Microlight cinema - La demoichelle in L’envol by Pietro Marcello

A first experience in the world of film… It all begins with a simple message on Facebook: we are looking for a pilot and his period machine for a shoot… I replied straight away and found myself catapulted into the world of cinema. The aircraft is a design by Daniel DALBY. It was chosen by the production designer, Christian MARTI, for its period look and its definite resemblance to Santos-Dumont’s Demoiselle. The one selected was Demoichelle no. 1 (28 ALU).

Ready for take-off!

D-30 before the shoot: we meet in a small town, Saint-Riquier in the Somme, for the presentation of the filming project. The day begins with a location recce to choose a take-off and landing strip and the setting for the scenes. Yes, that is the great advantage of the microlight: we simply asked the owner’s permission and informed the town about opening a temporary strip! Then the stage manager asks me to go to a fitting… a little surprised, I am only the pilot?! The whole costume team welcomed me and put me at ease. In fact, I had to look like the actor, Louis GARREL: costume fittings, pilot’s helmet, the lot!

D-7 before the shoot: the first flight of the Demoichelle over Saint-Riquier. A slot had been scheduled for an aerial recce of the filming location. Back from the flight, a debrief with the director, Pietro MARCELLO, to adjust the various flying sequences. Then it was the turn of the production designer and his team to dress the aircraft so that it looks as it did in those days! We made copies of parts of the aircraft for the pilot’s crash scene… No time to lose, we have only 4 days to finish everything!

D-1 before the shoot: change of plan, the final crash scene will be shot before the flight… We take the Demoichelle apart, then transport it to the filming location. With the set-dressing team, we stage the crash of the Demoichelle (luckily the pilot was not in it!). I have had some experience in this field, so we pushed the realism!

The demoichelle in front of the film green screen

Quiet, rolling! The cameras gather around the Demoichelle, followed by the director and his assistants. After being briefed on the actor’s position, I was able to watch the scene live! A long day ends with taking the Demoichelle apart and preparing it for the flying scene…

Flight day: H-1:30 (5.30 am local time), briefing with the camera crew and the director, pre-flight inspection of the machine… the big moment is coming! H-0:30 (6.30 am local time), time for make-up, not a minute to lose, we have to shoot the scenes in the right light and before the wind picks up! H-0 (7.00 am local time), inspection of the freshly mown take-off and landing strip… only 120 metres long, light 5 km/h headwind, 2 ribbons of 10 metres attached to the Demoichelle… I am just waiting for a little puff of wind to give me the signal to go… I open the throttle fully… the Demoichelle lifts gracefully off the ground… and engines rolling!

“Thomas JORON, the Demoichelle’s crazy pilot”, from the end credits.

A big thank you to the whole technical crew of the shoot for taking me along into the world of cinema!

L’envol was released in cinemas on 11 January 2023

Synopsis:

“Somewhere in the north of France, Juliette is growing up alone with her father, Raphaël, a soldier who survived the First World War. Passionate about singing and music, the solitary girl meets a magician one summer who promises her that scarlet sails will one day come to carry her far from her village. Juliette will never stop believing in the prophecy.”

L'envol by Pietro MARCELLO, trailer

Thomas JORON

Microlight instructor

© photos Thomas Joron