Masters of the Air

The highly anticipated historical drama, Masters of the Air, took viewers on a breathtaking journey into the skies of World War II. As the third installment in the acclaimed WWII series that includes Band of Brothers and The Pacific, this epic production, led by Steven Spielberg (Amblin Television) and Tom Hanks (Playtone), tells the gripping story of the 100th Bomb Group—known as the “Bloody Hundredth”—as they faced the challenges of high-altitude bombing missions. 

With a production budget exceeding $100 million, Masters of the Air raised the bar for historical storytelling and showcased the transformative potential of virtual production technology. This groundbreaking approach utilized AOTO’s RM2.3 LED panels, working in tandem with Brompton Technology  Tessera processors, to create immersive environments that brought the tension and scale of aerial combat to life.

Filmed at Aylesbury Studios in the UK, the production relied on two custom-built LED volumes to recreate the intense aerial battles of WWII. The primary volume, known as Volume One, featured a 40-foot-wide, 30-foot-high, 270-degree curved LED wall composed of 960 AOTO RM2.3 panels, complemented by a 37-by-32-foot LED ceiling made of 388 additional panels. This setup allowed the filmmakers to authentically replicate the interiors of B-17 bombers, complete with dynamic lighting effects and real-time sky reflections on the aircraft’s glass surfaces.

The second volume, designed for wide-angle compositions, featured a massive 110-foot-wide LED wall with minimal curvature. This setup was perfect for capturing sweeping aerial visuals, adding cinematic grandeur to the high-stakes combat sequences.

AOTO’s RM2.3 LED panels were instrumental in delivering consistent brightness and exceptional image quality, while Brompton Technology Tessera processors ensured precise color calibration and seamless synchronization with multiple camera setups. Together, these technologies created a seamless blend of virtual and physical elements, immersing actors and filmmakers alike in the world of the story.