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Photo by Russell Munson |
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Since 1996 Pacific Street Films has been involved in the
production of a ground-breaking series on the history of
aviation. Working with an international group of pilots,
scholars and historians, High Flight
will explore how aviation, through the ages, has inspired
the human imagination.
High Flight will be different
from the standard aviation series that have become common
cable fare in recent years. It will concentrate on the human
drama - - the impact of aviation and technology on the human
imagination and the profound changes it has wrought in the
way people perceive the world and each other. Three one
hour programs will capture how the human spirit, once free
of the "surly bonds of Earth," have found expression
in the observations of Leonardo da Vinci, the poetry of
Edmond Rostand, the paintings Kazimir Malevich, the poetic
literature of Antoine de Saint-Exupery and the novels of
H.G. Wells, Ernest Gann and James Dickey.
...It's a formidable task. But the work has already begun.
For instance, Pacific Street was able to sit down and discuss
the early years of aviation with 93-year-old Johnny Miller,
who logged his first solo in 1926 and beat Amelia Earhart
in her quest to be the first to cross the country in an
autogiro. In fact, Miller's love for aviation continues
unabated -- with a yearly cross-country in his Bonanza.
We were also fortunate enough to capture Bill Rhode's reminiscences
about working at the legendary Gates Flying Circus as a
barnstormer and stunt parachutist (he held the record for
jumps with multiple parachutes), as a tail gunner on a B-17
shooting down one of the first German jet fighters, and
finally, as a flight instructor whose students number in
the thousands. Unfortunately, he succumbed to cancer in
December of 1998. However his legacy will be preserved,
along with the stories of brave African American aviators,
like Bessie Coleman, whose 88-year-old niece, Marion Coleman,
discussed the profound obstacles facing her intrepid aunt
in the 1920's, and Francis Forsythe, widow of Dr. Albert
Forsythe, who took to the air in the 1930's, garnering headlines
with his successful transcontinental flights. Pacific Street
also interviewed Sergei Sikorsky, who related how, as a
child, he sat listening to his legendary father describe
the lure of the air. The others in the room, equally transfixed,
were Anne Morrow Lindbergh and her close friend Antoine
de Saint-Exupery.
To ensure the highest quality, both for broadcast and archival
purposes, High Flight is
being shot in the Super-16mm film format (which will be
compatible with the High-Definition technology). High
Flight will also utilize the talents of several
celebrity pilots whose passion for flying equals their skills
on the silver screen. Many are household names.
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Photo by Russell Munson
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High Flight will take off
with those who truly love the skies... and whose work demonstrate
a commitment to the future of aviation. Drawing upon the talents
of an international group of pilots, historians and dedicated
amateurs, High Flight, will
weave together contemporary stories that reflect on the role
of aviation today, as well as provide reference points for
plunging back into history. Most of all, the series will capture
the pure joy of flying.
As essayist Diane Ackerman wrote in a recent piece on flying
for The New York Times, "The sheer marvel of flight
-- that we can make unwieldy metal soar with such delicacy
-- continues to astonish us."
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