Drone Cinematography Fundamentals

Acquiring Smooth Drone Shots

• To achieve smooth shots, use an ND filter and set up the tilt smoothly.
• Consider the director's or producer's requests, as they may dictate flight plans and paths.
• Flying super straight lines and slow speeds can help create smooth shots.

Rules of Takeoff

• Rule 1: Take off into the wind.
• Rule 2: Ensure the pilot and drone have the same orientation to avoid inadvertent motions.
• Rule 3: Perform a control sweep and battery test upon takeoff.

Safety Precautions

• Return to home altitude (246) for extra safety precautions.
• Monitor battery info and perform battery tests regularly.

Flight Motions

• Descend slowly while tilting up on the tilt wheel.
• Match speed with elevation to create smooth motions.
• Start recording before descending or elevating.

Shots and Techniques

• Descending Crane Shot: Descend while tilting up on the tilt wheel.
• Ascending Crane Shot: Elevate while tilting down on the tilt wheel.
• Upper Tilting Reveal: Tilt down slowly, then pitch forward and elevate.
• Histogram Shot (also known as Waveform Shot): Fly low over an object, then elevate and tilt up.
• Slide: Roll to the right, then elevate and tilt up.
• Rotating Reveal: Roll to the right, then yaw to the left, and elevate.
• Orbit: Roll to the right, yaw to the left, and elevate.
• Boomerang Shot: Combine an orbit with an upper tilting reveal.
• Obstacle Shot: Fly close to an obstacle, then reveal the surrounding area.

Tips and Tricks

• Practice makes perfect; don't be discouraged if shots don't turn out as expected at first.
• Consider flight paths, altitudes, and angles to add complexity and variation to shots.
• Use meditation, breathing exercises, or taking a walk to calm your hands and improve smoothness.
• Experiment with different focal lengths, altitudes, and angles to find what works best for your shots.
• Don't be afraid to get creative and try new things!

Acquiring Smooth Drone Shots

• Use an ND filter and set up the tilt smoothly to achieve smooth shots.
• Consider the director's or producer's requests to ensure flight plans and paths align with their vision.
• Flying super straight lines and slow speeds can help create smooth shots.

Rules of Takeoff

• Take off into the wind to ensure a safe and stable start.
• Ensure the pilot and drone have the same orientation to avoid inadvertent motions.
• Perform a control sweep and battery test upon takeoff to ensure all systems are functioning properly.

Safety Precautions

• Return to a safe altitude of 246 feet for extra safety precautions.
• Monitor battery information and perform regular battery tests to avoid unexpected landings.

Flight Motions

• Descend slowly while tilting up on the tilt wheel to create smooth motions.
• Match speed with elevation to create smooth and controlled motions.
• Start recording before descending or elevating to capture the full shot.

Shots and Techniques

• Descending Crane Shot: Descend while tilting up on the tilt wheel.
• Ascending Crane Shot: Elevate while tilting down on the tilt wheel.
• Upper Tilting Reveal: Tilt down slowly, then pitch forward and elevate.
• Histogram Shot (also known as Waveform Shot): Fly low over an object, then elevate and tilt up.
• Slide: Roll to the right, then elevate and tilt up.
• Rotating Reveal: Roll to the right, then yaw to the left, and elevate.
• Orbit: Roll to the right, yaw to the left, and elevate.
• Boomerang Shot: Combine an orbit with an upper tilting reveal.
• Obstacle Shot: Fly close to an obstacle, then reveal the surrounding area.

Tips and Tricks

• Practice regularly to improve smoothness and shot quality.
• Consider flight paths, altitudes, and angles to add complexity and variation to shots.
• Use meditation, breathing exercises, or taking a walk to calm your hands and improve smoothness.
• Experiment with different focal lengths, altitudes, and angles to find what works best for your shots.
• Don't be afraid to get creative and try new things!