The Jury: Death on the Staircase – Fixed Rig used in factual programming

Episode 1 of The Jury: Death on the Staircase, premiered last week on SBS. This new series gives viewers a glimpse into how the Australian justice system works. The first episode introduced 12 volunteer jurors tasked with determining the defendant’s fate, guilty or not guilty!

Unlike other shows, The Jury is completely re-enacted word-by-word with only the names, dates and locations changed. It is entirely based on a real trial that occurred in Sydney some years ago, in which a couple had an argument that ended in one of them dead at the bottom of their staircase.

Throughout the series, the 12 jurors will weigh up the evidence and, at the end of the final episode, discover whether their verdict matches the original jury. This true-crime documentary is emotionally charged and offers a unique opportunity to learn about the Australian justice system.

Fixed Rig used in factual programming

When working on a project like this, we had to consider several factors, including the size and nature of the filming location. Since we were shooting in a heritage-listed museum, we had to ensure our setup respected and enhanced the venue’s distinctive characteristics.

From there, we started designing a comprehensive production environment. This included a Maxi Rig featuring 11 Sony FR7 and 4 Sony FX6 cameras, plus full mRes stream capture facilities, integrated with a comprehensive data wrangling solution for a superior Edit Ready workflow.

Ray Martin, Head of Technical Services, explained: “The project was an intriguing blend of drama and reality. With a creative solution required for this style of production, we collaborated with the key production personnel to ultimately provide a solution featuring a mix of intricate workflows. Client expectations were exceeded. I can honestly say that it was one of the most interesting projects I have ever been part of”.

For our team, the ability to seamlessly combine the Sony FR7 with the FX6 cameras was impressive. We were able to set a consistent light level throughout the shoot, which worked perfectly for both camera types. The low profile of the FR7 allowed us to shoot in multiple configurations, including full 360-degree setups, without worrying about cross-shooting.

Overall, this project demonstrated how technological innovation and creativity can work together to create a compelling and authentic story. The Jury is more than a re-enactment, it’s an opportunity to explore the complexities of our justice system engagingly.

Watch The Jury: Death on the Staircase every Wednesday at 8:30 pm on SBS & SBS on Demand.

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