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What is Aerial Video Production

What is Aerial Video Production?

Aerial video production involves the planning, and shooting, of overhead video that is captured from a plane, drone, helicopter, or other overhead equipment in order to provide a clear view of the underlying location or scene.

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Aerial videos give an entirely different perspective to your audience, representing a crystal clear overhead view of the desired destination or scene. Using various technology, including drones, planes, or other equipment, aerial video production involves the planning and shooting of overhead video to complement on-ground footage and provide incredible views of the underlying location or scene. Aerial video production can be used to elevate on-ground footage, providing a unique perspective that offers deeper understanding in a “what’s happening right now” sort of way.

What is the Aerial Shot?

The aerial shot represents a camera shot that is captured from an elevated viewpoint, generally from a crane, plane, drone or other device that allows the camera to fly high above the intended scene or location.

Aerial shots offer the audience a deeper perspective of what is taking place within the location or scene below while building a connection and adding value to the on-ground footage.

Aerial shots can be called a variety of different things including a bird’s eye view or bird’s eye shot, aerial view, raised shot, or elevated shot, and sometimes an overhead shot. Aerial videos are frequently captured from drones, but early footage was captured from balloons or planes.

What is Aerial Video Production?

Aerial video production represents the unique planning and capturing of aerial shots which are later incorporated into a video during post-production editing.

Aerial video production requires unique insight and understanding of camera equipment such as various rigs and gear that is required to produce the shot as well as professional understanding of the various positions and ways to capture the scene below to help the audience connect with what’s happening on a deeper, more refined level.

Aerial video production may also require understanding of wind, or wind loads, and the impact that this can have on production.

The Technicalities

Shooting aerial footage in particularly risky environments represents one of the most technical elements of aerial video production, but there are a number of other technical aspects to this process as well, including:

  • Flying a drone.
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  • Understanding overhead photography.
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  • Understanding the rules of flying in various locations
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  • Understanding flight software
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  • Knowing how to plan flight shoots
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  • Learning how to fly through a shot

Aerial video production may take place from a variety of overhead equipment, typically which will fly above the scene while taking the shots. 

When to Use Aerial Video Production

Videographer Prepping Camera Gear 186

Aerial video production is ideal in a variety of circumstances. It’s great for differentiating a shot or scene and can be used to add value to the a-roll when it is incorporated as b-roll footage.

Aerial videos provide an entirely different perspective for the audience, and can help you to share your story from a different vantage point or view point. 

Using aerial video production in your film is entirely up to your discretion. Aerial videos can be used to create a rich, more engaging element of the storyline, but they should not be overused.

Consider the use of aerial footage to:

  • Capture a campus or stadium below.
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  • Shoot tall structures such as buildings or trees.
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  • Capture landscape from high above.
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  • Film motion up close without the risk.
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  • Cover a moving boat or car.
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  • Add value to your a-roll.

Hire the most qualified team to film

Aerial video production requires professionals that are trained and skilled in aerial flight and camera practices. Drone pilots must be certified by the FAA just as airline pilots are also required to have FAA certifications (although they certainly are not the same certification). Before hiring an aerial video production company, make sure that you talk with them about their certifications to be sure that you’re capturing video legally. Give Beverly Boy Productions a call at 888-462-7808 to learn more about the appropriate background, skills, and insurance coverage involved in aerial video production. 

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