3D scanning at the Danish Film Institute

Elisa
scantheworld
Published in
3 min readApr 6, 2023
Director of the Danish Film Institute, Claus Ladegaard

The Danish Film Institute (DFI) is a governmental organization that is responsible for promoting and supporting Danish film production and culture. Established in 1972, the DFI has played a significant role in the development of Danish cinema and is regarded as one of the most important film institutions in Europe. In addition to its role in promoting and supporting Danish cinema, the DFI also manages an extensive film collection, which is a treasure trove of Danish and international cinema.

The DFI’s film collection is vast and diverse, spanning more than a century of film history. It includes films of all genres, from dramas and comedies to documentaries and experimental works. The collection comprises both Danish and foreign films, with a particular focus on European cinema.
The collection includes many of Denmark’s most iconic films along with their original maquettes

The DFI recently opened its doors to Scan the World team who had the great opportunity to scan some of the DFI most iconic maquettes. The maquette collection at the Danish Film Institute is a unique and valuable resource that consists of over 12,000 miniature film sets and models, used by Danish filmmakers to plan and visualize their movie productions.

The collection at the Danish Film Institute includes maquettes from a wide range of Danish films, including classics like Carl Theodor Dreyer’s “The Passion of Joan of Arc” and Lars von Trier’s “Breaking the Waves.”

These maquettes, which are typically made of wood, plastic, or other materials, provide a three-dimensional representation of the film sets, allowing filmmakers to experiment with different camera angles, lighting, and composition before shooting. This process helps save time and money during production and enables filmmakers to better convey their vision to their team.

In addition to their value as creative tools, these maquettes are also significant cultural artifacts that provide a window into the world of filmmaking. They offer a tangible representation of the work that goes into creating a movie and provide a glimpse into the intricate planning and attention to detail required for a successful production.

All the models scanned using the handheld scanner Artec Eva are now available to download from the Danish Film Institute profile on Scan the World.

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Elisa
scantheworld

Scan the World | Digitisation of cultural heritage