To show how GE Biogas technology can help convert organic waste, such as grass and plant matter, into heating energy The Mill 3D team, after studying imagery from Chinese art, created an authentic looking fire-breathing dragon. "It's a real challenge to interpret a 2D drawing as a realistic 3D creature," says Yann Mabille who led the 3D team. "It took a long time to create the scales and find a nice mix of reptilian patterns to read as a Chinese dragon and also appear realistic."

The gloriously atmospheric opening shot shows Chinese villagers and children walking up a mountain track with forkfuls of hay to feed the dragon in its lair. The Mill's VFX supervisor Alex Lovejoy, who led the 2D/Flame team, was at the shoot. To get the most authentic looking flames, natural glows and flickers, a flamethrower was filmed inside a cave and the flames later composited into the CG dragon's action. A dragon's head on a 14-foot pole was used for an accurate eyeline and framing during the shoot. Twigs, dust and grass, thrown up with a large fork, were also shot in the cave. Alex later added these elements and steam into the scene of the dragon eating from the pile, to further embed and integrate it with the action.

The Mill gave a fiery display of its own in-house brilliance, with telecine, 3D and 2D all collaborating to give an outstanding performance.

* In Chinese culture the number 8 signifies confidence and prosperity.