Synopsis
The Legacy of Schwarzkopf tells the incredible story of renowned German amusement ride designer and builder Anton Schwarzkopf. Born into a family that was well-known in Germany for constructing circus caravans, he spent his early years as an apprentice carpenter before being drafted into World War II, ultimately finding himself as a prisoner of war. Anton’s WWII experience inspired him to dedicate his life to making machines that would make people happy.
His contributions to the amusement industry stand the test of the time, being most-remembered for developing the first modern vertical looping roller coaster, Revolution, at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 1976. Furthermore, Anton’s impact on the traveling fair circuit cannot be understated, creating some of the most iconic portable flat rides and coasters, including the world’s largest portable coaster, Olympia Looping Bahn, which has operated yearly at Oktoberfest since 1989.
This project was an immense undertaking, encompassing nearly 5-years of production and thousands of hours of post-production efforts. Notably, the film features an entirely original score comprised of 31 tracks and an album length of nearly 75-minutes. Filming took place on a global scale, including the United States, Germany, and Brazil, with dozens of other locations featured thanks to the hundreds of contributed photos and archive footage from over 200 individuals.
Project Highlights
- Roles: Producer, Director, Editor, Camera, Researcher
- Features an original score by composer John M. Pasternak
- Principal photography took place over a 2.5-year period and involved 50+ flight segments and 30+ hotel nights across the U.S. and Europe
