On November 14, 2023, a team of 25 people set out to digitally capture one of Amsterdam’s most iconic locations: the Leidseplein in the city's centre. The scan was part of a research pilot led by ReadySet Studios, in collaboration with the Netherlands Film Fund, the City of Amsterdam, and Planet X Technologies. The goal: to explore how existing urban locations could be virtualized for film and television production, reducing pressure on crowded areas in the city.

While the scan was initiated independently from any specific production, it soon proved its value. When the Netflix thriller iHostage needed a detailed and controllable version of Leidseplein for key scenes, the recently scanned data offered the perfect solution. The filmmakers were able to recreate the location as a 3D virtual location on a massive LED volume, without the need to shoot on-site.

To bring this vision to life, Planet X partnered with Leap3D, a company specializing in high-accuracy 3D laser scanning. For this operation, Leap3D deployed a terrestrial laser scanner capable of capturing environments with impressive speed and precision.

Working alongside a ground photography team and drone pilots from Zero Gravity Drone, the crew collected over 40,000 images in a single day. These were combined and processed into an interactive 3D model that accurately reflects every detail of the square, from building facades and street surfaces to the spatial layout of sidewalks and tram lines.

The success of this pilot has opened up possibilities for using similar techniques across other locations in the Netherlands. In cities like Amsterdam, where iconic spots such as De Dam and De Wallen face constant pressure from tourism and infrastructure demands, virtualization offers a compelling alternative for filmmakers.

The Leidseplein project is one of the largest urban scans of its kind in Europe. It has drawn international attention, earning ReadySet Studios a nomination for the 2024 Global Production Award in Virtual Production Innovation, to be presented during the 77th Cannes Film Festival.

iHostage is a gripping thriller inspired by the shocking hostage situation at the Apple Store in Amsterdam in 2022. Directed by Bobby Boermans (The Golden Hour, Mocro Maffia) and written by Simon de Waal (Sleepers), the film follows a Bulgarian man who unexpectedly finds himself in a life-threatening situation when an armed assailant takes over the store. Told through the eyes of the perpetrator, the hostages, and the emergency services, iHostage unfolds an intense and emotional story about courage, survival, and the lasting impact of terror.