Case: K-Dive

The job site of the future told through cinematic images

From complex technology to vivid storytelling

How do you make a high-tech solution accessible to people who don’t work in the industry? That was the starting point when Zoom Film was invited to develop a film for KOBELCO Construction Machinery’s groundbreaking telework system, K-DIVE®. The product represents a whole new way of thinking about construction: a future where machines can be controlled remotely via digital networks and people can work safely, flexibly and efficiently – without being physically present on site.

The task for Zoom Film was to translate this complex concept into a film that could evoke emotion, engage and explain the technology in a simple way. The solution was a combination of realistic footage, carefully selected locations, use of green screen and integrated 3D animation – all staged in a cinematic style that brings the job site of the future to life.

Watch the movie

On location and behind-the-scenes footage

For a story to be believable, it starts with the physical setting. For the K-DIVE® film, Zoom Film selected several locations, each of which would support the mood and story the product represents. An industrial environment gave the film weight and highlighted the machines and processes that drive the construction industry forward. A more raw, urban alleyway added a contrast and a human dimension that created recognizability and nerve in the images.

On the shooting days, the camera, lighting and stage setup were carefully balanced so that the footage could stand strong on its own – but also serve as a foundation for the digital effects that would later be added. Green screen played a key role in the process. By combining footage in realistic settings with digital backgrounds, Zoom Film was able to create exactly the visual world that K-DIVE® required. Green screen made it possible to complete the locations and place the actors in just the right environment, without being bound by physical limitations.

It is precisely at this intersection of authentic footage and creative freedom that the magic happens. The camera captured genuine expressions, body language and moods – while the digital universe opened up to visualize the elements that could not otherwise be filmed.

When real-time footage meets 3D animation

To convey the power of K-DIVE®, it was crucial to show both the people and the technology. The real-time footage created intimacy and made the story relatable. We see the operator controlling the machines and we feel the atmosphere of a workplace. But the camera alone could not explain how remote control, networking and digital processes come together in a single solution.

This is where 3D animation came in. It made it possible to visualize the invisible layers of the technology – from network connections to system integration and the interaction between operator and machine that is at the heart of K-DIVE®. When the animation was superimposed on top of the real images, a whole emerged where the viewer could both feel and understand.

This combination of real-time footage and 3D gave the film a depth that not only presented a product, but conveyed a vision. You can feel the future workplace taking shape before your eyes – a workplace where technology and people work side by side, regardless of distance.

Working with K-DIVE® and KOBELCO

A project like this only succeeds when collaboration works. Zoom Film worked closely with the KOBELCO team to understand the technical aspects of K-DIVE® and translate them into cinematic images. KOBELCO contributed their technical expertise, while Zoom Film brought their creative and visual skills into play.

The dialog was always about finding the balance: How can we explain an advanced system without losing the viewer in technical details? How do we create images that both impress and inform? And how do we maintain the human angle in a story about machines and technology?

The collaboration resulted in a film that showcases KOBELCO’s innovation in a way that appeals to both industry professionals and a wider audience. The film not only shows what K-DIVE® can do – it shows what it means for people, workplaces and society.

A movie that brings the vision to life

With the K-DIVE® case, Zoom Film had the opportunity to combine the best of two worlds: cinematic storytelling and technical communication. The result was a movie that makes a complex technology easy to understand without compromising on depth and authenticity.

For KOBELCO, the film means that their vision of the job site of the future is communicated clearly and convincingly. For Zoom Film, the case is an example of how we work: by combining locations, green screen, real-time footage and 3D animation, we can create moving images that not only inform – but inspire.

When technology and film meet in this way, stories become more than just presentations. They become experiences that give the audience a sense of what the future looks like. And that’s exactly what K-DIVE® is all about: opening up new opportunities, creating better workplaces and showing the way to a job site where everyone can participate.