Flying on the big screen

[Witch]

I caught the last part of The Italian Job on TV a few nights ago, where the Hughes-or MD-was flying inside the covered loading dock area. I got to wondering how or where does one go to learn stunts like that.

 

Other stunts I wonder about are ones like on the opening credits for Magnum P.I., A-Team, Airwolf, Blue Thunder, and in a few movies like that one I can't think of the title right now. I remember it was a Blackhawk that swooped down in front of a plane and the rotor tips barely hit the runway-or came close to it.

 

And if any of those pilots are on this forum, I'd like to pick your brains on the mechanics of these stunts.

 

Later

[West Coaster]

Ah yes... helicopters on screen. Gotta love it.

 

In the opening scene to Magnum P.I. when the MD500 comes in over the trees to chase the car, anyone ever notice how close the pilot comes to losing it? The rear of one skid comes within what looks like 1/2 an inch of the road! Used to watch that show just for that scene.

 

And the Italian Job. God I hate when movies make pilots look like mindless zombies. Imagine a customer telling you to chase a car 20 feet off the deck in downtown. Then imagine you follow said car under a bridge/loading dock thingy. Customer says "Don't let him get away!!!" You pedal turn and try to make the car eat your TR in an effort to stop him. In doing so you destroy the TR and execute a hovering auto safety. Passenger then runs off with a pistol in his hand.

 

You think "Geez, how am I gonna explain this to the boss?"

 

 

Could also try the other "Vertical" forum frequented by my fellow Canucks. As many Hollywood movies are filmed in Canada there's a good chance quite a few movie pilots hang out there. I know our company has shot in over 30 movies and TV shows for the US alone. Check out the list HERE Goto Service->Photo & Film

[67november]

watching that 500 was a regement of mine also, the opening scene was a carefully staged shot.

[Witch]

... Customer says "Don't let him get away!!!" You pedal turn and try to make the car eat your TR in an effort to stop him. In doing so you destroy the TR and execute a hovering auto safety. Passenger then runs off with a pistol in his hand.

 

You think "Geez, how am I gonna explain this to the boss?" ...

HERE

HE HAD A GUN POINTED AT ME!!!!!!!!!!

 

Later

 

By the way, I love the "Air Snidely" bird in the temporary paint schemes area. Outstanding!

[West Coaster]

watching that 500 was a regement of mine also, the opening scene was a carefully staged shot

 

Hehe I bet. Was always curious if that pilot were extreemly talented or extreemly lucky lol. I still say both.

[67november]

both is the conscensis

[Guest rookie101]

Ah yes... helicopters on screen. Gotta love it.

 

In the opening scene to Magnum P.I. when the MD500 comes in over the trees to chase the car, anyone ever notice how close the pilot comes to losing it? The rear of one skid comes within what looks like 1/2 an inch of the road! Used to watch that show just for that scene.

 

HA, the only reason I watch Swordfish is to see the scene when the skycrane picks up the bus, I didn't even care about Hally Berry and she is, well you know....

[ARCTICFOX]

They just had the Italian Job movie on Fx a couple of months ago. I can't remember the pilots name but he was agood freind of the producer and one hell of a pilot. They were talking about the scenes and what you saw is what you got.

[rotor91]

Alan Purwin from Helinet was the MD500 pilot for "The Italian Job". Up shots of the bad guy at the controls with blades turning, the 500 was mounted on a flatbed truck being towed through the warehouse. Pretty cool stuff. There was article about the movie in one of the helicopter mags, cannot remember which one though(re: stunt pilots in the movies).

 

Cheers-

Rob

[justfly]

...I got to wondering how or where does one go to learn stunts like that...

For the limits of "reality", to the school of "a lot of experience". Beyond that, CGI in post-production.

[HeloPitts]

Alan Purwin from Helinet was the MD500 pilot for "The Italian Job". Up shots of the bad guy at the controls with blades turning, the 500 was mounted on a flatbed truck being towed through the warehouse. Pretty cool stuff. There was article about the movie in one of the helicopter mags, cannot remember which one though(re: stunt pilots in the movies).

 

Cheers-

Rob

I think the magazine was rotor and wing

 

Colin

[rotor91]

Thanks Colin....you are correct! Give the man a dollar!

 

Rob

[utilitarian]

I caught the last part of The Italian Job on TV a few nights ago, where the Hughes-or MD-was flying inside the covered loading dock area. I got to wondering how or where does one go to learn stunts like that.

 

Other stunts I wonder about are ones like on the opening credits for Magnum P.I., A-Team, Airwolf, Blue Thunder, and in a few movies like that one I can't think of the title right now. I remember it was a Blackhawk that swooped down in front of a plane and the rotor tips barely hit the runway-or came close to it.

 

And if any of those pilots are on this forum, I'd like to pick your brains on the mechanics of these stunts.

 

Later

 

 

Ok! here is a fine flick for you enthusiasts. "DEADLY ENCOUNTER" staring Larry Hagman

98% of this film is nothing but good interesting stuff. If you gents liked the begining of Magnum PI

you will sure to enjoy a 500C driving down the streets of TJ. water skiing from a 500 just to get you started. Find it and let me know what you think.

 

Also flying for hollywood is a great way to look good or real bad. Magnum PI lost 3 ships during the filming.

Opening coast footage claimed the life of a decent young pilot. A take off from the Masters estate = collision with a Palm Tree. also a skid strike with the Masters estates roof.

[utilitarian]

HA, the only reason I watch Swordfish is to see the scene when the skycrane picks up the bus, I didn't even care about Hally Berry and she is, well you know....

 

 

SWORDFISH was pretty slick, Thanks to some but not all movie magic.

 

Ian Flemming's "YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE" a Kawasaki Vertol sucks up a moving car with a demolition magnet while chasing 007, then pickles it off at about 600-800AGL off the shores of Japan. NO MIRRORS!