How It's Made

The programme examines how plastic cutlery is produced, detailing each step of the manufacturing process. It also outlines the techniques used to create special‑effects make‑up and explains the methods employed in gold mining. Together, these sections illustrate the industrial techniques behind everyday items and valuable resources.

The programme titled Plastic Cups/Cutlery/Special Effects Make‑Up/Gold Mining is presented as a single episode that brings together a range of seemingly unrelated industrial topics. It is structured as a factual series, each installment focusing on a specific set of processes, and this particular episode concentrates on three distinct areas of production and extraction. In the first part, the show walks viewers through the steps required to produce plastic cutlery, outlining the sequence of operations that turn raw polymer into the disposable items seen in cafés and canteens. It then shifts to the world of special‑effects make‑up, describing how artists combine various materials and techniques to create realistic prosthetics and visual effects for film and television. The final segment turns to the mining sector, where the episode outlines the principal methods used to locate and extract gold from the earth. Throughout the episode, the narrative stays centred on the mechanics of each process, avoiding any speculation about the people involved or the history behind the techniques. By keeping the focus on the manufacturing chain for plastic cutlery, the formulation of special‑effects make‑up, and the practical approaches to gold mining, the programme offers a concise yet comprehensive look at how these everyday and extraordinary items are brought into being.