This Is Going To Hurt

Bespoke Medical Special Effects & Custom Prop Rigs for “This Is Going To Hurt”

MACHINESHOP delivered an extensive package of specialized practical special effects and customized mechanical props for the critically acclaimed BBC/AMC drama series This Is Going To Hurt. Based on Adam Kay’s bestselling memoir, the hit production demanded absolute visceral realism to accurately portray an NHS obstetrics and gynaecology ward.

Our workshop supported the production from two distinct angles: engineering complex, high-pressure liquid systems for intense operating theatre sequences, and custom-modifying functional mechanical appliances to execute scripted background action perfectly on cue. The embedded behind-the-scenes highlight the rigorous technical testing required to ensure both our surgical fluid components and interactive prop gags executed flawlessly under the camera’s lens.

Advanced Medical Fluid Rigging & Prosthetic Integration

Simulating surgical procedures requires precise pneumatic calibrations and seamless integration with prosthetic appliances:

• Pneumatic Blood Fluid Rigging: Custom-engineering discrete, pressurized fluid delivery systems from our liquids hire department
• Millisecond-Precise Flow Calibration: Adjusting flow metrics and viscosity controls to deliver predictable, natural liquid physics across multiple takes, accelerating production pacing for the camera crew.

Bespoke Vending Machine Modifications & Mechanical Props

Beyond the medical procedures, our workshop team undertook advanced electronic and mechanical tailoring to transform standard industrial appliances into interactive storytelling tools:

• Custom Hospital Scrub Dispensers: Re-engineering and modifying industrial hospital vending machines, adapting internal coils and logic boards to flawlessly dispense fabric scrubs on set.
• Timed “Stuck Item” Mechanical Gag: Programming a custom electrical override and mechanical catch system within the vending machine mechanism to intentionally cause a product to become stuck, delivering a perfectly timed comedic prop gag on cue.