How does PJ make the Hobbits look so small?

[TheRingBearer]

I always wondered how he made the hobbit stars not just look tiny but actually BE tiny. Anyone know how he did it?

[Nessa]

There was a variety a ways used. In some of the scenes they were 'digitally shrunk.' I have no idea how that works. In others forced perspective is used. When Gandalf and Frodo are sitting oppisite eachother in Bag End, Gandalf is simply sitting closer to the camera. In other scenes little people doubles with masks molded from the actors faces stood in for them... they were in scenes such as Aragorn picking up Frodo or Frodo riding on the horse in front of Arwen. A lot of the Bilbo and Gandalf scenes were done using split screen, shots done in different sets at different times and then spliced together.

There are still a few scenes that I'm clueless about... I try not to think about it... makes it seem less real. ;)

Please correct me if I'm wrong about anything, people. :grin:

[TheRingBearer]

Wow. That sounds complicated :grin:

[Nessa]

Yip, suppose it was.

Do you have the DVD? I imagine there would be something about it on there.

[TheRingBearer]

Yeah but do but there is nothing really about production. Just tv documentaries and previews. The really meaty stuff must be being kept for the November release.
And I think in the preview for it you get a glimpse of PJ walking next to a really tall guy. That must be that digitally shrinking process in action or something :)

[A! Elbereth]

I read on a trivia page that Ian had to stand closer to the camera than Elijah so it would look like they were towering. And alot of the times The hobbits were shown from a position looking up at them, while the taller beings were being looked down on. They also used camera angles with their high-tech camera's to shrink them on one side with the lens, while the other side of the lens is flat... yeah... something like that

[TheRingBearer]

Too much to take in :) ;)

[Polly Sandybanks]

When Frodo was sitting in front of Arwen on the horse, a doll is used.. apparently.

And some of the actors wore stilts (sp?) and things to make them taller. I think the ring-wraiths did that, for example, and also Gandalf at times.

It must have taken a lot of work to make it all look so real!

[Bonos-Girl]

there are many tricks used :
camera angles
smaller doubles
distance from the camera
etc...etc...etc...

[A! Elbereth]

yes, 18 months to be exact! ;) plus another 6 to get it shiny! ;)

[Aroiwin]

Originally posted by bonos-girl
there are many tricks used :
camera angles
smaller doubles
distance from the camera
etc...etc...etc...

Shrink Rays???

[A! Elbereth]

"Shrink Rays???


um.... I don't know how to take that...:huh:

[Catz]

:shhh: the shrink rays were supposed to be a secret.....
;) lol
:catz:

[Bonos-Girl]

hmmm.....so if any of the hobbits die under mysterious circumstances.....

[Pil]

CONFOOOOOOOSED! :duh: :huh::blush: