A&SSAR attend Casualty in Holby City
‘Same energy levels but no real crushing!’ The Director of Casualty, BBC’s Saturday night medical drama spoke clearly to the 100 extras in the nightclub. Dotted amongst them and shielding the main actors were members of Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue.
A&SSAR has had a long standing relationship with Casualty, filmed in and around Bristol, they have called upon the expertise of the organisation many times. For this particular episode a surging crowd leads to crush injuries. To ensure there was no real crush, strategically placed team members were in the crowd to call a halt to proceedings should anyone trip or the situation get out of hand.
Expecting to be concealed in the large crowd, some team members found themselves having to do proper acting as they
were the first line of defence, shielding the main actors and in full view of the cameras. The real value of asking A&SSAR members to help in scenes like this, where no technical skill was required, is the existing level of trust built up through training and call-outs. Thorough planning and rehearsals, supported by a team with strong mutual trust, ensured the days filming went smoothly.
Although characterised by being slightly taller and in most cases twenty years older than the ‘nightclub-goers’ the members blended
in well. The episode is due to be screened on November 6th. Fees for the day will go towards supporting the on-going costs of Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue.