Thinking outside the box. at DVinfo.net

Chris Sgaraglino · December 9th, 2011, 05:23 PM

I have been producing & directing a short film, and a week ago we had the opportunity to shoot a scene that requires aerial shots. Here is a short clip from three different perspectives: On the ground, POV and the main camera. I can't revile too much, but thought this little teaser would be nice.

Do any of you guys go outside of the box to shoot something different at your wedding or events?
I know something these events are soo fast-paced, that even a stedicam is out of the question.

Pilot: Doug Ringering
Camera Op: Jamar Harden

On the Ground: iPhone 4s (handheld)
POV: GoPro Hero mounted to the side of the helicopter.
Main Camera: Canon 7D - remotely controlled form the ground.

Warren Kawamoto · December 9th, 2011, 08:34 PM

7 years ago I also was interested in hiring an RC helicopter for aerial work, but found that it's illegal. There used to be guys at NAB showing their wares, but in the past few years, they've sold off their gear. I also contacted my insurance agent, and she assured me that it's impossible to get coverage for RC helicopters flying within 50 feet of people. She also added that flying an RC for any purpose other than a hobby is not permitted. In other words, you can't mount a camera then charge clients for the footage. Previous RC heli footage on this site were taken down because it depicted images of helicopters flying over the ceremony, which is very dangerous and illegal.

Ben Creighton · December 9th, 2011, 09:01 PM

Coolest damn thing I've seen in a while. :)

Chris - what lens were you using on the 7D? And how (if I can ask) were you controlling aim and focus?

I'm a videographer, and my son is an aerospace engineer. When I show him this video, he's gonna want to build a plane. Great stuff!

Chris Sgaraglino · December 9th, 2011, 11:03 PM

Ben,
If I am not mistaking, it's the 18-135mm kit lins that come with the 7D.

Im not to familiar with the technical aspect of his system. But, the gimbal is controlled by a system he built, for that fact, most of the bird he hand built. It's just generic servos and a seperatle radio system. He ripped apart (I believe) a video baby monitor system he got from eBay, to send the video signal to a 19" flat screen in the back of his truck so the camera operator can see what he is shooting. While he flew the bird, there was another person in the truck just running the gimbal and controlling where/what the camera shot.

Warren Kawamoto · December 10th, 2011, 12:34 AM

Please read this old post, directly from FAA:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/digital-...-says-faa.html

There is a reason why you don't see more RC...because it's illegal in the U.S., unless something has changed very recently.

Chris Sgaraglino · December 10th, 2011, 12:50 AM

Warren, I cant speak of your information, but the pilot of this bird has a $500,000 general liability policy specifically for filming.

Whether he would fly 50ft above a crowd, well that's just asking for trouble...every situation warrants specific planning to keep everyone safe and protected. Shooting in specific areas around her requires permits, if there were any issues or safety concerns,mpermits would not be issued.

With that said, my question was more of doing something different, thinking outside of the box, not the same-ol-same-ol, stuff you see everyday.

Paul Mailath · December 12th, 2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren Kawamoto

Please read this old post, directly from FAA:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/digital-...-says-faa.html

There is a reason why you don't see more RC...because it's illegal in the U.S., unless something has changed very recently.

yea - I think someone came up with a heap more continents - some of them even use RC regularly to film - I do appreciate that this is a US based forum but it does have a worldwide audience

John Knight · December 12th, 2011, 01:39 PM

Yeah - but the "whole world" is all 48 States + Alaska and Hawaii to some. :)

Paul Mailath · December 12th, 2011, 06:48 PM

and while we're on the subject of RC footage and New Zealand - did you see the footage of the Christchurch cathedral from the Parrot drone - brilliant use of the tool

(this of course may well get deleted .."because it's illegal in the U.S.")

John Knight · December 12th, 2011, 10:34 PM

In Christchurch we are mainly using Droidworx Microkopter kits for cutaways and scenic intros. Lately we've been documenting the earthquake destruction which has wiped out most of our churches here unfortunately...

This was taken in June 2011

Nigel Barker · December 13th, 2011, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mailath

and while we're on the subject of RC footage and New Zealand - did you see the footage of the Christchurch cathedral from the Parrot drone - brilliant use of the tool

Awesome use of an iPad and the Parrot AR Drone - YouTube

(this of course may well get deleted .."because it's illegal in the U.S.")

The FAA rules only apply when flying in the open. Flying a helicopter inside a building is quite legal.

