A GAFFER GOES BACK IN TIME
Spaghetti Studios recently supported the new Sky History x History Channel documentary series “Original Gangsters with Sean Bean”, produced by Redeeming Features, across multiple West Midlands filming locations to light the dramatic re-enactment sequences featured throughout the series.
Presented by the legendary Sean Bean, the programme explores the stories of some of history’s most infamous gangsters, including the real Peaky Blinders, The Kray Twins, and Al Capone . Using interviews, archive material, and cinematic reconstructions to bring the true stories of these people to the screen.
Our Sam worked on the production as the Gaffer for the West Midlands based shoot, heading up the lighting department.
OUR APPROACH
Sam worked closely with the Director of Photography João Faria, whose visual approach helped define the tone and atmosphere of the series.
The re-enactment scenes were filmed in a range of historically accurate and listed buildings across the West Midlands. Many of these locations presented strict power limitations, limited access, and confined interior spaces, requiring a lighting approach that was both sensitive to the environment and capable of delivering the desired results. Working in heritage locations also meant rigging methods had to be carefully planned to protect the buildings while maintaining visual consistency across scenes.
To meet these challenges Sam chose to use lightweight LED lighting fixtures because of their compact size, high output, and low heat emission, making them well suited to tight interiors and sensitive locations.
Where mains power was limited or unavailable, fixtures were powered using battery and power bank systems, allowing the lighting team to work efficiently without introducing additional infrastructure or impacting the historic spaces. This approach enabled fast setups and flexible positioning of fixtures in multiple locations.
OUR ROLE
Spaghetti Studios supported the production through both lighting crew and equipment hire, providing reliable on-location support throughout the West Midlands based shoot
Full lighting and grip and power equipment supplied
Sam from Spaghetti Studios working as Gaffer on location, leading the lighting department and overseeing technical delivery
Supporting Location Based Productions in the West Midlands
This project highlights another example Spaghetti Studios ongoing work and involvement in location-based film and tv productions, particularly within the West Midlands. By supplying experienced crew alongside carefully selected lighting and grip equipment, we help productions work efficiently in challenging environments while maintaining high production values.