It's been a few months since Peter Jackson last unveiled a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing production of his two-movie return to Middle Earth, The Hobbit. Today, though, the filmmaker has released yet another ten-minute clip that explores the intricate technical side of the project.

The fourth Hobbit production diary focuses on one particular aspect of Jackson's new films: the use of cutting-edge 3D tech (namely, the RED EPIC digital camera system) and how that effects everything from the storyboarding process to how the prosthetics departments dresses and applies makeup to members of the Hobbit cast.

Movie buffs who get a kick out of learning about the schematics and the tricky nature of the filmmaking process (2D or 3D) will hands down love Jackson's latest video. However, even if you're the type who normally couldn't care less about matters like, say, how the Hobbit flicks are being shot at double the normal frame rate (48 f.p.s.), the way Jackson and his production team break down and explain the 3D camera rigs, or why the set for Mirkwood Forest looks like a psychedelic relic of the 1960s, is overall both entertaining and informative.

But enough of that - check out the latest Hobbit set video below:

While many moviegoers still have mixed feelings about 3D cinema, it's difficult to deny that Jackson looks to make effective use of the added dimension, in order to enhance the Hobbit experience. Just the thought of being immersed in locations like Gollum's dark and dreary cave, or the expansive woodlands of Middle-Earth, is pretty exciting.

This new footage also offers an unpolished, but nonetheless cool, early look at several Hobbit cast members in both costume and action, including Martin Freeman as a young Bilbo Baggins, Stephen Hunter as Bombur (a.k.a. the round orange-haired dwarf), Graham McTavish as Dwalin, and the familiar face of Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey. All certainly look their respective parts, which is also a good sign.

In case you missed them, be sure to check out:

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey arrives in theaters around the U.S. on December 14th, 2012.

The Hobbit: There and Back Again will hit U.S. theaters a year later on December 13th, 2013.

Source: Peter Jackson