Explore Ed Sheeran's hour-long Netflix special, filmed in a single continuous take, as he wanders through New York City performing impromptu gigs and interacting with fans, showcasing impressive camera work and some surprisingly 'spontaneous' encounters.
This Netflix special chronicles Ed Sheeran's journey through New York City in an hour-long, single-take production by filmmaker Philip Barantini and cinematographer Nyk Allen. Described as the 'Candide of the music business,' Sheeran is shown radiating positivity, engaging with fans for selfies and fist-bumps, and performing impromptu gigs across the city. The film follows him from a late-afternoon soundcheck through various encounters, some planned and others supposedly spontaneous: playing for a marriage proposal, an impromptu gig on a tourist bus, a rooftop birthday party, a pub jam session, and even a subway performance, before he seamlessly returns to the theatre for his concert. The technical achievement of the single-take filming, with camera moves smoothly transitioning between handheld operators and drones, is highlighted, drawing comparisons to 'Birdman' and Russian camera wizard Sergei Urusevsky. While Sheeran's unselfconscious charm is central, the article points out moments where the spontaneity appears suspect, such as a convenient cab driver or a 'chance' encounter with Camila Cabello for a carpool karaoke segment. Despite these questionable instances, Sheeran's inexhaustible enthusiasm carries the special, which is available on Netflix from November 21st.
