Case study
- Event:
- Red Bull Air Show
- Client:
- Red Bull
- Location:
- Wiener Neustadt, Austria
The Brief
- To shoot the aerial sequences of the Red Bull classic aircraft fleet for the TV commercials
- To deliver live audio-visual presentation to the 100,000 airshow visitors of all the aerial action as it happened
- To provide a live and recorded news distribution to European broadcasters as well as a recorded resource for subsequent sell-thru video.
Solution
The Client needed a production company with the technical and filmic skills to deliver live action imagery to the event as well as terrestrial and satellite broadcasters and also to be able to capture live action using cameras mounted within cockpits as well as freefall teams and sky surfers.
With over 7 hours each day of live action this event represented a considerable technical and logistical challenge.
With our considerable skill in in-cockpit camera fits and aviation production Impact Image were appointed prime contractor for the overall project management and direction for the audio visual presentation of the event. With a strong working relationship with BBC's Special Facilities, Impact Image engaged the BBC as a sub contractor for the provision of technical and production facilities.
For the event Impact Image and the BBC had 45 technical production staff working on location during which over 15 microwave linked mini cameras were mounted on, and inside, a range of aircraft - from Spitfires and Hurricanes to aerobatic aircraft including a freefall team and sky surfer. To complement the aerial action 5 ground based, radio linked cameras captured the action.
Behind the scenes the Austrian Civil Aviation Authority were provided with technical and fitting details of all the camera equipment to ensure that we were compliant with their regulations.
For the commercials all the aerial action sequences were shot in 35mm film by the Impact Image aerial camera team from the Lear Jet camera platform installed with the Vectorvision™ system.
Result
Strategic placing of camera fits, briefing with pilots and technical personnel delivered some of the most innovative and exciting imagery of its time. Live images from ground based and in-cockpit cameras brought a new dimension of action imagery to the visitors as they were able to experience the pilots' eye view while watching the live event at the same time.
Throughout the build-up and planning stages the Impact Image led the production team, liaising with the Client and coordinating all the service and hardware providers. The Client was provided with regular, detailed progress reports which provided a detailed snapshot of the project status at any given moment in time.
The crowds were thrilled, all equipment worked flawlessly and the project was regarded as a great success.