Image
People
Zebrafish Media
Client
Sidemen
Type of Production
feature
+44 (0)7968 613040 or +44 (0)7968 613030 info@elementsfx.co.uk
Sidemen vs 50 YouTubers Ultimate Hide and Seek in a Military Base
The world-famous YouTube channel Sidemen hired Elements Special Effects to deliver a spectacular vehicle explosion for their feature-length video “SIDEMEN VS 50 YOUTUBERS: ULTIMATE HIDE & SEEK IN A MILITARY BASE”. This marked our first venture into the world of YouTube, and it was an exciting and dynamic project.
The task was simple in concept: on cue, make a car explode. The challenge was that the event was live and unscripted. Fifty YouTubers, equipped with GoPros, had free range of our yard to hide, while the Sidemen used professional military-style equipment, drones and heat-seeking cameras, to track them down. Our crew operated from a concealed position in the woods, maintaining line of sight to the target while remaining hidden from the participants. When the command came, we fired the effect, creating a visually massive and impressively loud explosion. The reaction of nearby YouTubers, combined with the sheer volume of the bang, made for a memorable moment, while safety remained the top priority.
The effect itself consisted of petrol bags and a couple of strung bounds, producing dramatic black smoke that rose from the vehicle for approximately ten minutes; visible to the hidden participants and adding to the cinematic impact. As an added bonus, a Spitfire flew overhead performing barrel rolls, perfectly timed with the detonation, creating a truly unforgettable combination of practical effects and aerial spectacle.
