How They Filmed the Epic Barrel Chase in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Summary
The action-packed barrel chase sequence in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is one of the most memorable action sequences in recent movie history. In this Q&A article, we discover how the film crew managed to shoot and put together this scene, which required a shooting ratio of 843 to 1 due to its sheer complexity. The production team combined practical sets with digital water simulation, CG environments, and landscapes to produce stunning visuals that captivated audiences.
Table of Contents
- How did the crew shoot the barrel chase sequence in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
- What was the shooting ratio for this sequence?
- What were some of the challenges of shooting this sequence?
- What role did digital effects play in creating this scene?
- How was the final footage edited down to the 7-minute sequence in the film?
- Did the crew encounter any problems while shooting the sequence?
Introduction
The barrel chase sequence in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is an epic action sequence that left audiences on the edge of their seats. This incredible scene required a vast amount of filming and post-production work, which we will explore in this Q&A article.
Q&A
How did the crew shoot the barrel chase sequence in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
The barrel chase scene in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was shot over four days on three separate rivers in New Zealand. The production team combined this footage with 11 hours of aerial footage and 35 hours of dry set green screen footage. The crew planned the sequence very carefully and did a total of 1,091 previous shots before starting work on the final sequence. The complexity of this amazing sequence required a shooting ratio much higher than the typical 10 to 1 or 20 to 1 used in most films.
What was the shooting ratio for this sequence?
The shooting ratio for the barrel chase scene in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was 843 to 1 due to its sheer complexity. This means that for every minute of footage in the final sequence, the crew shot 843 minutes of raw footage.
What were some of the challenges of shooting this sequence?
One of the biggest challenges of shooting the barrel chase sequence in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was combining the practical sets with CG environments and digital water simulation. The production team also had to build practical water rapids, adding to the complexity of the scene. The crew lost some barrels while filming in the white water rapids of New Zealand’s epic landscape.
What role did digital effects play in creating this scene?
Digital effects played a significant role in creating the barrel chase sequence in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The crew used complex digital water simulations that averaged over 600 million particles. They also created about 40 different CG environments and landscapes that surrounded the digital water.
How was the final footage edited down to the 7-minute sequence in the film?
The production team edited 98 hours of footage down to the final stunning 7-minute sequence in the film. This involved carefully reviewing and selecting the best shots and then post-processing them to bring them to their full potential.
Did the crew encounter any problems while shooting the sequence?
The crew lost some barrels while filming in the white water rapids of New Zealand’s epic landscape. These barrels are still out there somewhere, making for a nice piece of Hobbit memorabilia.
Conclusion
The barrel chase sequence in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a testament to the incredible skills of the film crew and the power of modern digital technology. By combining practical sets with digital water simulation and CG environments, the film crew created a breathtaking sequence that left audiences in awe. Although the shooting ratio for this sequence was much higher than usual, the final result shows that the effort was worth it.
