading is crucial to Severance’s visual identity. The Lumon office is characterized by a cool, desaturated color palette, dominated by sterile whites, greys, and blues, further enhancing the sense of coldness and artificiality. In contrast, the “Overlook” world utilizes a warmer, more saturated palette, but with a slightly artificial and hyper-real quality. This sharp contrast in color grading visually reinforces the thematic divide between the two worlds and subtly underscores the manufactured nature of both realities. Achieving impactful color palettes like those in “Severance” is easily achievable with Pixflow’s Color Grading Presets, allowing you to quickly establish mood and atmosphere in your video projects.

How did they use creative photography techniques in Severance? 

Beyond dolly zooms and specific framing, “Severance” employs other subtle but effective creative photography techniques. The use of shallow depth of field in certain scenes can isolate characters and emphasize their emotional states. Symmetry is employed not only in framing but also in set design and blocking, creating a visually ordered yet unsettling world. The combination of these techniques creates a consistently unique and psychologically resonant visual experience.

Behind the Scenes Insights

What challenges did the Severance cinematography team face? 

The challenges faced by the cinematography team were manifold. Maintaining visual consistency across the two distinct worlds, creating seamless transitions, and visually representing the complex psychological themes of the show all required meticulous planning and execution. Lighting the vast, geometrically complex sets of Lumon Industries to achieve the desired sterile yet visually engaging look also presented significant logistical and creative hurdles.

How did they create the vertigo effect in Severance? 

As mentioned earlier, the vertigo effect is achieved through the classic dolly zoom technique. However, its effectiveness in “Severance” lies in its precise execution and its integration into moments of heightened psychological tension within the narrative. It’s not just a visual trick, but a tool used to amplify the characters’ internal experiences of disorientation and fractured reality.

What inspired the camera angles and perspectives in Severance? 

The camera angles and perspectives in “Severance” are inspired by a variety of sources, ranging from the works of Stanley Kubrick, known for his symmetrical compositions and unsettling atmosphere, to the cold, observational style of Jacques Tati. The show’s visual language also draws from the visual grammar of corporate documentaries and industrial films, subtly mimicking and subverting these styles to critique corporate culture and control.

Comparisons and Influences

How does Severance’s cinematography compare to other famous TV shows? 

Severance’s cinematography stands out even within the current landscape of visually ambitious television. While shows like “Mr. Robot” and “Legion” also employ distinctive visual styles, “Severance” distinguishes itself through its meticulous precision, its consistent use of unsettling symmetry, and its focus on creating a pervasive atmosphere of sterile unease. It avoids overt stylistic flourishes in favor of a more controlled and psychologically driven visual approach.

What classic film techniques influenced Severance’s visual style? 

As suggested, classic film techniques from directors like Stanley Kubrick (e.g., “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “The Shining”) are clear influences. The use of long takes, symmetrical compositions, and deliberate camera movements echoes Kubrick’s masterful control of visual space. The psychological unease and moments of surrealism also hint at influences from filmmakers like David Lynch.

How does Severance’s one-shot cinematography stand out? 

While “Severance” isn’t strictly characterized by one-shot cinematography, it utilizes long takes and carefully choreographed camera movements that often feel like extended, unbroken shots, particularly within the Lumon office. This technique contributes to the feeling of being trapped within the office environment and emphasizes the cyclical, unchanging nature of the innies’ existence. This deliberate and sustained camera work, even if not true one-shots in every instance, adds to the immersive and unsettling viewing experience.

Conclusion