Mathieu Weekes, an acclaimed production designer in the world of reality TV, never anticipated his rise to become one of the industry’s most sought-after talents. Starting his career as a scenic carpenter, Weekes gradually worked his way up through the ranks, eventually becoming part of construction management. It was during this time that he discovered his affinity for art direction, which led to his own design work.
In 2012, Weekes founded his own company, Bizibot, initially intending it to be a delivery company rather than a design company. However, as film and television set and production design projects came his way, Bizibot naturally evolved into a design company. Weekes assembled a team of skilled individuals with high production values, including carpenters, directors, and scenic painters, who shared his passion for delivering exceptional results.
One of Weekes’ notable achievements lies in his work on various high-profile reality TV shows, such as Love Island and I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!. Although he didn’t plan on specializing in reality TV, Weekes found himself drawn to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the genre. His most recent endeavor involves overseeing the visual aesthetics of The Traitors, a competition show inspired by the party game Mafia. Contestants, many of whom are already reality stars, find themselves “murdered” by players posing as “traitors” while staying at a spooky castle and participating in physical challenges.
Weekes was immediately captivated by the potential of The Traitors when he watched the original Dutch version. The combination of the moody castle setting and dark atmosphere enticed him to be a part of the project. Ardross Castle in Ross-shire, Scotland served as the location for both the British and American versions of the series. Weekes found the castle to be an incredibly striking and moody location, and he couldn’t believe that it had never been used for filming before. To create the desired look for the show, Weekes drew inspiration from films like Clue and Knives Out. He aimed to strike a balance between distinct spaces and a unique blend of modern and traditional elements.
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One of the significant challenges Weekes faced was concealing all the filming setups and camera equipment to maintain the castle’s authentic medieval ambiance. He wanted the distinction between the original architecture and his additions to be seamless, ensuring that his design work blended seamlessly with the castle’s existing features. Additionally, Weekes created an interview area within the castle to have complete control over lighting and camera setups.
The Great Hall was another standout feature of the show, featuring a grand table where contestants deliberated. Weekes strategically positioned 12 cameras around the hall, requiring careful placement to hide the operators. Moreover, the show’s roundtable, a mesmerizing combination of a roulette wheel and sundial, became a particular point of pride for Weekes. He found designing this set to be a rare and gratifying experience, as it seemed to design itself effortlessly.
Through his dedication to creating immersive and visually stunning environments, Weekes has become a highly regarded production designer in the industry. His ability to balance aesthetics, practicality, and technical demands while working on reality TV shows has made him an invaluable asset to any production. Whether it’s concealing filming equipment or constructing captivating sets, Weekes continues to push boundaries and raise the bar for production design in the world of reality TV.
