In a video that’s received more than six million views, three radio-controlled model plane enthusiasts fly unmanned airborne vehicles (UAVs) shaped in a rough human outline above New York City.

In a video that’s received more than six million views, three radio-controlled model plane enthusiasts fly unmanned airborne vehicles (UAVs) shaped in a rough human outline above New York City.   

The vehicles, although boxy and awkward on the ground, appear to be men or boys dressed in shirts and slacks when flying.  In the video the three men launch and then guide the UAVs with model airplane controllers.  The video shows the flying fake folks passing the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.



 

The videomakers used some elaborate equipment to make the video.  Thirty-nine seconds into the video a six-propeller UAV (a hexicopter?) rises from the ground.  Presumably this craft bore the video cameras that recorded the high altitude views of the flying model men.  

The poster of the video identifies himself only as ChronicleNYC.  The video features no spoken explanation of the technology or purpose of the stunt, but The Huffington Post reports that the viral marketing firm Thinkmodo staged the flights to promote the new Fox movie “Chronicle,”  which opened at #1 in box office receipts.  Rupert Murdoch has not commented on the movie on Twitter.

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“Chronicle” opened in New York City (and India) on Feb. 3, 2011, after a Feb. 1 debut in the UK.  The film tells the story of three teenage boys who develop mysterious powers of telekinesis and flight.  The film, directed by Josh Trank and written by Max Landis, is certified fresh on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.  The trailer is available for view on YouTube.  YouTube view counts show five times as many views for the publicity stunt as for the trailer.


 
Thinkmodo is a New York City marketing firm that specializes in viral video making.  The company website reports the business was founded in 2011 by James Percelay and Michael Krivicka.  

In its coverage The L.A. Times noted the midget aircraft were made of polyester and carbon fiber rods.  The motors powering the flying model people were electric motors commonly used to fly model airplanes.  Battery life limited the flights, and one UAV fell into the water.  

Mike Krivicka of Thinkmodo told TechCrunch the UAVs were custom made.  At least one commenter on that site wrote that he wanted one to play rapture-related pranks.

A music track accompanies the video.  Below the YouTube video ChronicleNYC identifies the composition as “Unstoppable” by Tom Quick.