THE HOBBIT: DESOLATION OF SMAUG "Virtual Cinematography" Featurette
Special effects company, Weta Digital, has released a new "Virtual Cinematography" featurette for Peter Jackson's fantasy-adventure film, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
"On their quest to reclaim the dwarvish kingdom of Erebor from the dragon Smaug, Bilbo and the company of dwarves travel through the wilds of Middle-earth, from the cold and mysterious Lake-town to the wild rapids of the barrel escape and the sinister forest of Mirkwood. Weta Digital's 'real-world' approach to virtual lighting and camera work helped sculpt the story of their incredible journey through Middle-earth. From initial previs to the final shot, see how virtual cinematography worked alongside traditional cameras and lighting in this exclusive making-of clip." - Weta Digital 
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company continues East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant Spiders in the treacherous forest of Mirkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous Wood-elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all - a creature more terrifying than any other; one which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself - the Dragon Smaug. Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. The international ensemble cast is led by Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. The film also stars (in alphabetical order) John Bell, Manu Bennett, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Lawrence Makoare, Sylvester McCoy, Graham McTavish, Dean O'Gorman, Mikael Persbrandt, and Aidan Turner.