January 2022

Filming anything requires a level of creativity and resourcefulness, so it’s not uncommon for filmmakers to look for new and innovative ways to capture excellent footage. And recently, flying drones have become an increasingly popular option for filmmakers of every level. Discover how drones are changing the way we film and why they might be an excellent tool for your next project. There’s More Room for Versatility An excellent reason why drones are great for filming is that they can provide more shot versatility for filmmakers. Indeed, drones are most effective when used for aerial footage. However, with a bit of creativity, you can manipulate their angles in the sky. As a result, you can add some pretty cool shots to your project that might have otherwise been unattainable. Suppose you want to get an image of a city skyline at night, but you also want to get the same shot of the skyline during the day, except this time, the shot will be upside down. You can do this with a drone. Later, you’ll edit the two together to create your opening scene. If you were to use other avenues to get these shots, it would be costly, tedious, and time-consuming. However, the whole process would likely only take a couple of hours max with a drone. So if you’re looking to get more versatility out of your camera equipment, drones can do some pretty incredible things. Cuts the Costs Attributed to Aerial Footage Excellent aerial footage is highly sought after, whether you’re shooting music videos, property walkthroughs, or arthouse shorts. But traditionally, getting this kind of footage at a reasonable cost was impossible. And this isn’t without a good reason. After all, filmmakers of yesteryear had to rent out helicopters and hire entire crews to handle a few basic shots. And if they were unwilling to use practical effects, they likely resorted to CGI. And while CGI is valid, it doesn’t compare to the magnificence of an authentic shot of a city skyline after dark. As a result, solid aerial footage was wildly expensive. Luckily, you can save oodles of that budget by using a drone. Drones cost far less than a helicopter rental and crew. They also come with high-resolution cameras and features that make tracking and grounding easier and more efficient. And helping filmmakers maintain a healthy budget is one of the ways that drones are changing the world. It Helps Save Time on Shoots Another of the top reasons why drones are great for filming is that they save precious time during your shoots —and those who film regularly will tell you that every second counts. This is especially true if you’re working with a tight shooting schedule or if your scenes occur at a specific time of day. So when you have a compact, fast- moving drone that travels long distances within minutes, you can save a significant amount of time and effort that other types of equipment would require. Even if you’re white-knuckling it with a camera and a ladder, the preparation that this entails would quickly become a time suck you can’t afford. Using a drone to get the same shot will undoubtedly save you time, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your project that might need your attention. THE TOP REASONS WHY DRONES ARE GREAT FOR FILMING by | Mallory Knee 7