Cass Productions: Beyond the screen

Behind the scenes on our FPV drone shoot with the DJI Avata

FPV (First-Person View) drones are game-changers for filmmakers, opening up a whole new world of dynamic shots and fresh perspectives. And in 2022, we decided to dive in and add one to our toolkit!

Here at Cass Productions, we’ve been using drones to enhance our videos for years. But when one of our drone operators got certified to fly FPV, we knew it was time to step things up. Enter the DJI Avata—our very first FPV drone!

In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything we learned while prepping for shoots with the Avata, plus some handy tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your FPV experience. Whether you’re gearing up for your first flight or looking to up your FPV game, we’ve got you covered!

PRE-PRODUCTION

A local sixth form approached us to create a promotional video that would shift perceptions of them being a sports-focused college.

After researching what prospective students wanted, we found they were most interested in seeing the college’s environment and atmosphere; less talking, more visuals. To capture their attention, we suggested using a drone to fly through the college, using well-planned transitions to move between classrooms, sports halls, and communal areas. The goal was to showcase the space in a dynamic, visually appealing way. It was the perfect opportunity to let our FPV drone shine!

With our brief in hand, it was time to dive into flight planning. The first step? Checking out Drone Safety Map. This tool is essential for getting a clear picture of any restrictions, obstacles, or no-fly zones in the area where we plan to fly. It’s quick and straightforward, giving us a map-based overview of the local airspace and letting us plan around any limitations.

Using tools like this not only keeps us compliant with regulations but also helps us avoid surprises on the day of the shoot. Whether it’s nearby airports, restricted zones, or environmental factors, Drone Safety Map gives us all the information we need to prep our route and plan the best possible shots.

FLIGHT SAFETY

Looking at the map, you’ll see our flight path was close to Southampton Airport, though safely outside the red Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ). Even though we weren’t within the no-fly zone, we still needed to stay alert for any other temporary airspace restrictions, also known as NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions), that could affect the area.

We also conducted a comprehensive risk assessment and created our flight plan.

With the green light on our flight, it was time to prep the equipment and make sure every piece of kit was good to go!
  • aerial video production, drone companies, FPV Drone

We’re currently using the first-generation Avata equipped with the Fly More kit and the DJI Remote Controller 2. This setup is incredibly versatile, allowing us to switch between the two types of controllers throughout the shoot for optimal camera control. We also packed a mobile landing pad to ensure smooth landings no matter the surface.

With everything charged and memory cards packed and formatted, we were ready to go!

After powering up the Avata, we performed some initial checks. First, we checked the battery health, which is displayed on the heads-up display (HUD). Make sure your battery is sufficiently charged before heading out, as firmware updates can be applied at any time.

Next, we calibrated the compass, using the HUD inside the goggles for guidance. It’s essential to do this in an open area away from large metal objects to avoid interference.

One crucial tip for using the Avata is to turn off built-in image stabilisation. While it can be useful, for the best results with Gyroflow—a great software for stabilising footage in post-production—it’s necessary to disable all stabilisation settings and set the field of view to Wide.

The next step is to brief everyone involved in the flight and address any questions they may have. If you’re flying in an area where it’s difficult to manage uninvolved people, putting up clear signage to inform them of the drone shoot is highly recommended. This helps maintain safety and ensures everyone is aware of the operation.

Once all the prep is complete, it’s time to take to the skies!

We kicked things off with a warm-up flight to familiarise ourselves with the area and assess how the drone performs both indoors and outdoors. This initial flight is crucial; it helps us understand the drone’s responsiveness, stability, and any potential challenges in the environment.

We then transitioned to directed shots, carefully capturing each scene multiple times to ensure we nailed the perfect take.

After two days of shooting, we walked away with some fantastic shots! It was time to get the footage back to base for editing. Once we sifted through the best clips, we processed the footage using Gyroflow to enhance the stability and smoothness of our shots.

Once the shots had been stabilised it was over to the supremely talented editing team at Cass to bring it all together.

Got a project in mind?

Contact us today to learn how we use aerial footage to bring your content to the next level. Check out our portfolio for more examples of our work.