How a global television production traveled four times around the world to film
In short: To capture the authentic spirit of its eight interconnected protagonists, the science fiction drama Sense8 filmed almost entirely on location across the globe. The production spanned dozens of cities and countries, requiring the cast and crew to travel hundreds of thousands of miles to bring the ambitious story to life.
The series follows eight strangers from diverse backgrounds who discover they are psychically linked, sharing knowledge, languages, and skills. To reflect this international scope, the creators prioritized filming in the actual cities where the characters reside. During the first season, production took place in nine cities across eight countries, including Nairobi, Seoul, Mumbai, and San Francisco. By the time shooting concluded for the first season, the team had logged 100,000 miles of flight time, effectively circling the globe four times.
The scale of production expanded significantly for the second season, which utilized 16 cities across 11 countries. The crew filmed in locations ranging from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to the streets of São Paulo, where they captured scenes during the city's massive Gay Pride Parade. By the end of the second season, the total distance traveled by the cast and crew exceeded 250,000 miles. This commitment to location-based storytelling was integral to the show's identity, earning it recognition from the Location Managers Guild.
Logistically, the show was a massive undertaking. Directors were assigned to specific locations rather than individual episodes, and the production often utilized two cameras to capture long, continuous takes. To maintain visual consistency across such varied environments, the team used 4K resolution cameras and relied on in-house visual effects teams to enhance footage. The production’s dedication to capturing the nuances of each setting—from local festivals to fireworks displays—was a core directive from the creators, aiming to describe each country through its unique atmosphere and daily life.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Sense8
- Also: Wikidata — Sense8 · CC0
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