Air-to-Air Filming of a World War II C-54 Skymaster

Aerial Filmworks had the unique opportunity to film legendary pilot Gail Halvorsen flying a C-54 Skymaster over Kitty Hawk. During the Berlin Airlift, Colonel Halvorsen, became known as the “Candy Bomber” as he would drop candy to the children on parachutes he handmade from handkerchiefs. This humanitarian gesture became a symbol of support for the 2,000,000 people of Berlin that counted on the Airlift for their daily supplies of food, water and heating fuel.

C-54 Skymaster Filmed with the Cineflex V14HD over the coast of North Carolina

The shoot was directed by Blair Treu and produced by Jeffrey Roberts for a new documentary to be presented on the large screen for a new visitor center in Salt Lake City. Camera operator Ron Chapple, worked with the Cineflex V14HD, Sony HDC1500 and Fujinon 42x 9.7mm lens to create a variety of air-to-air scenes.

Film pilot Mike Creasy of HeloAir flew the Bell 407. Filming air-to-air of the C-54 Skymaster required a fast high maneuverable helicopter as the airplane could only slow down to 120 knots.

Interior view of the cockpit of the C-54 Skymaster

About Aerial Filmworks

Aerial Filmworks provides high-definition video Cineflex V14HD camera systems and aerial filming services to the international entertainment, documentary and corporate marketplace. Highly regarded by award-winning clients, the Cineflex V14HD provides the highest level of image gyro-stabilization. Our dedicated, experienced camera operators have thousands of hours using the Cineflex for clients including Disney, Discovery Channel, BBC, CBC, PBS/Nature, National Geographic, History Channel, Planet Green, Freeride World Tour, Red Bull, Burton Snowboards, Amazing Race and CBS/Survivor. Aerial Filmworks is a highly responsive company with over 25 years of aerial photography experience. Dedicated to providing Cineflex V14HD systems and services, our experienced aerial filming crews specialize in location work all over the world.

Aerial Filmworks delivers Google Earth pre-flight visualization, GPS preparation and flight logistical planning; Geo-coded HD video and images for land survey or mapping; Google Earth integration of video, stills, 360 interactive panoramas, podcasts, historical imagery, topographic maps and data.

With in-house HD video suite utilizing Apple’s Final Cut Pro, Aerial Filmworks also delivers professional editing and color-grading, and BluRay/DVD output using robust 12-core MacPros, over 120 Terabytes of online RAID, Snell ArchAngel restoration, AJA Kona3, HDCAM/HDCAM SR Decks, and fast h.264 encoding.

Fall Color for New National Geographic Project

National Geographic Television partnered Aerial Filmworks to produce HD video of fall color in the North Carolina and Georgia mountains. Gray Mitchell and crew rigged the Cineflex V14HD and Fujinon 13x 4.5mm wide lens kit to the Cinetruck and crane. With a reach of 22 feet and a height of 25 feet, the Cineflex could reach deep into the forest and sweep over mountain streams.

National Geographic uses the Cineflex V14HD for New “Untamed Americas” Landmark Series. Photo by Sara Woodmansee.

Frame grab from the Sony HDC1500 and Fujinon 13x 4.5mm wide lens.

The Cineflex Creates the “The Endless Dolly” Move From Vehicles

The Cineflex V14HD is a gyro-stabilized remote head. While used mostly for aerials, the Aerial Filmwork’s crew has built specialty mounts for trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles. Clients are increasing taking advantage of the unique look created by the smooth motion of the Cineflex gyro-stabilization. Aerial Filmworks provides all the equipment, drivers and crane operators for the Cinetruck.

Aerial Filmworks developed a proprietary lens baffle system to eliminate the “bouncing flare” caused by the external protective glass. The beautiful flare in this image is rock-solid natural lens flare.

About Aerial Filmworks

Aerial Filmworks provides high-definition video Cineflex V14HD camera systems and aerial filming services to the international entertainment, documentary and corporate marketplace. Highly regarded by award-winning clients, the Cineflex V14HD provides the highest level of image gyro-stabilization. Our dedicated, experienced camera operators have thousands of hours using the Cineflex for clients including Disney, Discovery Channel, BBC, CBC, PBS/Nature, National Geographic, History Channel, Planet Green, Freeride World Tour, Red Bull, Burton Snowboards, Amazing Race and CBS/Survivor. Aerial Filmworks is a highly responsive company with over 25 years of aerial photography experience. Dedicated to providing Cineflex V14HD systems and services, our experienced aerial filming crews specialize in location work all over the world.

Aerial Filmworks delivers Google Earth pre-flight visualization, GPS preparation and flight logistical planning; Geo-coded HD video and images for land survey or mapping; Google Earth integration of video, stills, 360 interactive panoramas, podcasts, historical imagery, topographic maps and data.

With in-house HD video suite utilizing Apple’s Final Cut Pro, Aerial Filmworks also delivers professional editing and color-grading, and BluRay/DVD output using the robust 12-core MacPro, 32GB RAM, Snell ArchAngel restoration, AJA Kona3, HDCAM/HDCAM SR Decks, and fast h.264 encoding.