Located at the iconic Pier 39, The Flyer – San Francisco is a world-class "flying theater" attraction that simulates a high-speed flight over the City by the Bay. For this ambitious production, FLY STUDIO brought STARNO on board to create the breathtaking digital environments that make this illusion possible.
THE CHALLENGE: IMMERSION AT 8K
Creating a realistic flight experience on a massive, curved screen presents unique challenges. To meet the project's high standards, the environments were rendered at a resolution exceeding 8,000 pixels wide. Furthermore, because the camera simulates the erratic and fast movements of a bird, the scenery required extreme depth and detail to maintain total immersion.
THE TECHNIQUE: 3D & CAMERA PROJECTION
To achieve photorealism while managing the heavy render loads of such a high resolution, our team utilized a hybrid approach. We blended full 3D environments with advanced Camera Projection techniques, a method rooted in high-end Matte Painting.
This technique allowed us to develop rich, textured landscapes capable of handling the significant parallax effects caused by the camera’s speed. The result is a seamless integration of digital environments with live-action footage, delivering a truly vertigo-inducing experience for the audience.
Visitors are strapped into motion seats and suspended in front of a giant screen to experience San Francisco from a completely new perspective. The ride simulates the sensation of flying like a bird, diving off skyscrapers, soaring under the Golden Gate Bridge, and exploring the wild forests surrounding the Bay Area. It is a high-energy thrill ride suitable for all ages, offering the ultimate tour of the city.
THE STARNO CREATIVE TEAM
FLY STUDIO
IMMERSIVE ATTRACTION / THEME PARK RIDE – 2018/2019