+44 (0)7968 613040 or +44 (0)7968 613030 info@elementsfx.co.uk
created by Mark Brotherhood
Directed by : Stella Corradi, George Kane, Chris Foggin
DOP : Nick Martin, Pedro Cardillo
Production Designer : Anna Sheldrake
Episode 1 of Ludwig season 2's main objective was bringing two critical plot centred props to life, starting with a seamless replica of the location’s existing theatre seats. We built a custom, fully mechanical version of the set of three chairs that matched the original seats down to the finest detail, but hidden beneath the upholstery was a discrete movement mechanism engineered to operate on cue for the sequence. Alongside the mechanical set-piece, safety was paramount for the stabbing scene, so we fabricated a set of custom soft prop scissors. Designed to look convincingly rigid and metallic on camera while remaining completely pliable and safe during the physical action, these props allowed the team to execute a tense, close-quarters moment without compromising on cast safety.
Whilst episodes 2, 3, 5, and 6 were less demanding of special effects, we were still present, supplying production with silicone blood pools, soft steak knives, interior and exterior smoke effects were dotted around locations to help the audience visualise the murders.
For Episode 4, titled "Trick Shot," we built a Rube Goldberg-style rig designed to trigger the "Cue case gun". It all started with a heavy snooker ball rolling along a precise path at a slow controlled speed across the wall, until it hit a breaking point that snapped a tension line, which instantly triggered the "Cue Case gun" to fire. To the audience, this was one clean movement, for safety the scene was broken into very specific shots, so no actors were in the firing line when the launcher fired. Every physical part of the mechanism was completely real on set: the ball rolled down a pipe line that we had engineered in our workshop using plumbing fittings and 3d printing additional parts, so we could get the angles perfect for the speed requested by the DOP, the line snapped, and the Cue Case gun that we had built in the workshop shot out a snooker cue. Once the camera was back on the actor, we swapped over the snooker cue for our soft prop version, delivering a dangerous-looking, seamless hit on camera with zero risk to the cast.
For the Season 2 finale (Episode 7), we pulled out all the stops to engineer a gun disposal sequence. We set up a tensioned rig using heavy-duty braces that allowed the actor to pull back a prop gun and let go, watching it snap backward on elastic lines and fly straight into the hearth! On top of the rig, we rigged the fireplace with our silent gas fireplace kit, and operated it for safety and continuity. To make the illusion seamless and safe, we supplied multiple replica guns engineered to take the heat on camera for a prolonged period of time, alongside this we had post burn versions that the actors could grab and pick up out of the ash. It was a fiery, perfectly executed practical effect to wrap up the season.
