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U.S. Air Force pilots host screenings of “Fighter Pilot 3D: Operation Red Flag”|
“This is the movie of the Air Force for the next 30-40 years, as seen through the prism of a Red Flag exercise and Capt. Stratton’s personal journey,” stated Maj. Sam Morgan, fighter pilot and the film’s Air Force Technical Advisor.
Clay Lacy (“Top Gun,” “Armageddon,” “Cliffhanger”), among the world’s top aerial cinematographers, stated, “Fighter Pilot was a highly unique shoot because it involved the largest number and variety of aircraft I have ever worked with at one time.”
3D Director Greg Passmore stated, “Fighter Pilot is exactly the kind of film that 3D was made for … it has extreme depth, fast action and lots of pyrotechnics. We are honored to work on Stephen Low’s film and we feel that the addition of a third dimension creates ‘sense of presence’ so that the audience experiences the rush of being onboard one of the world’s fastest high performance aircraft.”
Aviation fans should know that the film features 20 F-15E Strike Eagles, representing four American squadrons, considered by many to be the greatest fighter ever built. The Germans brought six of their European-built Tornados. These aircraft are known for their sophisticated electronics. The Israeli’s arrived with six F-16’s. The Canadians brought F-18 Hornets from Alberta and Quebec. The British Royal Navy flew their famous Harrier jump jets used mostly for close ground support. Additional American-supplied aircraft for the film include bomber, fighter and attack aircraft B-1, B-2, F-117, F-15C, F-15E, F-16, A-10; search and rescue aircraft HH-60; reconnaissance aircraft U-2, aerial refueling KC-10; airlift support C-130 and C-17; and the E-3 airborne warning and control system AWACS. For more aircraft information, please visit www.af.mil/factsheets.
The film is directed by Stephen Low (“Volcanoes of the Deep Sea,” “Super Speedway”), produced by The Stephen Low Company, and is a presentation of K2 Communications (Adventures in Wild California). Major funding was provided by The Boeing Company. “Fighter Pilot 3D: Operation Red Flag” held its world premiere in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center IMAX Theater. The highly acclaimed film is being re-released in stunning digital 3D with the help of PassmoreLab.
About Red Flag Established in 1975, Red Flag is a two-week realistic combat training exercise involving the elite aerial forces from all four branches of the U.S. military, plus their Guard/Reserve components. It is commonly described as being more challenging than actual combat. Since its inception, NATO and the air forces of 28 other countries have joined the U.S. in these intensive exercises, as well as individual members of other countries who have participated as observers. Red Flag is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, as one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the Air Warfare Center and Nellis through the 414th Combat Training Squadron. Red Flag exercises have provided training for over 440,000 elite military personnel, including more than 145,000 aircrew members flying over 385,000 sorties and logging over 660,000 hours flying time. For more information on Red Flag, please visit www.nellis.af.mil.
About K2 Communications K2 Communications is one of the world’s leading studios for IMAX and other Giant Screen films exhibited in museums, science centers and other specialty theaters. Since entering the industry in 1998, K2 has served as an Executive Producer and/or Distributor of 9 films, including “Everest,” “Adventures in Wild California,” “Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag,” “The Ultimate Wave Tahiti,” “Legends of Flight and Rescue.” K2 is currently in production on “Journey to Space: A Shuttle Adventure” (Spring 2014), and is in development on several film projects including “Carrier,” “Wild Brazil” and “Out of Bounds: Alaska.” K2 also distributes the world’s largest catalogue of films formerly shown in iMAX theaters for TV and other non-theatrical media, now numbering over 60.
About The Boeing Company The Boeing Company is honored to help sponsor the IMAX film “Fighter Pilot 3D: Operation Red Flag,” which depicts the realistic training undergone by the dedicated men and women of our armed forces. Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. A top U.S. exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in 150 countries. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training.
Boeing has a long tradition of aerospace leadership and innovation. The company continues to expand its product line and services to meet emerging customer needs. Its broad range of capabilities includes creating new, more efficient members of its commercial airplane family; integrating military platforms, defense systems and the warfighter through network-enabled solutions; creating advanced technology solutions; and arranging innovative customer-financing options. With corporate offices in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 170,000 people across the United States and in 70 countries.
About Passmorelab Passmorelab is a stereoscopic 3D studio that specializes in Ultra HD (4K) and 3D production. The company’s president, Greg Passmore, has a 30-year career in technology and creative imaging and spent much of his early career developing simulators for Department of Defense agencies and contractors. Passmorelab’s California and Texas facilities include 4K and 3D production and post-production suites and software development labs. The company’s 3D software has been used on many Hollywood blockbusters and Passmorelab’s documentary films are broadcast around the world (passmorelab.com). |
Director/producer Stephen Low (“Volcanoes of the Deep Sea,” “Titanica,” “Super Speedway”), with eleven films to his credit and almost thirty years of IMAX® format experience, stated, “So many films on fighter aircraft essentially fake the interaction between the planes using a lot of quick cutting, simulated cockpit photography and special effects. Working with the Air Force made it possible for us to shoot actual dog-fighting for the first time between a dozen aircraft at once. Altogether we were working with more than one hundred aircraft of all types. This is the closest an audience will ever get to flying in the middle of a massive air combat operation.”