The global success of Netflix’s new series Adolescence has captivated audiences and critics alike. Hailed as a gripping four-part one-shot drama, it has quickly become the most-watched series on the platform in recent weeks, breaking streaming records and igniting discussions around youth violence and its root causes. Created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, and masterfully directed by Philip Barantini, the series delivers a raw, immersive exploration of knife crime in the UK.
At the heart of Adolescence’s cinematic achievement is the powerful collaboration between Director of Photography Matthew Lewis and Gaffer Max Hodgkinson. Facing the immense technical challenge of executing each episode in a continuous take, the creative team turned to lighting solutions that offered reliability, control, and exceptional quality. They selected VELVET Kosmos 400 Color Fresnel fixtures for their hard light sources.
With their 12-inch real borosilicate glass fresnel lens and motorized zoom, the VELVET Kosmos lights delivered the versatility and punch needed for the production’s dynamic lighting shifts. Supplied by Panalux London, the units were used extensively for sunlight simulation and controlled hard lighting effects, particularly in the critically acclaimed third episode, as shown in the real scene excerpt below.
In British Cinematographer issue #128, DP Matt Lewis praised the VELVET Kosmos units, stating:
“We used VELVET Kosmos as a hard source of light through the back to utilise being able to spot and flood the light mid-take.”
The ability to remotely adjust beam angles during takes allowed for seamless lighting transitions, crucial for the one-shot format. Supporting the vision, Gaffer Max Hodgkinson shared this behind-the-scenes footage from the lighting desk, revealing how the team navigated complex 360° scenes like the intense interview room sequences, without interrupting camera movement or compromising mood. Watch this Video 👇
” When shifting to the window side, we’d dim the light from the windows and move the key to the skylight above with VELVET Kosmos coming through the windows “
Combining artistic ambition with technical excellence, Adolescence is a testament to what can be achieved when vision and equipment are perfectly aligned. We at VELVET Light are proud that our VELVET Kosmos helped light such a groundbreaking production.
VELVET is distributed in the UK & Ireland by Octica.tv. Visit our global distributors HERE
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