Drone footage can add a unique and visually stunning element to any story, but how do you create a compelling narrative with it? This blog post explores the various techniques and approaches to crafting a compelling story with your drone footage, from pre-production planning to post-production editing.

Before you even start filming with your drone, it’s important to do some pre-production planning to ensure that you are capturing the footage you need to tell your story. This planning process can involve a number of different steps, including:

• Defining your story: Before you start filming, it’s important to have a clear idea of what your story is about and what you want to convey through your footage. Take some time to brainstorm and outline your story, and think about what visual elements will be necessary to bring it to life.
• Researching locations: Depending on your story, you may need to do some research to identify the best locations to film. This can involve scouting locations in person, looking at maps or aerial images, and consulting with local experts or authorities.
• Creating a shot list: A shot list is a detailed list of the specific shots that you plan to capture while filming. This can include wide shots, establishing shots, close-ups, and any other shots that are necessary to tell your story. Creating a shot list in advance can help you stay organized and focused while filming, and ensure that you capture all the footage you need.
• Planning your drone flights: In order to capture the shots you need, you’ll need to plan out your drone flights in advance. This can involve plotting out your flight path, determining the best angles and heights for each shot, and considering any potential obstacles or challenges.

Once you’ve done your pre-production planning and are ready to start filming, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure that you are capturing high-quality footage with your drone.

• Pay attention to lighting: Lighting is a crucial element in any video, and it’s especially important when it comes to drone footage. Pay attention to the direction and quality of the light, and try to avoid shooting directly into the sun or other bright sources of light.
• Use the right settings: Different shots and locations may require different camera settings, so it’s important to be familiar with the options available on your drone’s camera. Experiment with different aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings to find the best settings for each shot.
• Capture a variety of shots: To create a compelling story with your drone footage, it’s important to capture a variety of shots. This can include wide shots to establish the location, close-ups to capture detail, and medium shots to show the subject in context. Varying your shot types will help you create a more visually interesting and dynamic story.
• Stabilize your shots: Drones can be affected by wind and other factors that can make the footage shaky or unstable. To ensure that your shots are as smooth and stable as possible, it’s a good idea to use a gimbal or other stabilizing device.

Once you’ve captured your footage, it’s time to start the post-production process. This is where you’ll assemble your footage and create a cohesive story using editing techniques such as cutting, pacing, and transitions. Here are a few tips to help you create a compelling story with your drone footage:

• Start with a rough cut: The first step in the editing process is to create a rough cut, which is a rough assembly of your footage in chronological order. This will give you a sense of how your story is coming together and what footage you have to work with.
• Experiment with different cuts and pacing: The way you cut between shots and the pacing of your story can have a big impact on its overall impact. Experiment with different cuts and pacing to see what works best for your story.
• Use transitions to connect shots: Transitions, such as fades and dissolves, can help to smooth the transition between shots and create a sense of continuity. Use transitions sparingly, however, as overusing them can be distracting.
• Add music and sound effects: Music and sound effects can help to set the mood and enhance the emotional impact of your story. Choose music and sound effects that complement your footage and add to the overall tone of your story.
• Color grade and add effects: Color grading and adding effects such as filters or lens flares can help to create a cohesive visual style for your story. Be careful not to overdo it, however, as too many effects can be distracting.

We like Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio for our editing software. You can download the free version to learn the basics then upgrade when you need more features.

Crafting a compelling story with your drone footage requires a combination of pre-production planning, skilled filming, and careful post-production editing. By following these tips and techniques, you can create dynamic and visually stunning stories that capture the attention and imagination of your audience. So, these are the ways you can create a compelling story with your drone footage. Want to learn more? Pilot Institute has a great Drone Photography course to help you.

