Case Study:

Saturday Night Takeaway

Over the years we have provided equipment and crew to a number of hidden camera hits for SNT.

This has included camera hits in pubs, bingo halls, hotels, Blackpool seafront, restaurants, and in people’s own homes. Usually a number of contributors are “in” on the hit and at the appropriate moment, the hit is broadcast in to the live show.

In 2015 Dan teamed up with Skype TX for the “Sing Along” hidden camera hits where Ant and Dec would include living rooms around the country in a sing along with a band in the studio. We hid a Toshiba IK-HD5 and a Camera Corps Q3 remote camera in each of the contributor’s homes and a Skype TX broadcast unit in a back bedroom. All our camera hides can be used just about anywhere.

More recently we’ve provided kit that emulates a ‘Ring’ doorbell in the segment ‘Ring My Bell’ in partnership with Ring Doorbells. Here we used a tiny minicam with a similar lens to mimic the Ring doorbell and broadcast live back to the studio.

In the final episode of Saturday Night Takeaway, we were involved in the Revenge; Get Out of My Ear. On this shoot we had a total of 30 cameras across 2 locations in public areas. Our cameras ranged from the Panasonic UE160 to hidden pinhole cameras. We hid minicams in napkin holders on tables to get close up reactions of the punters sat at their tables. We’ve successfully snuck cameras into all sorts of public spaces, by hiding pinhole cameras into objects you’d find lying around the house – teddy bears, plant pots and even a vintage VHS machine. There are very few things we haven’t been asked to hide cameras in!!!

Summary of Production…

Type of Production: Hidden Camera / Prank show
Equipment Used: Pinhole, Covert, Fixed rig, up to 30 cameras
Skill Sets: Covert DOP, Lighting Camera, Fixed Rig

I have collaborated with Dan and his skilled team on various projects, and I have consistently been impressed. Dan always goes the extra mile to make everything possible. Book him now before it’s too late!

– Mike Parker Director

Ring Doorbell Partnership

Here we used a tiny minicam with a similar lens to mimic the Ring doorbell and broadcast live back to the studio.

For more information on how we film Saturday Night Takeaway and what equipment would be best for your mini fixed rig, please get in touch.

Some of the Equipment used on this production