Matrix-style effects on Philip Schofield's ITV gameshow The Million Pound Cube are being provided by a North East company.
Sunderland firm New World Designs uses dozens of cameras and cutting-edge technology to provide the slow-motion filming of contestants taking part in physical challenges to win prizes on the show, which is being broadcast every night this week.
The ITV project is the latest in a line of high-profile contracts for New World Designs, which has also worked on Hollywood films such as Zoolander 2, Dr Strange and the Justice League.
Company founder Ian Wright said: “There are few people in the country who won’t have heard of, or watched, The Cube, which has been revamped for 2020.
"It was a great experience to work on the show. It’s surreal to go into the studio and see something you’re used to watching on TV in real life. We’re delighted to have been able to get involved.”
To shoot The Cube New World Designs used 120 DSLR cameras, 15 computers, three Red Epic Dragon 6k cameras, as well as two miles of wiring fitted around a 14-metre rig.
The company is nine years old and is based in Sunderland Software Centre. It was an early pioneer of bullet-time technology and Mr Wright built his own trigger in 2004 that was capable of setting multiple cameras to shoot consecutively.
Coun Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, which operates Sunderland Software Centre, said: “This centre is home to many fantastic businesses, that are blazing a trail in their field, and NWD is certainly one of them.
“It’s fantastic to see them not only winning new contracts, but securing work that will raise their profile nationally and internationally.”
The Million Pound Cube is being broadcast every night this week at 9pm on ITV.
