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Tour de France 2021: Behind the Scenes with Papa Sierra
Providing live aerial coverage of the most outstanding and highly respected bike riding competition in the world.
Papa Sierra’s gimbal line-up as they prep for live coverage of the Tour de France 2021.
Well before the Tour de France 2021 kicked off in Brest, Brittany, France on June 26, preparations were underway to broadcast the event worldwide. Race coverage requires the highest quality equipment, diligent technicians and an artful lens to convey the story of the most outstanding and highly respected bike riding competition in the world.
Enter Papa Sierra.
Based in Paris, France, Papa Sierra provides top-notch aerial shoots for cinema, events and advertising. A GSS partner for over five years, Papa Sierra owns and operates a full fleet of Gyro-Stabilized Systems gimbals used on helicopters and operated by some of the best technicians in the business.
Having covered this epic race for over a decade, Papa Sierra has the expertise and insight on just how and what to do. This year, they are utilizing two shooting helicopters each equipped with two gimbals – one with a wide angle lens and the other with a 45x telephoto lens for long zoom work. In addition to filming the race, these crews also provide stunning aerial footage of significant sites and landscapes crossing the route.
Here’s how it works: The director proposes a composition and the result becomes a team effort between the pilot and the operator. From a wide shot to a tight close-up of a cyclist, communication is essential to providing the director just what they are looking for. In this way, the coverage is an exciting information exchange between the aerial teams and the director who tells the story of the race using motorcycles and helicopters.
According to Frédéric SPRIET, Owner of Papa Sierra, the gimbal function they most heavily rely on is stability. “The stability of the gimbal allows the zoom to be carried out at very long focal lengths. This is an indispensable tool for covering sporting events such as car, boat and cycle races. GSS is the most stable gimbal in the world making it the perfect match for the most elite bike race in the world.”
In addition to “monstrous stability,” a gimbal function the operators appreciate is “Topshot in G mode” also known as POV mode or platform guided stabilization. This allows the operator to hold the racers in the shot during the heart-pounding final sprint through tiny villages at the end of each day’s race - even if the chopper is going too far and between buildings.
One of the many artful ways these seasoned operators provide an immersive audience experience is by utilizing the “magnificent 45x Canon lens with the Sony P50” to capture facial expressions and even discussions between the racers. This often happens during the mountain stages while flying at the same altitude as the cyclists.
Equipped with four GSS gimbals, SPRIET is confident his team will secure exactly what is needed all the way to the finish line.
For Tour de France 2021 coverage, check out TV: NBCSN Stream: Peacock.
For more information on Papa Sierra, go to https://papasierra.fr/en/. Photos by Stéphane Azouze.
“It is an exciting information exchange between the aerial teams and the director who tells the story of the race using motorcycles and helicopters.”
GSS at Cine Gear 2019
Cine Gear 2019 was a success yet again! Paramount Studios was an incredible venue to meet and greet both new and familiar faces. As always, we are so grateful to be part of this talented community. It was such a pleasure to catch up with friends and show off GSS tech in Los Angeles!
We can’t give enough thanks to Nathan Garofalos of Incline Dynamic Outlet, Patrick Longman from Active Camera Systems, and both Rob Drewett and Adam Sculthrop from Motion Impossible for the booth support. There’s nothing like working alongside friends and true experts in the field.
We’ll see you next year!
Aerial Cine Group Showcases Corail Helicopters
Journey to the stunning island of Mauritius in the latest video from Aerial Cine Group. Flying alongside Corail Helicopters, the island-based tour guides in the Caribbean and off the coast of South Africa, Aerial Cine Group explores the lush landscape off the eastern coast of Africa.
The video in this shoot was captured by Aerial Cine Group with our GSS 516 Red Helium and Angenieux Optimo 25-250. The results are phenomenal. This was a great way to market Corail Helicopters.
Aerial Cine Group, the Emmy-winning, Belgium-based aerial filming team, has gone global. You may have seen their work from the Red Bull Air Racing in Abu Dhabi, sailing in Miami, car chasing in Amsterdam, and more.
See more of Aerial Cine Group on Instagram @aerial_cine_group!
The Clients of GSS
What does it take to create the incredible documentaries you watch on The BBC, Discovery Channel and more? It starts with the best tech, outstanding customer service and state-of-the-art designs from a dedicated team. But don’t just take our word for it. Listen to these client testimonials from the most talented crews in the aerial cinematography industry.
“They are a step above...”
It’s all about the problem-solving abilities for Aerial Photographer Christian Turner from the US Air Force and Media Fusion. Our high-quality gimbal designs and 24/7 customer service speak for themselves, allowing Christian Turner to continue to capture the fastest aircraft around.
"It just made sense."
Emmy-winning Aerial Cameraman Skip Margetts of Helimedia wanted a partnership, not a sales pitch. With the ability to interchange cameras and lenses, Helimedia has created stunning footage on the Cape Town front for movies like Chappie (2015) and District 9 (2009) for over a decade.
“GSS is a group of excellence."
For IDO Aerials Co-Owner and Director of Photography Nathan Garofalos, accountability and consistency are crucial, and we can understand why. Since 2014, Incline Dynamic Outlet has created footage for the industry's biggest filmmakers: National Geographic, Warner Bros. Pictures and more.
“GSS has definitely set the bar high.”
Aerial Photographer Chris Higgins of the Edwards Air Force Base says his relationship with the GSS team boosts productivity. That engaging customer service really counts and makes a difference when he’s taking on the skies and capturing footage at jet speed.
"They care about my success."
Just like Winged Vision Founder Bob Mikkelson said, we do what others won't. Our partnership helps him capture awesome sporting event coverage of NASCAR, NHL, NFL and more. With stable footage, he gets in on the action both from land and in the air.
"GSS is a partner who we trust, and it works."
Alexander Brozek of CAMCAT-Systems agrees. GSS takes the time to answer questions. CAMCAT takes the European market by storm, taking on the 2017 British Golf Open and more with their remote-controlled cable system designed for aerial footage captures.
“It’s cutting edge, state of the art.”
Straight from Rogue Aviation Co-Owner Matt Barnes and Creative Director and Aerial Cinematographer Cory Hill, GSS is a family. Rogue Aviation has shot aerial work for The Mint 400 race and Pacific Flight Aviation flight school, and has been featured in commercial ads for all kinds of businesses and brands, like DuPont, BMW, and even in music videos!