Holovis has designed a complex pre-show featuring projection mapping for the new Flying Aces rollercoaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
Flying Aces is the world’s steepest steel rollercoaster with a launch hill inclined by 51° and speeds of 30km/h making it the fastest inclined cable lift in the world, also featuring the world’s tallest loop at 52m.
The ride needed a pre-show that would add to the experience of the guests and immerse them in the story of the Cavallino Rampante’s birth while establishing a connection with the car brand. Holovis Media and Holovis AV division designed, created and integrated all the projection systems and spatial audio with the purpose-designed media for a pre-show that tells the Flying Aces story before the start of the ride.
The pre-show area is themed as a WWI Italian airfield with a 100sqm Sky Mural as its centrepiece. The projection mapping brings to life a ‘moving painting’ depicting the skyline through which the Flying Aces’ squadron flies.
“The creative team at Holovis gave what I like to call all-things-magical to the project,” explained creative director George Walker. “They animated wonder into the sunset sky mural with amazing planes that fill the horizon, breathed life into the faces of scenic figures, populated the environment with holographic characters, layered the scenes with environmental audio illusions, and then underscored the whole thing with a brilliant, cinematic orchestral score. Holovis played an integral role in the storytelling component of this attraction, right down to the comically clever safety film that plays in the briefing room just before guest’s board.”
Guests journey through the queue-line experience and are immersed in the story of the Flying Aces squadron through media-rich scenes, including a projected illusion of two soldiers playing cards aligned with the props in foxhole and pilots tangled in the scenic trees who speak to you via projection-mapped faces. The themed interiors are periodically lined with windows that include specially embedded display technology to create the illusion of a world beyond.
Under the direction of the Farah Experiences project team, Holovis Media, the company’s creative, media and game development division, scripted, show produced and designed all the media elements within the 29 different story zones that people travel through, producing a full 45 minute queue line and preshow experience for guests.
Stuart Hetherington, CEO of Holovis said: “This spectacular attraction features the thrill of a traditional e-ticket coaster, but also puts people at the heart of a compelling story, thanks to the immersive storytelling in the preshow.”
Jesse Vargas, general manager at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, added: “Following the introduction of two new attractions in 2015, we are starting 2016 with the biggest ride unveiling since our grand opening, with the launch of the incredible, record-breaking roller coaster, Flying Aces.”
