Missing filming: Netflix builds entire Apple shop for film

For the thriller adaptation of a hostage-taking in the Amsterdam Apple Store in 2022, the streaming service Netflix had enormous effort. As already reported, the company, which is in direct competition with Apple’s TV+service, received no filming permit for the shop. The problem was avoided by recreating the centrally located store on the Leidseplein in the studio, as Netflix now in one “Making of” video for the film called “Ihostage” showed. The surroundings were generated using a large LED volume screen, the striking architecture of the building was partially rebuilt, partially generated computer-generated.

LED volume helps with realistic representations in the studio

An LED volume has the advantage over classic green screens that the environment from the computer can actually be shown in reality and recorded “in camera”. As a result, reflections are also adopted correctly, and the incidence of light is also much more realistic. In the case of “Ihostage”, the outdoor area of ​​the Apple Store Leidseplein was re-enacted via the LED volume, with other buildings, trams and humans. While the film recordings “in the shop”, which was placed in front of the video wall, took place, so “outside” was a realistic view of the surroundings.

Apple himself had not commented on the film project. However, there was no filming permit for the building, especially since there were also concerns about the possible retraumatization of affected employees. In the incident in 2022, an apparently heavily armed man had demanded 200 million euros in cryptocurrency. After his last hostage escaped, he was hit by a civilian police vehicle and died. The Netflix stripes does not quite correspond to the real events, are only “inspired” by them. Interestingly, Apple logos and real products are used, the company name also occurs, as well as the (imagined) idea, as was reacted to the incident in the Apple headquarters.

Made a lot of effort for the recording

In the “Making of” video you can see, among other things, how the filmmakers who come from the Netherlands collect data for the most realistic production. Drones and apparently lidar devices were used on the LeidsePlein to scan buildings and the surrounding area so that it was possible to replicate the computer.

Such a “virtual movie location” was created because it was not possible to shoot in the shop itself. In addition to the interior of the store, the outdoor area was also partially replicated in the studio, so that actors could run over the area of ​​the building, where the hostage -taker had ultimately died. How much money Netflix has invested in production is unknown. The film was in the meantime Far in the charts of the streaming service.