our projects
from China’s highest peaks to Malta’s epic past, we’ve told dramatic stories across the world
Timeless Flight Hong Kong
Created for K11's state of the art 11 Skies retailtainment complex, the experience transports guests on a magical flight across the last 100 years of Hong Kong’s rich history.
Beginning in a pre show space, guests are welcomed by an avatar host, and invited to step aboard a fantastical flying time machine that will wow them as it swoops across the city’s world-famous skyline by day and by night.
The time machine is driven by the unique energy of Hong Kongers, their ‘chi’ - the life-force that made Hong Kong the world city we know today.
Filmed across a year, theatair worked with the world’s best pilots, creating a fleet of specially built First Person View (FPV) drones carrying 8K large-format cameras to take us low across the city streets and even inside some of the city’s cavernous malls.
Using helicopters rigged with gyro-stabilised nose mounts, we captured breath-taking flight paths throughout the city’s streets and high-rise buildings.
Working with ride supplier Brogent, we maximised the capabilities of the ride hardware so that guests are taken to the extremes of motion so that the experience is one of sheer joy, with a powerful emotional arc across the piece.
Our bespoke, joined up production pipeline gave us the ability to create seamless transitions between shots, giving the impression of a single unbroken flight across the piece.
“Whatever it is, we will tell your story through captivating images.”
Odyssey Malta
Experience the magic of Malta as you fly like a bird across the islands and their rich history.
Malta’s first flying ride, which opened in summer 2024, transport guests through Malta’s history and explores the islands in the present day. It offers an innovative combination of entertainment and education, with an immersive dark walk experience and an interactive exhibition.
The flying theatre and pre show media was produced by theatair for Sarner, with the ride system supplied by Simtec Systems.
Situated inside Mercury Towers, an iconic new development designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the custom-built flying theatre, provides special onboard effects thanks to its six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform to take visitors on a magical flight around the islands and is suitable for the entire family.
Filmed over the changing seasons on a purpose-bullt state of the art FPV drone, and from a specially constructed helicopter nose mount, the live action footage was seamlessly blended with photo real computer-generated imagery to tell a gripping story of Malta's rich association with the past as guests negotiate historical battles, mythical beasts and stunning underwater seascapes.
The project has created a unique and innovative approach to flying theatre. This exceeds the traditional “fly over” experience by integrating immersive storytelling and informative scene-setting shows with a historical story-led flying theatre ride and immersive special effects. As a result, the attraction is both educational and exciting, and sets a new standard for the heritage attractions sector.
Flying By Changbai Mountain
Soar like an eagle across a magical Chinese landscape in a purpose built 'flying theatre'.
theatair delivered an incredibly ambitious project for the new visitor’s centre at Changbaishan National Park in China.
Commissioned by PEL Creative we were tasked with creating a pre-show and 5-minute film for the Brogent iRide system at the park, a fully immersive and sensory ‘flying ride’ simulation which takes the viewer on a journey through the beautiful Changabaishan National Park in Jilin Province.
The ride system suspends the audience, feet dangling, in front of a 4K, 60-foot half-dome screen. Special effects like wind, mist, sound and scent combine with the chair’s sensory motions and our striking visual effects and custom VR technology for a truly immersive experience.
The film follows a Manchu Falconer’s bird of prey as it soars across lush wide-open plains, races through rocky ravines and weaves through dense forests, eventually reaching a magnificent lake at the summit. As the falcon sweeps through stunning scenery and over the varied wildlife of the expansive area, the audience experience the spectacular Changbaishan in all its seasons. In an area prone to bad weather we wanted to give our audience the opportunity to see the area at its best, so it was very important for us to show the beauty of the landscape through the course of a year.
Shot at 8k for much of the aerial photography using our own spherical lenses we also used photogrammetry techniques to capture the terrain so we were able to reference and precisely match details of the landscape including species of trees and flowers native to that area. The use of drones was particularly useful in capturing areas unsafe to fly across with the helicopter such as the waterfall. We were able to build incredibly intricate and accurate 3D models from the data which gives a unique level of detail and authenticity to an area otherwise inaccessible to the viewer.
Flying By Chang Bai Mountain has been hugely successful, wowing visitors with a unique, fully immersive and sensory perspective on an environment rich in natural history.
Five Sacred Mountains
theatair produced a second film in China for the same client, across the magical 5 sacred mountains.
Flying By Five Mountains takes guests on a fantastic flight across China's distinct 5 mountains. The mountains are spread across the country with hugely significant cultural, religious and economic value to the local people.
The film premiered in Hengshan South with guests attending from all over China and across the world.
Working close with Legend, we worked through a narrative based on the mountains’ association with the five elements - earth, wind, fire, water and ice.
As guests enter the building they are greeted by a pre show featuring a sagely old man. using his crystal ball he invites the guests to experience the soul and magic of these mountains - and the story of their creation when a giant lay down across the country.
This was a major undertaking filming in locations across China, using helicopters, drones and visual effects.
