The “largest Euphonix System 5-F Console in the world” resides at Luc Besson’s Digital Factory in Normandy, France
Luc Besson, one of France’s most prominent independent filmmakers, recently installed a two-operator, 620-channel, 144-fader Euphonix System 5-F—reportedly the largest in the world—in his audio post-production facility, Digital Factory, located in Normandy, France. The board will be installed in the studio’s newest theater, Audi IV.
Established in 1998 and housed in a 17th century chateaux in Normandy, Digital Factory features a 31,000 square-foot dubbing theater with 52-foot screen, JBL monitoring system and Kinoton and Christie projectors. Two additional dubbing theaters, a scoring stage that can accommodate up to 40 musicians, a Foley ADR stage, 10 audio edit suites and a screening room round out the facility. The interior design is 1930s in style and can be adapted for use as both a dubbing theatre and a projection theatre for tests, marketing, press conferences and previews.
The on-site residential facilities have been expanded to include 40 bedrooms and suites, a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, tennis courts and a fitness room.
Of their decision to purchase the System 5-F, general manager Bruce Guerre-Berthelot notes, “An important factor is the evolution potential of the system including the ability of System 5 to directly control workstations through their EuCon protocol. We have already been approached by a number of engineers from the U.S. who are looking to do projects here partly as result of the System 5.”
Known for his avant-garde techniques and experimentation, Besson’s name is synonymous with films such as The Professional, Nikita, The Big Blue, The Fifth Element and Joan of Arc.
For more information on the 5-F, visit www.euphonix.com.
