From Cinemas To Weddings: How Drones Are Changing The Film Industry

In recent years, there has been a significant change in how the world of visual art works through aerial photography captured via Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Originating as an emerging phenomenon in Hollywood, UAV's are now being integrated into nearly all facets of filmmaking across the globe, including Bollywood, where drone videography is gaining popularity for producing stunning cinematic images that until now would have been too cost-prohibitive or otherwise impractical to accomplish without the assistance of UAVs.

Digital technology is being utilized in the production of feature films and other high-budget motion pictures. The use of drones to achieve aerial cinematography is now commonplace in today's film industry. Within the field of digital video production, Drones are used for many purposes, especially in the production of feature films. The primary purposes for which Drones are used are:

a) Establishing Shots

For example, an aerial view of a large urban area, or of a large open space, e.g., a beach, and a small/village/city view, creating an establishing shot of an establishment/production. By taking an aerial view of an establishment, you as a viewer will be able to manipulate the perception of the audience regarding the entire area of the establishment, creating an impression of immersion in your film.

b) Action Scene(s)

Drones have the ability to allow film-makers to create exciting, action-packed scenes that convey the viewers to a more immediate action. Drones are an ideal vehicle for capturing fast-moving action, allowing film-makers the ability to create exciting scenes of cars, trucks, boats, and actors running away. (Drones do have First Person View (FPV) capability.) These types of drones can be used to achieve fast-paced action/chase scenes that offer the film-maker high accuracy of the drone's flying capabilities when working in tight spaces.

c) Motion Smoothness – Aerial Cinematic Video

Using gimbals that incorporate three axis to keep the image stationary, Drones can provide film-makers with a possibility of the stabilisation of the picture and maximising the overall smooth appearance of the motion while recording aerial Cinematic Shots, enhancing the emotional, romantic, and dramatic aspect of a scene in the film.

d) Aerial Views are Viewed from Above:

Drones are very good for taking photographs of the top view, particularly of dance choreography, crowds, and large tracts of land.

e) Shots that are Very Difficult to Get to:

Drones provide access to locations that would be otherwise difficult to reach or unsafe to access manually or with heavy equipment (for instance, the tops of cliffs, through dense forests, close to waterfalls, and throughout deserts).

b) Pre-Wedding Videography:

Couples have started using drones for various pre-wedding videos, including:

• Mountains

• Beaches

• Lakes

• Droning shots that follow the couple

• Romantic wide... shot

Because of this, most couples are able to produce a video that could easily be mistaken for a movie trailer.

c) Drone Light Shows:

The lighting effects generated from drone swarms have started to replace traditional firework displays at elite weddings using an environmentally friendly and safer means to generate a light source.

d) Dynamic FPV Wedding Shots:

Drones are changing filmmaking by providing:

a) Tubes are Cost Effective

A helicopter shoot can be completed with a drone at one-tenth of a traditional helicopter shoot price, which can range anywhere from ₹3-5 lakhs in some cases to around ₹20,000-40,000 using a standard drone.

b) Drones Offer Unlimited Access

Because of their ability to travel in any direction without road or transportation restrictions, drones can provide access to the specific location where you are filming without the need for all the delays that occur by car.

c) Portability

Being small and lightweight makes drones easy to transport for film crews.

d) Drone Safety

Drones can perform shots that may not be safe to use traditional methods.

e) Live View Monitoring

Using the camera in the drone gives directors and cinematographers a chance to monitor what is being filmed at any given time.

f) Drones Allow for Creativity

a) DGCA Permit:

Film sets typically need to obtain permits in Restricted Zones for flying by drone.

b) Weather Constraints:

High winds, rain, dust storms all disrupt the stability of a drone flight.

c) Battery Life Limitations:

For long video shoots will require several batteries.

d) Safety:

Weddings have large crowds, so it is imperative to have trained piloting operators.

e) Noise and Privacy Issue:

Drones have revolutionized the way people create films. In addition to providing filmmakers with creative options, they have also opened up new ways to create films that never before existed.

Over the last few years, many filmmakers have begun using drones in their projects. Drones are becoming more popular with filmmakers and production companies all over India; as a result, India is beginning to emerge as a world leader in drone filmmaking. In addition to being more widely used by film producers than they were before, drones will continue to evolve, making drone technology safer, cheaper, and more intelligent than ever before. As a result of these advancements, the use of drones in the film industry will continue to expand.