Chapter 7. Camera Flying Techniques

We've built our multicopter, tuned it, set up our camera, and even tested it out. That was all fun and good, but this is where you'll be giggling as if you're 8 years old again. Getting amazing shots with your multicopter never gets old, and with some patience and practice, you could be shooting just like the pros (and maybe even become one yourself). In this chapter, we'll be talking about the fundamental camera moves that you can combine to get great results, how to fly indoors, and even converting your multicopter to a fully-autonomous drone.

Executing camera moves

The biggest mistake I've seen pilots make is not moving through a shot. The problem is usually because RC pilots with no camera or editing experience throw a camera on a multicopter and go for it. In the visual effects industry, what we're going for is called a handle. Basically, this is starting a shot before what you think will be the in-point of a clip and ending it well after the estimated out-point. This gives an editor some space to play with the timing. For instance, if your goal is to move sideways past a person, you should start with the person well off the screen and end with them well off the other side of the screen. Don't ever say "got it!" to yourself and veer off. Move through the shot. With this in mind, let's talk about the camera moves you'll need and how to execute them.

Crane shots

One of the best parts about multicopter flying is that you can replace extremely expensive equipment such as cranes (known as jib arms) with a relatively low-cost multicopter...

Indoor flying considerations

Indoor flying can be hazardous, to say the least. Obstacles, debris, and prop-wash are all very dangerous. Here, more than anywhere, is where it's important to go very slowly.

Before you begin your flight, you'll want to check for items that could get blown about. If you can't run a leaf blower in the room you're flying in … you can't fly. Indoors, I've lifted and flung area rugs across the room, seen ancient dust bunnies come out of the woodwork, and had papers shredded in my blades. I learned the hard way to do this check before I fly indoors.

You'll also want to consider possible air currents. Stay away from the walls. You'd think that walls would create a buffer of high pressure and push you away. The opposite is true. The closer you get to a wall, the more it tries to suck you in towards it. The same goes for ceilings too. Any obstacle can create a wind current. Analyze the room, and try to predict any wind currents that could disrupt your flight.

Finally,...

Experiencing an autonomous flight

First, I don't advise anyone to do this if they value their multicopter. Relinquishing the control of your multicopter is certainly a pucker moment, to say the least. DJI makes a few Datalink modules that connect directly to the CAN bus for autonomous flight and telemetry. The 2.4 GHz Bluetooth Datalink lets you control your multicopter with an iPad and even set waypoints on a predetermined path to turn your multicopter into a true drone. The following image shows the iPad interface and the Datalink module:

This tech is completely inappropriate for professional videography or cinematography. So why would anyone use it? There can be several applications, but one I can think of is a farmer wanting to inspect his fields. A multicopter can be set to patrol his farm slowly and return home. He can view the HD footage and look for any watering issues, brown patches, or inconsistencies in the crops—all without the need to learn to fly and while sipping an iced tea...

Summary

Now you're truly a multicopter pilot! Well, once you've mastered these skills. However, congratulations are still very much in order. You've learned all the major moves to shoot your video; however, you're not a pro yet. There's one skill left to learn before you can pitch your services at a production company. You'll need to provide edit-ready stabilized footage. In the next chapter, we'll discuss the post processing of your footage and culling it into usable clips for deliverables to clients.