The Art of Authenticity: How “Severance” Achieved a Groundbreaking Effect Without CGI in Episode 7

Severance season 2 has provided not only some engaging moments in the narrative but also some remarkable filmmaking. One particularly noteworthy shot, showcased in last week’s episode 7, didn’t even rely on CGI, making it even more impressive.

“There’s a shot that moves from MDR to the control room below,” director and DP Jessica Lee Gagné shared with Esquire, describing the surreal scene where the camera glides through electrical cables, delving deep into the enigmatic Lumon workspace. Some viewers have already shared the moment on social media, in awe of the craftsmanship behind it.

“There’s no CGI involved. It’s all authentic,” Gagné explained in the interview.

“We genuinely shot through cables. It was the most challenging task I have ever undertaken as a DP. This was the most significant endeavor of the show, and many individuals contributed to it. You should see the rig: The camera traverses the inner part of the desk. There’s a pulley system operating in it,” she continued.

The scene serves to introduce the character behind the scenes, in this instance Dr. Mauer (played by Robby Benson). The character debuted in season 2, with episode 7 unveiling his connection to Ms. Casey/Gemma’s harrowing experience.

Gagné has discussed what the latest episode reveals about Gemma, who is fragmented into a couple of innies observing the rooms she visits. “The concept of the rooms that Gemma visits originates from Dan Erickson, of course,” she mentioned to AVClub.

“He wanted these to be places that compel you to do things you might loathe. For instance, Gemma only writes Christmas cards in one room. Dan despises doing that, so that’s where the idea emerged. Lumon influences different individuals based on fear or dislike.

“The plane is an evident example. Some people experience dread of flying or visiting the dentist. The rooms are designed to place individuals in these scenarios and [to see] if the chip can withstand this emotional leakage. There were more rooms and concepts, but these are the ones that stuck.”

Severance season 2 is currently available for streaming on Apple TV Plus. For additional information, check out our Sev