Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" is preparing to leave the shire.
The director of the Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy previewed 10 minutes of assorted footage this week from his upcoming prequel.
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" was filmed in New Zealand using more frames per second than the Hollywood standard. Jackson said in a video introduction that using 48 frames per second produces a smoother image.
The movie could usher in a new era of filmmaking and require film houses across the globe to embrace digital technology.
Jackson said the human eye no longer sees individual pictures under the faster speed, but a steady stream of clear images.
"The movement feels more real," Jackson said while introducing his film at the CinemaCon convention for theater owners in Las Vegas. "It's much more gentle on the eyes."
Indeed, the footage was vivid, with grass blades, facial lines and soaring mountains appearing luminous and pronounced. The actors looked almost touchable, as if they were performing live on stage.
It's unclear what the final product will look like when it's released in December. Jackson said he was still editing the movie, and the shared footage included green screens that will eventually be used to add in scenery, action or special effects.
