How does it feel to ‘literally’ stand or sit on the top of the world? Up until now, only Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise could be able to answer the question. But not anymore! UAE airline Emirates recently decided to scale the world’s tallest building- the Burj Khalifa to shoot a commercial and in true style, the advertisement has a woman in full cabin crew uniform standing atop the building’s tallest point. The commercial, shot without any green screen or special effects has blown away the minds of netizens all over who are marvelling at the daredevil execution of the commercial.
The airlines hired UK stuntwoman Nicole Smith-Ludvik to climb the Burj. Smith-Ludvik, a skydiving instructor is now among those elite few who have climbed the world’s tallest skyscraper which towers over every other building anywhere at 828 metres.
Reconnect with your loved ones or take a fabulous vacation.From 8th August travel to the UK gets easier.#FlyEmiratesFlyBetter pic.twitter.com/pEB2qH6Vyo— Emirates Airline (@emirates) August 5, 2021
Netizens, as shook as they were at the daring commercial, some posed a doubt as to whether the airline had actually managed to shoot it at the real spot that high up in the sky or was it achieved with green screen or visual effects. To erase all doubts, the airline however went on to post a behind-the-scene video footage of the commercial to show the internet how they actually managed to shoot the commercial and not using any other way.
Real or fake? A lot of you have asked this question and we’re here to answer it. Here’s how we made it to the top of the world’s tallest building, the @BurjKhalifa. https://t.co/AGLzMkjDON@EmaarDubai #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter pic.twitter.com/h5TefNQGQe— Emirates Airline (@emirates) August 9, 2021
The BTS video shows Smith-Ludvik standing atop the Burj dressed in the Emirates’ cabin crew outfit. “Hi mommy, I’m on top of the world," she squeals as the video then moves on to show how the entire process was achieved using a series of training sessions all replete with harness and safety instruments attached to Smith-Ludvik as she practices for he commercial by holding the placards in her hands.
A single drone was used to get the perfect shot of the commercial and performed in a continuous take.
The video says how the crew travelled from Level 160 of the building to the top for an hour. The Bujr Khalifa has a total of 163 floors and above it is the pinnacle of the skyscraper.
“Filming at the pinnacle required rigorous preparation and adherence to a stringent safety protocol," the BTS said.
Reacting to the impressive commercial’s behind-the-scenes video, netizens marveled at the uniqueness and risk involved with the commercial whereas some even tried to see it hilariously.
Without a doubt, it was real. I mean, it wasn't something impossible to do given the "capabilities" of Dubai and Emirates. Instead, what I had in mind was "what if she dropped the boards?! Did they bring spare?" You know, wind and all. — Airplane Girl (RPVM / Philippines) (@airplanegirlph) August 9, 2021
Sweaty palms? Lol, the Hoover Dam is leaking over here!I admire the fact that people are not afraid of heights and can engage in such stomach-wrenching thrills, but it's so not for me. I felt queasy when the camera zoomed out in the main ad.
— shaheerk (@shaheerkkkk) August 9, 2021
The bird's eye view is indeed dizzying! I read in an article that she is a skydiver, which perhaps mean that she is more used to such views without experiencing the emotions we feel. Mad props to everyone involved.— Somnath Datta ♈ (@sillyposts) August 9, 2021
Wow! This was a treat to watch! Beautiful visuals! Many congratulations to Team Emirates and everyone behind the scenes who made this happen! This ad is a masterpiece and hats off to the flight attendant, stunt woman, and production company massive respect! — Soraya Sikander | Art (@SorayaSikander) August 9, 2021
With the new commercial Emirates said it was grateful for being removed off the red list of UK’s international travel curbs.
Smith-Ludvik’s Instagram handle says she is a ‘world traveller, skydiver, yoga instructor, hiker and adventurer’ and so if anyone could’ve pulled this off, it was her. The Emirates in a statement said how ‘a custom platform with an attached pole was built at the top for the protagonist to stand on. She was attached to the pole as well as two other different points directly to the pinnacle, through a hidden harness under the Emirates uniform.’
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