Behind the Long Take: Elie Khater’s Teaser for “Bel Haram” Series

Hello FilmmakersWorld community!

After the huge response to Elie Khater’s post, we wanted to take a moment to go deeper with you. Today, we’re diving into this scene together with the director himself to explore the creative and technical process behind this one-shot teaser for the “Bel Haram” series.

Elie Khater, Creative Director, Production Designer, and Special Effects Artist, shares the process behind his latest project: a one-shot teaser for the TV series Bel Haram. The teaser uses mirrors as active observers, creating a complex visual and psychological experience.

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Un post condiviso da Elie Khater (@elie.khater)

About Elie Khater

Based in Beirut, Lebanon, Khater holds a PhD in Theater (Acting and Directing) and a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design from the Lebanese University of Fine Arts, where he also teaches.

His work spans theater, multimedia, and marketing, with projects featured internationally in magazines and billboards.

Project Concept

The teaser was inspired by the main character, a psychologically layered persona. The concept emerged from the idea that the mirrors are not merely reflecting her, but observing her — revealing secrets and inner truths.

This approach guided the decision to shoot the entire sequence through mirrors, turning them into active participants in the scene.

Preparation & One-Shot Execution

Two identical sets were built and a stunt double was used to avoid unwanted reflections. A real mirror appears at a key moment, lit from behind to reveal the character’s inner self.

The production executed the sequence as a single continuous take in a tight backstage room with over 50 crew members. The team carefully choreographed every movement, lighting change, and cue to maintain timing and flow.

Creative & Technical Challenges

The crew completed the final take after 27 attempts, with each requiring at least 20 minutes to reset sets, lighting, and technical elements.

Lighting: Controlling reflections on mirrors without compromising the actress’s illumination required precision.
Camera: The cinematographer passed through a narrow wall opening with a Steadicam and 25mm lens, making the movement technically demanding.
Continuity: The makeup team reset the makeup and lipstick between takes to maintain visual consistency.

Sound & Coordination

The crew required continuous verbal cues, which made on-set sound unusable. The team reconstructed the sound design entirely in post-production.

Final Notes

The teaser involved more than two months of preparation, including planning, rehearsals, and technical coordination. The result reflects the detailed organization and execution required for such a complex long-take.

This one-shot teaser shows the level of planning, coordination, and technical effort required to bring such a complex sequence to life. Every detail — from the crew’s choreography to the lighting and camera work — was designed to support the story and the character’s psychological journey.

For the FilmmakersWorld community, it provides a clear view of how vision, collaboration, and technical expertise combined to create this seamless and memorable long take.

Thank you for reading, guys! Stay tuned for more stories from the set on FilmmakersWorld.
In case you missed our latest article, check it here!

Much Love,
Filmmakersworld Team