Moonraker VFX Ltd., the award-winning UK-based VFX studio, and award-winning natural history production company Talesmith partnered up as Flying Theatre Films to deliver a new experience for visitors at Changbaishan National Park in China.
The epic flying theatre film, which immerses guests in the incredible scenery of the Changbai Mountain from the perspective of a soaring bird of prey, was four years in the making.
Immersive flying theatre attraction
Now, guests at the new visitor centre at Changbaishan National Park can embark on a unique flying theatre journey. The ride itself was commissioned by PEL Creative and uses Brogent Technologies‘ cutting-edge I-ride hydraulic seating system. This suspends viewers in front of a 4K, 60-foot half-dome screen for a truly immersive experience.
Guests will feel like they are soaring like a falcon as the film uses a single shot to take them on a tour of the landscape during all four seasons, taking in wide open plains, rocky ravines and dense forests before arriving at the summit’s lake.
Flying theatres are increasingly popular with destinations around the globe, as the immersive technology allows guests to explore untouched parts of the world.
A unique perspective
Simon Clarke, Creative Director of Moonraker VFX and founder of Flying Theatre Films says: “This was one of the most technical projects we have ever undertaken at Moonraker, but we’re hugely proud of the finished experience which, after five years in the making, is wowing visitors with a unique, fully immersive and sensory perspective on an environment rich in natural history.”
The team filmed several locations in 8k from both helicopters and drones. This footage was used to model the details of the environment and animate significant moments of the flying ride. The 3D team used specialist software to track the camera allowing them to seamlessly blend computer-generated elements with the real-life footage.
Director, Martin Williams, founder of Talesmith and Flying Theatre Films says; “At Talesmith we’re all about innovation and this project shows what’s possible when you bring together creative minds from different disciplines to produce something truly unique that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and technology. The ride experience is breathtaking.”
Last year, Moonraker VFX was engaged by Sarner International to help transform Cornwall’s Bodmin Jail into an authentic immersive visitor experience.
