Drone cinematography is a quickly growing field, and more and more businesses are using drones to capture stunning aerial footage. If you’re deciding between NYC drone cinematography pilots, it’s important to know what to look for–from preflight planning and qualifications to skill in customizing camera settings and manipulating the equipment itself. In this article, we will discuss what drone cinematography is, and what to look for in a drone cinematography pilot so you can hire the best resource for your upcoming high-definition aerial footage needs.
What Is Drone Cinematography?
Drone cinematography pilots use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to capture footage from the sky. UAVs are also commonly referred to as drones, and these devices have been increasingly used in a number of industries for various purposes, including photography, videography, search and rescue operations, security surveillance, and more. In terms of cinematic applications, drones have been used to capture beautiful shots in movies and television shows, giving viewers a new perspective of the action. Previously in cinematic history, these types of shots were reserved for high-budget films as they required hiring a helicopter or a crane. Happily, today many filmmakers, brand-builders, and career-oriented professionals can achieve the same effect through the use of drones!
What to Look for in a Drone Cinematography Pilot
It’s not the easiest thing, successfully piloting a drone—and at that rate, it’s not the easiest thing to use professional cameras to take high-definition photographs or footage. NYC drone cinematography pilots have to be proficient not only in flight regulations, local legislation, and utilizing the latest drone technology, but they must also be skilled photographers and filmmakers as well. When looking to hire a quality drone cinematography pilot, there are a few things you should keep at the forefront of your decision-making, listed below.
Thorough Flight Planning
There are many things to consider when hiring NYC drone cinematography pilots. The first is flight planning. A good drone pilot will take the time to map out the area and plan the best route for capturing the footage you need. They will also be familiar with the airspace and regulations in NYC, as well as any restricted areas that might impact their ability to capture the footage you require. There is still a lot of use for a flight plan in terms of being well-prepared for your shots, even if we ignore the legal and safety benefits of making one. Additionally, this will maximize travel time, which is valuable. Planning a flight from a cinematography standpoint entails:
- determining the destination of the flight (scouting it in person prior to the shoot is even better)
- determining and selecting the ideal moment for the intended video’s appearance (taking into consideration things like weather, sun position, etc.)
- emergency protocols, finding the closest airports, heliports, etc. naming and organizing the precise photos you are aiming to capture, how long each will take, and what is the flight path for each of these shots.
After completing all of the intended photographs, if the pilot still has time and battery power, by all means, they should improvise and explore with the drone. However, having a strategy will make the client, the drone pilot, and everyone else you are working with more at ease.
Technical Knowledge of Camera Settings
Additionally, it’s important to make sure your drone cinematography pilot has a thorough understanding of how to use the most modern technology and camera settings. This includes knowing how to properly adjust the camera’s aperture, shutter speed, color profile, ISO, and more to get the best possible high-definition shots. A truly skilled drone pilot is also a talented photographer…so ask to see their portfolio before making a decision!
Composition Techniques
The way a pilot decides to frame the photo or video you’re about to take is called “composition.” The pilot should also be skilled in composition techniques so they can frame each shot in the most flattering and compelling way. Proficient drone pilots will use shapes, patterns, symmetry, and foreground when framing an image, along with other methods of composing interesting and pleasant-to-watch footage. This includes capturing anything that is aesthetically attractive by nature. It’s much more intriguing to use natural frames in the photo than to simply fly toward the subject, like flying the drone through a forest of trees.
Many pilots use the rule of thirds, perhaps one of the most well-known and frequently used composition techniques. This often involves turning on the grid marker in the drone’s settings to display horizontal and vertical lines (and potentially even diagonal ones) indicating where the pilots should place their subjects on the screen. The best NYC drone cinematography pilots will understand how to make interesting video content without distracting the viewer from their client’s message.
Smooth Dynamic Motion
The most cinematically beautiful movement is fluid motion. The last thing a cinematographer wants is jerky motions that pull the viewer out of the narrative and force them to consider the equipment utilized to record it. In most situations, it’s best to go slowly and smoothly—though there are certain applications where static shots are preferable as well.
Additionally, jerky movements are not very aerodynamic and will reduce the efficiency of a drone’s flight, squandering battery life or unnecessarily stressing the equipment. Being smooth piloting a drone requires a lot of practice, but pilots can alter the sensitivity and the speed at which their drones respond to the joystick, simplifying the flight process. An experienced pilot will have a few tricks up her sleeve to take the most appealing footage possible without overexerting the drone.
Results-Oriented With Exceptional Customer Service
Finally, you’ll want to consider customer service when hiring NYC drone cinematography pilots. After all, you’ll be working closely with this person to ensure your vision is realized–whether you are looking for creative or professional content. Look for someone who is easy to communicate with and who is willing to go the extra mile to make sure you’re happy with the final product.
Best NYC Drone Cinematography Pilots
To effectively fly a drone, most pilots are not only skilled and qualified to manipulate UAVs, but also likely have a background in photography, film, or both as well. It takes time and practice to get smooth, well-composed footage—which is why so many businesses and creatives outsource their aerial footage needs to licensed drone pilots in their area. Hiring NYC drone cinematography pilots doesn’t have to be difficult–just keep these things in mind and you’ll be sure to find the perfect pilot for your project!
Or better yet, call us today at Xizmo Media to see if we’d be a good match for your needs! We offer some of the most experienced and competent drone pilots on the entire northeast coast.