Mastering the Art of Drone Videography with Kobe Pashen
Drone videography has revolutionised filmmaking, replacing bulky cranes and helicopters while offering more dynamic visuals. And it's becoming more commonly used throughout the advertising production industry. So, it's always handy to have an experienced drone videographer on the team!
We sat down with our in-house editor and videographer, Kobe Pashen, to learn about his experience in mastering the art of drone flying over the last four years.
What inspired you to get into drone videography, and how did you start in this field?
Kobe: I was camping for Easter in Brisbane with a family friend, Dave Cordell (also an amazing 1st AC), and he had brought his drone along with him. At this point, I was interested in film but hadn't decided on attending uni for film & tv yet. He brought along an original Mavic Pro drone and launched it at the camp site. I couldn't take my eyes off it. I watched him as he flew it up around mountains and weaved through gorges following the creek. Seeing all the different perspectives of the camera from above got me thinking all the interesting and fun ways I could implement drone video within my projects.
From there, I spent a few years practicing with a cheap, small drone that could hardly be used for videography - mainly just to play around and practice with. And then eventually invested in a DJI Mavic drone, similar to Dave's. So, yeah, I practiced a lot on that, and crashed it at many times into walls before, buying the big boy.
Can you explain the basic equipment needed for drone videography, and how does it differ from traditional video equipment?
Kobe: It's actually really easy to get into drone videography or starting off. All you need to start is the drone, a remote controller and your iPhone which acts as the screen. Obviously the better you get and the more money you have can open up doors to more advanced and professional gear but to start out it's simple and easy!
Back when I bought my first drone, it was the only drone available and it was three thousand dollars or something or two thousand dollars. So you have to fork out a lot of money. Now they have crazy good drones like three or four hundred dollars. And whilst that's still a lot, it is more accessible to people now.
What are some of the main skills a person needs to become proficient in drone videography?
Kobe: To be good at drone flying, I think you've got to make sure you're calm under stressful situations. you're always gonna be stressed when flying a drone because you've only got 30 minutes before the drone battery runs out, or weather changes or something like that.
You've just got to act quick. And that becomes easier with lots of practice and confidence, which is another important skill. Practice flying around obstacles, getting control of the sticks and how they move the drone before worrying about camera angles and interesting shots.
When I first started someone told me the best way to learn is flying a drone in circles. Find a point of interest like a tree or a post and fly/orbit around it. Yes, you’ll probably crash your drone at some point—it happens. But with practice, it becomes second nature.
How do you ensure safety and legality when flying drones, especially in different locations or countries?
Kobe: Firstly, know the drone laws in your area. For Australia, you can visit the CASA website where you can register your drone and take the certified drone test quiz.
Secondly, always make sure you check the area you want to fly in for airports and other hazards. I use the OpenSky app which tells me what areas I can fly in and where I can’t.
Third, always know your drone surroundings. Make sure you check your surroundings with your own eyes when flying but also with you drones camera. See what's behind, in front and to the side before doing any filming.
What are some of the creative advantages that drones provide for videography compared to other methods?
Kobe: Drone shots really give the viewer a sense of scale, grandness, perspective and lets you set the scene for any film. But they can also be invigorating and put you on the edge of your seat with face paced FPV flying. They also allow access to areas and environments that normally wouldn't be available due to budget, location and also the fact a drone can fly.
Can you describe a typical process for planning and executing a drone shoot? What factors do you have to consider?
Kobe: When planning for a drone shoot it’s always good to rece the location or at least see some photos of the area before hand. However a lot of the planning for drone shooting is done on the day. I always try and get your classic orbit, move in/out shots. But adding a third movement to the gimbal can also make shots really interesting. Finally something that makes all drone shots better is having something in the foreground. Whether that's a tree or building that you narrowly fly past or gap that you fly through, the final shot lets you feel the speed of the passing building or the reveal you can give by flying through an obstacle. It’s also super satisfying when you successfully pull it off.
Can you share an example of one of your favourite projects, and explain what made it particularly memorable or challenging?
Kobe: My favorite project that I've ever done, I don't actually have any video for. It was when I took my FPV drone to Europe last year. And I was flying through the Dolomites National Parks in Italy. I remember flying the drone through all of these mountain peaks and diving down the mountains and going really closely over the Emerald Lake. And then you come up and then you've got this massive valley of mountains before you and I was flying it around there and getting some cool shots with my FPV drone.
And then suddenly, the drone went out of signal, making it really hard to control. Suddenly, I clipped that rock, and usually they can refly again, but this one actually snapped the propeller and I lost my drone in the mountains. We were actually able to find the drone, but the SD card wasn't in the slot. So none of that footage exists anymore.
Thanks so much, Kobe, for giving us a glimpse into your drone videography experiences! Having a skilled drone videographer like Kobe on the ETB team means we can capture fresh perspectives and create standout visuals that truly elevate our projects. We're excited to share a reel of his drone videography, showing all the exciting ways drones can be used to elevate your content.