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Germany's most expensive feature film in 2006, the $22.6 million (€18 million) English-language production “The Red Baron”, began principal photography on July 3rd 2006 in Prague.

The financing for the film − a story about the legendary Manfred von Richthofen, who became the most successful fighter pilot during World War I by shooting down 80 allied planes − has come exclusively from well-to-do, private individuals residing in the German federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg and was raised by the Stuttgart-based film financing and production house Niama-Film GmbH.

The lead roles are played by Matthias Schweighöfer (Manfred von Richthofen) and Lena Headey (Nurse Kaete), with the colorful cast being completed by Til Schweiger (Manfred′s fatherly friend Werner Voss), Joseph Fiennes (Von Richthofen′s Canadian opponent Roy Brown) and four other smart, young actors who are part of the Baron's Flying Circus.

With VFX shots composing more than 30% of the film′s total playing time, Pixomondo carried a huge responsibility in making this movie work. Therefore, it was absolutely necessary for us to work hand-in-hand with every department of the film′s production from the very beginning.

During the actual shooting from July to October 2006 in Prague and Hohenstadt (Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany), there were three to four VFX set-supervisors on hand at all times working closely with director Niki Muellerschoen and DoP Klaus Merkel. If any idea seemed at first to be too unrealistic, it was possible for them to intervene or discuss the issue right on the set. This resulted in several, worthwhile compromises that met the satisfaction of everyone and saved plenty of rework in postproduction.

Since February of 2006, Pixomondo has been continually recruiting artists from all over the world in order to help transfer the international flair of the set over to the postproduction office in Ludwigsburg.

Due to the varied origins of those involved, very little German was spoken over the 14-month course of the project. Our diverse team consisted of matte painting, animation and SFX specialists from the US and South Africa, lighting/shading- and CG-experts from Spain and Israel, as well as compositors from Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Poland, and many other backgrounds.

Broad experience, combined with the rigid discipline of all artists and staff members involved, made it possible to finish all 430 shots exactly on schedule on April 30th 2007.