Thor-Coat

Film Review

This production is intended to demonstrate the technique for applying a shaft coating product made by Thordon Bearings Inc. of Canada for distributors of the product.

Location

This production was shot over two days in Molde, Norway, a small town high up on Norway’s west coast. It was notable as a summer vacation spot for Germans in the early 1900’s and during the WW2.

Production

The film was shot entirely in HDV and transferred to FCP for the final cut. We have a HD version available but the current DVD is 16X9 SD. It is a little removed from vintage mechanical, but you do what you have to do!

You can download the movie or double click your mouse to view (windows media player is required). The clip is rather large at about 65 meg (10 minutes) so if you want to get your hands on a DVD, request one from Thordon Bearings at www.thordonbearings.com.

The Miracle of KA114

Film Review

This film chronicles the restoration of what is expected to be the first Mosquito fighter-bomber to take to the skies in 20 years. Details of the massive restoration effort are mixed with recollections of pilots who flew the type back in the 1940's.

The quality of the restoration is extraordinary and a tribute to the person who financed the project as well as to all involved with the project. The production is intended to educate and entertain those who are familiar with the aircraft, as well as others who will find it amazing that an aircraft made almost entirely of wood, could have performed as it did.

Location

Shot in New Zealand, UK, America and Canada, this film includes plant scenes as well as interviews with factory workers, test pilots and those who actually flew the Mossie in combat during WW2. Work on the aircraft has proven to take longer than planned and so an expected completion in 2010 has now stretched to 2011. Several trips to New Zealand will include another planned for the summer of 2010.

Production

The film is a mix of Super-16, HDV and XD Cam footage. Likely the first Mosquito to fly in 20 years, the event of its first flight will be a spectacle with great historical significance. This film cannot be completed until the aircraft is flown. CSI plan to offer DVDs to the international warbird market on a direct sale basis.

St. Mary’s Challenger

Film Review

If you like vintage machinery, American history and/or old ships this film will be a delight to watch. Built in 1906, the steamer "St. Mary's Challenger" has sailed for over a hundred years on the Great Lakes in continuing commercial service. As the last surviving steam powered bulker on the lakes, she represents the end of an era.

Scenes from the pilot house to engine and boiler rooms and all between, show this grand lady at her best for even though she is truly in the autumn of her life, the owner maintains the vessel in immaculate condition. This ship truly represents a working tribute to mechanical engineering; a living, working museum.

Location

The Challenger steams out of her home port of Charlevoix, Michigan carrying cement for terminals in the ports of Lake Michigan. Not only is the machinery of this hard working ship a symphony in motion, but its crew comprises many who have been on board for up to thirty years. They know the ship as an old friend. Come with us as we sail into and out of some of the intriguing commercial ports on the lake and get acquainted with daily life on board. Take a trip back in time as we capture what to the crew is routine but to us is an adventure.

The Great Lakes are usually well mannered, but not always, and when nature decides to make life difficult, watch how this crew and their trusty steamer deal with it. It’s man and machine against nature.

Maneuvering in tight spaces demands frequent calls for “Full ahead” and then “Full astern”, with none of the smoke, hesitation and uncertainty common to a modern diesel.

Production

Footage for this production was captured on voyages in 2006, and 2008 and shooting is expected to be completed in 2011. T-V markets and DVD release are planned.

Thordon Corporate

Film Review

This film was produced for Thordon Bearings, a world leader in high performance, environmentally friendly, long lasting, bearing and seal systems that require no oil or grease. Used by ship owners, shipyards, power utilities and alternate energy producers, the film showcases their systems in situ at their clients locations around the globe.

Location

The film was shot on location in America, Italy, Greece, Poland, New Zealand, Canada and Australia over a two year period. Wherever possible we wanted to highlight the beauty of the location along with the relatively cold nature of the products.

Production

Shot in both XD Cam HD and Super-16 film this 8 minute film replaces one that was outdated. Copies are available from the client, Thordon Bearings Inc. in both Blu-Ray and SD DVD.

Flying Forever, The Henry Van Kesteren Story

Film Review

This story is unique. It is a story about Henry, an 87 year old pilot who has flown just about every airplane and is the oldest type rated business jet pilot and owner in North America. With a lifetime of experience spanning 60 years, he is an inspiration to all who love to fly.

It is also a story about the romance Henry has had with the airplanes he flew and with his wife of 60 years, herself a multi-engine fixed wing and helicopter pilot.

Location

Filming has been completed on this project in Hamilton, Kansas City and Tampa and the project is now in editing. Plans are to make it suitable for an hour PBS slot. Completion delayed and now expected for 2011.

Thordon COMPAC Conversion

Film Review

This project was produced for Thordon Bearings Inc. as an 18 minute documentary to illustrate the steps required in changing the shaft bearings of the Canadian Ice-Breaker "Simon Risley" from oil lubrication to water. The shooting was all done at the shipyard in Port Weller, Ontario. Limitations from the ship owner prevented revealing more details about the ship and her crew, but the story is typical and will be seen around the world.

Also featured on the same DVD is a shorter 6-minute 12-step "How-To" version and a bonus cut showing the installation of a rudder bearing.

Location

The entire production was shot at the shipyard over a period of several days. Port Weller is a remarkable institution that has served the great lakes for many years. The fascinating and unique means of flooding and draining the dock will be seen in the film. Starring in the film are some of the toughest old buggers to ever strike an arc or turn a wrench.

Production

The industrial nature of the subject dictated shooting in XD Cam HD video.

Narration script was written by John Reynolds and Ben Jaklic of MJM Productions is editor. Narrator will be Bill Anderson of FM 96.3. Bill was the voice for most films produced by L&K international, a video production house that used to be part of our group. .

New Zealand Hydro

Film Review

This short (2 minute) piece is an honest, unscripted testimonial from a hydro-power station operator in the mountains west of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Production

Produced for Thordon Bearings as a tag to their new website it is effective in showing what Thordon can do for small hydro re–habilitation. The budget for this production came in at less than $1500.

Turning Thordon

Film Review

This film is an update of one produced about 15 years ago by L&K International. A Video Training Company owned by Sandy Thomson and specializing in instructional videos for power utilities of the world, L&K was a full integrated video production house with studios in Mississauga.

Bill Anderson, voice for Toronto radio station Classic 96.3 FM narrated all of L&K's productions, and is also narrator for this film.

Shot on location at the company's Burlington machine shop, "Turning Thordon" is for experienced machinists around the world who can pick up some tips from seeing how we do it in 2011. Running time is about 12 minutes.