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Behind the Scenes of Netflix Adolescence with Raptor Magnet
Apr
Netflix Adolescence is still making waves globally with its gripping storyline and bold filmmaking. The series follows the harrowing story of a family thrown into turmoil when 13-year-old Jamie Miller (played by Owen Cooper) is arrested for the murder of a teenage classmate. Stephen Graham stars as Jamie’s father, Eddie Miller, while Ashley Walters plays Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, and Erin Doherty takes on the role of clinical psychologist Briony Ariston.
But beyond the emotional depth of the series, Netflix Adolescence has also earned high praise from industry professionals for its technical execution—especially its use of long, continuous shots. These complex one-take scenes posed a major challenge, requiring seamless coordination between actors and crew, frame by frame.
Among the standout moments in the miniseries are two highly technical sequences in Episodes 1 and 4—both made possible with the help of the Raptor Magnet.
Episode 1: Achieving the Opening Convoy Shot
Key Grip Patrick Gillespie (@patthegrip) shared insights into Episode 1’s ambitious opening scene:
“For the opening of Episode 1, we didn’t switch to a drone. Instead, we mounted a crane onto a moving electric vehicle. We tested the setup about three weeks in advance on a beautiful countryside lane in Yorkshire, arranged by @t0m_b and the amazing locations team. Having that time to experiment with different setups was incredibly valuable—and honestly, some of the most fun days I’ve had on set.”
The technical setup included:
- Grip Factory Munich crane
- 15kg vibration isolator
- DJI Ronin 4D
- Raptor Magnet
This unique configuration allowed for ultra-smooth transitions between moving platforms and dynamic framing—key to capturing the show’s intense pacing and realism.
Watch the full behind-the-scenes breakdown [HERE]
Episode 4: A Custom Rig Built for Family Tension
Patrick also shared how Episode 4 came together:
“For this episode, Paul Bailey built a custom pod-van, drove it with surgical precision, and—thankfully—didn’t crash it. We designed a front-mounted rig in collaboration with @hrcrigging, which included a motorized tower slider system. The entire rig had to be detachable mid-scene. We used the magnetic quick-release system from @custommadeeasy with a new, specially designed adapter.”
Once again, Raptor Magnet played a crucial role, ensuring fast, secure connections that allowed for quick detachment and re-rigging during live takes—without sacrificing safety or stability.
See the behind-the-scenes footage [HERE]
Why Raptor Magnet?
The Raptor Magnet is the world’s first safety-rated electromagnet system for cinema. Built to handle up to 50kg, it allows filmmakers to rig and release camera setups in seconds—offering not only speed but peace of mind, especially in high-stakes environments where sudden power loss can’t compromise safety.
Thanks to Patrick Gillespie and the Adolescence crew for trusting Raptor Magnet on such an ambitious production. We wish you continued success in your future projects!
Have a similar shoot coming up? Learn more about Raptor Magnet HERE.
Explore other projects using Raptor Magnet: [Part 1] | [Part 2] | [Part 3]