Shooting video using the multirotor?

[skmedia]

Hi Guys,

I work for a video production company. And we are looking to start using a multi rotot copter for some aerial shots.
Has anyone got any experience with this platform and what advice would you give to someone with no experience at ALL.
what to buy? What to make sure you have and any stabilization issues we need to be aware off.

Thanks a million!

Eric
NYC video production company

 

[Emowillcox]

HI Eric
Does anyone from your company have radio control experience?

 

[skmedia]

Thanks Emo,

No one has any radio control experience. These are new waters for us. We almost need RC 101. We almost need hand holding.
What first to buy and set it up. We will be trying to film with a Canon 5D Camera.

Thanks

Eric
NYC video production company

 

[BorisS]

Hi Skmedia,

before choosing a setup flight control system etc. you should be aware if you really want to get some quality filming you will probably need one person that is dedicated to the copter and wont have a lot of time in the beginning to do anything else than learning the system, trimming and tweaking it. Even if you buy a RTF system these plattforms need to be worked on constantly before every flight or filming etc. You could compare it to a old timer that you take care of before leaving the garage and once putting it back again. If you are aware of this and have the time, man power than it makes sense. Otherwise i would be looking for people who offer a similar service. This will safe you time and money !

Boris

 

[DucktileMedia]

1.simulator
2.guai or xaircraft
3.add a gopro and realize the complexities of getting smooth video.
4.decide how to get around FAA issues
5.start building a real AV platform as you are honing in your skills.


in that order more or less.

 

[SYNDK8]

As discussed in the other post regarding this topic, and taking into account that we as film production companies only buy limited gear such as the DSLRs and this copter now.

It depends on how much time you have to spend, with technology moving so fast and improving everyday, do you have the time to be on these forums and learn about the craft. I was in your seat a month ago and I was ready to pounce on the skyjib or cinestar RTF as a good investment into adding it to our film production company. I left everything and moved to Canada to be close to RC friends and the UAV industry, as I have never touched RC before, only to train myself and study and learn. You could say its going back to college and learning new stuff. I used to build, ecu tune, and race cars, so I know building this thing isnt hard. You can piece together everything and lift an Arri Alexa probably if have the time to research every part and learn and understand what would fail in front of impatient directors on set or you can buy a RTF kit for $30,000 and get 4 hours of training

or just hire the experts a few times for some jobs and study how they fly and their workflow and see if you like what you see.

 

[Droider]

Trust me.. it aint that easy.. buying a RTF system is OK but what happens when you have an incident... oh and you WILL.

What happens when that incident is the day before a booked shoot and you aint got a clue, the spares or the knowledge to get your ship back up in the air.. So you but two?

I aint trying to put you off but after twelve months of flying crashing and building I am just about there and would be confident to turn up and get the shot I was booked for.. but that aint with just one ship..

This is THE BEST FORUM to be looking at.. you will get honest answers to your questions from guys that have been round in other forums but got disillusioned with the bitching.. they wont always be the answers you where expecting but they will be based on sound knowledge and a commitment that is an addiction to us that have been bitten by the challenge to get footage and pictures that are only possible by these amazing, complicated, EXPENSIVE and truly life changing machines... OBTW welcome to MRF!

Dave

PS IrisAerial is bang on...

 

[ZAxis]

I can second Daves and Iris's views on this thread. Its not a matter of if you crash but defiantly when! And when 'it' happens the last thing you will want to be onboard is a 5d mk2. You may also want to explore the various threads on this forum relating to the best AP camera setup. My suggestion is that this needs to be a hobby that someone in your company takes up and only with a true commitment and time will you get the results you want.
Again not trying to shoot anybody down but this forum is invaluable for information and everyone here will have you and your companies best interests at heart.
Lec

 

[Emowillcox]

HI Eric
Hope you are getting some good feed back.
My opinion is if you have a project now that needs aerial footage right now then hire someone already doing this? The benefit to using a multicopter can be cheaper cost. If your going on your own using a radio control machine...then you have to ad in the factor of being a rookie radio control operator to the mix your cost can become expensive in a hurry and no guarantee that you will capture the type of footage you want. You will have to take into consideration you have to learn how to fly the gear and maintain it. Not saying it can't be done, but my guess is it will take months to learn the gear and become efficient with it.
Think of it like this... grab a guy off the sidewalk and bring him in and have him use your avid or final cut pro machine to edit your next show. The guy you get from the walk will probably understand where the on off button is on the computer but how long before you would feel comfortable having him edit the show?