Black Mirror

DRS built sets and props for 3 episodes of Charlie Brooker’s near future dystopias. Filmed in high contrast black and white, ‘Metalhead’ is probably the most visually striking episode of the series. Catrin Meredydd designed this episode with Jono doing art director duty.It features a nasty four legged robotic sentry which locks onto Maxine Peake and pursues her tirelessly across a blasted landscape. Inspired by the Boston Dynamics prototypes, the armed-to-the-paws robot was designed by Painting Practice and animated by DNEG. Good friend of DRS Film Sets, Marcus Murray worked as puppeteer of an on- set stand- in version of the dog.

Catrin also designed ‘Bandersnatch’ which is an homage to the ‘Choose your own Adventure books’ with branching story lines and multiple outcomes. Bizarrely, the production company was sued for copyright infringement by the book publishers.The WH Smith store where Stefan buys music was dressed into an empty restaurant site in Croydon. Bafflingly, but probably on purpose, signs appeared near the location advising of possible disruption due to ‘filming of a Black Mirror episode’ (rather more information than was required!) Fans of the series turned up the following day and posted pictures of the set and set dressing on social media.

DRS also worked on the ‘Black Museum’ episode, building multiple sets on location at the former St Martin’s building in Holborn and a disused pharmaceutical factory.