How Netflix Filmed Adolescence in One Shot and the Truth About Hidden Cuts

Nivedita Dubey
March 29, 2025

Summary:

Netflix’s Adolescence is filmed in a single continuous take per episode, making it a groundbreaking TV miniseries.
The cast and crew rehearsed extensively, filming multiple takes per episode to ensure perfection.
No hidden cuts were used—each episode truly consists of a continuous shot, requiring precise choreography and advanced camera techniques.

How Was Adolescence Filmed in a Single Shot?

Netflix’s Adolescence, a four-part British crime drama released on March 13, 2025, has captivated audiences with its intense storytelling and immersive cinematography. Each episode, ranging between 40 and 60 minutes, was filmed in one continuous take, a technique that required meticulous planning, advanced camera technology, and a highly synchronized cast and crew.

Director Philip Barantini and cinematographer Matthew Lewis spearheaded the ambitious filming process, opting for a real-time, uninterrupted shooting style that enhances the raw intensity of the series. The show follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is accused of murdering his classmate Katie, with the story unfolding in a tense, unfiltered manner.

How Did the Cast and Crew Prepare for Filming?

Achieving a seamless single-take per episode required months of planning and weeks of rehearsals. Unlike traditional TV shows that rely on multiple camera setups and editing, Adolescence was shot with a single moving camera, meaning every movement had to be carefully choreographed. The preparation involved:

Location Mapping: The team scouted South Kirkby, Yorkshire, and built sets to ensure fluid camera transitions.
Incremental Rehearsals: Actors first practiced their blocking (positioning and movement) before integrating camera work.
Theater-Style Performances: With no room for mistakes, actors treated their performances like a live stage play.
Crew Synchronization: Camera operators, lighting technicians, and sound engineers had to move flawlessly in sync to avoid disrupting the shot.

Did Adolescence Really Use No Hidden Cuts?

Adolescence _ Official Trailer _ Netflix

One of the most common misconceptions about single-take productions is that filmmakers cleverly disguise edits to create the illusion of an uninterrupted shot. However, Adolescence does not use hidden cuts—each episode was genuinely filmed in a single, continuous take.

How Did They Ensure a Smooth, Unbroken Shot?

Cinematographer Matthew Lewis confirmed that no digital stitching was involved, stating, “There’s no stitching of takes together. It was one entire shot, whether I wanted it to be or not.” The following methods helped maintain the fluidity of each episode:

Advanced Camera Tech: The team used the DJI Ronin 4D, a stabilized gimbal camera that allowed for seamless movement between handheld, tracking, and drone transitions.
Live Action Transitions: In Episode 2, when the camera follows a character out of a window, a hidden crew member seamlessly handed the camera off to another operator outside, eliminating the need for a cut.
Drone Integration: In an impressive moment, the camera was attached to a drone mid-shot, flying to a different location before being caught by the crew on the ground.
On-the-Fly Adjustments: Since reshooting wasn’t an option, actors had to adapt to minor on-set mishaps in real time.

How Many Takes Did Each Episode Require?

Despite the seemingly effortless execution, each episode took multiple attempts to perfect. The production team allotted five days per episode, aiming for 10 takes per installment, though some required more. Here’s how it played out:

Episode 1: Take 2 (shot on Day 1) was selected.
Episode 2: Take 13 (shot on the last day) was used.
Episode 3: Take 11 (shot on the final day) made the cut.
Episode 4: Take 16 (shot on the last day) was chosen.

Interestingly, the episodes were not filmed in chronological order. Episode 3 was the first to be shot, marking Owen Cooper’s official acting debut.

What Were the Most Technically Challenging Scenes?

How Did They Film the Window & Drone Transition Scene?

One of the most impressive sequences occurs in Episode 2, where a character jumps out of a classroom window and runs from the police. To maintain the one-shot illusion:

The window glass was removed beforehand, allowing a camera operator inside to smoothly pass the camera to another waiting outside.
VFX was later used to reinsert the glass, ensuring continuity.
The camera was then attached to a drone, flying 0.3 miles to the crime scene before being caught by a crew member for the final close-up.

How Did They Handle Long Takes Without Mistakes?

Because of the high-stakes nature of single-take filming, any mistakes had to be worked around in real-time. Some challenges included:

Minor Mishaps: At one point, the camera bumped a door frame, causing a slight shake, but the actors continued without breaking character.
Improvised Lines: Some of Stephen Graham’s dialogue in Episode 4 was unscripted, adding to the naturalistic feel.
Crew Integration: To avoid being caught on camera, crew members dressed as extras and strategically positioned themselves in the environment.

How Did Adolescence Compare to Other One-Shot Productions?

While films like Birdman (2014) and 1917 (2019) used hidden edits to simulate one continuous take, Adolescence stands apart because its episodes are truly unbroken. Unlike Boiling Point (2021), which employed a similar technique for a single 90-minute film, Adolescence achieved it across four distinct episodes.

Why Did Netflix Choose This Unique Filming Style?

What Was the Creative Vision Behind the One-Shot Approach?

Creators Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham deliberately chose the one-take technique to make the story feel intensely real and emotionally immersive. Without cuts, viewers are locked into the tension, experiencing events in real-time, just as the characters do.

Jack Thorne explained in a Netflix interview: “The camera never blinks, just like the people experiencing this tragedy. It forces the audience to stay in the moment.”

Did the One-Shot Format Make the Show More Engaging?

The format enhances the sense of urgency, making the audience feel like eyewitnesses to the unfolding drama. Some critics argue that the lack of cuts can feel overwhelming, but most agree it heightens the intensity, keeping viewers emotionally invested.

Did the One-Shot Gamble Pay Off?

Netflix’s Adolescence took a bold cinematic risk, executing four unbroken takes across an entire series. The result? A visceral, immersive experience that has left audiences and critics in awe.

With a 99% Tomatometer score and a 72% Popcornmeter rating, the show’s innovative approach has been widely praised. Whether Adolescence sets a new standard for TV cinematography remains to be seen, but it has undeniably raised the bar for what’s possible in television storytelling.

Source: Variety