“Blade Scanner” tells the story of Detective John Doe, who is in pursuit of a notorious criminal hiding in the sprawling tunnels of a large futuristic city. John and his team must navigate this complex and dangerous maze, while mapping their progress with their MS-96 to avoid getting lost. This film is not currently being presented at the Cannes Film Festival for the simple reason that it does not exist. However, the use of a mobile laser scanner in film production could bring a fascinating dimension, putting its technology at the service of fiction in an innovative and captivating way. Here are some ideas for scenarios in which a versatile mobile scanner like the Viametris MS-96 could play an effective role.
This essential task often involves searching for locations that perfectly match the artistic vision of the project while respecting logistical, budgetary and regulatory constraints. Using the MS-96 could capture precise data on potential filming locations, making scene planning easier for directors and advance work for production teams.
By combining mobile scanning with augmented reality technology, filmmakers could create interactive cinematic experiences from data and offer augmented content to viewers, as part of promotional marketing actions for the film. The viewer could, for example, be projected into a natural film setting, via a VR headset and become the hero of a film scene, for example.
Mobile mapping could help accurately recreate historical environments. By scanning ruins, an ancient battlefield turned natural space, filmmakers could use mapped data to digitally reconstruct the terrain or environment of ancient cities or historic battles, providing a realistic perspective for viewers.
Mobile scanning tools can be used to preview complex scenes or action sequences before actual filming. This would allow directors to plan camera movements and special effects with greater precision, saving time and resources during production.
“Cine-tourism” or “cinematographic tourism” is a form of tourism where travelers visit filming locations for films and television series. And the phenomenon is becoming more and more widespread with a real economic impact. According to a study by the National Cinematography Center (CNC) on “cinema tourism” published in January 2024, 8 out of 10 foreign tourists expressed the desire to visit Paris after watching a fiction filmed in the French capital. Tourism stakeholders could take advantage of the phenomenon to develop virtual commercial offers, better in terms of carbon footprint and accessible to as many people as possible, and thus avoid the harmful impact of overtourism. It’s better for the planet but obviously less fun for selfies…
The MS-96 could revolutionize post-production by enabling extremely detailed 3D data capture of environments, making it easier to integrate special effects. Post-production teams could use this data to create more realistic and immersive visual effects.
By providing accurate mapping of filming locations, the MS-96 could help identify potential risks and plan more effective safety measures, thereby contributing to the overall safety of film crews.
Beyond fiction, the MS-96 could be used for the production of documentaries and media coverage reports requiring precise and immersive representations of historical, natural or urban places. This would provide viewers with a richer and more informative experience.
By integrating the MS-96 mobile laser scanner into film production, the industry could not only improve the efficiency and creativity of directors, but also provide viewers with unique visual experiences. And that is not fiction!
