Project start
June 2020
This is the beginning of a wonderful film and friendship project that has already spanned several years. It is the story of a passionate model aircraft builder who is making his dream come true: building a Pilatus PC-24 on a scale of 1:8.
A cinematic documentary that follows the journey of creating this model aircraft, piece by piece, from a kit consisting of countless components and a wide variety of individual work steps.
The project takes shape
During the last three filming sessions, I had the opportunity to accompany the creation of a model aircraft measuring around 2 meters in size and document the initial construction phases. Step by step, the aircraft’s structure emerged from individual CNC-milled balsa wood components.
While my father is completely immersed in building the aircraft, I capture the most meaningful steps of the construction process as well as the mood and atmosphere during its creation with the camera. At the same time, the limited space requires creative solutions to make the most of the available working area.
Alignment of the GoPro: Inventive solutions are needed to create different camera perspectives.
Learning by doing: The gimbal, which stabilizes the camera, is mounted on a mobile rail system. This allows for smooth camera movements that guide the viewer through the images.
Every step cinematically staged
This film project holds a very special personal significance for me. From the very beginning, I set myself the highest cinematic standards. Every stage of the journey – from the first carefully assembled component to the maiden flight – was captured with the aim of documenting far more than just the construction of a model aircraft.
The film does not simply aim to show how the aircraft is built and flies. It invites the viewer to visually experience the atmosphere throughout the creative process of this work.
Realizing this vision required a conscious staging of each scene, a carefully considered lighting design to support the mood, as well as an equally meticulous recording of the soundscape. With calm, controlled camera movements and an observational visual language, the film guides the viewer into the quiet rhythm of this process and makes the dedication, precision, and craftsmanship visible.
Making Of Galerie
2021
We are now in the second year since the start of the film documentary “Building a PC-24 Model Airplane”. Each stage not only brings new challenges in the construction process, but also allows me to explore new possibilities with specialized camera techniques in order to realize ideas for unique perspectives.
What we did not know at the beginning was that this project would give us far more than just a model aircraft accompanied by a film. It gave us the opportunity to spend much more time together – and allowed the bond between father and son to grow in a special way.
We spent countless hours together in a very confined space, shaped by the highest level of concentration and a shared passion. Looking back, it was not only a model aircraft that was being created, but above all something that goes far beyond it.
Filming and building in a confined space: A large aircraft, a small workshop. Barely enough space to build, barely enough room to film. Every movement had to be precise, every camera position carefully chosen. The limited space required creative solutions.
Unconventional camera perspectives: By using a Periprobe lens, a macro probe lens, it was possible to dive into the construction of the model. This opened up new and unique perspectives for me.
The space in the workshop has not become any larger, yet the mutual understanding of each other’s craft has grown with every hour we have spent together. For one, it was the experience of building a model aircraft from the ground up. For the other, it was the opportunity to capture this creative process through film and documentary storytelling with unique images.
In this way, I was able to give my father a very personal insight into my passion for filmmaking – while at the same time experiencing his enthusiasm and craftsmanship up close.
The countless model-building components made of plywood and balsa wood remind me of a kind of “LEGO building set for adults.” From these delicate wooden elements, the basic framework of the PC-24 model has now been created. In the next step, the structure will be covered with balsa wood strips of varying thicknesses – piece by piece, the aircraft continues to take shape.
Our joy is all the greater when, at the end of a long day filled with enthusiasm, we look back at the result – both the progress made on the model and the film footage that captured this special process.
But it is not only the project itself that connects us. It is also the special relationship that has developed between us along the way. It feels as though we are getting to know each other on a new level – in a way we have never experienced before. Having such a shared endeavor and experiencing this journey together is truly something special.
2022-2023
White shine with blue ribbon
It's amazing how quickly time has passed. We are now already in our third year, with countless hours during which an idea gradually became reality, step by step. The aircraft has now been completed and is ready for its first flight. A milestone that marks the end of an intensive construction phase while at the same time heralding the beginning of a new chapter.
Over the course of the project, it has already taken me to my father's small workshop 18 times to capture every major stage of the model aircraft's construction on film. Along the way, more than eight terabytes of footage have been recorded. Yet the most valuable thing to emerge during this time cannot be measured in data: working together has further strengthened the special bond between my family and me, giving the project a personal significance that extends far beyond the construction of the aircraft.
The aircraft is now fully sheeted, carefully sanded, and covered with heat-shrink film. In addition, all control surface linkages have been connected to the servos in the wings, and the entire wiring harness has been routed to the main control system in the fuselage. With each completed stage of the build, the model moves closer to its final form - and one decisive step closer to its maiden flight.
Working with the gimbal: The gimbal provides smooth, stabilized camera movements while also serving as a mounting platform for the monitor and microphone. Especially during long filming sessions, this compact setup makes shooting noticeably easier.
Designed down to the smallest detail: The aircraft not only impresses with its elegant appearance, but is also packed with carefully engineered features and technical refinements, including navigation lights, landing lights, and retractable landing gear.
Red and green navigation lights have been integrated into the wingtips and, just like on a real aircraft, can be operated in flashing mode. The cockpit received its finishing touches with the installation of the canopy, along with decorative details and markings that complete the final design.
