bmi commission Impact Image to promote long haul routes

Impact Image, a leading corporate communications production company, was selected to create a film to promote bmi's long haul routes to destinations such as Las Vegas, Nevada, the Caribbean, India and Saudi Arabia.
bmi is the UK's second largest airline based at one of the world's best connected airports, London Heathrow and operates 1,700 flights a week.
The client required air-to-air footage of the Airbus A330 long haul aircraft in its current livery as well as still images. A ground based shoot was also required to capture take off, taxiing and landing of the A330. The shoot took six months in planning and all ground based filming and air-to-air filming was conducted in April, 2006.
In order to future proof this high cost resource Impact Image advised bmi to shoot in high definition format.
The aircraft involved in the shoot was a modified business jet based in France. To achieve the air-to-air footage, Impact Image utilised a periscope optics system mounted in the belly of the aircraft which affords a 360 degree vision with over 45 degrees of tilt. For this shoot, a Sony HDW-750 camera was used with the camera operator being able to control pan, tilt and zoom from a console installed at the back of the aircraft.
"Successful and safe air-to-air filming is always the product of good planning and preparation" says Bob Hayes, Production Director and veteran of over 400 air-to-air assignments. "The flight operations department of bmi and the local civil aviation authority were exemplary in their cooperation.
The short broadcast quality film will be used in news and travel programmes as well as key events attended by bmi such as travel fairs. For larger events, it can be played from the original HD files on to large screens to an exhibition audience.
"Impact Image's wealth of experience in aerial filming ensured the project was a huge success throughout the planning, filming and post production stages. The A330 footage now in the bmi library will help to promote long haul routes far into the future" explained Stephanie Byrne, Assistant Manager - Brand at bmi.
(GB)