More Than Just Flying a Camera

Professional aerial filming is a precision operation that involves weeks of planning before the helicopter or drone ever leaves the ground. Here is a look at what happens behind the scenes on a typical Aerial Advantage shoot.

Pre-Production Planning

Every shoot starts with a detailed brief. We work with the director or client to understand:

• The creative vision — what shots are needed and why
• Location specifics — airspace restrictions, terrain, weather patterns
• Equipment selection — which camera, lens, and stabilisation platform best suits the brief
• Safety and compliance — CASA approvals, NOTAMs, risk assessments

For helicopter work, we coordinate with aviation operators, file flight plans, and conduct detailed safety briefings. For drone operations, we assess controlled airspace requirements and obtain any necessary approvals.

Equipment Setup

On the day, our camera systems are meticulously prepared:

Helicopter platforms: Gyro-stabilised systems like the Shotover F1 are mounted to the aircraft nose or belly. These gimbal systems isolate the camera from all vibration, allowing smooth cinematic footage even in turbulent conditions. Camera setup, lens selection, and gimbal calibration can take several hours.

Drone platforms: Cinema drones are configured with the specified camera and lens package. Flight controllers are calibrated, batteries tested, and fail-safe systems verified. Pilots conduct test flights to confirm settings and review the flight path.

The Shoot

During filming, coordination between the pilot and camera operator is critical. On helicopter shoots, the camera operator monitors a live feed and controls the gimbal remotely while communicating with the pilot via intercom. Every pass is planned to maximise usable footage while minimising flight time.

For live broadcasts, our feed is transmitted in real-time to the production truck or studio via microwave downlink systems.

Post-Production

After the shoot, footage is delivered in the required format — typically ProRes 4444 or RAW. We can provide colour-graded rushes or raw files depending on the production workflow.

The Result

What appears as effortless, sweeping aerial footage on screen is the result of careful planning, specialist equipment, and experienced operators working in coordination. That is what sets professional aerial filming apart from simply putting a camera in the sky.

Related Services: Helicopter Aerial Filming | Drone Aerial Photography & Filming | Get a Quote