“Sadistic camera” and improvisations. Secrets of filming the third episode of the series “Sequence” of the 4th season.

Warning: This article contains major spoilers for The Continuum, Season 4, Episode 3.

Whether it’s been an hour, a night, or a few days since we watched it, the third episode of season 4 succession never ceases to haunt us. Like Les Noces Rouges or Le Lion et la rose Game Of Thrones which depicted the violent deaths of the main characters, the title “Connor’s Wedding” in the form of a Trojan horse, sees the disappearance of one of the holy monsters of the modern series universe: Logan Roy, media mogul, multi-billionaire. ruling his empire with an iron fist to the detriment of the well-being of his four children, who have been successively humiliated, bullied, betrayed and disinherited over the past three seasons.

Strictly speaking, we won’t be witnessing the character’s death in an interview with the magazine’s website; variety On April 10, episode director Mark Mylod admitted that he and series creator Jesse Armstrong would have found it “weirdly disrespectful” to film the patriarch’s lifeless body. It seems that the translator, Brian Cox, has given him real stature, stepping out of fiction.

What we see, on the other hand, are the faces of all those whose lives will be turned upside down by this brutal, unexpected death (despite the warning in the very first episode of the series). Starting with the billionaire’s children Shiv (Sarah Snook), Kendall (Jeremy Strong) and Roman (Kieran Culkin), who have been at odds with their father since he decided to sell the family company. The latter reunite for their older half-brother Connor’s (Alan Ruck) wedding on a yacht in Manhattan. Logan was on a private plane surrounded by his close bodyguard when the tragedy happened. It is Tom, her son-in-law, Shiv’s (future ex) husband, who breaks the news to the children over the phone. Behind two closed doors, two confined spaces connected by a simple phone call. a staging choice that multiplies the dramatic intensity of the episode, some of which Mark Mylod revealed.

In the video: the trailer for season 4 succession

In real time

If one feels so engrossed in Connor’s wedding, and in the emotional earthquake caused by Logan Roy’s death is that the camera puts us literally at the level of his children; be sadistic,” explains Mark Mylod. “That it was necessary to level the goal in the face of these poor people. Like the worst paparazzi, find those who have suffered the most, put the camera in their face. Above all, don’t let them go.”

And so, not to miss any of their reactions. After trying to manage the situation as their extremely privileged status has taught them (with a few phone calls and two or three threats), the trio realize that death is beyond them. the few things he won’t be able to control. And gives vent to her sadness (Shiv), her pain (Kendall), or her disbelief (Roman). A brilliant performance, again captured by an ambitious technical device. if it was edited later, the scene where the Royces learn of their father’s death was shot with three cameras, in 30 uninterrupted minutes. Strengthening the impression that the event is happening in real time, in front of our eyes.

Tom is (almost) alone

The last person to have spoken to Logan Roy may have been Tom Wambsgans, his son-in-law. Remember, last season he cheated on his wife Shiv (who, admittedly, was often unkind to her) to side with his powerful stepfather. Therefore, it is this spineless and obscene being that falls the heavy burden of announcing to Roy’s children that their father has gone bad. Then again inform them in real time about the uncertain results of the cardiac massage to which the latter is subjected. A role that actor Matthew McFadden actually played on the phone while cameras panned around Sarah Snook, Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin on a yacht in New York. “At that time Matthew was in London, and the poor sometimes stayed with us until two o’clock. morning time,” says Mark Mylod variety (…).

A courtesy that the other actors returned to him during the filming of the airplane scenes in which he appears. If they weren’t in the picture, all three were present off-camera to answer him. “It’s our belief that they’re always there to support each other,” Mark Mylod explained. And give one of the most authoritative comments of the series.

A final hug

Two years ago, an image marked the end of season 3. Roy’s kids briefly muted their tension, rivalry, and other killer valves after Kendall nearly drowned (perhaps on purpose) in the pool. This one, overwhelmed, received one of the few visible expressions of affection from his family; Roman placed his hands on her shoulders and Shiv touched her head with his fingertips. This time it is a real hug, in front of the plane where their father’s body is lying, and the three of them surrender. The improvised moment of the actors. “They just fell into each other’s arms, it was magnificent,” recalls Mark Mylod. “Then the three characters split up (…) and I found that really shocking. It was an incredibly busy day of filming. But very, very emotional for all of us.” For the audience. Who remained on the ship, on the tarmac, or on the plane, long after the episode ended?