40
AERIAL DRONES VS HELICOPTERS
ARE DRONES CHEAPER THAN HELICOPTERS?
Monica Wyer Aerial DOP & ops manager, Flying TV Five industry experts answer the question
Well that says everything that is wrong with the perception of drones, doesn’t it? It implies they’re interchangeable – the helicopter’s obsolete and the drones are taking over. But I think attitudes in that respect are changing. Flying TV’s in a quite exclusive club in that we offer both helicopters and drones. I saw a definite shift towards drones for factual telly in 2014-15, mostly due to the perceived cost saving, but the past year has seen a swing back in the opposite direction. Directors have got the novelty factor of it out of their system; producers are seeing the benefit of both options; and production managers are starting to realise that they’re not the great cost saving they may appear. Especially when compared to the rates we have for helicopter work at Flying TV. Drones have found their place in the box of toys that production can draw on – they’re here to stay. At the DJI end of the market they are becoming just another tool the working cameraman can pull out of the boot for that little extra added value. At the higher end of the market shooting on 35 sensor cameras, where you’re going to have to spend upwards of £50k to get equipped, it’s really settled down with just a handful of professional companies doing the lion’s share of the work.
IMAGE New gimbal technology is benefitting drones and helicopters. Heavy lift drones have their place.
From our experience at Altitude Photography, using drones is definitely the cheaper option if calculated purely on a cost per hour basis. However, even as drone specialists we’re more than happy to accept that helicopters have their place. In our opinion the method you choose should purely be based on the shot you require, the safety and legality of either option, as well as the workflow you have planned. The pros and cons of each system should then be weighed up against the cost to decide which option is most practical and cost effective in the long run, as having to reshoot anything is likely to be far more expensive. My advice to anyone looking to use either option is to speak to us directly to confirm what can be done safely and within the limits of the aircraft, while still fitting the creative needs of your project. Chris Bradbury Director and senior pilot-in- command, Altitude Photography
Adam Sculthorp Head of cameras, Flying Pictures
Determining if an aerial sequence is best achieved by helicopter or drone is an increasing topic of conversation. Five years ago, some considered drones a cheap replacement for helicopters. However, they are very different tools offering different shot dynamics. Today, many directors and producers we work with see drones as a way of achieving a low-level shot not possible with any other tool, be it crane or cable-cam. Our approach is to deconstruct the sequence and help advise which tool will best achieve the requested results in the simplest and most cost-effective manner. Of course, one of the advantages that we have is being able to not only offer both platforms but also combining the strengths of both on a single production or even a single VFX assisted ‘continuous’ shot (something that you will be able to see on the big screen later this year).
ONCE YOU FACTOR IN PARAMETERS SUCH AS WIND AND SPEED, THE HELICOPTER STARTS TO CLOSE THE FINANCIAL AND PRODUCTION VALUE GAP
DEFINITION MAY 2018
DEFINITIONMAGAZINE.COM
Powered by FlippingBook