FLY I NG P I CTURES | ADVERTI SEMENT FEATURE
CENTRE The Shotover M1 6-axis Gyro Stabilised Gimbal attached to a helicopter TOP RIGHT The Flying Pictures team keeps Covid-safe behind the scenes with the Ultra drone READY FOR ANYTHING “Our passion is making amazing pictures,” Beckett explains. “The whole team is focused on being able to excite and support a production team’s vision. Through the application of our extensive experience and innovation, we can develop some of the most extreme and dynamic camera solutions to enable us to achieve the client’s ‘must-have’ shot.” This encapsulates the team’s approach and demonstrates what an asset the company is, especially with new Covid-19 obstacles in place. Even in the face of adversity, the team encourages you to challenge them. Whether your production needs full-scale helicopter aerial coordination, hot-air balloons or customised drones for a unique shot, “we’ll either source it or we’ll make it”, says Rose. The sky truly proves no limit for the team at Flying Pictures.
“Our passion is making pictures. The whole team is focused on bringing that innovation through to excite production teams”
HELICOPTERS Helicopter-mounted aerial camera systems still form the backbone of what Flying Pictures does, with more than 40 years of experience in the industry. This has required some new practices with regards to Covid-19, such as regular testing, extra kit for social distancing, careful sanitisation and single-person handling. This is done in close collaboration with production partners and its strong network of pilots and aircraft suppliers. Its range of aerial camera systems has grown in order to facilitate new ways of working, explains director Matt Connor. “We’ve invested in two new Shotover M1 6-axis gyro stabilised systems. The M1 can carry a large payload, such as the Red DSMC2 or Alexa Mini LF with a range of full-frame lenses, but as it is so compact it can be handled by one crew member, making it safer and more flexible Covid- wise, and also more cost effective,” he says.
Understanding that Covid-19 has fundamentally changed the industry, Connor explains how a new project being developed with in-group expertise, Virtu Scout™, reduces the need for teams to travel to potential locations during pre- production. “It’s a secure online platform, enabling location managers to not only manage their portfolio but share and let crew explore highly detailed 3D models and panoramas, including taking highly accurate measurements. Using virtual reality headsets or standard screens, the crew can familiarise themselves with a location remotely,” says Connor. Rose specifies this has the potential to reduce the number of recce staff from a 100 to two or three, lowering exposure to Covid-19 and mitigating the delays and costs associated with quarantine periods. Virtu Scout™ is currently in development, but is expected to be out early in the new year. Find out more at virtuscout.com.
MORE INFO: flyingpictures.com; hello@flyingpictures.com
NOVEMBER 2020 | DEF I N I T ION 41
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