San Diego--Experience being aboard a modern carrier at sea in the new giant-screen film Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of the Seas, premiering at the Fleet Science Center on Friday, November 10, 2017. This film is screening in California exclusively at the Fleet, in the Eugene Heikoff and Marilyn Jacobs Heikoff Giant IMAX® Dome Theater.          

Aircraft Carrier is an immersive film packed with adrenaline-laced visuals and human stories. It pays stirring tribute to the crucial role modern aircraft carriers play in maintaining the freedom of the seas and keeping the sea lanes open for commerce.   With unprecedented logistical assistance and access by the United States Navy, Aircraft Carrier places audiences aboard a Nimitz-class carrier during the RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) maritime exercises. RIMPAC is a large-scale maritime drill with more than 22 nations and 55 ships participating, along with 92 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters on the carrier itself-a veritable city at sea. In fact, the RIMPAC population totals nearly 5,000 crew members. Aircraft Carrier brings audiences not only aboard the carrier, but also inside the Navy's newest submarines and into the cockpit of the Navy's next-generation aircraft, the F-35. Viewers get a unique perspective on these new stealth fighters, observing their advanced technology systems and experiencing the pilot's perspective as the jet catapults off the carrier and into flight.   Featured in Aircraft Carrier are USS Ronald Reagan, a carrier based in San Diego from 2006 to 2015, now based in Japan, and the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which moved to San Diego in 2015. Aircraft Carrier provides an engaging learning experience focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects. Throughout the film, crew members are shown successfully applying science, technology, engineering and math in their careers.   "The RIMPAC exercise recognizes the international cooperation necessary to maintain peace in a complex world," said Stephen Low, the film's award-winning director and the director of 16 IMAX documentary classics, including Fighter Pilot. "It is certainly a film that should engage all viewers-from military history enthusiasts and engineering buffs to fans of futuristic technology ... and, of course, giant-screen movie audiences who love being transported to a place they are unlikely to ever go themselves."   "We're very excited to show Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of the Seas here on the Giant Dome screen," said Steve Snyder, CEO of the Fleet Science Center. "San Diego has a long military history, and this film gives civilians a chance to climb aboard an aircraft carrier and see STEM in action."   Aircraft Carrier, directed by veteran IMAX-format filmmaker Stephen Low (Rocky Mountain Express, The Ultimate Wave Tahiti), is produced and distributed by K2 Communications and Giant Screen Films.   Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of the Seas, opens at the Fleet Science Center on Friday, November 10, 2017, with multiple shows daily. For more information on Aircraft Carrier, including show times, please visit: www.fleetscience.org/shows/aircraft-carrier.   # # #   Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of the Seas is available for public screenings, school and group reservations or private screenings. For school or group reservations, please contact the Client Services Department at (619) 238-1233 ext. 806 or ClientServices@rhfleet.org.   If you would like to arrange a private screening of the film, please contact the Special Events Department at (619) 685-5729 or SpecialEvents@rhfleet.org.    Tickets for public screenings will go on sale by November 1 at the Fleet ticket counter and at www.fleetscience.org. Discounted tickets are available to the military and their family members at local military ticket offices.   # # #   Additional Links:   For more information on Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of the Seas, visit: www.aircraftcarrierfilm.com   For a film schedule, please visit: www.fleetscience.org/shows/aircraft-carrier     The film trailer is available to view on YouTube at: youtu.be/gnu7CPUP8O4    Press photos from Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of the Seas will be available on October 16 at: www.fleetscience.org/press-room/images/shows   # # #   Media Interviews   The Fleet is pleased to have Captain Craig A. Clapperton  and producer Mark Krenzien available for interview in conjunction with the film. To schedule a special press screening of Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of the Seas or an interview with a representative from the film or the Fleet Science Center, please contact Fleet Science Center Communications Manager, Karla Nafarrate at 619-685-5743 or knafarrate@rhfleet.org.  

Captain Craig A. Clapperton

Captain Craig "Clap" Clapperton is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He was commissioned in 1989 and designated a naval flight officer in 1991. In 2008, he earned a Master of Arts in National Strategy and Security Studies from the Naval War College with highest distinction and was a member of the college's elite Stockdale Group. He is a distinguished graduate of the Navy Nuclear Power Training Command and completed nuclear power training in 2010. Captain Clapperton completed operational flying tours in both the A-6E Intruder and EA-6B Prowler and has amassed over 2,800 hours in the Intruder, Prowler and EA-18 G Growler. His squadron assignments include tours with the VA-34 Blue Blasters, VAQ-139 Cougars and Wizards of VAQ-133.

Clapperton commanded the Shadowhawks of VAQ-141, the Sixth Fleet and NATO command ship USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC 20) and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). Additionally, he served as Executive Officer of USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75). During his command tours, his ships and squadron supported Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN and INHERENT RESOLVE, and operated in the Baltic, Black and Mediterranean Seas and Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. His commands won both the Battle E and Chief of Naval Operations Retention Excellence Awards, and in September 2007, Captain Clapperton was awarded the prestigious Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership. During his tours ashore, Captain Clapperton served as Aide to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, the Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Second Fleet/Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic; as a flight instructor in the Prowler Fleet Replacement Squadron; and on the staffs of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and Commander, Naval Air Forces.

 

Mark Krenzien 

Producer, Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of  the Seas

Writer/Director/Producer Mark Krenzien has enjoyed a diverse film and television career for more than thirty-five years. Beginning as an Emmy-winning film editor, and then as a cinematographer, Mark has written, produced and directed documentaries for ABC, HBO, Showtime and Discovery. Most recently Mark has been the writer, producer and/or director of 12 large-format IMAX films, including Humpback Whales, Journey to the South Pacific, Adventures in Wild California, Mystery of the Nile, The Alps, Grand Canyon Adventure and Arabia, all for MacGillivray Freeman Films.

 

# # #   FOR MEDIA ONLY: You're Invited to the Premiere!   Members of the media are invited to join us for our premiere party for Aircraft Carrieron Wednesday, November 8, from 6 to 8:45 p.m. Enjoy a reception from 6 to 7 p.m., with the premiere screening of the film at 7 p.m. and a dessert reception immediately after the film at 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served during both receptions.   If you and a guest would like to attend the premiere party for Aircraft Carrier, please RSVP via the Eventbrite link below. Space is limited. Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 1.   www.eventbrite.com/e/mediavip-premiere-of-aircraft-carrier-guardian-of-the-seas-tickets-38661069299    # # #     About K2 Communications: K2 Communications operates as a studio for the museum film industry, handling funding, production oversight, distribution and marketing for nonfiction films distributed to IMAX, Giant Screen, and other specialty theaters located in museums, science centers, zoos, aquaria and other destination venues. K2 is also a leading distributor to TV and other non-theatrical platforms worldwide.  Its catalogue not only contains Giant Screen /IMAX films, but a wide variety of non-IMAX documentaries, plus action sports, lifestyle, travel and music related programming. For additional information, visit www.k2communications.com.     About Giant Screen Films (GSF): Since 1997, GSF has established itself as a pioneer in the large-format industry, producing and distributing films that push the boundaries of the medium. Through the magic of immersive sight and sound technologies, GSF's productions challenge the imaginations of children and adults, offering an inspiring perspective on the world and an unforgettable theater experience. Meaningful educational collaboration and partnerships extend each film's impact far beyond the theater. The company is recognized as one of the world's leading and most active large-format producers and is based in Evanston, Illinois. For additional information, visit www.gsfilms.com.