Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1529668
early in the design process, I suggested to Denis a location that was not very far from Budapest, where production was based. In the commune of Altivole of the Venetia region of Italy lies the post-modern Tomba Brion. A true masterpiece, Carlo Scarpa's ultimate work. It is filled with geometrical symbolism and had apparently never been shot before. A perfect way to pay tribute to the master. It all made sense. Just like in the real world, the aesthetics of the imperial planet would command its influence on the other interplanetary cultures. It dictates the tastes and what's fashionable. Not only we were extremely privileged to be allowed to film on these grounds but we were also welcomed with open arms. We had another challenge regarding the Emperor, which was the hutment. This gigantic structure is brought to Arrakeen by the Emperor for the ultimate standoff. We imagined a collapsible metal plate structure. Dropped from the imperial ship in a "smaller package," it is then hoisted back up from pick points with a pulley system from the ship and unfolds to its erected form. The interior appearance also has panels with hinges to communicate the idea that the imperial tent can be folded and unfolded. The crew ended up building it to forty-two feet since the central element of the interior is designed to have a pyramid within a pyramid A. KAITAN, IMPERIAL PLANET, IRULAN'S OFFICE. SHOT IN THE CHAPEL OF TOMBA BRION IN THE COMMUNE OF ALTIVOLE IN ITALY. PRODUCTION STILL. B. IMPERIAL TENT. ILLUSTRATION BY DEAK FERRAND IN CINEMA 4-D AND PHOTOSHOP. C. IIMPERIAL TENT SET. BUILT AT HUNGEXPO, BUDAPEST. PRODUCTION STILL BY NIKO TAVERNISE. A B C D