Deep in Dumbarton

Taking place on a submarine far below the Arctic Ocean, The Deep sounds like it has nothing in common with a Glasgow-set drama. However this BBC One series was filmed in Dumbarton earlier this year in the same studios as River City.

Neil Mac works as the Unit Manager at Dumbarton. It's his job to co-ordinate the people in control of BBC in-house and independent productions on site. So Neil helped the team from Tiger Aspect Productions, who produced The Deep, to work successfully at BBC Dumbarton.

Neil kindly filled us in on a production secret from The Deep. CGI was used to create many effects in the drama, as the story takes place far below the ocean surface. A submarine set was created for 'The Orpheus' in the studio. The team filled the entire space with a smoke effect, and cleverly lit the studio area surrounding it. Neil tells us when you peered out of the window of the 'submarine' it actually looked like you were underwater.

The Deep stars Minnie Driver, James Nesbitt and Goran Visnjic. It's on weekly on Tuesdays at 2100 on BBC One Scotland until the end of August. You can watch the show on iPlayer if you miss it. Goran talks about filming the show in Scotland and the special effects involved on the TV blog and in The Sunday Mail.