Drones offer a unique perspective for capturing video and can add an exciting dimension to your work. Using low angles, high angles, follow modes, leading lines, and tracking shots, you can create dynamic and cinematic footage. Following these tips and techniques and having a clear plan and understanding of your camera settings and flying technique, you can capture stunning drone footage that impresses your viewers.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to create a unique perspective with your drone is to use low angles. By flying your drone close to the ground or just above the tops of trees or buildings, you can create a sense of drama and intimacy in your shots.

To capture low angle shots with your drone, you’ll need to be mindful of a few things. First, it’s important to make sure you’re maintaining a safe distance from any obstacles or hazards. This will help you avoid any accidents or damage to your drone.

Second, you’ll want to pay attention to your camera settings. A lower angle will often require a wider field of view, so you may need to use a wider lens or adjust your camera’s focal length. You’ll also want to make sure you’re using a fast enough shutter speed to avoid motion blur, especially if you’re flying at high speeds.

Finally, it’s important to be mindful of any local laws and regulations regarding drone usage. In many areas, there are strict rules governing how low drones can be flown, so it’s important to make sure you’re in compliance.

Just as low angles can create a sense of intimacy and drama, high angles can provide a sense of grandeur and scale. By flying your drone high above the ground or into the sky, you can capture sweeping panoramas and breathtaking vistas that would be otherwise impossible to capture.

To capture high angle shots with your drone, you’ll want to pay attention to a few key factors. First, it’s important to make sure you have a strong, stable connection between your drone and its remote control. This will help you maintain control of your drone and avoid any accidents or mishaps.

Second, you’ll want to be mindful of your camera settings. A high angle will often require a longer focal length to capture a wider field of view, so you may need to use a zoom lens or adjust your camera’s settings accordingly. You’ll also want to make sure you’re using a slower shutter speed to avoid any motion blur, especially if you’re flying at high speeds.

Finally, it’s important to be aware of any local laws and regulations regarding drone usage. In many areas, there are strict rules governing how high drones can be flown, so it’s important to make sure you’re in compliance.

Many drones come equipped with follow modes, which allow the drone to automatically follow a subject or object. This can be a great way to capture dynamic, cinematic footage without having to constantly adjust your drone’s position.

To use follow mode effectively, it’s important to choose a subject or object that will provide interesting footage. This might be a person, an animal, a car, or any other moving object. You’ll also want to make sure you have a clear line of sight between your drone and the subject, as this will help ensure a stable and reliable connection.

When using follow mode, it’s important to pay attention to your camera settings.

Leading lines are visual elements that guide the viewer’s gaze through a frame and towards a particular subject or focal point. By using leading lines in your drone footage, you can create a sense of depth and movement, and draw the viewer’s attention to specific areas of the frame.

There are many different types of leading lines you can use in your drone footage. These might include roads, rivers, railways, fences, or any other long, straight lines that lead the eye towards the subject of your shot. You can also use natural or man-made structures like bridges, tunnels, or buildings as leading lines.

To use leading lines effectively in your drone footage, you’ll want to pay attention to your composition and framing. Place the leading lines in your frame so that they guide the viewer’s gaze towards the subject of your shot, and use them to create a sense of depth and movement.

Tracking shots involve moving the camera along a path while filming, and they can be a great way to create a sense of motion and dynamism in your drone footage. By flying your drone along a set path while filming, you can capture smooth, flowing footage that follows a particular subject or object.

To capture tracking shots with your drone, you’ll need to have a clear idea of the path you want your drone to follow. This might involve following a person, a car, or any other moving object, or it might involve flying along a particular route or path.

You’ll also want to pay attention to your camera settings. A slower shutter speed can help smooth out any jitters or vibrations in your footage, and using a gimbal can help keep your camera stable as you fly.

Using a drone to capture unique perspectives can add a whole new dimension to your video work, and there are many different techniques you can use to achieve this. Whether you’re using low angles, high angles, follow modes, leading lines, or tracking shots, the key is to have a clear plan and a solid understanding of your camera settings and flying technique. By following these tips and techniques, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning, cinematic drone footage that will impress your viewers.