Action Image Productions Will Soon 'Take Flight'

With a unique concept developed by Mike Roberts of Take Flight Aviation, together with Action Image Productions, a new perspective on the hidden gems that exist on the ground, as viewed from the air, goes into production.

The series looks at unique aspects of some of the country's most interesting small airfields whilst traveling between these in a light aircraft packing the show with aerial photography and exploring the areas the airports serve and meeting the amazing characters that live and operate there.

Lee Stephens, Director at Action Image Productions, said: "When this concept was first proposed to us by Mike last year we were immediately excited where this would go and it was something that was different to programmes at the time. We receive a lot of pitches for ideas but this one caught our attention with our interest in flying striking a chord. After a number of exciting pre-production meetings across the latter part of 2016 and into 2017, we distilled the many tangents this could take into a programme that will appeal to a wide range of people as well as those with keen aviation interests."

Mike Roberts commented: "In each programme of this series we wanted to look at a selection of airports in a specific geographical location travelling between the each airport in a range of light aircraft, offering the opportunity to explore the area and its landmarks from the air.

"With the airport being the core we can explore not only its history but the connection between it and the local community. There really are some fascinating stories of the people, pilots and aircraft that fly from there and we wanted to bring these to life."

Production finally started in March 2017 but with a programme of this nature the British weather was always going to be challenge. Whilst logistics and filming could take place, it was from April the team could really make a start.

"Whilst the filming was always great fun and posed us many challenges we never lost sight of the need for safety, especially where aircraft are concerned. Mike is a very level headed pilot and at times when a small aircraft meets tricky conditions we could see the near 2000hrs of flying time paying off," said Lee.

Mike Roberts has over ten years' broadcast experience, is a world record breaking pilot with a lot of flying hours. He has piloted a number of times for programmes on BBC and Channel 4.

With the majority of the filming now complete, the programme is moving into post production. All this is being completed at the studios of Action Image Productions in Cheltenham which has the benefit of its 'Stage A' studios facility for last minute (ground based) pick-ups as well as any ADR needs.

If you have a story around an airfield you think should be heard, or for any further information, please call us on (01242) 542785 or visit: www.actionimageproductions.com, www.stageastudios.com or www.takeflightaviation.co.uk.

This article also features in the September edition of Broadcast Film & Video.