A giant toy for grown-up kids :)
Next year, the focus will be on the cinematic production of the aircraft’s maiden flight. We already have many ideas in mind and want to make the most of every opportunity. The concept is to have the aircraft taxi from a real hangar onto the runway before taking off from the full-size airstrip on its first cinematically staged maiden flight.
We look to the future with great anticipation and excitement. Where this journey will ultimately lead remains to be seen. One thing is certain, however: this story will culminate in a cinematic epic.
Making Of Galerie
2024
The Final Shootings
The year 2024 is coming to an end—a year filled with unforgettable moments, encounters, and experiences. For my father and me, it marked a particularly special chapter of this project. Together, we gave it our all once again to complete the final filming sessions in the studio and at the airfield in Mollis with total dedication.
An exceptional cast: Kurt Eich (Keiro) takes on the role of the enthusiastic spectator alongside my father René.
Flying against an impressive backdrop: The decision to carry out the filming in Mollis proved to be ideal not only because of the facilities available, but also because it provided us with a unique setting for the aerial footage.
Studio recordings
The most challenging shots for the cinematic portrayal of the maiden flight were undoubtedly the scenes in which the aircraft was meant to be shown in close-up while in flight. To make these unique perspectives possible, the idea emerged to have the aircraft appear to glide through the air in front of a green screen backdrop. We were given the opportunity to set up a small studio in a multipurpose room and capture the required footage under controlled conditions.
Would you like a small studio? After an entire day filled with setup work and installations, the moment had finally arrived: the setup was complete, and the aircraft was suspended in the middle of the room. To create the impression of a freely flying model, we attached the aircraft with fine silk threads, allowing it to appear as if it were floating weightlessly through the space.
To make this cinematic illusion possible, we transformed a large part of the room into a green screen environment. Over the course of a full day and half a night, the close-up shots were created, which will later be combined in post-production with the drone footage from Mollis.
Whether our vision will ultimately work on screen will only be revealed in the final edit.
The Preparations for Mollis
For me as a filmmaker, this undertaking meant one thing above all: intensive planning and organisation. Months in advance, I coordinated the schedule with everyone involved and worked closely with the airfield as well as the Glarnerland Model Flying Group to make this special day of filming a reality. Many different factors had to be carefully aligned: the weather and lighting conditions, the availability of camera equipment, and the coordination of all helpers and extras. Everything had to come together at the right moment to ensure that the filming could be carried out as planned.
For my father, the moment had finally arrived to complete the model’s flight setup and carry out the first actual maiden flight. He was supported by Andy Haller and the Fricktal Model Flying Group.
After two successful flights and a few minor trim adjustments, the relief and joy were immense as this important milestone had been achieved. A truly special moment that rewarded the years of dedication, hard work, and passion behind this project.
Camera rolling and action!
For two days, we were on location in Mollis and, thanks to the incredible support of our helpers as well as the almost ideal weather, lighting, and wind conditions, we were able to capture all the planned shots.
Filming at an active airfield comes with its own unique challenges. While we were shooting, our helpers continuously monitored radio communications. Whenever an aircraft or helicopter announced its intention to take off or land, the procedure was clear: land the aircraft, stop filming, and wait until the airspace was clear again.
Setting up the lighting stand: To give the final section of the film the desired epic atmosphere, additional lighting was required.
Filming with a cinema drone: Our PC-24 model was accompanied by a DJI Inspire 3 for dynamic air-to-air shots.
As flight operations increased, it became increasingly challenging to complete all planned scenes within the allocated timeframe.
After just three flights, the first day of filming had already come to an end. A harder landing resulted in damage to the nose landing gear, and the model had to be taken back to the workshop for the necessary repairs.
Another challenge was tracking the model with the cinema drone. The flight speed of the model aircraft was significantly higher than that of the drone, making it a demanding task to capture the right perspectives and dynamic shots.
Valuable support: Daniel Dietziker (left) with my father (right).
Experiences with the zoom lens: With a focal length of 600mm, it was possible to capture the model up close and in great detail from a long distance.
For the second day of filming, we received valuable support from Daniel Dietziker, an experienced model aircraft pilot from MFGGL. This also relieved some of the pressure on my father, as Dani already had more experience with the same model and, as it turned out, impressively demonstrated his flying skills.
For me, this day of filming required the highest level of concentration, as I was working with a truly large telephoto lens with a focal length of 100–600mm for the first time. This allowed me to precisely track the aircraft from the ground even at greater distances and capture detailed and breathtaking footage against the impressive mountain backdrop of the Glarnerland region.
Special guests on the sidelines
Another major highlight were the extras who took on the role of enthusiastic spectators. Among them were Kurt Eich (Keiro), the developer of the model kit, as well as Martin Bäbler, who supported me throughout the entire four-year production period of the film with his equipment. Without Martin’s support, the film would not have achieved its exceptional visual qualit - and without Kurt, the foundation for this unique model would never have been created.
For me, the entire production of the final part of the film was a truly special experience. I learned a great deal about myself and was able to develop my skills as a creative storyteller and filmmaker to an entirely new level. When I look back on the finished film in my mind, I see a wonderful shared journey with my father and the friendship that grew from it.
There is still a great deal of work ahead of me before the film’s premiere. At the moment, I am dedicating myself intensely to the original film score composed specifically for this project and allowing all these wonderful emotions to flow into the music. I am very much looking forward to reliving four years of work, passion, and memories in a twenty-minute cinematic journey.
Making Of Galerie
