Soar through the city and experience Chicago from a whole new perspective in Flyover’s latest immersive journey. This new frontier for Flyover highlights an iconic urban environment and its landmarks like you’ve never seen before.
Flyover takes you through incredible natural and human-made landscapes around the world, with three locations — Canada, Iceland and Las Vegas — under its belt before introducing its latest attraction in Chicago.
As writer and director of Flyover’s Chicago experience 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 the Canadian Rockies to otherworldly Iceland. But his experience capturing Chicago, Mossop says, was special. “The original vision was somewhere between incredibly ambitious and impossible.”
With help from Mossop, we’re exploring how Flyover’s latest location and its signature adventure, Believe Chicago, looks, feels and sounds like no experience that’s come before.
1. The music
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.
2. The technology
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 corners of the city that would otherwise not be possible. Find yourself inside buildings and winding through small spaces in a way you’ve never experienced before.
3. The culture
The Windy City 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 favorite 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.
4. The location
You’ll find Flyover in Chicago on Navy Pier, situated along Lake Michigan. Every year this shoreline destination draws over 9 million visitors to its shops, restaurants, family attractions and live theaters.
Constructed in 1916, the landmark boasts some fascinating history itself. Originally named “Municipal Pier” and intended for dual use by the Chicago public and shipping industry, it was later renamed to honor naval veterans following the First World War. After stints as a navy training center and a University of Illinois campus, Navy Pier was largely abandoned during the later 20th century before being revitalized into a now-iconic destination in the mid-1990s.
You can see the pier and its towering Ferris wheel highlighted in Believe Chicago, along with nearby jet skiing, boating and other summer activities beyond the shoreline.
5. The people
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 Flyover in Chicago, now open at historic Navy Pier.
