‘Severance’ Cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné’s Directorial Debut Becomes One of IMDb’s Highest-Rated Episodes: “I’m Open To Directing More Episodes”

Jessica Lee Gagné has made a big impact with her directorial debut on Severance. Episode 7 of Season 2 currently holds a 9.5/10 rating on IMDb, making it the second-highest-rated episode of the series after the Season 1 finale. It’s also one of the highest-rated TV episodes of all time.

Gagné has worked as the cinematographer for most of Severance, but stepping into the director’s chair was a personal awakening for her. In an interview, she shared:

“The thing I learned the most is that this is what I want to do. It’s hard to say I want to move on from cinematography, but it makes sense. I feel like a part of myself that I buried for many, many years has just shown up. It makes me a happier, lighter person. It’s been a bit of an awakening.”

She is open to directing more Severance episodes but is also exploring other stories she might want to tell.

One of the standout moments from the episode is a seamless one-shot sequence that moves from the office with Mark (Adam Scott) and Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman) to the basement. Many assumed CGI was involved, but Gagné confirmed that the entire shot was done practically using a custom-built cable rig.

“There’s a shot that goes from MDR to the control room downstairs. There’s no CGI in it. It’s all real. We actually shot through cables. It was the most laborious thing I have ever done as a DP. It was the biggest side project of this show, and so many people participated in it.”

She explained that the camera moved through the inside of a desk with a pulley system controlling it—a highly complex setup that took serious effort to pull off.

Ben Stiller, who serves as an executive producer and director on Severance, praised Gagné’s talent and dedication, calling her “a true artist with the camera” and commending her ability to fully commit to her craft.

With such a strong debut, it’s clear that Gagné has a bright future in directing. Fans of Severance will be eager to see what she does next.

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