When it comes to achieving the look of realistic surgeries on screen, the team behind the One Chicago series Chicago Med relies on their incredible special effects skills.
In a behind-the-scenes clip, Steven Weber, who plays Dr. Dean Archer, and Jessy Schram, aka Resident OB-GYN Hannah Asher, take us through the fascinating process of creating shockingly authentic surgical scenes.
The magic begins with the special effects team making a mold of actor Jacquelin Lorraine Schofield’s face. This mold serves as a reference point for crafting a true-to-life, life-sized replica of her. This replica is then used to depict the doctors of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center performing surgery on her character in the episode, all while she remains safely away from any operating table.
Weber explains, “This is a facsimile of our actor, Jacquelin.” He emphasizes the lifelike qualities of the replica, including its weight and heft, as well as incredible attention to detail in the eyes, eyebrows, eyelashes, and even a mouth that can open for intubation purposes. He then demonstrates how the lower half of the replica can be opened to reveal the surgical area, which in this case, is the sigmoid colon.
While the scenes may appear intense and true-to-life, it’s essential to remember that it’s all the result of the magic of special effects. The Chicago Med team’s dedication to realism and attention to detail creates an immersive experience for viewers.
For fans of the show, you can catch all the medical drama by streaming Chicago Med on Peacock.
