About Orange Aerial - Orange Aerial

We are Orange Aerial

The past – The present – The future.
How it all began and where we’re heading.

How it all started

“In 1986, an American director came to Norway to film a music video, and once the job was done, he realized that the shipping costs to get his Tyler Middle Mount back to the US were incredibly high.”

Orange Aerial was established in 2012 by Reidar Isaksen, his succeeding company to Nord Filmservice. In 1986, an American director came to Norway to film a music video, and once the job was done, he realized that the shipping costs to get his Tyler Middle Mount back to the US were incredibly high. Paying more to ship it back than the actual value of the mount itself was not particularly tempting, so he decided to sell it locally before returning home. Reidar bought the mount, and Nord Filmservice was founded.

The Tyler Middle Mount was a gyro stabilized camera rig, which had to be operated from the side of the helicopter, without doors. In 1987, Tyler Nose Mount became available on the market, and another investment was made. The nose mount meant that the camera operator could now operate the camera platform from within the helicopter cabin with doors closed, but was restricted to an operator controlled tilt only – if you wanted to pan, the pilot had to create the movement with the helicopter itself. In 2012, the Cineflex V14 was released which created a smaller revolution in the industry. Nord Filmservice invested in one and changed the name of the company – Orange Aerial was born.

The Shotover

A couple of years later even more revolutionary equipment made its way onto the commercial market, this time in the shape of the Shotover. The Cineflex had a fixed HD camera mounted in an auxiliary box, with only the lens installed in the actual gimbal head. A great system in many ways at the time, but also pretty limiting. With the Shotover F1 and K1 came a completely open platform that allowed almost unlimited payload combinations to be installed, all in order to meet each client’s specific need. So in true Reidar fashion, he had now bought a Cineflex V14, and two years later a Shotover F1. Today, the Shotover F1 is the most popular gyro stabilized platform in the industry, that despite its pretty compact size can hold a wide range of camera and lens combinations. Orange Aerial today owns a large selection of high end cameras and lenses, and has throughout the years built up a solid base of clients from all around the world, working both in Norway and globally.

Our operators are highly experienced with advanced camera platforms and the surrounding logistics, as well as having the visual and creative eyes that are so vital. They have spent countless hours in the air shooting everything from feature films, commercials and documentaries, to live sports and reality TV. In 2022 we developed a concept which allows us to shoot high resolution 180 degree footage, through our 3-camera array, that houses RED Komodos.

Our pioneering first project shot with this rig is displayed on a very large panoramic screen at Norsk Bremuseum in Eidfjord (Visitor Centre Jostedalsbreen National Park). This is an event- and educational center that focuses on the climate with the local glaciers in focus.

Our location

Orange Aerial is based in Ålesund, coastal Norway. Directly to the west lies the North Sea with its many small islands, beautiful lighthouses and sandy beaches. East of town sits the famous Troll Wall and the curved road Trollstigen, one of Norway’s most visited attractions. Heading south we find the breathtaking Sunnmøre Alps, and further southeast the stunning UNESCO world heritage site Geiranger Fjord. To the north lies the famous Atlantic Road with its spectacular bridges – all this within 30 minutes flight time from our local airport. When the shoot is prepared, just fly to Aalesund Airport, walk over to our waiting helicopter and fly off to do your aerials!

The founder of Orange Aerial, Reidar Isaksen, has 39 years of experience as a certified helicopter and airplane technician. He has built a large network in the aviation industry over the years, which is why we also offer highly professional helicopter and airplane services to productions of all scales. When the shoot is prepared, just fly to Aalesund Airport, walk over to our waiting helicopter and fly off to do your aerials!