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The only logical starting point for making a great video is capturing great video clips.
Quantity? Or Quality? We meet a lot of clients who approach the project of making a great drone video as a quantity question. When it shouldn’t be. The best videographers we work with do a lot of “editing in camera”. In other words, they are careful about when they hit “Record”. Aiming for Quality. Because that is a much better approach than quantity.
Let’s be clear, creating an amazing video is hard. People go to Film School to learn this stuff, after all. This lesson is Film School on steroids. We may not turn you into Steven Spielberg. But we can give you tons of tips, tricks and advice that will materially improve the way you fly your drone, and the way you capture video. Starting with the twelve things you must get right to set yourself up for success.
At a Glance
Your tutor: One of our Expert Drone Pilots who is also a professional, award-winning videographer
Numbers: Feel free to bring two friends, family or colleagues, completely free of charge
Base Camp: Northumberland; Llandudno; Askrigg; Frinton on Sea; Maidenhead
Skill level: For everyone interested in capturing great video
Timing: Two times each month in these five locations
Exertion: Light
Weather: In the event the forecast is bad for the day of the event, we will contact you to arrange another suitable date, or offer you a full refund. The good news is, across 1,000s of lessons delivered over six years, fewer than 10% of lessons needed to be rearranged because of the weather. Who knew? The weather in the UK is not that bad, after all.
Taking a great video clip is tricky. That’s why Hollywood Directors earn the big bucks. Many regard it as pure art. We disagree. We think there is also science involved. And like most things, it is a skill that can be worked on, and improved, with knowledge and experience.
During this In Person Lesson, we will cover twelve things you absolutely need to get right in order to take great video, including:
- The best Camera Settings for Video
- Using filters to manage frame rate
- Understanding the Histogram
- Auto exposure lock on or off?
- Choosing your subject
- Telling a story
- Planning your shots: wide; close; low; high
- Getting the drone in the right position, at the perfect height, for the start of your run
- Avoid distracting your viewer. Ideally the skill of the camera work should be invisible
- Don’t be afraid to shoot the same clip more than once. You are allowed a dress rehearsal
- Dynamic manoeuvres to make your video clips pop
- Our RAP technique for getting it right every time: Review - Assess - Perfect
You are certain to come away with clips that are better than any you have taken before. Clips you will be able to compile into a great video in post-production. This is a brilliant Lesson to have in the lead-up to coming on one of our Masterclasses, where the emphasis is very much on getting the best out of your drone camera.