THE AERONAUTS / FLY-IN THEATRE
Moving pictures from the stratosphere.
In 1862, scientists James Glaisher and Amelia Wren soared to new heights, sparking worldwide wonder with a balloon expedition that helped shape modern meteorology. For the release of The Aeronauts, we created a movie screening that would itself involve dizzying heights and wonderful events. Welcome to the world’s first Fly-in Theatre, an exclusive premiere set inside a full-scale Victorian Fair.
Find out more about the initiative on Adweek.
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THE EXPERIENCE
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The film screening capped a day of Victorian spectacle. Guests soared in a ‘Mammoth’ balloon replica while jugglers, tightrope walkers, and aerial acrobats entertained the crowds. A sketch artist captured heroic poses, a fortune-teller divined futures, a hypnotist helped conquer fears of heights, scientists taught meteorology, and grown-ups brewed coffee using a prototype of the world’s first roaster. All set to a Phonograph DJ spinning modern remixes of Victorian tunes.
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THE SCREENING
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At dusk, the event culminated with the nation’s premiere of The Aeronauts on a screen unlike any other. Eighteen months in the making, a flexible LED display wrapped 360 degrees around the balloon, featuring over 76,000 hand-calibrated pixels. During cold inflation, each pixel was precisely tuned before the balloon was raised and kept rigid with conventional propane for the screenings. Audiences gathered around, receiving audio through loudspeakers and individual headsets.
Find out more about the initiative on Adweek.
THE EXPERIENCE
—
The film screening capped a day of Victorian spectacle. Guests soared in a ‘Mammoth’ balloon replica while jugglers, tightrope walkers, and aerial acrobats entertained the crowds. A sketch artist captured heroic poses, a fortune-teller divined futures, a hypnotist helped conquer fears of heights, scientists taught meteorology, and grown-ups brewed coffee using a prototype of the world’s first roaster. All set to a Phonograph DJ spinning modern remixes of Victorian tunes.
THE SCREENING
–
At dusk, the event culminated with the nation’s premiere of The Aeronauts on a screen unlike any other. Eighteen months in the making, a flexible LED display wrapped 360 degrees around the balloon, featuring over 76,000 hand-calibrated pixels. During cold inflation, each pixel was precisely tuned before the balloon was raised and kept rigid with conventional propane for the screenings. Audiences gathered around, receiving audio through loudspeakers and individual headsets.
WORLD BUILDING
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From set design and costumes to food, drinks, entertainment, wildpostings, handbills, giveaways—and even a full 1862 newspaper edition—every detail was crafted to immerse guests in the rich atmosphere of the Victorian Era.
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From set design and costumes to food, drinks, entertainment, wildpostings, handbills, giveaways—and even a full 1862 newspaper edition—every detail was crafted to immerse guests in the rich atmosphere of the Victorian Era.
THE IMPACT
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Over 8,500 guests across seven cities sparked 350+ million social impressions.
Role: Concept, Copy Lead
Core agency team: Whitney Jenkins, Brad Hall, Riaad Van Der Merwe, Alice Chiapperini, Dustin Freeman, Sammi Chancey, Gustav Holtz.
Recognition: Promax Experimental - Gold