December 9th, 2011, 05:23 PM	#1
Chris Sgaraglino Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 237	Thinking outside the box. I have been producing & directing a short film, and a week ago we had the opportunity to shoot a scene that requires aerial shots. Here is a short clip from three different perspectives: On the ground, POV and the main camera. I can't revile too much, but thought this little teaser would be nice. Do any of you guys go outside of the box to shoot something different at your wedding or events? I know something these events are soo fast-paced, that even a stedicam is out of the question. Helicopter with Canon 7D on Vimeo Pilot: Doug Ringering Camera Op: Jamar Harden On the Ground: iPhone 4s (handheld) POV: GoPro Hero mounted to the side of the helicopter. Main Camera: Canon 7D - remotely controlled form the ground. __________________ Chris Sgaraglino The Outdoor Life Blog \| Widow Creek Photography Last edited by Chris Sgaraglino; December 10th, 2011 at 01:05 AM.

December 9th, 2011, 08:34 PM	#2
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Thinking outside the box. 7 years ago I also was interested in hiring an RC helicopter for aerial work, but found that it's illegal. There used to be guys at NAB showing their wares, but in the past few years, they've sold off their gear. I also contacted my insurance agent, and she assured me that it's impossible to get coverage for RC helicopters flying within 50 feet of people. She also added that flying an RC for any purpose other than a hobby is not permitted. In other words, you can't mount a camera then charge clients for the footage. Previous RC heli footage on this site were taken down because it depicted images of helicopters flying over the ceremony, which is very dangerous and illegal.

December 9th, 2011, 09:01 PM	#3
Ben Creighton Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Kingsburg, California Posts: 84	Re: Thinking outside the box. Coolest damn thing I've seen in a while. :) Chris - what lens were you using on the 7D? And how (if I can ask) were you controlling aim and focus? I'm a videographer, and my son is an aerospace engineer. When I show him this video, he's gonna want to build a plane. Great stuff! __________________ “Get a good idea, and stay with it. Dog it, and work at it until it’s done, and done right.” – Walt Disney

December 9th, 2011, 11:03 PM	#4
Chris Sgaraglino Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 237	Re: Thinking outside the box. Ben, If I am not mistaking, it's the 18-135mm kit lins that come with the 7D. Im not to familiar with the technical aspect of his system. But, the gimbal is controlled by a system he built, for that fact, most of the bird he hand built. It's just generic servos and a seperatle radio system. He ripped apart (I believe) a video baby monitor system he got from eBay, to send the video signal to a 19" flat screen in the back of his truck so the camera operator can see what he is shooting. While he flew the bird, there was another person in the truck just running the gimbal and controlling where/what the camera shot. __________________ Chris Sgaraglino The Outdoor Life Blog \| Widow Creek Photography Last edited by Chris Sgaraglino; December 10th, 2011 at 01:02 AM.

December 10th, 2011, 12:34 AM	#5
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	Re: Thinking outside the box. Please read this old post, directly from FAA: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/digital-...-says-faa.html There is a reason why you don't see more RC...because it's illegal in the U.S., unless something has changed very recently.

December 10th, 2011, 12:50 AM	#6
Chris Sgaraglino Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 237	Re: Thinking outside the box. Warren, I cant speak of your information, but the pilot of this bird has a $500,000 general liability policy specifically for filming. Whether he would fly 50ft above a crowd, well that's just asking for trouble...every situation warrants specific planning to keep everyone safe and protected. Shooting in specific areas around her requires permits, if there were any issues or safety concerns,mpermits would not be issued. With that said, my question was more of doing something different, thinking outside of the box, not the same-ol-same-ol, stuff you see everyday. __________________ Chris Sgaraglino The Outdoor Life Blog \| Widow Creek Photography

December 12th, 2011, 01:39 PM	#8
John Knight Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 588	Re: Thinking outside the box. Yeah - but the "whole world" is all 48 States + Alaska and Hawaii to some. :)

December 12th, 2011, 06:48 PM	#9
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	Re: Thinking outside the box. and while we're on the subject of RC footage and New Zealand - did you see the footage of the Christchurch cathedral from the Parrot drone - brilliant use of the tool Awesome use of an iPad and the Parrot AR Drone - YouTube (this of course may well get deleted .."because it's illegal in the U.S.") __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

December 12th, 2011, 10:34 PM	#10
John Knight Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 588	Re: Thinking outside the box. In Christchurch we are mainly using Droidworx Microkopter kits for cutaways and scenic intros. Lately we've been documenting the earthquake destruction which has wiped out most of our churches here unfortunately... This was taken in June 2011 Christchurch Aerial Shots. Take Two. on Vimeo Last edited by John Knight; December 13th, 2011 at 12:23 AM.