Technology

The movie is shot on the new HDV format. HDV is the high definition standard for consumer. The movie is stored on conventional MiniDV tapes. But instead of using the usual DV compression, the more efficient MPEG2 compression is used. The data rate is with 26 MBit is the same as the DV compression, it also 5 time the amount from a DVD. The resolution is four times higher than the standard definition (SD). See picture below.

The movie is edited on an Apple System. The editing software is Final Cut Pro. 3D elements are generated with 3D Studio MAX. The compositing of all element is done with Shake, this is the same software used in Lord of the Ring and other Hollywood movies.

At this point approximately 27 hours of movie have been shoot now. To store the captured movie, a new 500 GB hard disk has been bought. The movie is only possible to make due the technical progress and price drop in electronic devices. Some years ago, such project would not have been possible with that budget.
When Thierry Gschwind made his first movies in 1998, he had only computers with 200 MHz at disposition. He also used all the disk space in house that was around 7 GB at that time. A huge amount that cost several thousands of francs.