Aerial Filming for the Hunted - Series 5
Ten ordinary people are blindfolded, bundled in a van, and dropped off in an unknown location. Their task is simple, evade capture for 25 days, and win £100,000. They are being hunted by a team of former and serving police, intelligence personnel, on-foot teams, and helicopters. Using the same powers used by real security services, their job is to track down and capture the ten fugitives.
Filming for the Hunted is unlike any other programme we shoot for. The fugitive’s drop-off and extraction locations are known to us in advance, and are filmed like any other TV project. However, due to the nature of the show, any additional filming we do depends entirely on where the fugitives flee to, how they get there and how close the hunters get.
Outside of the opening and final sequences to the series, we’re mainly on hand to assist the hunters in apprehending the fugitives. The contestants can run and hide anywhere in the country, and most of the time, even the fugitives don’t have a set plan of where they’re headed. Because of this, the call for shooting some sequences can come very late, sometimes just the night before. This is where our large fleet of H125 and AS355 helicopters comes in. While we normally have at least one helicopter reserved for aerial filming work, any of our seven single and twin-squirrels can be rigged with our GSS C516 camera system.
Nearing the end of series 5, the location of the extraction point is revealed to the fugitives. This year the remaining contestants had to reach a harbour in Anglesey. A boat would be there waiting to help them complete their escape and hand them £100,000. This information is kept from the hunters, but they’re hot on the heels of the fugitives and so get a rough idea of where they’re headed. With the end in sight, we’re back in the air and aiding the hunters. In our AS355N helicopter, G-CMRA, we pick up renowned hunter Karl Beverly, and race towards Anglesey. After spotting the escape boat that the fugitives are heading towards, we quickly land nearby so Karl can jump out to pursue on foot. We get back in the air to film the dramatic finale as the remaining fugitives attempt to make their escape.
Filming for the Hunted is always an adventure and we look forward to each series to see how our work played out in helping capture the fugitives. The programme is created by Shine TV and is aired on Channel 4.
The Hunted Series 4
The hunted is a reality TV series produced by Shine TV where you will see ten ordinary members of the public go on the run, trying to completely drop off the grid for up to 25 days in the chance of winning a cash prize. They will have limited financial resources and must do whatever they can to maintain a low profile against the hunters who will be using every trick in the book to track, find and catch them.
Our task throughout the series was to provide multiple aircraft for the air-to-air footage and aerial views. Using one of our AS355 twin squirrel helicopters we were able to help the hunters as one of their many ways used to track and follow the contestants.
Series 4 aired on 10th January 2019 staring with an audacious speedboat chase through Liverpool docks, as the series progresses you will see exciting vehicle and foot chases while they are on the run.
What Camera system was used?
All the aerial footage was captured with the GSS C516 and Red Epic Dragon camera. This system is renowned for its unprecedented UHD quality when supported with the 50-1000mm Cine lens. The nose mounted camera system was rigged to one of our AS355 twin squirrel aircraft.
Where there any permissions involved?
At GB Helicopters we hold a low-level flying permission which allows us to track and vehicles and people closely achieving the shots required by production teams. As we were flying over Liverpool we liaised with Liverpool air traffic control as we were in their zone.
How do I find out if any permissions are needed for my production?
We understand that each production is completely unique. To discuss what tasks are achievable or simply if you would like any more information on helicopter aerial filming or the camera systems available for TV and Film, please do not hesitate to contact our operations team on ops@gbconcierge.co.uk or calling 0800 030 4105
