FPV Drone Service
FPV Specs:
Resolution
4K @ 60 FPS
Field of View
Wide after stabilization
Cameras
GoPro 10, RED Komodo
Flight Time
3 minutes per battery
What is FPV? FPV stands for “first-person view” where the drone pilot sees what the drone sees through a set of goggles. The drone provides a video that is very free-flowing and fluid
How long does it take an FPV pilot to master his craft? FPV pilots typically need at least one year of rigorous practice in order to master the flight characteristics of the drone. Additionally pilots are also adept at fixing their drones as crashes are common and inevitable.
Why use FPV? With FPV, it is entirely possible to do a one-take cinematography. Compared to the standard Mavic 2 Pro drone, which produces footage that is more traditional, FPV drones are more surreal, but can still retain a lot of that cinematic feel due to its smoothness. This also translates to longer view times and a higher chance a video can go viral. See JayByrdFilm’s video of a bowling alley that has 2.2M views - all shot on a GoPro!
When should you use FPV? While FPV can capture building exteriors with energy and flair, they harness the most advantages indoors. Connecting rooms and spaces together is one of the things FPV excels at. You can tell a story by capturing a single shot, leading your audience from room to room and experiencing all the amenities and subjects - all with context and continuity.
FPV flight throughout a design/craft facility. Because of the various actors, this shoot took a day of scouting, practice and choreography. Simpler shoots will require less prep work.
Some sample use cases:
Large indoor areas: museums, libraries, theaters, facilities/factories, breweries, arenas
Spaces that could use a bit of energy: businesses, office buildings, new stores
Spaces with intricate paths: bowling alleys, gyms, auto body shops, go-cart tracks
Some more uses: skiing, snowboarding, hot air balloons, auto racing, skateboarding, hip-hop dance, dirt-biking, jet-skis, surfing and more. Since FPV drones can travel in excess of 90mph (The FAA’s speed limit is 100mph) - these bad boys can keep up with almost every outdoor sport.
Justin Bieber in a music video by The KId Laroi
Music Videos: Finally, one of the biggest industries adopting FPV is the music industry. Justin Bieber & The Kid Laroi, Radiohead, and Juice WRLD, are among many artists, including indie artists who use FPV videography in their music videos. In The Kid Laroi’s video featuring Justin Bieber, the FPV drone performs upside down flips of Bieber as he sings on a building top, adding to the visualization of heartbreak that the singer is going through.
When should you not use FPV? Small spaces. Areas less than 1200 square feet might not have enough room for FPV drones to flow through. If your space is around this size, ask for our Segway + gimbal combination. It might be a better way to showcase your space with a full frame camera (see right image).
Is FPV drone videography more expensive? It is typically priced between our Mavic 2 Pro & Inspire 2 Pro pricing in a minimal crew member and scope setting, but with larger scopes, multiple crew members and multiple types of insurances, it can add up.
What types of insurance do you carry? We always carry 1M in General Liability. If you request more insurance, such as higher coverage, umbrella or workers comp, we estimate it will cost anywhere between $750-$1500 more.
How does the pilot have more control of the drone? The FPV pilot wears a pair of goggles that give them a real-time view of the drone and allows them to perform complicated maneuvers like flying through small openings or making banked turns.
Are they safe? Their small size and enclosed propellers translate to increased safety when compared to conventional drones.
Does the FAA have any regulations on FPV drones? FPV drones adhere to all FAA regulations when flown outdoors. However, the FAA does not have jurisdiction over indoor spaces so besides flying safely, FPV drones have much more leeway on what they can do.
Can FPV drones fly over people? Drones weighing less than 250 grams AND having propellor guards are legally allowed to fly over people. If you need to fly over people, we can build a drone to this spec for a fee.
Should I hire an FPV drone pilot? FPV Drones are starting to gain popularity as clients discover their massive potential to showcase indoor spaces with a unique perspective and added creativity. If you haven’t already, we recommend viewing our FPV reel above and deciding whether FPV drone videography is right for you and your space. If you still need help, see the use cases below or contact us via the form at the bottom.
Video Village System
The video village (see above and below images) allows multiple members of the client to monitor footage wirelessly. Our base station is mobile, features:
Up to 17” pro monitor and receiver unit
Wireless headsets for communication between base and pilot
500 watt portable power stations and power strips
Extensive FPV tool kit
Fast MacBook Pro to copy and stabilize footage on the fly
Transmitter station: With our standard system, thee pilot is hooked up to a mobile wireless transmitting station (see image, right). Both our transmitters and receivers in our video village set up have a long range meaning less time moving the either station or trouble shooting behind walls - which means more time shooting.
With our economy set up, the pilot is tethered to a standard range transmitters and paired with a standard range receiver & 13 inch monitor.
Do I need a video village? If you have two or more members on your team who would like to monitor footage, we highly recommend the set up. It’s much easier to make creative judgement calls when you can see the footage live on a large screen. This can save precious time and avoid re-shoots.
Want to learn more? Have questions? Schedule a free consultation session with us:
Behind the scenes of an FPV drone shoot:
Why our clients love FPV:
