Black 72

The Black Hawk squadron of the Austrian Army is equally equipped for transport and firefighting missions, as well as rescue missions for soldiers. This video depicts the first real mission a pilot has to fly right after the completion of his training.

From an audio point of view, this project was as exciting as it was challenging: Location sound had to be recorded in acousticly difficult conditions (high wind and extremely loud helicopters) aboard both helicopters involved - simultaneously. Therefore two setups were used and only one of them monitored directly. The first person action scenes posed yet another challenge and portable recorders had to be used in conjunction with lavalier mics on the helmet. These signals were translated into ambisonics in post.

The difference between present mission and flashbacks from the past of the pilot was emphazised with spatial audio design - in conjunction with the visual effects used. The surreal touch of the flashbacks was amplified using a variety of ambisonic delays and automated filters.

DIRECTOR
Axel Dietrich

DOP
Sebastian Endler

LOCATION SOUND, SOUND DESIGN, SOUND EDITING, MIX
Matthias Kassmannhuber

Prix Victoria Silver, Internationale Wirtschaftsfilmtage 2020