The Making Of Severance S2 EP1

The return of Severance on Apple TV+ wasted no time plunging viewers back into the unsettling world of Lumon Industries. The opening sequence of Season 2, Episode 1, immediately grips the audience as Adam Scott’s character, Mark, steps off the elevator and begins to panic, racing through the hallways desperate to find “Ms. Casey.” The intensity of this moment is heightened not only by Scott’s gripping performance but also by the camera’s erratic, fast movement—a frantic energy that mirrors Mark’s disoriented mental state. To achieve this effect, director Ben Stiller enlisted the expertise of The Garage and their long-reach Bolt X Cinebot, a cutting-edge tool that brought these high-speed camera movements to life.

Stiller, deeply involved in shaping Severance’s distinctive aesthetic, experimented with motion control during Season 1 but waited until Season 2 to find the perfect scene to hook the audience from the start with high-impact, motion-controlled shots. The Bolt X’s long reach proved invaluable, allowing the camera to move dynamically with Mark in ways that would have been impossible with traditional rigs.

The sequence begins by seamlessly transitioning from behind Mark to directly in front of him, tracking him as he races out of the elevator. The camera matches Mark’s panicked energy, even as his character pauses, uncertain of his next move, the Bolt X continues to shift at high speed in several directions, mirroring the intensity and chaos Mark feels in his head even whilst still. 

Behind the scenes, motion control operator for the Garage – Dan Gottesman ensured camera movement—from rapid accelerations to high-speed rotations—was meticulously planned to reflect Mark’s frantic state. Unlike handheld or Steadicam shots, which often introduce subtle imperfections, the Bolt X provided absolute control, allowing for the exact same movement to be repeated multiple times with no deviation. Stiller and Scott described the scene as a choreographed dance, with perfect synchronisation required between Scott’s movements and Bolt X.

One challenge in executing this sequence was the confined space of the set. While Severance favours practical locations over heavy visual effects, some shots still require digital augmentation. The Bolt X’s extended reach had to be carefully manoeuvred through the tight spaces of the iconic elevator and the stark Lumon hallways. Stiller explained that parts of the background behind Mark were digitally created to accommodate the Bolt X’s movements, seamlessly blending CGI with the practical set to maintain the immersive and unsettling atmosphere of Lumon Industries.

Severance Season 2’s premiere is a testament to how motion control can enhance storytelling—not by overshadowing the performances, but by amplifying the emotional core of a scene. The Bolt X didn’t just capture movement—it became an extension of Mark’s turmoil, making this one of the most immersive and unforgettable opening sequences in recent television. For a deeper dive, check out the behind-the-scenes breakdown featuring Ben Stiller and Adam Scott below.