Lifter for TV filming

paultnl · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject: Lifter for TV filming

We have received a request from a television production company making a series for Channel 4

"We are filming in Cambridge to tell the story of Isaac Newton. One element of this story is the tale of a young Newton who frightened his village by recreating a comet (then considered to be darkly portentous) by tying a lantern to a kite.

What I really want to know;

Is such a thing possible?
Would we be able to rig such a thing up? "

Anyone interested in helping? What design of kite would be best?
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Tim2 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:11 am Post subject:

That sounds like one for Jon H, Norman or Malcolm. They hoist cameras, teddies and sweets up by kite, not sure about commets.

Night flight adds interesting twists re: CAA over a given height!!! But I geuss Newton didn't have to worry about that Wink

Martin · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:08 am Post subject:

Try Pete - Lyn's husband. He may be able to help also.

Martin
_________________
Kite bag too heavy to carry, mainly full of beer, faggs, red bull and pills.
vicechairman[at]skfc.co.uk
chairman of the Festival - Sub-Committee
martin[at]skfc.co.uk

Big Gav · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:36 am Post subject:

The biggest problem might be keeping the candle alight (wind to fly kite Smile

will blow the candle out Sad

)
Also making sure the candle doesn't burn the lines???

Although, don't the BBC have some candles that fly in an advert. There is an irony there.

If it works, might be good to get a few in the air at the same time.

Martin · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:41 am Post subject:

Chinese Lanterns ? See home page of KiteWorld web site

Firefly Chinese Flying Lanterns
FireFly Lanterns are authentic Chinese Lanterns. Traditional ‘Khoom Fay’ or ‘Khom Loy’ lanterns were invented 1800 years ago by Zhuge Liang of China. They are still widely used in the Far East today to help celebrate important events and to bring good luck. Perhaps you have seen them when travelling in China or Thailand at beach parties or festivals?

Supplied in a carry pack of 3 ready to fly lanterns

Martin
_________________
Kite bag too heavy to carry, mainly full of beer, faggs, red bull and pills.
vicechairman[at]skfc.co.uk
chairman of the Festival - Sub-Committee
martin[at]skfc.co.uk

Tim2 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:50 am Post subject:

I've a wooden lantern (with glass Confused

) which probably weighs less than a bottle of sweets, I'm sure there would be other alternatives.

Would have thought C4 would provide the lantern with their budget! If not a plastic bottle and a night light Wink

pedro · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject: lifter for tv filming

we have plenty of lifters,should be easy to rig ,lantern would have to be windproof so as not to blow out , a short line to the lantern so it dosnt touch the main line . biggest prob would be a candle 100 ft in the air would be just a speck . can help if needed. pete.

Jon · Forum Administrator Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 269

Hi folks.

I was phoned by the guy from the media company this afternoon. As was said in Paul's post they have a presenter guy who wants to recreate Sir Isaac Newton tying on a lantern to a kite to fool people into thinking it was a comet.

I explained that between us we have the gear, kites and experience to do such a thing as it very similar to what we do in KAP and sweet drops.

They are talking about doing a shoot next Tuesday evening 10th March at either Grantchester meadows near Cambridge if they can get permission to fly there or failing that it may be at Rougham.

In talking to the guy we agreed that with the short notice there is no time to produce a 17th Century style kite. I also pointed out to him that it would depend on the wind conditions as to what kite we could put up and that we would try and bring along a selection that might cope with most conditions. He was keen to have the kites in muted colours, I explained that most modern kites are usually very colourful, therefore if anyone has a all black or all white lifter kite that could be useful!

Pete if you can make it across to Cambridge next Tuesday that would be great and if there are any other experienced single flyers who would like to help out please let me know.

I did talk to him about some remuneration for our expenses!

Jonathan
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KAP meister

Martin · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:17 pm Post subject:

Jon
How about one of Norman's big delta's - What I can remember, they are just one plain colour ? Depends on the wind etc
Too late now, but Norman's Cody kite may have been ideal.

Martin
_________________
Kite bag too heavy to carry, mainly full of beer, faggs, red bull and pills.
vicechairman[at]skfc.co.uk
chairman of the Festival - Sub-Committee
martin[at]skfc.co.uk

paultnl · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:43 am Post subject:

Tim2 · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

Jon · Forum Administrator Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 269

The filming is not going ahead tomorrow, however they are hoping to film sometime later in the month.
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