There's never been a FlyOver adventure quite like Believe Chicago.
As writer and director of FlyOver's “Windy City” adventure and a key creative player in numerous other FlyOver productions, David Mossop from Sherpas Cinema has seen the far reaches of our planet’s beauty, from Iceland to the towering Canadian Rockies. But capturing Chicago, Mossop says, was special. “The original vision was somewhere between incredibly ambitious and impossible.”
Here’s why Believe Chicago looks, feels and sounds like no experience that’s come before.
Even if you’ve never been to Chicago, chances are you’ve heard it. Known for its contributions to jazz, gospel, hip-hop, blues, house music and more, Chicago’s musical history is central to the city’s identity. And it plays a key role in Believe Chicago, too.
“Chicagoan music is diverse,” says Mossop. “And this score brings together a lot of the rich history of Chicago’s musical influence into one powerful and visceral experience."
As you explore on your FlyOver immersive journey, you’ll notice the uniquely Chicago-centric music both through the original score — created by Elliott Wheeler, the composer behind Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis among other blockbusters — along with local musicians and dancers highlighted on screen.
FlyOver productions have always been filmed by helicopter — a method that lends itself to grand, wide-open natural spaces. To capture Chicago, however, Mossop and his team needed to think outside the chopper. That's why it’s the first FlyOver experience to make use of first-person view (FPV) drone technology. As a bonus, these flying cameras were flown by Gabriel Kocher, a two-time drone racing runner-up world champion.
Mossop says this, and the added challenge of navigating an urban environment, meant Chicago was particularly complex and compelling to capture. Visitors are welcomed into otherwise inaccessible corners of the city, including interiors of historic buildings and alongside iconic landmarks.
Chicago boasts several famous attractions and bustling industries that make it instantly recognizable.
"This is one of the greatest and most beautiful cities in the world, and you've never seen it like this,” says Mossop. “Nothing comes close.”
During Believe Chicago, you’ll get up-close-and-personal in the famous Chicago Theatre, climb the Willis Tower and see the city landscape reflected in Cloud Gate (colloquially known as “The Bean”).
Some of your favourite films and T.V. shows may have even been filmed in Chicago, like Home Alone and The Bear, which is why you’ll find yourself amongst the lights, cameras and action during the FlyOver experience, too. You’ll soar through film sets, watch lowriders bounce on the ground and follow a car chase — all from the comfort of your FlyOver seat.
A city is nothing without the people that keep it moving. This is especially true of Chicago. "One theme of this experience is how strong and resilient the people of Chicago are,” says Mossop. “And the creation of this film is a shining example of that resilience.”
During your FlyOver journey, you'll catch performances from the Joffrey Ballet, Soul Children of Chicago choir and other local entertainers. Plus, you’ll feel the daily buzz of the city as you fly alongside the L Train, watching performers inside the rail cars as you do.
“Chicago has something to teach the world: to never give up. These people, this city, they are indefatigable. You can't take them down. No challenge is too big to overcome. Chicagoans just put their heads down and get the work done. They come together and persevere,” says Mossop. “I think the world could use a little more Chicago spirit.”
Get your tickets to Believe Chicago, showing for a limited time at FlyOver Iceland
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